OVERVIEW
Join Bishop Stephen & Karen Hale on a journey in the Footsteps of the Apostles Paul and John, who were passionate about sharing the good news of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Join us in the European spring time to revisit key moments in the book of Acts, other Epistles and the apocalyptic book of Revelation.
This tour, scheduled over Easter, is sure to be informative, fun, prayerful and guaranteed to stay with you as a wonderful memory for years to come.
Stephen Hale is a retired Anglican Bishop, Chair of EFAC Global and EFAC Australia, locum minister, supervisor and active encourager of many, as well as grandad and football tragic.
Karen teaches Science and Christian studies at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar and is a keen student of the Bible along with being a grandmother, active member of her local church and keen gardener.
ITINERARY
Today we travel from Australia to Athens, Greece.
Included Meals: None
Upon arrival into Athens (approx 3pm Emirates flight), there will be ONE transfer to our accommodation where we will spend the night.
After checking in to the hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free to relax or explore, before a short briefing meeting at 6.00pm followed by dinner at 7.00pm at the hotel. Our hotel has a spectacular view of the Parthenon from the rooftop.
Hotel: Divani Palace Hotel, Athens
After checking in to the hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free to relax or explore, before a short briefing meeting at 6.00pm followed by dinner at 7.00pm at the hotel. Our hotel has a spectacular view of the Parthenon from the rooftop.
Hotel: Divani Palace Hotel, Athens
Included Meals:
D
After an early breakfast, we board our coach at 8.00am to start our trip north. We’ll drive along the coastal highway of the Saronic Gulf and reach the historic Corinth Canal for a brief stop for photos and refreshments. We will then visit the ancient site of Corinth and the nearby small archaeological museum where we will share time for devotions. We will return to Athens for overnight.
After dinner there is an opportunity to join an Easter vigil at St Paul’s Church (8pm).
Hotel: Divani Palace Hotel, Athens
After dinner there is an opportunity to join an Easter vigil at St Paul’s Church (8pm).
Hotel: Divani Palace Hotel, Athens
Included Meals:
B
D
He is Risen!! What a special place to be celebrate Easter Day. We will walk to St Paul’s Anglican Church for the 10am service, followed by a time of fellowship with local believers.
We then walk up the marble capped Acropolis Hill to see the Parthenon and Erechtheion Temples. We will then walk to nearby Mars Hill where Paul delivered his well-known sermon about “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:23) as well as many other sites that Athens is famous for.
Hotel: Divani Palace Hotel, Athens
We then walk up the marble capped Acropolis Hill to see the Parthenon and Erechtheion Temples. We will then walk to nearby Mars Hill where Paul delivered his well-known sermon about “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:23) as well as many other sites that Athens is famous for.
Hotel: Divani Palace Hotel, Athens
Included Meals:
B
D
After breakfast this morning, we check-out of our hotel and board the bus to enjoy a spectacular drive up to the Meteora Monasteries. We will visit a monastery in Meteora. We will have a short lunch break (lunch at own expense) in Kalambaka and then return to the hotel for some free time before dinner.
HOTEL: Grand Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka
HOTEL: Grand Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka
Included Meals:
B
D
Morning devotions before we depart from the hotel. We will visit another Monastery in Meteora and then drive to a workshop where icons are made. Afterwards, drive to Thessaloniki passing through Veria (known biblically as Berea Acts 17:10). We’ll continue on to Thessaloniki where we’ll check-in at our seaside hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
HOTEL: Golden Star, Thessaloniki
HOTEL: Golden Star, Thessaloniki
Included Meals:
B
D
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit the city centre to see the highlights of the second largest city of Greece. We will drive on Via Egnatia, the road that run from Rome to Byzantium. We will see the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, actually St. George Basilica. We will then enjoy the breathtaking views of Thessalonica from the Old City Walls stretching down on the waters of the Thermaic Gulf and we will see the landmark of the city, the White Tower. Continue on foot to the Vlatadon Monastery and then return to the city centre for free time This afternoon, an optional visit to St Demetrius Church, or free time to shop and explore. Return to hotel in the afternoon.
Hotel: Golden Star, Thessaloniki
Hotel: Golden Star, Thessaloniki
Included Meals:
B
D
We depart from Thessaloniki this morning and drive to Philippi to visit the site and baptistery of Lydia. We’ll have a time of reflection by the river.
Following a lunch break and some free time in beautiful seaside Kavala, we return to Thessaloniki to have dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
HOTEL: Golden Star, Thessaloniki
Following a lunch break and some free time in beautiful seaside Kavala, we return to Thessaloniki to have dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
HOTEL: Golden Star, Thessaloniki
Included Meals:
B
D
A day of rest in Thessaloniki, enjoying our beachfront hotel location. At approximately 7.30pm we’ll transfer to the airport in Thessaloniki for our evening flight to Istanbul arriving at 9.15pm. You will be met at the airport & transferred to the hotel.
