In the Footsteps of St Paul: 12-Day Turkey & Greece Pilgrimage

Overview

Paul's missionary journeys crossed the Aegean repeatedly, and so does this pilgrimage. We follow him through Asia Minor - Perge, Pisidian Antioch, Ephesus - then across to Greece for Philippi, where he baptised Lydia; Thessaloniki and Berea, where they searched the scriptures daily; Corinth, where he wrote to the Romans; and Athens, where he stood on the Areopagus and preached to the philosophers. Twelve days, two countries, and the letters read in the cities that received them.

At a glance

Duration	12 days / 11 nights
Start / End	Istanbul → Athens
Group size	Maximum 24 travellers
Activity level	Moderate - full days with significant walking on archaeological sites
Meals	11 breakfasts, 9 dinners
Guiding	Licensed local guide, English (other languages on request)
Departures	April–June and September–October

Tour highlights

• Perge and Aspendos, on Paul's first journey into Asia Minor
• Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preached his first recorded sermon
• Ephesus, and the theatre where the riot of the silversmiths broke out
• Philippi, the first church in Europe, and Lydia's baptismal stream
• Thessaloniki's Roman forum and the Arch of Galerius
• Berea and the bema from which Paul addressed the synagogue
• Ancient Corinth, its bema and the Acrocorinth above
• The Areopagus in Athens, below the Acropolis
• A day at Delphi, to place the classical world Paul argued with

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1 - Arrive Istanbul. Transfer and welcome dinner. Orientation to the journey ahead.
   Overnight: Istanbul
2. Day 2 - Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Archaeology Museum. Evening flight south.
   Overnight: Antalya
3. Day 3 - Perge & Aspendos. Perge's colonnaded street and stadium, then the finest surviving Roman theatre in the Mediterranean at Aspendos.
   Overnight: Antalya
4. Day 4 - Pisidian Antioch. Drive to Yalvac for Pisidian Antioch, reading Acts 13 in the ruins of the synagogue district.
   Overnight: Pamukkale
5. Day 5 - Laodicea & Hierapolis. Laodicea and Hierapolis, then the travertine terraces of Pamukkale.
   Overnight: Kusadasi
6. Day 6 - Ephesus. A full day at Ephesus with the Great Theatre, the Library of Celsus and the Basilica of St John.
   Overnight: Kusadasi
7. Day 7 - Fly to Athens. Morning at leisure, then fly Izmir–Athens. Evening walk in the Plaka.
   Overnight: Athens
8. Day 8 - Athens & the Areopagus. The Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Ancient Agora and the Areopagus, where Acts 17 is read on the rock itself.
   Overnight: Athens
9. Day 9 - Corinth & Cenchreae. Day trip via the Corinth Canal to ancient Corinth - the bema, the Temple of Apollo, the museum - and the port of Cenchreae.
   Overnight: Athens
10. Day 10 - Thessaloniki & Berea. Fly north. The Roman forum and Arch of Galerius in Thessaloniki, then Berea and the Bema of the Apostle Paul.
    Overnight: Thessaloniki
11. Day 11 - Philippi & Kavala. Philippi, the first European church, the traditional site of Lydia's baptism, and the harbour of Neapolis at Kavala. Return flight to Athens.
    Overnight: Athens
12. Day 12 - Depart Athens. Transfer to Athens International in line with your flight.
    Overnight: -

What's included

• All airport and intercity transfers in modern air-conditioned vehicles
• Accommodation as listed, on a twin-share basis, with daily breakfast
• Professional English-speaking licensed guide throughout
• All entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary
• Local taxes, service charges and portage at hotels
• 24/7 on-tour support line and a Look Vacations tour manager
• Internal flights Istanbul–Antalya, Izmir–Athens and Athens–Thessaloniki–Athens
• Cross-border arrangements between Turkey and Greece

What's not included

• International flights to and from the start and end cities
• Travel insurance (required - we can recommend providers)
• Visas, passport fees and any border charges
• Lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary
• Drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature
• Optional excursions and gratuities for guide and driver

Accommodation

Four-star centrally located hotels in both countries - old-city Istanbul, the Antalya seafront, Kusadasi, and walking distance from Syntagma in Athens.

Who this tour is for

Congregations, seminary groups and individual pilgrims. The pace is full but not punishing; there is a rest window most afternoons. Group leaders bringing 15+ travellers go free.

Good to know

Two countries - is the border crossing complicated?
No, because we fly between them. You will need to check visa requirements for both Turkey and Greece for your nationality; we send a country-by-country briefing after booking.

How much of the teaching is on site?
Nearly all of it. Each location has a scheduled reading and reflection stop built into the timing.

Can we extend in Greece afterwards?
Yes - the islands are an easy add-on from Athens, and we can arrange three or four nights in Santorini or on the Peloponnese.

Book or ask a question

Prices are per person in twin-share accommodation, land only, and vary by departure date and group size. Tell us your preferred dates and we will confirm availability and a firm quote within one business day.

Call +1 202 770 5061 · email usa@lookvacations.com · or send an enquiry through the tour page.