Revelation Unveiled: “A Journey Through the 7 Churches of Asia, and beyond”: With 3 night Aegean Cruise, Athens & Corinth
September 10-21, 2025
Tour Itinerary
Tuesday, September 9: Travel from the USA
Overnight transatlantic flight from USA to Istanbul, Turkey.
Wednesday, September 10: Istanbul
Upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport, clear customs, collect luggage and proceed to the arrival hall area where we will meet our guide. Transfer to the hotel for check-in after 3:00pm. (Time permitting we will visit the highlights on the first floor in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.)
Return to the hotel for dinner & overnight stay. (D)
Istanbul first known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, the city links Europe and Asia and is built on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait. The city was the site of several church councils, and the Church of Haghia Sophia, the largest Christian church for 1000 years.
Thursday, September 11: Istanbul
Buffet breakfast at hotel. In the morning we visit the Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles and the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome, St. Sophia, built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century AD, one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels and a designated World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, we visit the Grand Bazaar and the Ottoman Sultans' Topkapi Palace (Sultan's home) was the seat of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years. Dinner & overnight in Istanbul (B-D)
Friday, September 12: Istanbul - Izmir – Pergamum - Thyatira - Izmir
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. Transfer to Istanbul Airport for our domestic flight (approximate duration: 1 hour 10min) to Izmir. Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, drive to Pergamum, called "the most spectacular city of Asia Minor" by M. J. Mellink. It was the most favored of the churches of Revelation, praised for its perseverance in hard times (it lived where "Satan has his throne" Rev. 1:12-17). Here and in Rome, Christians were executed. We visit the Acropolis, 1000 ft. above the town, we see the steepest theater of the ancient world, Royal Gates, the Temples of Zeus, Athena and Trajan. We then continue to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. This is the hometown of Lydia and it was a city famous for purple dyes. It was also a military outpost. From here the Macedonian rulers protected Pergamum and Sardis, and Roman emperors were worshiped as the Greek god Apollo incarnate. The church was chastened because of the influence of a local Jezebel. We see the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Drive to Izmir for check-in at hotel, followed by dinner & overnight. (B-D)
Saturday, September 13: Smyrna - Sardis - Philadelphia - Pamukkale
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. The harbor city of Smyrna built at the end of a huge gulf was an important commercial center. The Christians at Smyrna suffered persecution for centuries. This church was challenged: “Be faithful, even to the point of death..." (Rev. 2:8-11). Our day begins with a visit to the ancient Agora of Smyrna. Smyrna was the second city to receive a letter from the apostle John in the book of Revelation. Acts 19:10 suggests that the church there was founded during Paul’s third missionary journey.
Our next visit is to one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4], Sardis, presently Sart, was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, a religious and commercial center over 1000 years. The site includes ruins of the largest synagogue ever excavated, with temples, shops, baths. The church was described as having a great reputation for being alive, though it was dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which became a Byzantine Church. We will also visit some ancient Lydian houses, and the restored gymnasium and reconstructed synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolos. We continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7]. The Apocalypse church was small but faithful the only church not censured. There only a few remains of the Byzantine basilica built of brick may be seen in the town today, with a bit of high arch and some 11th century frescoes. We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, actually Pamukkale, the white «cotton fortress» where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. Check-in at the hotel in Pamukkale. Dinner & overnight. (B-D)
Sunday, September 14: Hierapolis - Laodicea – Kusadasi
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
In Hierapolis [Col. 4:13] we visit the site where, according to legend, the Apostle Philip was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. We visit the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, and the Necropolis. Paul greeted this city in his letter to the Colossians. The hot springs and Sulphur vapor befit the city which had the Plutonium, the entrance to the underworld.
