(Turkey :-Istanbul /Thyatira /Bergama /Sardis/Philadelphia/Pamukkale/Ephesus /Izmir/Kusadasi/Patmos.)
(Greece :- Philippi/Thessaloniki/Pella/Vergina/Kalambaka/Athens.)
Day 1 :- 09th April 2017
Trivandrum – Istanbul
Assemble at Trivandrum International airport and meet our airport representative .Later proceed to board onward flight to Istanbul
Arrival to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel. After a short relaxation departure for a half day city tour. First visit is to Egyptian Bazaar which is from 17th century. Next we embark on a cruise along the Bosphorus, the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia. Winding between wooded hills, it is lined with mosques, castles, 19th century mansions, picturesque villages and extravagant baroque places of the late Ottoman Sultans. Break for Indian lunch. Return to the hotel. Dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 02 :10th April 2017 :-
Istanbul
Full day city tour of Istanbul. We will visit ancient Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace and finally World famous Grand Bazaar covers more than 4000 shops. Lunch and dinner at Indian restaurant.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 03 : 11th April 2017
Istanbul – Thyatira – Bergama
Early in the morning departure to Istanbul port in order to take the fast ferry to Bandirma. After an 2 hours trip arrival and drive to Thyatira (Akhisar) (Revelation 2: 18-29 , Acts 16:14), a city of artisans' guilds in St. Paul's time. Then continue to Pergamum (2:12-17) visit the Acropolis and Asclepion, the Medical center of thermal cure. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Overnight and dinner at Bergama.
Day 04 :12th April 2017
Bergama – Sardis – Philadelphia - Pamukkale
After breakfast drive to Sardis, one of the most picturesque areas of these seven churches. It is here St. John expressed his concern for pushing further with the progress of the city's faith (Revelation 3: 1-5). Continur to Philadelphia (Alasehir), a favorite city of Paul and John. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then move to Pamukkale and check in to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Pamukkale
Day 05 : 13th April 2017
Pamukkale
First we visit city of Hierapolis along with the spectacular thermal pools of Pamukkale. Drive to Leodicia (Revelation 3: 14-22; Colossians 2: 1; 4: 13-16), was another prosperous city in the chain, where Christianity first spread. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel and free time to benefit the thermal activities. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Pamukkale
Day 06 :14th April 2017
Pamukkale – Ephesus – Izmir
After breakfast drive to Kusadasi and visit Ephesus (Ephesians; Revelation 1: 11, 2: 1-7; Acts 18: 19-28; 19: 1-4). It was the home of St. Paul between 54 and 57 A.D. Nearby we visit the Virgin Mary's House on a wooded hilltop where it was miraculously discovered. Finally we stop at the restoration of St. John's Basilica where, according to legend, he was buried. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then continue to Izmir for overnight. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Izmir
Day 07 : 15th April 2017
Izmir
Early in the morning transfer to Kusadasi port(we will prepare breakfast box) in order to take the
private boat to Patmos island. We will arrive to Patmos around 10:30 and visit the Monastery and the Grotto of St John, where he lived and re-corded the book of revelation. At 2:30 pm departure from Patmos to Kusadasi. Arrival and drive back to hotel in Izmir. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Izmir
Day 08 : 16th April 2017
Izmir – Istanbul - Thessaloniki
After breakfast we will make a city tour of Izmir (Smyrna, Revelation 2: 8-11) including Polycarp church. Then transfer to Izmir airport for the flight to Thessaloniki via Istanbul.Arrive Thessaloniki and you will be transferred to the hotel. Check in and free time to relax.
Overnight at Thessaloniki
Day 09 : 17th April 2017
Thessaloniki - Philippi
After breakfast we will start a full day trip to Philippi , Formerly Crenides, "the fountain," the capital of the province of Macedonia. It stood near the head of the Sea, about 8 miles north-west of Kavalla. It is now a ruined village, called Philibedjik. Philip of Macedonia fortified the old Thracian town of Crenides, and called it after his own name Philippi (B.C. 359-336). In the time of the Emperor Augustus this city became a Roman colony, i.e., a military settlement of Roman soldiers, there planted for the purpose of controlling the district recently conquered. It was a "miniature Rome," under the municipal law of Rome, and governed by military officers, called duumviri, who were appointed directly from Rome. Having been providentially guided thither, here Paul and his companion Silas preached the gospel and formed the first church in Europe. (See LYDIA .) This success stirred up the enmity of the people, and they were "shamefully entreated" ( Acts 16:9-40 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:2 ). Paul and Silas at length left this city and proceeded to Amphipolis (q.v.).
