In the Footsteps of Paul through Turkey and Greece
October 8-21, 2027
Greetings! Tim Archer, Jorge Pineda, and Steve Austin would like to invite you to be part of TIBI’s trip to Turkey and Greece, from October 8-21, 2027.
Transform your perceptions of biblical sites, stories, and other texts, as the Bible goes from 2-D to 3-D, and from black-and-white to color! Read countless passages in a completely new light. Create lifelong bonds with family members, friends, and even new acquaintances.
We look forward to you reserving one or more of the 30 available spots on this tour.
DAILY ITINERARY
Friday, October 8 Fly from Houston (IAH)-Istanbul-Izmir Turkish Airlines
Saturday, October 9 Arrive Izmir
Arrive Izmir Airport. Meet and drive to our hotel, the Moevenpick, for dinner and overnight (D).
Sunday, October 10 Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the seven churches of Revelation. We will stroll the excavated streets of Ephesus visiting the magnificent terrace houses, the library, the agora, the huge theater and view where the Temple of Artemis used to stand—one of the seven wonders of the world. We will visit the museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city as well as the Basilica of St. John, the traditional site of the burial place of John. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B, D)
Monday, October 11 Pergamum, Thyatira
We travel north to Pergamum, one of the most impressive archaeological sites of Turkey: a 10,000-seat theater on the side of the acropolis; the magnificently restored temple of Trajan; a library of 200,000 volumes second in size only to that in Alexandria; the base of the altar of Zeus; the temple of Dionysus; and the medical center of Asclepius with its own theater, library, underground tunnel, and other buildings. If time permits, we will stop briefly in the ancient city of Thyatira, where few archaeological remains have been uncovered. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B, D)
Tuesday, October 12 Smyrna, Sardis, Philadelphia
From Izmir (ancient Smyrna), we drive up to Mount Pagus (now called Kadifekale or “Velvet Castle”), which is the acropolis of ancient Smyrna. After visiting the new panoramic Polycarp Memorial Park,we will visit the Smyrna agora and its “graffiti section” at the lower level. Then we go to Sardis, another of the seven churches of Revelation. Coins were first minted in Sardis. The massive Temple of Artemis, the royal road, the gymnasium and the synagogue will impress you. We continue on to Alasehir, to see where the Church of Philadelphia was located. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B, D)
Wednesday, October 13 Hierapolis-Laodicea- Colossae – Fly Istanbul
We take an early morning drive to Laodicea, which was a major city in Roman times, with its two theatres, stadium, aqueduct and major street lined with shops. Laodicea is not only the last of the seven churches to whom John directed the book of Revelation, but it also had a close relationship with the nearby churches of Colossae and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13-15) and was the recipient of one of Paul’s lost letters (Col. 4:16). Then we proceed to Hierapolis, third of the three key biblical cities in the Lycus Valley. With its hot thermal springs well-known already in the ancient world for its medicinal qualities as well its spectacular white travertine terraces, Hierapolis remains as popular with travelers today as it was in biblical times. Time permitting, we may visit Colossae, which is in the early stages of excavation. Paul sent two letters here: one to the church of Colossae and one to the rich Christian slave-owner Philemon. Evening flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at the Moevenpick hotel.(B, D)
Thursday, October 14 Istanbul
Our visit in the historic city of Istanbul begins at the Hagia Sophia (the church of “Holy Wisdom”)—the crowning achievement of the sacred building program of Emperor Justinian, the 6th-century head of the Christian Byzantine Empire. This great domed structure
remains one of the most impressive sacred edifices ever constructed to the glory of God. We will also visit the famous Hagia Irene Church, known as the first church of the city. Nearby is located the Hippodrome which once stood in the heart of the Byzantine city of Constantinople. After lunch, we visit the Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles, and the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. The final stop will be the world-famous Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul (B, D)
