ITINERARY - May 19-31, 2010

Wednesday, May 19:  We’ll leave for Athens from Los Angeles Int’l Airport with British Airways at 3:40 PM, flights #278 & #632, via London.

 

Thursday, May 20:  Arrival in Athens at 5:35 PM, in time for dinner!  We’ll overnight in Athens; Exarchion Hotel for two nights (www.exarchion.com).

 

Friday, May 21:  Corinth is our destination today.  We’ll consider St. Paul’s words to this great city 2,000 years ago as we recline in the agora, looking out toward the ruins of the ancient acropolis.

 

Saturday, May 22:  We’ll depart Athens early for the island of Samos with Aegean Airlines, taking a hyrdofoil from there to Patmos.  We’ll tour the island, study The Revelation, and enjoy dinner in the city of Skala. We'll stay at the Doriza Bay Hotel for two nights (www.dorizabay.com).

 

Sunday, May 23:  We’ll begin our day with worship, breakfast, & Bible study.  Following, we’ll continue our exploration of the island.  In the evening we’ll gather for further reflections on The Revelation as we prepare for our tour of the 7 Cities.

 

Monday, May 24:  We’re on our way to the 7 Cities, beginning with a charter boat ride to the Turkish port city, Kusadasi.  We’ll drive to Izmir, the location of the ruins of our first city, Smyrna. We'll be at the Ismira Hotel for two nights (www.hotelismira.com).

 

Tuesday, May 25:  We’ll visit Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) which is famous for its ancient agora, the medieval church of Polycarp, and the Old Elevator. We’ll also go to the ruins of Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17) & Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29).  Pergamum is famous for its library, acropolis, and theater, & Thyatira is known for its basilica & ancient portico.

 

Wednesday, May 26:  Off to Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) & Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13).  The Great Synagogue & the Church of St. John, are among the ancient & medieval treasures we’ll visit.  We'll overnight in Pamukkale at Artemis Yoruk Hotel (www.artemisyorukhotel.com)

 

Thursday, May 27:  This area is rich: Three ancient & memorable sites within a few minutes of each other.  We’ll spend the day exploring Pamukkale’s sparking travertine terraces, the ruins of the 1st century city, Hierapolis, & Laodicia (Rev 3:14-22). Of special interest is the recently excavated church & theater in Laodicea.  We’ll spend two nights in Selcuk, the modern city next door to ruins of Ephesus, at Jimmy's Place (www.jimmysplaceephesus.com)

 

Friday, May 28:  We’ve been saving the best for last:  Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7), one of the most important & best preserved cities of antiquity in the world. We’ll spend the day here taking in the sites of the ancient library, the agora, theaters, fountains, & so forth, as well as the Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World), the Basilica of St. John (the traditional site of John’s grave), & St. Mary’s Church (the location of the 3rd Ecumenical Council, 431 AD).

 

Saturday, May 29:  Off to Greece: Up early to ferry to the island of Samos & to fly back to Athens.  We’ll tour the ancient city all afternoon.  We'll be at the Exarchion Hotel for two nights (www.exarchion.com).

 

Sunday, May 30:  We’ll begin with worship & after breakfast we’ll continue our exploration of the city’s wonders.  If you’re an early riser you may catch the sunrise on Lykavittos Hill, the highest elevation in Athens, with our host, Richard Ross!

 

Monday, May 31:  Going back home, leaving Athens at 8:15 AM on British Airways #631 & #283, via London, landing in Los Angeles at 3:05 PM.