12 Days Greece and Turkey

Touring of Istanbul, including; St. Sophia’s – the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, the Blue Mosque and its magnificent interior with blue tiles. Topkapi Palace to see the treasures of  the Sultans, and the Hippodrome.  Here, chariot races took place during the Roman Empire. Lunch and go shopping and combine with the famous Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered market in the world. Spend the night  in Istanbul.

Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Izmir, proceeding on to ancient Smyrna, a mosaic of 50 centuries of civilization sharing with Athens the longest history of any Mediterranean civilization. It was here that St. Polycarp, a disciple of St. John, met a martyr’s death at the age of 92 in 155 AD. After hotel check-in and lunch, a visit to the Church of Smyrna, one of the famous Seven Churches of Asia Minor, and tour the highlights of this ancient city, including the one-time European main square. Spend the night in Izmir.

A visit is scheduled for Sardis, Philadelphia, and Pamukkale, one of the most picturesque areas. King Croesus of Sardis was the first to mint pure gold & silver coins here, guaranteed by the face value. In Sardis, we will visit the temple, the beautiful Byzantine church, and the Roman-era Synagogue. We continue on to Philadelphia, where we will visit the great Basilica with some 11th-century frescoes. We then visit Pamukkale – cotton castle – an apt description of the natural phenomenon of fantastic white limestone terraces. At sunset, relax and enjoy majestic views of necropolis and the great baths of Hierapolis. Spend the night Pamukkale.

You depart for Kusadasi. En route,  a visit to Laodicea, which is at the crossroads between Sardis and Perge. We continue on to the beautifully excavated Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, with its near-perfect stadium, theatre, and temple. Spend the night

Today is a full-day visit to Ephesus. St. Paul called it “the most beautiful city in the entire world.” The Great Library, the Amphi-theater, Paul addressed an angry pagan mob, and the tower where St. Paul was imprisoned and wrote the letters to the Ephesians. It was here that, in 431 AD, the historic Third Ecumenical Council convened and declared Mary the Mother of Jesus, and where the Virgin Mary spent her final years between 37 and 48 AD with St. Paul. We will also visit the house of the Virgin Mary, spectacularly located above the ruins. It is believed that St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus and that she spent the rest of her days in this house on the hilltop. The home is visited by thousands of pilgrims each year, and Pope Paul 2 celebrated mass here and in the Church of the Virgin Mary. We also visit St. John’s Basilica, believed to have been built over the tomb of the apostle, and the temple of Diana – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Return to Kusadasi to spend the night.

Depart Kusadasi for the resort town of Bodrum. En route, we will visit Priene, considered the absolutely perfect place for a picnic! Here we visit the ancient and splendid amphitheater. After lunch, we continue down the Aegean coast to visit the ancient city of Miletus – the most prosperous city of the 6th century BC. Nearby we visit Didyma, the site of the Temple of Apollo. Afternoon arrival in the seaside city of Bodrum, where the Castle of St. Peter, built by order of the Pope in 1402, guards the entrance to semi-circular Bodrum Bay. Spend the night in Bodrum.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Istanbul. Arrive Istanbul and transfer for a flight to Athens. You will be met and transferred to Hotel.  Check-in and lunch, later in the afternoon, visit some of the highlights of ancient Athens, including the Pnyx, Acropolis, and Parthenon. Enjoy dinner at a typical Greek restaurant. Spend the night in Athens.

Today, we visit ancient Corinth. Explore the marketplace and temple of Apollo, and the museum. Return to Athens. Tonight farewell dinner with music and Greek dancing!

Enjoy a day cruise of the Greek Islands. Return to Athens. Dinner and overnight (at your own cost).

Transfer to the airport for flight to Istanbul. Enjoy some free time to do some last souvenir shopping. Dinner and spend the right in Istanbul.