Overnight at Thessaloniki
Day 10 :18th April 2017
Thessaloniki - Pella / Vergina / Kalambaka
After breakfast we will start a full day trip Pella / Vergina / and transfer to Kalambaka
The trip's first stop is in the city of Pella, which is located in Central Macedonia. It is less than 45 minutes away from Thessaloniki and one of the most popular archaeological destinations in Greece.
Pella was the capital of the Macedonian Kingdom since the late 5th century BC. In the recently structured, beautiful museum we’ll have the chance to see some magnificent mosaics dated back to the 4th century BC and other priceless items of unique Macedonian art.
After leaving Pella we will head to the beautiful village of Vergina and the impressive Royal Tombs at the museum of Aigai. Among other outstanding findings lies the tomb of King Phillip II of Macedonians, father of Alexander the 3rd (Alexander the Great).
It is one of the best museums in Europe while the exhibits displayed pleasantly surprise most visitors!
Overnight at Kalambaka
Day 11 : 19th April 2017
Kalambaka Athens
After breakfast we proceeds to visit Monasteries. Of the six functioning monasteries, the Holy Monastery of St. Stephen and the Holy Monastery of Roussanou are inhabited by nuns while the remainder are inhabited by monks. The total monastic population of the Metéora monasteries in 2015 was 66, comprising 15 monks in four monasteries and 41 nuns in two monasteries
Overnight at Athens
Day 12 : 20th April 2017
Athens
After breakfast we proceeds for city tour of Athens Our driver we will visit the small church at the coast of Faliro, where the Apostle Paul arrived in Athens by ship from Macedonia. Continue by visiting one of the biggest churches in Athens, of Saint Paul and then we will visit a small church of 11th Century downtown Athens, that is built on the same place of an Ancient Temple (we will see ruins that are still there) of Athenians, that was dedicated to the ''Unknown God''. At this place, Paul started preaching for Jesus, the unknown God of Athenians, and later, as Pau did, we will visit Acropolis and the "Mars Hill", where Apostle Paul preached the word of the Christian God to the Athenians Philosophers. We continue our tour in Athens, visiting the Ancient Market. The Agora was the heart of Athens in ancient times and the meeting point of St. Paul with the first followers of Christianity in Athens. Of course we will combine the visit at the most important sightseeing of the town, the Panathinaiko stadium, the Parliament, the Presidential Guards, the Trilogy of Athens, etc. T.
Overnight at Athens
Day 13 : 21st April 2017
Athens - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed to airport to board the return flight
Day 14 : 22nd April 2017
Arrival Trivandrum International Airport
Tour Ends with Beautiful Memories
Total package cost INR 1,98,000/- per person on Twin Sharing basis
Package inclusions:
- Return Economic Class airfare from Trivandrum
- Internal Air fare
- Turkey and Greece Visa Charges
- 02 nights in Istanbul at 4*Riva or similar hotel on BB basis
- 01 night in Bergama at 4* Berksoy or similar hotel on HB basis
- 02 nights in Pamukkale at 4* Richmond or similar hotel on HB basis
- 02 nights in Izmir at 4* Kaya Prestige or similar hotel on HB basis
- 02 nights in Athens at 4*Avenue hotel or similar or similar on BB basis
- 01 night in Kalambaka at4* Divani Kalambaka in Meteora or similar on BB basis
- 02 nights in Thessaloniki at 4*Capsis hotel or similar on BB basis
- Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals ( Break fast Lunch and dinner )
- Istanbul-Bandirma ferry ticket
- Return Kusadasi-Patmos private boat
- Kusadasi & Patmos port taxes
- Luxury coach for the classical tour from Thessaloniki to Athens
- Return port transfers in Athens
- Half day city tour of Athens with Acropolis and Museum on private basis
- English speaking licensed guide throughout the tour
- Guided Tour of Patmos with Local lunch
- Local 24 hours assistance
- Tour manager from Riya
- Hotel Taxes and service charge (subject to any change in the local tax)
- GST 4.5 %
- Travel insurance up to 70 years ( for Indian passport holders only)
Exclusions:
- Anything other than not specified in the inclusions
- Meals other than specified
- Any personal expenses
Important Note:
Advance INR 50,000 to be paid upon confirmation along with Original passport
Balance payment to be settled 2 weeks prior to the departure