The Journeys of the Apostles – a New Testament Study Tour
Greece & Turkey 2016
We would like to invite you to join us for a sailing through the Aegean Sea as we
follow in the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul to the New Testament sites throughout
Greece and Turkey. This 12 day adventure will include 7 nights aboard a magnificent
4-masts clipper ship, The Star Clipper, one of the three mega-yacht sailing clipper
ships operated by Star Clippers.
We will arrive first in Athens where we’ll spend our first two nights at a 4 star hotel
and tour the spectacular sights of both Athens and Corinth before boarding the Star
Clipper for our sailing adventure through the Aegean Sea. While at sea, our stops
will include fabulous sights such as Santorini, Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, and
Istanbul. Each port will provide opportunities for you to visit a variety of spectacular
sites and during our stops in Ephesus, Patmos and Pergamum we have included
special tour excursions for our group. Our pastors will provide us with biblical and
spiritual insights into the significance of these historical sites and the missionary
journeys of the Apostle Paul.
Our hope is that this unique adventure will be much more than another vacation.
We hope this will be a journey that you will long remember as a trip of a lifetime
where you experience personally and spiritually the significance of these special
places while sharing in a time of rich fellowship with others that share your faith.
Itinerary: April 27 – May 8, 2016
Day 1: Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Depart for our Trans-Atlantic flight to Athens
Day 2: Thursday, April 28, 2016
Arrive Athens
Arrive Athens and transfer to our 4 star hotel in the heart of Athens. Begin with a mini orientation tour of
Athens followed by a welcome dinner. Overnight at the 5 star Athens Hilton.
Day 3: Friday, April 29
Athens -– Greek Easter Holiday – sights open at 12:00
Following a full buffet breakfast, we’ll start our city tour of Athens seeing world-famous landmarks such as
the Acropolis, the 2400 year-old Parthenon, the Olympic stadium from 1896, Temple of Zeus, Mars Hill
and the old quarter known as the Plaka. We’ll have the afternoon free to explore, shop or rest. The group
will meet up for dinner and meeting. Overnight at the Athens Hilton.
Day 4: Saturday, April 30
Athens/Corinth/Set Sail
Full breakfast prior to setting out for Corinth, once the capital of Roman Greece. Along the way, we’ll see
the famous Corinth Canal before arriving at the ancient biblical city. We’ll see remains of marble streets
and the Agora Forum where Paul preached in the shadow of the columns of the Temple of Apollo.
Though now well-preserved ruins, this city was once one of the largest Christian communities in Europe.
We’ll return to the port of Piraeus and board the majestic Star Clipper as we prepare to set sail on our
magnificent journey through Turkey and the Greek Islands. Dinner and overnight aboard the Star Clipper.
Day 5: Sunday, May 01
Mykonos
Spend the morning at sea enjoying the beauty of sailing aboard this fabulous clipper ship before arriving at
one of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek Islands, Mykonos, a contrast of rocky hills and beautiful
beaches. Sprinkled with white washed houses, a colorful harbor and a variety of quaint shops and
taverns, this charming island will be one of your favorites.
Day 6: Monday, May 02
Patmos
This serene island is known as the site of the Apostle John’s apocalyptic revelation, written here during his
exile from the Roman Empire. We’ll tour the Monastery of St. John (11th century) and the Grotto of the
Apocalypse, the site of the cave where John was believed to have lived and received the revelation of the
end of times. We’ll return for free time aboard the ship as we set sail and continue on this great
adventure.
Day 7: Tuesday, May 03
Santorini
Upon arrival here you will see why Santorini is considered the most breath-taking of all the Greek Islands.
Around 1500 BC, a volcanic eruption destroyed the center of the island, leaving a crescent shaped rim of
cliffs around a harbor formed by the volcano’s caldera. On shore you can either ride a donkey up the cliffs
or take a cable car to the summit to the village of Fira and enjoy this charming, romantic island. Some say
here in the ruins of Akrotiri lay the remnants of the lost civilization of Atlantis. We’ll have the day free to
explore this beautiful island filled with shops and cafes with endless breathtaking views from the island.
