Itinerary

Wednesday, June 4

Depart the U.S.

Our journey begins as we depart from the U.S. for our long-awaited sailing of the Aegean Sea and walking in the footsteps of Paul!

Turkey

Thursday, June 5

Arrival into Istanbul

Your Day Includes

  • Arrive Istanbul (IST)
  • Welcome Dinner - enjoy dinner and fellowship as you rest and prepare for the incredible journey awaiting you!

Overnight

Swissotel The Bosphorus – Istanbul

Topkapi Palace

Friday, June 6

Istanbul, Turkey

Your Day Includes

  • Underground Cisterns - a cavernous cistern that lies under the city of Istanbul from the time of Constanine and Justinian, which continued to store water until the 1980’s. Inside the cisterns, you will see recycled columns brought in from all over the Roman Empire.
  • Topkapi Palace - The main residence of the Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years

Overnight

Swissotel The Bosphorus – Istanbul

Blue Mosque

Saturday, June 7

Istanbul, Turkey

Your Day Includes

  • Blue Mosque (external only) - a stunning example of traditional Islamic architecture, known for its six delicate minarets and a striking blue Izanik-tiled interior.
  • Hagia Sophia - recently re-opened as a mosque, this 1,500 year-old structure has a colorful past as a Byzantine-era basilica, a Roman Catholic Church, an imperial mosque, and museum
  • Grand Bazaar - one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, encompassing 61 streets and over 3,000 shops with unusual antiques, colorful spices, beautiful jewelry, and richly textured fabrics
  • Arrive Port of Istanbul / Board Ship

Overnight

Star Clipper – Aegean Sea

Star Clipper

Sunday, June 8

Day at Sea

Your Day Includes

  • Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the life of Paul as we sail across the Aegean Sea
  • Free Time Onboard Ship - free time to relax, enjoy games, and explore the ship
  • Deck Party - an opportunity to fellowship as you enjoy the ship’s amenities

Overnight

Star Clipper – Aegean Sea

Philippi

Monday, June 9

Kavala, Greece

Your Day Includes

  • Port Kavala, Greece - the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia
  • Arrive Port Kavala, Greece/ Disembark Ship
  • Philippi - the city where an earthquake miraculously freed Paul and Silas from prison
  • Lydia’s Stream – Communion - a special communion service on the banks of the stream where Lydia was confronted with God’s irresistible grace
  • Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the life of Paul as we sail across the Aegean Sea

Overnight

Star Clipper – Aegean Sea

Pergamum

Tuesday, June 10

Dikili, Turkey

Your Day Includes

  • Arrive Port Dikili, Turkey/Disembark Ship
  • Pergamum - “The Compromising Church” warned to repent for including false teachings
  • Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the life of Paul as we sail across the Aegean Sea

Overnight

Star Clipper – Aegean Sea

Patmos

Wednesday, June 11

Patmos, Greece

Your Day Includes

  • Arrive Port Patmos, Greece/Disembark Ship
  • Patmos - the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia
  • Cave of St. John - the traditional location of where John received the apocalyptic visions
  • Monastery of St. John - a nearly one-thousand-year-old Greek Orthodox monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Patmos – Time at Leisure - explore the town of Patmos with its many shops and cafes or enjoy various activities onboard the ship

Overnight

Star Clipper – Aegean Sea

Ephesus

Thursday, June 12

Kusadasi, Turkey

Your Day Includes

  • Arrive Port Kusadasi, Turkey/Disembark Ship
  • Kusadasi, Turkey - a picturesque coastal village in western Turkey
  • Ephesus - “The Loveless Church” cautioned to remember their first love and repent
  • Ephesus Archaeological Museum - a collection of historic treasures from the city’s excavation sites
  • Homes of the Elites - the excavated ruins of the Roman elite’s luxurious homes
  • Port of Kusadasi – Time at Leisure - explore the Port of Kusadasi with its many shops and cafes or enjoy various activities onboard the ship
  • Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the life of Paul as we sail across the Aegean Sea

Overnight

Star Clipper – Aegean Sea

Mykonos

Friday, June 13

Greek Island

Your Day Includes

  • Greek Island - This day is at your leisure to enjoy exploring a Greek island by shopping, relaxing on a beach, or partaking at a local restaurant. The island determination will be based upon winds, weather, and sailing conditions for anchoring or docking. (Possible islands could be: Mykonos, Syros, or Paros).
  • Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the life of Paul as we sail across the Aegean Sea

Overnight

Star Clipper – Aegean Sea

Corinth

Saturday, June 14

Corinth

Your Day Includes

  • Arrive Port of Pireaus, Greece/Disembark Ship
  • Corinth - the decadent city where Paul lived for 18 months and wrote the book of Romans

Overnight

Electra Palace Hotel – Athens

Acropolis

Sunday, June 15

Athens

Your Day Includes

  • Mars Hill - the location where Paul preached about idolatry and the altar to an “unknown god”
  • Acropolis - a high, rocky outcrop rising above the city of Athens which is home to several historic temples including the Parthenon
  • Athens – Time at Leisure - explore the town of Athens with its many shops and cafes
  • Farewell Dinner - our dinner will be the culmination of our journey together, celebrating the making of new friends and deepening relationships with old. With the remembrance of the wind in the sails, the beauty of God’s creation, and the sites where God’s story unfolded, we begin the journey home.

Overnight

Electra Palace Hotel – Athens

Monday, June 16

Homeward Bound

With heart-changing memories of our walk in the footsteps of history, we arrive back home. May we never be the same!

*Itinerary is subject to change. To best serve the group, the schedule may be altered or substitutions made at the discretion of your tour leader and guide.