“What a trip! Leading up to visiting Israel we were excited with anticipation, but boy did it exceed anything we had imagined. Our tour guide CJ was outstanding. He broke down the Jewish culture, past and modern history, biblical connections/application, and geography of Israel at every site. It was just so awesome with how many sites and artifacts we were shown and how seamlessly our trip was organized. Throughout the week we were taken well care of. We stayed in very nice hotels, ate great food, and enjoyed a comfortable, air-conditioned bus driven by our expert driver, Happy. Happy made sure we stayed hydrated and took extra special care of us in keeping us safe. CJ and Happy complemented each other wonderfully. With packed days of touring, we enjoyed restful evenings. We also felt safe and secure throughout our travels, allowing us to delve fully into what we were learning and what God was teaching us about Himself.
Besides enjoying CJ and Happys sense of humor, we quickly experienced camaraderie between the rest of our group, which made little things like traveling, eating, and taking pictures fun. Thank you all for loving on us; we thank God for you and this short time we were able to connect. And most importantly we thank God as we recognize all the lessons we learned along the way. He definitely used this trip to reveal new things to us as we learned more about the Bible, God, and ourselves.
Thank you and many Blessings,
Jeanne Jackson
7 Churches of Revelation & Greece
Explore the 7 Churches of Revelation and journey to Greece!
What’s Included
- Airfare from group departure city
- All Transfers
- Breakfast & Dinner Daily
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily on cruise ship
- Entrance Fees to all Sites
- International Flights
- Internet Package (250 Minutes) (1 login per cabin)
- Itinerary as per Description
- Premium Accommodations
- Professional Tour Guides
- Transportation by Deluxe Motor Coach
Schedule
Day 1 Depart USA
Day 2 Arrive in Izmir
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of your day exploring the city.
Day 3 Pergamum/ Thyatira/ Izmir
First, visit Pergamum, where the church was praised for its forbearance. Explore the Acropolis, Royal Gates, Altar of Zeus, and the ruins of the library. Next, travel to Thyatira to view the ancient roadway and columns, once a bustling trading center. Continue south to Izmir, known as Smyrna in Paul's time and one of the Seven Churches. The evening will be spent in Izmir.
Day 4 Sardis/ Philadelphia/ Pamukkale
Departing Izmir, the journey includes a visit to Polycarp's Church and the ancient Roman agora. Next, travel to Sardis, known for its facade of strength, and explore the gymnasium and synagogue. The next stop is Philadelphia, where the focus is on holding fast and looking forward to the "new Jerusalem." The ancient city is now represented by a wall and a Byzantine basilica in Alasehir. The evening is spent in a spa hotel in Pamukkale.
Day 5 Hierapolis/ Laodicea/ Colossae
Today you will visit Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Colossae. Hierapolis was a significant ancient city known for its hot springs, while Laodicea features extensive ruins, including a stadium and water system. Colossae, famous for being the recipient of Paul's letter to the Colossians, is now in obscurity. The day concludes in Kusadasi, a port city where visitors will spend two nights.
Day 6 Ephesus
Travel to the nearby town of Selcuk to visit ancient Ephesus, once a thriving port town with a population of 250,000. The site features spectacular excavations, including the Library, Agora, theatre, and colorful mosaics in the aristocratic Terrace Houses. Next, visit the Basilica Church of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal and is believed to be the resting place of John. The site offers an excellent overview of the Ephesus harbor, the Mosque of Jesus, and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Day 7 Isle of Patmos
Embark on a cruise ship and sail to the Isle of Patmos. Upon arrival, you will tour the monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where John received the revelation. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 Crete/ Santorini
Visit Crete, where you'll explore Heraklion and the Palace of Knossos. Then, travel to Santorini, with a panoramic tour through picturesque villages, ending in Oia. Return to the ship and view the caldera and nearby islands of Thirasia, Palea, and Nea Kameni.
Day 9 Ancient Corinth/ Cenchreae
Disembark the cruise and visit the Corinth Canal, then explore ancient Corinth, including the Archaeological Museum, Market Place, and the ruins where Paul preached. Continue to the Acropolis for views of the city and insights on ancient worship. Visit Diolkos, the trackway for moving boats across the Isthmus, and pass by Cenchreae, the ancient port where Paul stopped.
Day 10 Athens
After breakfast, tour Athens, starting with the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Erectheum. Visit Mars Hill, where Paul preached, with views of the Agora. On a panoramic bus tour, see the House of Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. Optionally, visit the Plaka for shops and cafes.
Day 11 Return to the USA
Jeanne Jackson
This was my first time to Isreal, and it was such a fantastic trip due to our guide Adam and our driver Money Mike! Adam is so knowledgeable and was really able to make each site come alive for me. We had a really large group, and I am sure that Adam felt like he was “herding cats” all week, but he kept us together and moving through the areas while sharing so much information. With Mike’s driving and sense of humor, I felt very safe even though the streets sometimes seemed way too narrow for all of the buses and cars! The team of Adam and Money Mike were fabulous, and I would highly recommend them!!
Adrienne Carter
If you’re doing the Holy Land Tour, there’s no question in which company to choose - it’s Travel With Friends! The entire trip was very well planned and wasted no time in getting us in and out of sites while beating the crowds. Ibrahim was a phenomenal guide! He was personable, fun, and incredibly knowledgeable in the Bible and history of the land. Will definitely do this trip again and go through Travel With Friends!
Ellie Hill