Friday, October 15 Istanbul – Fly to Thessaloniki
Today we visit the Egyptian Spice Market, and then embark on a Bosphorus boat tour, viewing the beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side. We fly to Thessaloniki on TK1893, 19:00-20:25 , meet our guide at the airport, and transfer to the Capsis hotel. Dinner and overnight (B, D)
Saturday, October 16 Philippi, Thessaloniki
Enjoy a picturesque drive to the city of Philippi, where Paul established the first church in Europe. Here we see the river where Lydia and possibly the jailer were baptized, and the ancient forum where Paul and Silas appeared before the magistrates. In the late afternoon we will have a city tour of Thessaloniki. Dinner and overnight stay in Thessaloniki. (B, D)
Sunday, October 17 Vergina, Berea, and a Monastery in Meteora — Delphi
In the morning, we will drive to Berea (Acts 17) to see the monument commemorating Paul’s preaching. Afterwards we visit Vergina and the magnificent presentation of the golden finds from the tomb of Phillip II—the father of Alexander the Great. Drive to Delphi for dinner and overnight in the Kastalia hotel in Delphi (B, D)
Monday, October 18 Delphi – Athens
On the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, in a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty and majesty, lies the archaeological site of Delphi. We will visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, and the museum that contains masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture such as the bronze Charioteer, the famous athlete Aghias, and the important Gallio Inscription. We drive to Athens for dinner and overnight at the Divani hotel in Athens. (B, D)
Tuesday, October 19 Athens
Our full-day tour of Athens includes the Acropolis, Ancient Agora and Acropolis Museum. Dinner & overnight Athens. (B, D)
Wednesday, October 20 Corinth-Athens
Today, we drive to ancient Corinth, where Paul lived and ministered for a year and a half. While in Corinth, Paul wrote 1-2 Thessalonians to the church in Thessalonica. Later, the church at Corinth would receive a number of letters from Paul, including 1-2 Corinthians. It was also in Corinth where Paul met fellow leather workers Aquila and Priscilla, who had come to Corinth from Rome due to persecution. In Corinth, we will see all the Greek and Roman sites associated with Paul’s ministry: the agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the bema, and Gallio’s Seat. Dinner & overnight Athens. (B, D)
Thursday, October 21 Departure –Fly home to Houston via Istanbul
TOUR CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION
Tour Price: $5690 per person (based on two sharing a room)
Includes:
- Round-trip international air fare between Houston-Izmir (via Istanbul) and Athens-Houston on economy class
- Denizli-Istanbul flight
- Istanbul-Thessaloniki flight
- 4 Nights at Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir
- 2 Nights at Moevenpick Hotel in Istanbul
- 2 Nights at Capsis Hotel in Thessaloniki
- 1 Night at Hotel Kastalia in Delphi
- 3 Nights at Hotel Divani Palace in Athens
- 12 daily open buffet breakfasts (B: breakfast)
- 12 dinners (D: dinner)
- All airport-hotel transfers in private buses
- All land transportation by private bus
- Tolls, parking fees
- English-speaking licensed tour guides in Turkey (Zafer) and Greece (Vasilis)
- All entry fees to the mentioned sites & museums
- Service charges, accommodation taxes, local taxes
- Whisper headsets
- Tips (guides, drivers, maids, porters, front desk, etc)
Not included:
- Lunches and drinks
- All personal expenses and any other service which are not mentioned above
Optional travel protection: Allianz
For $506 per person, trip cancellation, travel, accident, medical, and baggage insurance are recommended (but not required) and can be secured through Mickey McDaniel and VIP Travel. It waives any pre-existing conditions if purchased within 10 days of deposit.
If you don’t need airfare: $4590 per person (Land only)
RESERVATION
A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm space on the tour, due no later than October 1, 2026. Access to the trip is first come, first served.
Full balance payment is due on or before June 1, 2027.
Please complete the reservation form on the last page of the brochure, and include your check or money order for $500 per person, and return them to:
VIP Travel, LLC (Mickey McDaniel)
3804 Stone Bend Court
Pearland, TX, 77584
281/489-1905