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The Journeys of Paul with Dr. Bur Shilling (29257)

Starting from $3,498**Taxes & Fees Apply

This Trip Visits:

  Greece • Turkey

Trip Includes:

Roundtrip Airfare, Deluxe Motorcoaches, First Class Hotels, Guided Sightseeing, Breakfast and Dinner Daily, Entrance Fees, Study Guide

from Detroit for $3498 (includes Tax, tips)

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  1. Day 1 - Depart USA

    Depart Detroit on Delta Air Lines (by way of New York) for your overnight trans-Atlantic flight to Istanbul.

  2. Day 2 - ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL

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    The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Time permitting, you will also visit the Topkapi Palace, once home to royal Sultans. Inside, you will see the fabled jewels of the Treasury, delicate displays of Chinese porcelain in the Kitchen Quarters, and the provocative Harem Quarters. Walk through St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), which was the largest church in Christendom for a 1000 years. Built by Justinian (532-537 A.D.), the church has 107 columns, fossil imbedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Today, it is the Museum of Byzantine Art. Overnight in Istanbul.

  3. Day 3 - CAPPADOCIA

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    Take an early morning flight to Cappadocia where amazing cone-shaped rock formations create a fairy-tale landscape. Pre-historic farmers were attracted by the remarkably fertile white soil. Because the stone hardens when exposed to air, generations have carved dwellings in the soft rock faces. As you explore, you will discover that, even today, people make their homes in the cliffs and rock cones of Cappadocia. It is estimated that over 3000 rock churches exist in the region. You will visit the Rock Chapels of Goreme, the Cave Village of Avcilar, and the Monastic Complex of Zelve. Overnight in Cappadocia.

  4. Day 4 - ICONIUM AND ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA

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    Today we will see Konya (Iconium), located in the heart of the Anatolian plateau, south of the capital city of Ankara and it is one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited sites. Konya is known throughout the world as the home of the Whirling Dervishes. In Antioch of Pisidia, Paul preached his first recorded sermon (Acts 13:14-52). While his speech was well received, he ran into opposition from some in Lystra. He and Barnabas were forced out of town. Overnight in Pamukkale.

  5. Day 5 - THEME: CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR

    The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3: 14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock . . . ". Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. In nearby Hierapolis, see the vast graveyards, theatre and hot springs, which make the area famous. Return to Kusadasi for overnight.

  6. Day 6 - THEME: PAUL’S MINISTRY IN EPHESUS

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    Visit Ephesus where Paul lived for nearly 3 years on his 3rd journey. He wrote three of his Corinthian letters from Ephesus, and portions of his letter to the Philippians and Galatians. Here we will explore this important city in Paul’s ministry. We will also visit the Ephesus Museum. Tradition also tells us that John, the Beloved Disciple, moved with his Johannine Community to Ephesus. Ephesus is the place of the writing of the Gospel of John. We will visit the Basilica of St. John. Overnight in Kusadasi.

  7. Day 7 - THEME: CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR: (Acts 19: 10; Rev. 1:11; 2: 12-17)

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    Today we travel to the small village of Sardis, site of one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. In Pergamum, the first Christians were executed by Rome. This was the most favored of the Seven Churches and Christianity came here very early. You will see the Temple of Zeus, and the Temple of Athena, the fabled Acropolis and the Royal Gate. Here parchment was developed, replacing papyrus, and it is also one of the foremost healing centers of the ancient world. We will travel a short distance to Troas, where Paul had a vision in which he was called to Macedonia (Greece). Continue to Canakkale, the narrowest point of the Dardanelles for the evening. Overnight Canakkale.

  8. Day 8 - THEME: PAUL’S MINISTRY IN MACEDONIA

    Cross the Dardanelles by ferry and visit Neapolis (Kavalla) (Acts 16:11). We see the beautiful port of Kavalla, (Biblical Neapolis) where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke traveled with them from Troas. We will see the Aqueduct and tour the city before continuing on to the impressive ruins of Philippi. (Acts 16: 12-40). Paul preached his first sermon and baptized the first Christians in Europe. In Philippi, Paul and Silas “went outside the gate to the riverside, where they supposed there was a place of prayer.” One of the women who heard them speak, “ a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God,” who was converted and baptized “with her household”. The woman’s name was Lydia. The conversion of Lydia represented the establishment of the first Christian church in Europe. Overnight in Kavala (Neapolis).

  9. Day 9 - THEME: PAUL’S MINISTRY IN MACEDONIA, CONTINUED TRIP: (Acts 17: 1-9)

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    This morning drive to Thessalonica. In Thessalonica we will visit the Archeological Museum, St. George Church, the Galerious Arch, Jason’s house, and the Basilica of St. Sophia and St. Dimetrius. In the afternoon we see Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great, and the famous steps of Paul in Bibical Beroea (Acts 17 11-14) in the New Testament. Overnight in Thessalonica.

  10. Day 10 - METEORA

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    Visit the rock forest of Meteora in western Thessaly and ponder the rough terrain in which the apostle Paul walked during his missionary journey. See famous Byzantine monasteries perched precariously on summits of soaring, sheer-sided grey rock pinnacles of varied and spectacular shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in cliff-side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Visit one of these monasteries. Overnight in the Meteora area.

  11. Day 11 - DELPHI

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    Travel to scenic Delphi, the religious center of the ancient Greek world, considered by early Greeks to be the center of the world and marked by the conical stone, called the omphalos or navel. Walk the Sacra Via to the Athenian Treasury, the Theatre, and the Temple of Apollo where the oracle performed his or her prophetic rituals. With innumerable pagan ruins surrounding your walk, capture a glimpse of the challenge the apostle Paul incurred in preaching the Gospel of Christ in Macedonia. Visit the Museum where you will view many ancient treasures, the chief of which is the 5th century bronzed Charioteer, complete with even eye-lashes. Overnight in Athens.

  12. Day 12 - ATHENS

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    This morning we will start the sightseeing program in Athens.We will visit to the Agora where St. Paul preached and where Socrates thought and was forced to drink the deadly hemlock. We will climb the Acropolis; visit the Areopagus (Mars Hill) where St. Paul was brought before the council and delivered his great sermon in Acts 17. We will see the ancient town, the Acropolis, the Parthenon. We will visit the theater of Dionysus, the Temple of the Wingless Victory and other sights which reflect the golden age of Greece. Late afternoon on your own to shop and walk about. Overnight in Athens.

  13. Day 13 - CORINTH

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    Today we travel to ancient Corinth. We will spend a full day among the antiquities of this important Pauline city. Paul spent 18 months on his first visit. Here he wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians and on a later visit wrote his letter to the Romans. We will visit the site of the Synagogue, the Agora, and the Bema. We will then climb the Acrocorinth to visit the ancient site of the temple of Aphrodite. Overnight in Athens.

  14. Day 14 - Return

    Return to USA or start your extension.