Hotel: Innova Hotel, Istanbul
Hotel: Innova Hotel, Istanbul
Included Meals:
B
We will visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Hippodrome Square in the morning. Our last stop is the Grand Bazaar.
The afternoon is free time to perhaps shop or enjoy a boat ride on the Bosphorus River.
Today dinner is at your expense to discover the Turkish cuisine, or perhaps enjoy a Turkish bath. We will return to the hotel for overnight.
Hotel: Innova Hotel, Istanbul
The afternoon is free time to perhaps shop or enjoy a boat ride on the Bosphorus River.
Today dinner is at your expense to discover the Turkish cuisine, or perhaps enjoy a Turkish bath. We will return to the hotel for overnight.
Hotel: Innova Hotel, Istanbul
Included Meals:
B
Today, those who have chosen to visit Gallipoli will be collected from the hotel (approximately 6am) for the drive to Gallipoli. You will visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Johnston Jollity and trenches as well as Kabatepe War Museum before returning to Istanbul at approximately 9pm.
Those who are staying in Istanbul have a free day to explore this incredible this city - perhaps have a Turkish bath, do some shopping at the Grand Bazaar or enjoy one of Istanbul’s many fabulous eateries for lunch.
HOTEL: Innova Hotel , Istanbul
Those who are staying in Istanbul have a free day to explore this incredible this city - perhaps have a Turkish bath, do some shopping at the Grand Bazaar or enjoy one of Istanbul’s many fabulous eateries for lunch.
HOTEL: Innova Hotel , Istanbul
Included Meals:
B
This morning we farewell Istanbul and travel to IST airport for our domestic flight to Kayseri.
TK 2014 Istanbul to Kayseri Departing 11:05am Arriving 12:35pm
On arrival, we visit Goreme Open Air Museum where you will enjoy the fantastic rock churches and beautiful frescos from various centuries. and then descend into the centre of the earth in the Kaymakli Underground City one of the largest and the deepest of 200 in Cappadocia. It’s where the early church hid persecution and is a maze of honeycomb like tunnels.
If time allows, we also visit Pigeons Valley to see how people carved pigeon houses to resemble their own.
Check in to our delightful cave hotel for dinner & overnight.
Hotel: Gamirasu Cave Hotel , Cappadocia
TK 2014 Istanbul to Kayseri Departing 11:05am Arriving 12:35pm
On arrival, we visit Goreme Open Air Museum where you will enjoy the fantastic rock churches and beautiful frescos from various centuries. and then descend into the centre of the earth in the Kaymakli Underground City one of the largest and the deepest of 200 in Cappadocia. It’s where the early church hid persecution and is a maze of honeycomb like tunnels.
If time allows, we also visit Pigeons Valley to see how people carved pigeon houses to resemble their own.
Check in to our delightful cave hotel for dinner & overnight.
Hotel: Gamirasu Cave Hotel , Cappadocia
Included Meals:
B
D
This morning, an optional excursion to enjoy a spectacular hot air balloon ride across the Goreme Valley over the Fairy Chimneys (budgetapprox EUR300-330). Following the balloon flight and breakfast we start our Cappadocia tour.
Get ready for a blast of nature as we hike magnificent Ihlara Canyon, a “mirage” in the Steps of Anatolia up to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema: “Valley of the Sky” along the Melendiz River. Rock-cut churches spread across a wild plantation and surprise you with their successfully painted representations from the Bible. Lunch break in Belisirma, a local restaurant by the river. We stop by Selime, a village with beautifully painted cave houses and monastery at the end of the canyon and a “star wars” like landscape. Visit the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup which are the most popular.
Return to the hotel for our very own worship service in the chapel at 6pm, followed by dinner.
Hotel: Gamirasu Cave Hotel , Cappadocia
Get ready for a blast of nature as we hike magnificent Ihlara Canyon, a “mirage” in the Steps of Anatolia up to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema: “Valley of the Sky” along the Melendiz River. Rock-cut churches spread across a wild plantation and surprise you with their successfully painted representations from the Bible. Lunch break in Belisirma, a local restaurant by the river. We stop by Selime, a village with beautifully painted cave houses and monastery at the end of the canyon and a “star wars” like landscape. Visit the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup which are the most popular.
Return to the hotel for our very own worship service in the chapel at 6pm, followed by dinner.
Hotel: Gamirasu Cave Hotel , Cappadocia
Included Meals:
B
D
An early transfer this morning to Nevsehir airport for our flight to Izmir via Istanbul.