You can rent a scooter, 4 - wheeler, wander the streets, take an excursion or just sit mesmerized
overlooking the caldera. This will no doubt be a site you won’t soon forget. We’ll enjoy the world famous
sunset before we set sail. Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.
Day 8: Wednesday, May 04
Kusadasi, Turkey
As we go ashore in this Turkish village we’ll take a bus tour as a group to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved
ancients cities in the world and one of the well known new testament churches established by Paul on his second
missionary journey. You’ll marvel at the ruins that have been uncovered including temples, fountains, theaters and
the Library of Celsus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We will worship together in the amphitheater
and imagine what it was to have lived here in the time of Paul. In the afternoon we’ll be free to explore the shops and
markets of Kusadasi or return to the ship for some water sports or relaxing before we set sail.
Day 9: Thursday, May 05
Dikili, Turkey / Pergamum
Dikkili is a sleepy little beach town, authentically Turkish. The harbor is lined with open-air restaurants and shops with
local food specialties. Nearby Pergamum is our destination today to visit its two main monuments: the Acropolis
perched at a height of 280 meters and the Asclepion. We will travel today from port to Pergamum. We will see the
Asclepion and Red Basilica continuing to the Acropolis. Pergamum had received the third letter of the seven letters of
St. John to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor.
Day 10: Friday, May 06
Canakkale, Turkey / Troy
Facing squarely across the Dardanelles to confront the imposing mass of Kilitbahir Fortress, Canakkale reminds you
that this area has been a place of conflict since the time of the Trojan War. Nearby Troy (Truva), uncovered by
archeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1871 was of course the site of the most famous siege in history. Time has eroded
most of the 3,500 year-old ruins, but you can imagine what Priam felt as he faced Achilles’ invading Greek army. Free
Day aboard the Star Clipper or Optional City of Troy Excursion. Farewell dinner aboard the Star Clipper.
Day 11: Saturday, May 07
Istanbul, Turkey
Disembark early morning following breakfast at the port in Istanbul Turkey followed by a ½ day tour of the city. Sights
will include the Hague Sophia, Blue Mosque and optional stop at the Grand Bazaar. The group will check into our
hotel for some free time this afternoon and evening to enjoy the fabulous city of Istanbul.
Day 12: Sunday, May 08
Departures
Included in the cost of the tour:
Escorted by Gary Brandenburg, Gabe Gilliam, Steve Clifford and the JC Keller Travel Staff
Hotel – 2 overnights in the 4 star deluxe Athens Hilton and 1 overnight in a 4 star hotel in Istanbul.
7 night stay aboard the magnificent Star Clipper in selected cabin category including all meals.
Additional Meals – All breakfasts and dinners daily in Athens, lunch in Corinth, and breakfast in Istanbul.
Guided Sightseeing Excursions Included – Athens, Corinth, Patmos, Ephesus, Pergamum and Istanbul via deluxe
motorcoaches with English speaking guides.
Transfers – All group transfers & baggage handling between the airport and hotel in Athens and ship to hotel in
Istanbul and hotel to airport Istanbul if traveling on group flights.
Gratuity – Includes for guides, bus drivers, Athens & Istanbul hotel staff, baggage handling and Star Clipper crew
Ship Port Charges - $255.00 per person included Water Sports – non motorized watersports aboard Star Clipper
Sightseeing Excursions – tour excursions at ports if not already included may be purchased from Star Clippers after
boarding our cruise. Prices and space are subject to availability.
Not Included: Beverages other than coffee & tea with meals, room service, internet, meals not mentioned in Athens
and Istanbul, shore excursions outside of group tours, personal items, and airport transfers unless you are part of the
group air block or arrive on the same flights.
Optional: Air transportation on group blocked flights may be purchased with your tour, airfare is not included.
Cancellation insurance will be offered at group rates from M H Ross Insurance.