Greece - Turkey - Israel

Itinerary

DAY 1: Thessaloniki

Arrive in Thessaloniki, transfer to hotel. Dinner included. Get acquainted. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

DAY 2: Thessaloniki-Philippi-Kavala

Visit Thessaloniki and Philippi — After breakfast, pick up from hotel to start morning tour of Thessaloniki. Visit to the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Thessaloniki. Enjoy the sites and the beautiful coastline. Afterwards, we will reach the town of Kavala (Ancient Neapolis) and then Philippi where Paul preached and baptized the first Christians in Europe! Visit the ‘’Baptismal’’ site, where Lydia was baptized and the place where tradition says Paul was imprisoned. Finally, we visit the Acropolis of Philippi, the Ancient Market, Basilica and Theatre. Overnight in Kavala (Ancient Neapolis) Group Dinner in Hotel included.

DAY 3: Kavala to Meteora

Kavala to Meteora – We leave Kavala. We arrive at the beautiful town of Veria (Ancient Beroea) at Northwestern Greece. Visit the Jewish synagogue in the area Paul originally preached. We continue to the Ancient town of Vergina. Go to the Royal tombs of Alexander the Great’s father, Phillip of Macedon. We finally arrive at the picturesque town of Kalambaka and go to Meteora to see the breathtaking rock tower monasteries of the 11th Century! Overnight in Kalambaka (Meteora). Group Dinner in Hotel included.

DAY 4: Kalambaka to Athens

Kalambaka to Athens — Early in the morning, we drive a few hours along the mountainous region to Athens. Make short stops at Thermopylae, the statue of Leonidas and the wonderful Tempi valley. Follow the path of the Apostle to the nations by visiting the Areopagus or Mars Hill where he preached to the Athenians (Acts 17). Visit the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens. Group Dinner in Hotel included.

DAY 5: Corinth-Athens

Ancient Corinth to Athens – Visit the famous Canal of Corinth, the archaeological site and the museum at Acrocorinth. Visit the biblical site of Cenchreae. Stroll around the ancient citadel while your experienced tour guide relates to you the fascinating history of such monuments as the Temple of Athena Nike, the Theatre of Dionysus. Overnight in Athens. Group Dinner in Hotel included.

DAY 6: Athens

Visit the Greece Bethel Branch Office in Athens. Visit Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Malakasa. (If tours of the Branch and Assembly Hall are available). Finally, enjoy the beautiful view from Lycabettus mountain and a final Group dinner overlooking Athens. Overnight in Athens.

DAY 7: Athens / Izmir Turkey

Breakfast at Hotel. Depart Athens. Flight towards Izmir. Free time in Izmir. Group dinner included at hotel.

Day 8: Izmir Turkey

Breakfast at the hotel and continue to Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) First visit Asklepion (medical center of the ancient world). Then visit the Acropolis, Temple of Athena, Royal Palace, Temple of Trajan, the steepest theater of the ancient world, Altar of Zeus. Continue to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) which was a commercial center, visit remains of a church and then return to Izmir. Group dinner included at hotel.

Day 9: Izmir Turkey

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit ancient Agora of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) Depart from Izmir to Ephesus, a cradle of early Christianity (Revelation 1:1; 2:1-7). Proceed to spectacular ruins from the period of Paul; see Odeon, Fountains, Temples; Library, Great theater and stadium. Temple of Artemis (one of the seventh wonders of the ancient world.) Group dinner included at hotel.

Day 10: Izmir Turkey/Pamukkale

Breakfast and check out of Izmir hotel. Visit Aphrodisias en route to Pamukkale (which was ancient Hierapolis mentioned at Colossians 4:13.) Visit the wonderful formations of stalactites and watch the Cataracts falling into the Basin at the bottom of the Mountain. Continue the tour with the ancient city of Hierapolis. Group dinner included, overnight in Pamukkale Hotel.

