ACTS & REVELATION IN Ancient Greece & Turkey

Samuel Warren Tour Group

NOVEMBER 5 - 19 , 2005

Day 1 - Departure

Today we begin our adventure to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Thessalonica.

Day 2 - Arrival Thessalonica

We transfer to our hotel in Macedonia for the next two evenings. The remainder of the day is free to relax and explore on your own.

Day 3 - Philippi/Kavala

Today we visit Philippi and Kavala. Kavala is Greece's prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbor. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of the Bible! We will see Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th century as Kavala. Continue on to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. We will visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for St. Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre. We return to Thessalonica for the night.

Day 4 - Thessalonica/Meteora Monastery

The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today. Visit the old city ramparts; the Archaeological Museum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church; and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. We will also see two of the beautiful basilicas in the city of St. Demetrius, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert (visit the catacombs where the early Christians hid); and St. Sophia. We also visit King Phillips tomb in Vergina This afternoon we visit the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Our lodging this evening will be in Meteora.

Day 5 - Athens & Plaka

From the mountains, our tour travels southward past Thermopylae and on to the city of Athens, the birth place of democracy. Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. We are then free to shop in the famous flea market of Athens. You will find the finest of jewelry, leather, pottery and marble, or the fun souvenirs all "tourists" enjoy. Be sure to taste the Greek almonds and pistachios from the street vendors.

Day 6 - Corinth - Mycenae

This morning we leave Athens by motor coach and travel to the ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of St. Paul's most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. After the visit to ancient Corinth we travel to Mycenae where the remains of the ancient city date back to the Bronze Age to see the famous Lionesse gate, the Tomb of Agamennon in the shape of a Beehive , and many other sites before returning to Athens for the evening.

Day 7 - Cruising Mykonos

We sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. Experience the waterfront lined with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening activities.

Day 8 - Rhodes

After breakfast we will visit Rhodes. This ancient fortified city was built by the knights of St. John and is rich in Roman and Greek culture. Stroll down the Street of the Knights to the market area for shopping and a wonderful Greek lunch. You may enjoy an optional tour to the ancient city of Lindos. Magnificently situated between two bays with sandy beaches, an ancient acropolis and medieval castle, Lindos is famous as a most striking and impressive city. Again we return to the ship for dinner.

Day 9 - Patmos & Kusadasi, Turkey

This morning we visit the isle of Patmos, under statutory protection as a historic monument. See the fortified monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where John received the Revelation. Docking in Turkey, we tour Ephesus, the city of the Bible and one of the largest restorations still in progress with miles of ancient treasures. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city. We'll view the Library, Agora, Temple of Artemis and visit the Basilica of St. John. The basilica is believed to be the site of the grave of St. John. From here we'll also enjoy a panoramic view of the area. Our lodging this evening will be nearby.

Day 10 - Ephesus, Colossae, Aphrodisias & Laodicea

A wealth of artifacts awaits us at the Museum of Ephesus. Colossae is well known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity although we'll be able to see traces of the theater, Necropolis and church. The city of Aphrodisias thrived as the center for worship of the goddess Aphrodite until five hundred years after Christ. Known as being "luke-warm" in the book of Revelation (Rev. 3:14-22), Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit including a stadium. Our lodging this evening will be in Pamukkale.

Day 11 - Philadelphia, Sardis & Smyrna

Philadelphia was referred to as the "New Jerusalem" (Rev. 3:7-13) in the Book of Revelation, yet today, not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica. Sardis was berated by John for its facade of strength when in reality, it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wood originated. We'll visit the Temple of Artemis, the gymnasium and synagogue. Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a long time center for Jews and Christians. In Paul's day, Izmir was known as Smyrna and was another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11). Here we'll see the ancient comercial center where Roman statues still stand. Once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple", Our lodging this evening will be in Izmir.

Day 12 - Troas & Pergamum

Troas, Paul had a vision during his second missionary journey and was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:8-13). Paul later spent a week in Troas preaching here and Eutychus was resurrected (Acts 20:6-12). The most favored of the Seven Churches, the church of Pergamum was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17). It was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We'll visit the fabled Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and visit the ruins of the libary which once held 200,000 volumes. Our lodging this evening will be near Istanbul.

Day 13 - Constantinople

The tour today will be an unusual combination of Greek Orthodox, Roman, Ottoman and modern day Islam. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey is a thriving seaport and commerce center allowing for a perfect opportunity to pick up those last minute gift items.

Day 14 - Homeward

An early morning flight will bring us home by this afternoon.