2nd & 3rd Missionary Journeys of Paul Cruise with Bishop McAlilly & the TWK Annual Conference | Oct 20, 2023

12 days

Greece & Türkiye

Starting from $4595* Taxes & Fees Apply

Join Bishop McAlilly & the TWK Annual Conference for 8 Nights Aboard the Azamara Onward from Istanbul, Turkiye to Athens, Greece starting at $4,595* from Nashville, TN, on October 20, 2023, for a Club Interior room. You will see Istanbul, Philippi (Kavala, Greece, Thessaloniki, Volos, Ephesus (Kusadasi, Turkiye, Santorini, Athens, Corinth, and more!

$50 Turkish Visa is required for every guest, but not included in your tour cost.

Guests traveling to Turkiye will need to visit https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ to apply for their visas and will submit the $50 USD Visa fee online no earlier than one week prior to departure.

For questions regarding the visa submission process, visit our website (www.EO.travel/Turkiyevisa.aspx) or call (800-247-0017 Ext. 590).

What’s Included

All Inclusive Pricing
Cruise
Domestic Airfare
Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
Hotel Gratuities
Overseas Airport Transfers
Port Charges
Select Shore Excursions
International Airfare
Most Meals, onboard the ship and in hotels
Cruise Taxes

^ Additional Baggage & Optional fees may apply.

† If air purchased through EO.

Download Brochure

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 October 20 - Depart the USA

Depart the USA

Day 2 October 21 - Arrive in Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul, Turkiye. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 October 22 - Istanbul

The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Walk through St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), which was the largest church in Christendom for 1,000 years, was built by Justinian (532-537 AD). The church has 107 columns, fossil-embedded, white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Today, it is the Museum of Byzantine Art. Enjoy the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore the Spice Market. Shops sell everything from herbs to gold. Embark the Azamara Onward this afternoon. Sail from Istanbul this evening on your way to Kavala, Greece.

Day 4 October 23 - Philippi (Kavala, Greece)

Visit Philippi, where Paul, intending to find a place to pray by the riverside, spoke to women who had gathered there among whom was Lydia, the seller of purple and whose heart the Lord opened to hear the words that he spoke. Lydia was the first Christian to be baptized on European soil. Visit the place where this event is remembered and see a crypt dating from the Roman period, which is thought to have served as a prison for the Apostle Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the marketplace, the basilica, and the theater.

Day 5 October 24 - Thessaloniki, Greece

Discover Thessaloniki, where Paul was accused of turning the world upside down with his preaching of Christ (Acts 17: 3 -6). As you explore St. George’s Basilica, believed to be built over the synagogue where Paul preached, reflect on the two epistles the Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church here. Stroll through the archaeological museum and the beautiful basilicas of St. Sophia and St. Demetrios. St. Demetrios is dedicated to a distinguished Roman proconsul martyred for his Christian faith. Along the Via Egnatia stands the Galerius Arch, and you can look out over the second-largest city in Greece from the Old City Ramparts, some dating back to Roman times.

Day 6 October 25 - Volos, Greece

Journey today through the rock forests of Meteora in the western Thessaly province, and wonder at the rough terrain that Paul walked in his missionary treks. Here, monasteries were built by monks seeking refuge from persecution and the world. Beginning in the 14th century in caves, the monks eventually moved to higher ground and built wooden structures that were later replaced by the stone monasteries we see today. We will visit one or more of these monasteries. Lunch is on your own today.

Day 7 October 26 - Ephesus (Kusadasi, Turkiye)

Drive for an afternoon visit to Ephesus, where Paul had a two-year ministry and where the disciple John and Jesus’ mother, Mary, are buried. With a population of more than 250,000, Ephesus was the fourth-largest city in the world. View the Library of Celsus, originally built in 125 AD, which once held nearly 12,000 scrolls. Visit the temples of Hadrian and Domitian and the great theater, where Paul witnessed. Visit the Terrace Houses, which give us great insight into family life during the Roman period.

Day 8 October 27 - Santorini, Greece (On Own)

Explore Santorini, one of the most beautiful of the Greek islands. Its picturesque whitewashed villages with brilliant blue domes dot the cliffs above the Aegean Sea. The island itself perches on the edges of a volcano whose eruption 3,500 years ago is thought to have led to the collapse of the Minoan civilization. Shore excursions are booked through Azamara.

Day 9 October 28 - Kusadasi, Turkey

Drive for an afternoon visit to Ephesus where Paul had a three-year ministry and where the disciple John and Jesus' mother Mary are buried. With a population of more than 250,000, Ephesus was the second-largest city in the world. View the Library of Celsus, originally built in 125 C.E. once held nearly 12,000 scrolls. Visit the temples of Hadrian and Domitian and the great theater where Paul witnessed. Visit the Terrace Houses, which give us great insight into family life during the Roman period.

