Footsteps of Paul - July 14-28, 2025

The Apostle Paul wrote a majority of the New Testament letters and traveled extensively around the Mediterranean shores preaching the gospel and planting churches as recorded in the book of Acts. Now, you have the opportunity to trace his footsteps on this once-in-a-lifetime experience with The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, led by Jeremy Davis and Clay Johnson, with relevant teaching from Bible scholar and adventure guide David Allgire. Not only will you journey through the most consequential locations in the first century, but you will also enjoy a few musical outreach concerts by The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra in partnership with local service organizations.

Below is an itinerary of our travel schedule. While you will be responsible for international flights to and from the US, all other travel costs within the tour (flights, buses, and boats) are included in the price. Breakfast and dinner are provided each day.

*Two incredible trip options are available: The standard 10-day tour package begins in Istanbul, Turkey, and ends in Athens, Greece. And for those who are interested, continue on a 3-day excursion with Jeremy and Clay to the ancient world capital of Rome where Paul was imprisoned and martyred for his faith.

July 14 (MO) – Depart Home 

Your journey begins as you board your international flight for Istanbul.

July 15 (TU) – Arrive in Turkey 

Upon arrival, you will be met by our airport representative. Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul for dinner together with all the travelers, an introduction to the team and the experience, and an overnight stay. 

July 16 (WE) – 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. Visit the underground Cisterns dating to Byzantine times.  Walk through Hagia Sophia, which was the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years, built by Justinian (532-537 AD).  The church has 107 columns, fossil embedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. 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. In the afternoon we will fly to Izmir (ancient Smyrna) where we will enjoy dinner and stay overnight.

July 17 (TH) – Pergamum & Thyatira 

Pergamum, one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 2), is home to the fabled Acropolis of Pergamum, which towers 1000 feet above the town and commands a spectacular panorama. As you pass through the Royal Gates, you will enter one of the great centers of classic Greek culture. You will see the foundations of the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, and the ruins of the library which once held 200,000 parchment volumes. You will see the remains of the Temple of Trajan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium, and the Health Center (Aesclepion). Then we will visit Thyatira, another city addressed in Revelation. Once a busy trading center, Thyatira was home to Lydia, the "seller of purple" (Acts 16), and today it is famous for Persian rugs. Dinner & Overnight in Izmir.

July 18 (FR) – Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna & Colossae

We will visit the sites of three more churches from the Book of Revelation. Today, not much is left to mark the location of Philadelphia except an ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine Basilica. At Sardis, you will be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, the white marble Royal Road, the gymnasium, and the synagogue. The third largest city in modern Turkey is Izmir, long a center for Jewish and Christian communities. In Paul's day, the town was known as Smyrna. There you will see the Agora; the colonnaded commercial center where Roman statues can still be seen. Famous for Paul's Letter to the Colossians, the town of Colossae has fallen into obscurity. While you can still see traces of the theater, the Necropolis and the Church, the ancient city is mostly indistinguishable ruins. Dinner & Overnight in Pamukkale.

July 19 (SA) – Hierapolis, Laodicea & Miletus

Hierapolis is blessed by hot mineral springs and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Asia Minor. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his Letter to the Colossians (Col 4:13), and the preserved ruins cover more than a mile. You will see the impressive amphitheater with seats still in perfect condition, and you will walk through the City Gates, column-lined streets, and arches, which have stood through time and earthquakes. Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning "Cotton Castle", named for the limestone-laden hot springs which cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3:14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3:15). Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. Also, we will visit the excavations at Miletus, where Paul bid farewell to the elders of the church at Ephesus at the end of his Third Missionary Journey (Acts 20).  Dinner & Overnight in Kusadasi

July 20 (SU) – Ephesus

Ephesus is the destination city of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (also, one of the seven churches in Revelation). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade-bordered streets. Today, you will be impressed with the spectacular excavations of the major streets of ancient Ephesus. You will view the library and the huge Agora. The Temple of Artemis was declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but today only a single column remains to mark the site. You will visit the Basilica of St. John, the traditional site of his grave. There will be free time to explore this powerful city on your own and recreate some of the footsteps of Paul. Fly back to Istanbul this evening. Dinner & Overnight in Istanbul.

