13 DAYS ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND BIBLICAL SITES
Athens - Crete – Santorini - Samos - Troy – Pergamum - Ephesus – Istanbul
This study tour will cover both countries, Greece and Turkey covering significant sites of the Ancient world and Christianity, in a period of 13 days!
It is recommended for students, alumni or friends of Biblical sites.
Itinerary
Day 1: ATHENS. Arrival and transfer to your hotel in Athens via private bus transfer and assistant. Welcome dinner in Greek taverna. Overnight in centrally located hotel, near the Acropolis and Plaka, hotel Herodion or similar. (B,D)
Day 2: ATHENS-CRETE. Morning guided tour (by professional licensed guide/lecturer) to the National Archeological Museum of Athens, with all major treasures of Greece on display. A visit of the Acropolis site, the UNESCO World Heritage site is a must in Athens, along with the modern Acropolis Museum, surrounded by natural light in a parallel sequence to the Parthenon. Alternatively, optional guided bus trip to visit Ancient Corinth, where St. Paul preached. At 6:00 pm, transfer to the port of Piraeus to depart for Crete by overnight ferry in first class cabins. Overnight on board. (B)
Day 3: HERAKLION (CRETE). Arrive early in the morning and transfer to your centrally located hotel for breakfast. Start your guided tour of Knossos, the Minoan Palace, with the impressive throne and famous for its myth of Ariadne and Theseus. After a stop for lunch, stroll around the city of Heraklion and experience the unique collections of artifacts of the Minoan civilization, including the disc of Phaistos and the ivory figure of the bull leaper in the Archaeological Museum. Overnight in in Heraklion. (B)
Day 4: CRETE-SANTORINI. Optional full-day excursion by boat to the volcanic island of Santorini, with the dramatic landscape and views. Depart from Crete at 7:30 am, arrive in Santorini at 11:30 am. Excursion to excavations of Akrotiri, the famous prehistoric city, buried in volcanic ash with beautiful frescos and artworks as displayed in the Museum of Prehistoric in Fira. Depart Santorini at 5:30 pm and return to Crete at 9:00 pm.. Overnight in Heraklion. (B)
Day 5: CRETE. At 8.30am bus drive to Phaistos, the second in importance Minoan palace in Crete, and Gortyna, the important town in Roman times. Continue to Matala beach for swimming and lunch. Evening sail by ferry at 6:30 pm to Piraeus. Overnight in First Class cabins aboard the ferry. (B)
Day 6: ATHENS-SAMOS. Arrive early morning on the port of Piraeus. Transfer to airport for flight to Samos (one hour flight), one of Eastern Aegean islands, famous for its vineyards and sweet wine. Guided tour of the island including the Archeological museum, and the Temple of Hera, an UNESCO World Heritage site including the Eupalinean aqueduct which is an exemplary piece of engineering. Samos is the birthplace of Pythagoras, the famous ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher. Overnight in in Samos. (B)
Day 7: SAMOS-KUSADASI. Transfer to port for boat departure to Kusadasi/Turkey. Upon arrival, in Kusadasi, meet our office representative and your Turkish guide/lecturer with your private bus to transfer to your central hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight. (B)
Day 8: EPHESUS- IZMIR. Visit the impressive site of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city as well as one of the seven churches of Asia, as cited on the Books of Revelation. Visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Library of Celsus, and Temple of Hadrian. The House of Virgin Mary is the site not be missed, considered the last home of Mary, mother of Jesus. Continue to reach Izmir, “Smyrna” in classical antiquity for a short sightseeing tour. Overnight & dinner in Selcuk (B,D).
Day 9:PERGAMUM-TROY. Drive to Canakkale. En route visit the Acropolis and Asclepion of Pergamum, once an imporant ancient Greek city and also the northernmost of the seven churches of Asia, as described in New Testament. Visit Troy’s archaeological site, the famous city of the Troyan War as described in Home’s “Iliad” . Reach Canakkale for overnight.(B)
Day 10: TROY-ISTANBUL. Early morning visit of the battleground in Gallopoli. Transfer to Istanbul with your private bus and guide. Upon arrival in Istanbul, visit one of the top attractions, the Topkapi Place and Museum, once the residence of the Ottoman sultans. Dinner in Istanbul with traditional Turkish dishes and overnight in Sultanahmet area (B,D)
Day 11:ISTANBUL. Full-day sightseeing tour of the capital of the Byzantine empire, visiting the Hippodrome, the impressive Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, the underground cisterns, the Suleyman Mosque and stroll around the Grand and Spice Bazaars. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 12: ISTANBUL. Short Bosporus cruise and experience both the European and Asian side, pass by historical monuments such as the Galata Tower, and the Dolmabache Palace. Afternoon bus ride to experience Kariye Moscque, that used to be a Greek orthodox church with impressive mosaics. Farewell dinner in selected restaurant (B,D)
Day 13: ISTANBUL -USA. After breakfast, transfer to the airport by private bus and assistance for departure to the U.S. (B)
We provide:
Accommodation in three (3***) and four (4****) star hotels in Athens, Crete, Samos and Turkey with all modern comforts, central location and private facilities
Daily breakfast buffet
Three (3) 4-course dinners, one in Greece and two in Turkey all with local specialties
Private local guides/lecturers licensed by the Greek and Turkish government respectively
Transportation by modern, luxurious motor coach and experienced drivers
Roundtrip ferry tickets from Piraeus to Crete in First Class, twin berth cabins with private facilities
(taxes included)
Airline ticket from Athens to Samos ( incl. taxes) via Aegean Airlines (including taxes and one checked-in luggage)
Guided tour of Samos with private local guide and private bus for local visits
Boat ticket from Samos to Kusadasi (Greek and Turkish port)
All transfers in Athens, Crete, Samos and Turkey by private bus and assistance
24-Hours Assistance from local reps