We then depart for Laodicea (present name Denizli) yet another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 3:14;. Located near Colossae, Laodicea was once a wealthy city which declined the emperor's financial help after two catastrophic earthquakes (first century AD). They rebuilt the city on their own. This church was described as "lukewarm, naked, blind, and in abject poverty." It was a cultic center of Hierapolis, both cities are mentioned in Paul's letter [Col. 2:1; 4:13-16]. We see the ancient theatre, the remains of basilica and ancient stone water pipes. Drive West to Kusadasi where we check-in at the hotel. Dinner & overnight stay. (B-D)
Monday, September 15: Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi
After buffet breakfast at hotel, we enjoy a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Here the Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre. We will visit the exquisite Terrace Roman Villas, the remains of the luxurious residential houses, where the rich and famous citizens of Ephesus lived. We enjoy a visit to the Basilica of St John before returning to the hotel in Kusadasi for dinner & overnight stay. (B-D)
Tuesday, September 16: Kusadasi - Embark on the cruise - Patmos, Greece
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, check-out. Morning transfer to the port of Kusadasi where we will embark our cruise-ship. We will have a cruise orientation meeting and discussion for Rhodes prior to sailing at 1:00pm. Lunch on board. At 4:30pm arrive at the island of Patmos. Disembarkation by tender-boats (sea & weather permitting). Patmos was the small island of John's exile where he received the Revelation [Rev. 1:9]. Our included guided shore-excursion takes us to visit the Monastery of John the Evangelist and the Grotto of the Revelation. Return to the cruise-ship for an overnight sailing to Rhodes at 9:30pm. Dinner & overnight on board ship. (B-L-D)
Wednesday, September 17: Rhodes, Greece
At 7:00am our cruise-ship will dock at Rhodes for the day. Enjoy the day free to explore the old walled medieval town of Rhodes. Paul sailed from Cos to the island of Rhodes, home of the famous philosophers and orators, on his homeward journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1). We will have an orientation meeting about Heraklion Crete and Santorini (time to be advised). Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & overnight on board ship. Sail for Heraklion at 6:00pm. (B-L-D)
Thursday, September 18: Heraklion, Crete & Santorini
At 7:00am we will dock at the port of Heraklion, Crete where you will have some free time to walk to the town center. Return to the cruise-ship. Lunch on board. Sail to Santorini at 12:00 noon. Around 4:30pm, the cruise-ship will drop anchor in the moon shaped caldera below the white washed houses of Fira along the rim of Santorini. Walk up 585 steps or better take the cable-car up to the town. After free time in Fira, the cruise-ship sails at 9:30pm. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & overnight on board ship). (B-L-D)
Friday, September 19: Lavrion (Athens) - visit the Acropolis - Mars’ Hill – Ancient Agora
At 6:00am arrival in the port of Lavrion, at 7:45am disembark after breakfast and board our tour motor-coach to drive to downtown Athens where we visit the marble-capped Acropolis to see the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. We continue to nearby Mars' Hill (or Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. We then walk down to visit the ancient Agora, which was formerly the commercial hub of ancient Athens and birthplace of politics and philosophy. Here Paul reasoned with the most skeptical audience he met in the course of his travels. We see the very well-preserved Doric Temple of Hephaestus (or Thesseion) and the Stoa of Attalos, an arcade built by Attalos II, king of Pergamum, used as a retail market. Today it is used as museum, displaying statutes, pottery and especially coins. We enjoy a bus panoramic sightseeing city tour viewing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament House, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Hadrian’s Arch en route to the hotel for check-in after 3:00pm. Enjoy the evening free for a stroll through the famous Plaka, the oldest and most picturesque district of Athens. Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Athens. (B-D)
Saturday, September 20: Athens - Half Day tour in Corinth - Athens
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning drive out of Athens along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to ancient Corinth. It was Corinth where the Apostle Paul lived and preached for a year and a half, and to this church he wrote two of his new Testament letters. We see all of the Greek and Roman sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema, and Gallio’s Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an eye opener! Return to Athens via Cenchrea in the afternoon. Dinner & overnight at hotel in Athens. (B-D)
Sunday, September 21: Athens departure
Breakfast at hotel or breakfast box provided by the hotel (depending on group's departure flight). Check-out of the hotel and group escorted transfer to Athens International Airport for departure flight home. (B)
Please note: Excursions, visits, tours, flights timetable mentioned on the itinerary might have slight changes in the time or in the itinerary scale but without omitting any visit scheduled.
