Greece & Turkey

DAY 1: FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL 

Today marks the start of your pilgrimage as you board your flight to vibrant Istanbul! Everything has been arranged for your comfort. Relax and enjoy your flight; a remarkable spiritual adventure awaits!

DAY 2: WELCOME TO ISTANBUL

Upon our arrival in Istanbul, a warm welcome awaits from our knowledgeable tour guide and friendly driver, who will escort us to our hotel. Prepare to settle in and refresh yourself before enjoying a delightful dinner together. You’ll surely be ready for a restful night as you soak in the new surroundings.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL

After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll explore Istanbul’s wonders, including the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Hippodrome, the stunning Blue Mosque, the Patriarchal Cathedral Church, the Subterranean Cisterns, and the vibrant Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar), where you can enjoy a sensory delight. After a full day of exploration, we’ll gather for dinner and enjoy a comfortable overnight stay at our hotel.

DAY 4: NICAEA | BURSA   

Following breakfast, we’ll embark on a journey from Istanbul to Bursa, with a stop at historic Nicaea, the birthplace of the Nicene Creed. Here, we’ll visit St. Sofia of Nicaea, a site of profound significance where the First Council of the Christian Church was held. This region played a pivotal role in the history of Christianity. After our busy day, we’ll settle in for dinner and an overnight stay at our hotel.

DAY 5: PERGAMUM | THYATIRA | IZMIR

Today, we’ll explore Pergamum, one of the seven churches cherished by St. Paul. Discover the ancient Trojan temple and Grand Theater before making our way to Thyatira, known for its beautiful purple textiles and famous carpets. After a fulfilling day, we’ll enjoy dinner and rest at our hotel.

DAY 6: IZMIR | SARDIS | PHILADELPHIA | PAMUKKALE

We’ll begin our journey in Izmir, a city rich in history for both Jews and Christians. Then, we’ll head to Sardis, one of the most picturesque of the seven churches. We’ll then visit Philadelphia, lovingly referred to as “The New Jerusalem.” Finally, we’ll continue our expedition toward Pamukkale. After a day filled with inspiring sights, we’ll dine and retire for the night at our hotel.

DAY 7: PAMUKKALE | LAODICEA | COLOSSAE

Today, we’ll explore the stunning thermal pools of Pamukkale—don’t forget your camera! After enjoying the scenery, we’ll visit Colossae, the historical site tied to the “Letter to the Colossians.” Then, we’ll reflect at Laodicea on Paul’s words to the “Lukewarm Christians.” It’s a great opportunity to think about our spiritual journeys. We’ll end the day with dinner and share our thoughts at the hotel.

DAY 8: EPHESUS | KUSADASI

After breakfast, we’ll head to the ancient city of Ephesus, famous for its stunning archaeological sites. You’ll explore iconic landmarks like the Odeon, Trojan Fountain, steam baths, Temple of Adrian, Celsus Library, and the Grand Theater, all steeped in rich history. Later, we’ll visit the house of the Virgin Mary, reflecting on her life after the Crucifixion, before enjoying dinner and a restful night at our hotel.

DAY 9: PATMOS

After breakfast, get ready for a scenic cruise to the Greek Islands, starting with the peaceful Island of Patmos! We’ll visit the Monastery of St. John to see the original Gospel manuscripts, then explore the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where St. John wrote the “Book of Revelation.” You’ll also see the crack made by the divine voice of God. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay on board the ship, surrounded by the stunning sea.

DAY 10: CRETE | SANTORINI

Today, we’ll explore the beautiful Island of Crete, the largest Greek Island and center of the Minoan civilization. We’ll visit Heraklion and the ancient site of Knossos, dating back to around 4000 BC. After some free time to explore or relax, we’ll board our ship for a cruise to stunning Santorini, where we’ll enjoy a scenic chairlift ride. Dinner and a restful night will be on the ship.

DAY 11: ATHENS

Our adventure in Athens begins with a visit to the Temple of Apollo, the old museum, and the Acropolis, including the Parthenon and the Olympic Stadium. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Athens.

DAY 12: CORINTH

We’ll visit Corinth, where St. Paul established the first Church and faced judgment by Gallio. We’ll end the day with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to our hotel, reflecting on our memories.

DAY 13: RETURN FLIGHT HOME

After a heartfelt farewell, we will head to the airport for our return flight. We hope this spiritual journey has been enriching for you. Thank you for traveling with Nativity Pilgrimage, and we look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!