July 21 (MO) – Istanbul to Thessaloniki

In the morning, we will enjoy the Bosphorus cruise. The strait connects the sea of Marmara to the Black Sea and separates Europe and Asia, making Istanbul one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the only one built astride two continents; this romantic cruise along the Bosphorus will allow you to admire beautiful palaces, ancient wooden villas and bridges, and all the wonderful maritime landscapes. Dinner and Overnight in Thessaloniki (ancient Thessalonica).

July 22 (TU) – Amphipolis, Philippi & Neapoli

Follow in the footsteps of Paul and Silas to Amphipolis and explore the ruins of the many Christian basilicas there. In Philippi is a baptismal site commemorating where God opened the heart of Lydia (from Thyatira) to hear the words of Paul (Acts 16:13-15). Lydia and her household were the first Christian converts baptized on European soil. View the Roman era crypt thought to have served as a prison for the Apostle Paul, and explore Philippi’s famous Acropolis, marketplace, the Basilica of Paul, and theater. The day’s last stop is Neapolis (Kavala), one of Greece’s most picturesque mainland ports where Paul landed with his disciples Timothy and Silas. See the Roman Aqueduct and Acropolis before returning to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

July 23 (WE) – Thessaloniki & Veria

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, dedicated to a 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. Follow the path of Paul when he fled Thessaloniki for the safety of Veria (Berea), where Jews and some honorable Greeks accepted the new faith (Acts 17:10-12). Evening flight to Athens. Dinner and Overnight in Athens. 

July 24 (TH) – Athens & Corinth

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 Erechtheum. Stand on Mars Hill as the apostle Paul did when he proclaimed the gospel. As you look upon the Agora (ancient marketplace and center of public life), recall that this was where the Apostle Paul preached "Jesus and the resurrection" (Acts 17:18) to the skeptical Athenians. Journey to the city of Corinth where the Apostle Paul met fellow tentmakers Aquilla and Priscilla and baptized many into Christ, establishing the Corinthian church. Later, Paul would write several letters to the church in Corinth, two of which are preserved in Scripture. As you walk among the ruins, stand on the Bema, where the Apostle Paul stood before Gallio to face charges brought against him by the Jews. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

July 25 (FR) – Return to USA

Transfer to Athens airport for your return flight home or join the extension tour to Rome.

*ROME EXTENSION ITINERARY:

July 25 (FR) Fly from Athens to Rome

Fly to Rome. Brief panoramic tour to see the famous Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, Circus Maximus, Tiberina Island, and St Angelo’s Castle. Free time for lunch in Navona Square Arena. Evening dinner and check-in at the hotel in Rome for your three-night stay.  

July 26 (SA) Christian Rome

After breakfast, we will depart from the Hotel by motorcoach for a guided tour to Vatican City including Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Free Time for lunch in the area. In the afternoon visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the present structure stands over where Emperor Constantine built the first church over the grave of Paul the Apostle. Then step beneath the surface into the Catacombs of St Sebastiano where early Christians are buried. End your day at the Abbey of the Three Fountains, where Paul was martyred.  

July 27 (SU) Ancient Rome

After breakfast, depart from your hotel by motorcoach for a guided tour to the many wonders of Ancient Rome. Visit inside the magnificent Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Explore Mamertine Prison, where Peter was held prisoner before his Martyrdom. Visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and admire its stunning architecture. The gold-coffered ceiling was built with gold that Christopher Columbus’ brought back from America. Free Time for lunch in the Coliseum area.  In the afternoon, we will visit the Pantheon, explore the romance of Rome as you climb the graceful Spanish Steps, and stop at the famous Trevi Fountain. Legend says those who toss a coin into the fountain will one day return to Rome to toss another into the waters of Trevi. 

July 28 (MO) Return to USA

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. 

*schedule subject to change due to inclement weather, road closures, and other unforeseen circumstances