PACKAGE PRICES PER PERSON IN USD $
$3,600 per person
*does not include international flights
$300 Deposit Due: May 1, 2025
Our group package prices include:
· Hotel accommodations at below hotels or similar with daily buffet breakfast:
· Two (2) Overnights in Istanbul at Radisson President Beyazit Hotel or similar
· One (1) Overnight in Izmir at Hilton Garden Inn Bayrakli or similar
· One (1) Overnight in Pamukkale at Pam Thermal Hotel or similar
· Two (2) Overnights in Kusadasi at Charisma Hotel or similar
· Two (2) Overnights in Athens at Hotel Parthenon or similar.
· Three (3) Night Cruise from Kusadasi Turkey to Lavrion, Greece
· Cabin accommodation in inside (internal, with no porthole, no window)
cabin category/IA
· Meals on board beginning with lunch on embarkation day in Kusadasi and
ending with breakfast on disembarkation day in Lavrion
· Port taxes, security and cruise gratuities for the cruise staff only.
· Beverages (select drinks) during the meal time
· Entertainment and daily activities on board
· Shore-excursion to visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery of John the Evangelist &
the Cave of the Revelation in Patmos
· Hotel city taxes
· Climate resilience taxes
· Daily dinners at the hotels in Turkey and in Greece (either 3-4 course set menu
or buffet based on Turkish, Greek & Mediterranean cuisines)
· All land transportation and tours as outlined in the itinerary by deluxe
air-conditioned motor-coaches
· Comprehensive sightseeing tours with the services of local English-
speaking government licensed Bible oriented guides in Turkey and in Greece
· English-speaking assistant/rep for arrival, on the cruise and departure transfer
· Entrance admission tickets to archaeological, historical sites & museums as outlined
in the itinerary
· One-way air-ticket – in economy class Istanbul -> Izmir domestic flight with
luggage allowance 20 kg (44 lbs.) and 8 kg (17.6 lbs.) carry-on bag.
· Whisper headsets during the visits
· One (1) small bottle of water per person per day provided during land tours in
Turkey & in Greece (not during the shore-excursion)
· Hotel service charges, local governmental taxes, VAT.
Not included:
· All international air-tickets
· Airport taxes, security taxes, fuel surcharges
· Tips to tour-guides, motor-coach drivers, local escorts/reps, hotel restaurant staff,
hotel porters, hotel chambermaids, shore-excursion guide and motor-coach driver
in Patmos (see above)
NOT INCLUDED TIPS FOR TURKEY & GREECE
TOUR-GUIDE ON LAND TOUR – 7 to 8 Euros per person / per day
TOUR-GUIDE ON CRUISE SHORE-EXCURSION – 4 to 5 Euros per person / per shore-excursion
MOTOR-COACH DRIVER - 5 Euros per person / per day
LOCAL ESCORT/REPRESENTATIVE – 5 Euros per person / per day
HOTEL STAFF - 2 Euros per person / per day
HOTEL CHAMBER MAIDS - 1 Euro per person / per day
LUGGAGE PORTERS – 2 Euros per person / for check-in & check- out
RESTAURANT WAITERS FOR EXTERNAL MEALS - normally around 10% of the total bill
All personal expenses
Lunches on land tours
Meals, drinks, beverages not mentioned as being included
Other optional shore-excursions offered during the cruise such as:
In Rhodes – visit the Acropolis of Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights at $103 per person.
In Heraklion – visit the ruins of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, 1st European civilization at $103 per person
In Santorini – visit the spectacular village of Oia where you can see the blue dome churches perched on the caldera at $97 per person.
Travel & trip cancellation insurance
Medical health & accident insurance with Covid-19 coverage, PCR/RAPID TEST expenses that may be required at the time of travel
Porterage at all airports, hotels and ports
Valid passport for at least 6 months and visa fees (it is the responsibility of the participant/passenger to have all necessary documentation in his/her possession before traveling.
Baggage insurance
Excess baggage
Any other items not specifically mentioned as being included.
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