On arrival in Izmir, we will drive to Izmir city centre. We hope to visit the Church of St Polycarp (St Polycarp is being renovated and is scheduled to be open). If the church is not yet open for visitors, we will make our way to the Agora instead, before check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Bayrakli, Izmir
On arrival in Izmir, we will drive to Izmir city centre. We hope to visit the Church of St Polycarp (St Polycarp is being renovated and is scheduled to be open). If the church is not yet open for visitors, we will make our way to the Agora instead, before check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Bayrakli, Izmir
Included Meals:
B
D
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel. travelling to Ancient Sardis, one of the Seven Churches in the book of Revelation with its impressive Roman gymnasium and one of the largest synagogues ever excavated. After some free time for lunch we will make our way to Laodicea (also one of the Seven Churches) for a site visit. Our last stop is in Pamukkale. We will tour the Ancient Hierapolis and the Calcium Terraces (White Castle). We’ll then check-in to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Pack your swimmers to enjoy the thermal pools at the hotel.
Hotel: Colossae Thermal, Pamukkale
Hotel: Colossae Thermal, Pamukkale
Included Meals:
B
D
This morning we depart for Selcuk where we visit the St. John Basilica and the ancient city of Ephesus. Here we’ll see the Baths of Scholastica, Temple of Hadrian, the library and the Great Theatre. After a lunch break, we continue our tour to the Temple of Artemis before our check-in at the hotel in Kusadasi and enjoy some rest by the pool at or lovely boutique hotel. At tonight’s dinner we farewell our Turkish guide and driver.
HOTEL: Charisma Deluxe Hotel, Kusadasi
HOTEL: Charisma Deluxe Hotel, Kusadasi
Included Meals:
B
D
Early breakfast at hotel and check-out.
We will be transferred to the port of Kusadasi for embarkation on cruise ship to Patmos. We’ll bid farewell to our Turkish guide as we depart Turkey. After customs formalities, we will board our ferry for a relaxing journey to the Greek Island of Patmos. On arrival we enjoy a tour of Patmos from a local guide, including St John's Monastery & the Cave of the Apocalypse where it is believed that John wrote the Book of Revelation whilst under house arrest.
Dinner is at your leisure tonight – a chance to enjoy some traditional Greek cuisine at one of the local restaurants.
Hotel: Skala Hotel, Patmos
We will be transferred to the port of Kusadasi for embarkation on cruise ship to Patmos. We’ll bid farewell to our Turkish guide as we depart Turkey. After customs formalities, we will board our ferry for a relaxing journey to the Greek Island of Patmos. On arrival we enjoy a tour of Patmos from a local guide, including St John's Monastery & the Cave of the Apocalypse where it is believed that John wrote the Book of Revelation whilst under house arrest.
Dinner is at your leisure tonight – a chance to enjoy some traditional Greek cuisine at one of the local restaurants.
Hotel: Skala Hotel, Patmos
Included Meals:
B
A full day in Patmos to relax today before our late check out this evening.
Tonight, we join together for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant where we will celebrate our incredible time together.
Hotel: Cabin on overnight ferry
Tonight, we join together for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant where we will celebrate our incredible time together.
Hotel: Cabin on overnight ferry
Included Meals:
B
D
This morning, on arrival into Athens port we will be met and transferred to the Marriott hotel for a full buffet breakfast.
After breakfast, those not heading straight to the airport will be taken to the Plaka area for shopping & lunch, before transferring to Athens Airport for your departure flight back home.
After breakfast, those not heading straight to the airport will be taken to the Plaka area for shopping & lunch, before transferring to Athens Airport for your departure flight back home.
Included Meals:
B
Highlights
- Athens
- Ancient Corinth and the Corinth canal
- Meteora monasteries
- Biblical towns of Beria, Thessaloniki, Philippi
- Lydia’s Baptistry
- Istanbul
- Cappadocia
- 4 Churches of Revelation: Laodicea, Sardis, Ephesus, Smyrna
- Istanbul
- Patmos
Map
Destinations
TOUR INCLUDES
Travel with
like-minded people
Christian
Tour Leaders
Option of land
only package
Option of upgrading
to single room
Meals
Sights and entry
fees listed
OUR PRICING
Pricing
| Category | Description | Twin PP | Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour only | Earlybird discount if booked by 31 May 2025 | $9,899.00 | $12,810.00 |
| Tour & airfare from Australia flying Emirates (subj to availability) | Earlybird discount if booked by 31 May 2025 | $12,375.00 | $15,290 |
| Optioal Gallipoli day trip | min 6 passengers | $290.00 | $290.00 |
| Local payment (cash) on Day 1 of the tour | EUR200 | EUR200 |
This tour is priced on a minimum of 25 passengers. The earlybird discount applies to any bookings made by 31 May 2025. From 1 June, the tour price will increase by $250 per person.
The tour is not yet guaranteed to depart.
Inclusions
Exclusions