Day 11: Pamukkale/Izmir Turkey

Breakfast and check out of Pamukkale hotel. Early morning start with a visit to the ancient city of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22). Continue to Philadelphia. (Revelation 3:7-13) Visit Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. See the Temple of Diana, the Golden River (Pactalos) and the royal road. Then visit the reconstructed synagogue and continue to Izmir for Group dinner included, overnight in Izmir hotel.

Day 12: Izmir/Kayseri Turkey

Breakfast and check out of Izmir hotel. Flight to Kayseri Airport (Cappadocia). Group dinner included, overnight in Cappadocia hotel.

Day 13: Cappadocia

Possibility to take hot air balloon ride (not included) at early morning (5 AM). Exploring Monastic center of Goreme, dark churches and Buckle church. Touring Pasabag Valley. Visit pottery town Avanos. Group dinner included.

Day 14: Cappadocia

Visit Kaymakli Underground city visit (cave dwellings), where the Christians lived protecting themselves from invaders. Visit to Sinassos. Group dinner included.

Day 15: Cappadocia/Istanbul

Breakfast and checkout from hotel. Flight from Kayseri Airport to to Istanbul.
Visit Grand Bazaar & Egyptian Spice Market. Group dinner included, overnight in Istanbul Hotel.

Day 16: Istanbul

Breakfast in Istanbul hotel. Visit Hagia Sophia Museum. Enjoy Bosphorus Cruise. Group Dinner and overnight in Istanbul hotel.

Day 17: Istanbul / Tel Aviv

Breakfast in Istanbul Hotel. Flight from Istanbul to Tel Aviv, Israel. Free time all day in Tel Aviv. Dinner at Tel Aviv hotel included.

Day 18: Tel Aviv

Breakfast in hotel. Tour Tel Aviv Bethel (If tours have resumed at Bethel). Tour Joppa; Visit Simon the Tanner’s “house” and walk down to Joppa’s ancient Port. Local cuisine for lunch, not included; after lunch visit the Valley of Elah (NEW) and then tour the Biblical Landscape Museum. Group dinner at Tel Aviv hotel included.

Day 19: Tel Aviv/Tiberias

Breakfast in hotel. Check out of Tel Aviv hotel. Visit beautiful Caesarea. Visit to Megiddo (lunch at Megiddo, not included). Guided tour of Nazareth Village – experience a memorable re-creation of Nazareth of 2000 years ago. Check into Tiberias hotel. Group dinner at Tiberias hotel included.

Day 20: Tiberias/Jerusalem

Breakfast in hotel, Tour the Sea of Galilee area: First a wonderful boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes for a reading of the Sermon on the Mount. Visit Capernaum. Enjoy Galilee Fish lunch, not included. Visit ruins of the Synagogue of Magdala. Group dinner at Tiberias hotel included.

Day 21: Tiberias/Jerusalem

Breakfast in hotel. Check out of Tiberias hotel. Visit Jordan River site; Visit to Jericho. Lunch at Jericho site, not included. Take coach to Jerusalem to the Mt. of Olives, walk down to Garden of Gethsemane. Group dinner at Jerusalem hotel included.

Day 22: Jerusalem

Breakfast in hotel. Early morning visit to Temple Mount. Visit Pools of Bethesda. Tour the Western Wall Tunnel. Local cuisine Lunch not included. Guided Bible tour of Israel Museum (we have our own theocratic guide), Shrine of the Book and the huge outdoor model of ancient Jerusalem. Group dinner at Jerusalem hotel included.

Day 23: Jerusalem

Breakfast in hotel. Enjoy city walk, Visit Wohl Museum & Burnt House, continue to the City of David (enjoy excellent film of Jerusalem’s history). Visit to Gihon spring, Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam. Guided tour of Garden Tomb site. Group dinner at Jerusalem hotel included.

Day 24: Jerusalem

Breakfast in hotel. Visit Masada, using the cable car. Enjoy floating in the Dead Sea. Conclude by visiting with old “Abraham” in his tent in the Judean Desert, including Camel ride and Biblical dinner.

Day 25: Jerusalem

Breakfast at Jerusalem Hotel.
Transfers/Departures from Jerusalem