Day 3 • Istanbul
Day 6 • Kusadasi
Day 9 • Athens
Day 1 • Departure from the USA
We begin our journey as we board our plane for our flight to Lyon, France, traveling over the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 2 • Arrival Istanbul
Upon arrival, we are met by Signature Tours International representatives who assist us to our motor coach that takes us to our hotel. We have a welcome reception and orientation and then have time to relax and unpack. We have dinner at a local restaurant and stay the night in Istanbul.
Day 3 • Istanbul
Today, we have our guided sightseeing tour of Istanbul that includes St. Sophia’s, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, the Blue Mosque with its magnificent interior of blue tiles, Topkapi Palace to see the treasures of the Sultans, and the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held during the Roman Empire. We have lunch on our own and free time to shop and explore the largest and oldest covered market in the world, the famous Grand Bazaar. We have dinner and stay overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 • Izmir/Smyrna
We travel to the airport for our quick flight to Izmir and then continue on to ancient Smyrna, a mosaic of 50 centuries. It was here that a disciple of St. John, St. Polycarp, met a martyr’s death in 155 AD at the age of 92. We check in at the hotel and have lunch and then visit one of the famous Seven Churches of Asia Minor, the Church of Smyrna. We also tour the highlights of this ancient city, including the one time European Main Square. We have dinner and stay the night in Izmir.
Day 5 • Izmir/Sardis/Philadelphia/Pamukkale
Today we visit Sardis and Philadelphia, as well as one of the most picturesque areas, Pamukkale. In Sardis, we tour the temple, the gorgeous Byzantine church, and the Roman era synagogue. In Philadelphia, we visit the great Basilica, containing 11th century frescoes. Pamukkale is called cotton castle, which describes the natural phenomenon of magnificent white limestone terraces. It’s such a sight to see the necropolis and the great baths of Hierapolis at sunset. We have dinner and stay overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 6 • Pamukkale/Laodicea/Kusadasi
On our way to Kusadasi, we stop in Laodicea, which was at the crossroads between Sardis and Perge. We also stop in the city of Aphrodite, the beautiful excavated Aphrodisias, to visit the stadium, the temple, and the theater. Later, we arrive in Kusadasi, a seaside resort town, for dinner and the night.
Day 7 • Ephesus
Day 7 • Kusadasi/EphesusKusadasi
Today we spend the whole day in Ephesus, what St. Paul called “the most beautiful city in all the world.” We visit the great library, the amphitheatre where Paul addressed a furious pagan mob, and the tower where St. Paul was imprisoned and wrote the letters to the Ephesians. In 431 AD, the historic Ecumenical Council convened here and declared Mary the Mother of Jesus. Also, the Virgin Mary spent her final years here between 37 and 48 AD with St. Paul. We visit her house, which is located above the ruins; it is believed that St. John brought her to Ephesus and that she spent the rest of her days in this house. Pope John Paul II celebrated mass in this house and in the Church of the Virgin Mary. We also see St. John’s Basilica, which is believed to have been built over the tomb of the apostle, and the temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We return to Kusadasi for the night.
Day 8 • Kusadasi/Priene/Miletuis/Didyma/Bodrum
On the way to the resort town of Bodrum, we stop to visit Priene, known as the absolutely perfect place to have a picnic. We visit the ancient amphitheatre and then have lunch on our own before traveling down the Aegean cost to visit the ancient city of Miletuis, the most prosperous city of the 6th century BC. We also visit Didyma, where the Temple of Apollo exists. We then arrive in Bodrum, where, in 1402, the Pope ordered the Castle of St. Peter to be built. The castle guards the entrance to the semi-circular Bodrum Bay. We have dinner and stay the night in Bodrum.
Day 9 • Bodrum/Istanbul/Athens
We travel to the airport for our short flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we board another plane for our flight over to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens, we have lunch and then take a tour of some of the highlights of ancient Athens that includes the Pnyx, the Acropolis, and the Parthenon. We have dinner at a typical Greek restaurant and stay overnight in Athens.
Day 10 • Corinth
Day 10 • Athens/Corinth/Athens
Today we visit ancient Corinth. We have time on our own to explore the marketplace, the Temple of Apollo, and the museum. In the evening, we return to Athens for a farewell dinner with music and Greek dancing. Overnight is in Athens.
Day 11 • Athens/Cruise
We have a day long cruise of the Greek Islands and then return to Athens for dinner on our own. Overnight again is in Athens.
Day 12 • Athens/Istanbul
We head to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul. We have some free time on our own to explore or do last minute souvenir shopping. We have dinner and stay the night in Istanbul.
Day 13 • Athens/Hometown, U.S.A.
We depart to Athens Airport for our return flight home to the U.S., taking with us many wonderful memories!