Day 10 October 28 - Athens (Piraeus, Greece)

Enjoy the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as your guide introduces you to the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. Stand on Mars Hill as the Apostle Paul did when he proclaimed, “I found an altar with the inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23). As you stroll the agora (ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life), recall that this was where the Apostle Paul preached “Jesus and the resurrection” to the skeptical Athenians. Enjoy the afternoon and evening on your own to shop, dine, or experience the Acropolis by night. Return to the ship at your leisure.

Day 11 October 29 - Corinth (Piraeus, Greece)

The Apostle Paul met fellow tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth and received a vision from the Lord saying, “I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city” (Acts 18:10). As Paul spoke, Crispus (chief ruler of the Synagogue) and many others believe and were baptized (Acts 18:8), establishing the church at Corinth to whom Paul later wrote his two epistles. Tour the city of Corinth and the Museum of Corinth. Couples will have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows. Take the optional hike to the top of Acrocorinth. On your way back to the ship for your final overnight, enjoy a panoramic tour of Athens to see the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Day 12 October 30 - Return to the USA

Return to the USA

Enhance Your Journey

Cappadocia Pre Tour Starting from $998

October 17-22, 2023 • $998*

October 17 - Depart the USA
Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight.

October 18 - Arrive in Turkey
Arrive in Istanbul and check in to your hotel for overnight.

October 19 - Istanbul
Enjoy a panoramic tour of Istanbul and visit the Chora Church before continuing to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Arrive and overnight in Cappadocia.

October 20 - Cappadocia
Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, home to a vast monastic complex. Explore its ancient rock churches with beautiful frescoes on their walls before journeying to Cavusin. In Cavusin, you will visit the fifth-century Church of St. John the Baptist, which is situated in the center of the old Greek village. The frescoes inside depict various scenes from the Bible. Travel to Avanoa Oren Yeri and enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch in one of the restaurants in the charming old town area. After lunch, continue to Monk’s Valley to visit the Pasabag site with highly remarkable earth pillars and fairy chimneys. Your final visit today will be to Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley. This famous pink valley excites visitors with its lunar-like landscape. Return to your hotel ion Cappadocia for dinner and overnight.

October 21 - Cappadocia
This morning you have the option to enjoy a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia for an additional charge. Explore the Ihlara Valley, a canyon more than 100 meters deep. While in the valley, visit the Selime Monastery home to a cathedral sized church built into the rocks. Fly back to Istanbul and overnight.

October 22 - Istanbul The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Walk through St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), which was the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years, built by Justinian (532-537 A.D.). The church has 107 columns; fossil imbedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Today, it is the Museum of Byzantine Art. Enjoy the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. Embark the Azamara Onward this afternoon.

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
*A 3.5% Surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.

Istanbul Pre-Tour Starting from $298

October 19 - October 22, 2023 • $298*

October 19 - Depart USA

October 20 - Arrive and Overnight in Istanbul (D)

October 21 - Istanbul Tour Including Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Chora Church
The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Walk through St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), which was the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years, built by Justinian (532-537 A.D.). The church has 107 columns; fossil imbedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Today, it is the Museum of Byzantine Art. Visit the Topkapi Palace and home of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Conclude the day at the 4th century Chora Church and see the magnificent mosaics and frescoes (B, D).

October 22 - Grand Bazaar and Embark the Azamara Onward
Enjoy the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. Embark the Azamara Onward this afternoon (B, D).

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.

*A 3.5% Surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.

Rome Post Tour Starting from $1398

October 30 - November 2, 2023 • $1,398*

October 30 - Arrive in Rome
Fly from Istanbul to Rome, Italy where you will be met by our representative and travel along the Appian Way. Step beneath the surface into the Catacombs of Callixtus, built along the Appian Way. Here 16 Popes from the 2nd through 4th Centuries were interred, though they have been removed to various churches over the centuries. Check in to your hotel this evening and enjoy dinner and rest.

October 31 - Vatican City & Christian Rome
Visit the Vatican, and explore its museum. Marvel at the beauty of St. Peter's Basilica, and stand in awe of Michaelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Next on to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The present structure stands over the place where Constantine built the first church over Saint Paul’s grave. The church features a portrait of every Pope that has served the church. Enjoy another night in Rome.

November 1 - Ancient Rome
Discover the history woven throughout Rome with visits to the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, Circus Maximus, the Arch of Titus, the Baths of Caracalla and the Arch of Constantine today. Climb the graceful Spanish Steps and stop at the famous Trevi Fountain before returning to your hotel this evening.

November 2 - Return to the USA