Trip Itinerary

Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner 

Day 1: Thursday, October 1, 2026: Arrival 
Pre-tour night is available for $120 ($150 in single) including airport transfer, dinner and breakfast.  (IF/D)

Day 2: Friday, October 2, 2026: Arrival in Istanbul
Today is a leisure day to explore the historic area around our hotel. We will dine together this evening in the hotel. (B/D)

Day 3: Saturday, October 3, 2026: Istanbul
We will begin our tour of Istanbul at Hagia Sophia, which for centuries was the largest church in Christendom. The current basilica was commissioned by Emperor Justinian 1. At the opening ceremony in 537, he is reported to have said, “My Lord, thank you for giving me the chance to create such a worshipping place.” After spending many years as a museum, it’s currently a mosque. Our tour will also include the Hippodrome, where chariot races and Byzantine riots took place, as well as the Blue Mosque. After a stroll through the Grand Bazaar, with its myriad shops, we will dine independently this evening. (B)

Day 4: Sunday, October 4, 2026: Istanbul
This morning, we will explore Topkapı Palace, including a visit to Hagia Irene, one of the oldest surviving Byzantine churches in Istanbul. It’s now used as a museum and concert hall. We will have a group lunch in a restaurant, followed by a visit to the Basilica Cistern. We will end the day with a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus. (B/L)

Day 5: Monday, October 5, 2026: Cappadocia
We will take a morning flight to Cappadocia, departing Istanbul at 11:00 on TK 2014 and arriving in Kayseri at 12:30 PM. This is a region known as the home of the Basil, Bishop of Kaisareia, his brother Gregory of Nyss, and Gregory of Nazianzus. We will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, where we will see churches cut into the rock, frescoes and a monastery. We will stay in a cave hotel for two nights. (B/D)

Day 6: Tuesday, October 6, 2026: Cappadocia
Today we will explore one of the underground cities, where Byzantine Christians lived to escape Roman persecution. These cities were built in the soft volcanic rock of the region. We will also see how pottery is made in Avanos. This evening we will dine in a restaurant. (B/D)

Day 7: Wednesday, October 7, 2026: Izmir
After breakfast, we will return to the airport and fly to Izmir. SunExpress 9039 departs from Kayseri at 8:25 AM and arrives in Izmir at 10:00 AM (flight times may change). Our hotel for the next three nights is in central Izmir. We will dine in our hotel. (B/D)

Day 8: Thursday, October 8, 2026: Smyrna, Bergama, Izmir
This morning we will visit Smyrna (modern day Izmir), a principal city of the Roman Empire, home to a large Jewish community who were hostile to Christians. The Lord commended the church for its spiritual wealth and their courage during persecution. From there we will drive to Pergamon. This city was renowned for pagan practices, which had affected the church. We’ll see the Acropolis with the steepest theater of the ancient world and the Temple of Trajan. After time for lunch, we will spend time with friends in Izmir ad assist with a project. We will dine in our hotel with invited guests. (B/D)

Day 9: Friday, October 9, 2026: Ephesus, Kuşadası
Ephesus is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. The Apostle Paul was based in Ephesus for several years. We will tour the spectacular ruins in the city founded in the 10th century B.C. and hear about the church in Ephesus and Paul’s ministry. The terraced house exhibit will give us an idea of how Roman homes were built and decorated. In nearby Selçuk we will visit St. John’s Basilica, the reputed burial site of the Apostle John. The basilica also includes an early baptismal. We will stay in the beautiful Korumar beach resort this evening. (B/D)

Day 10: Saturday, October 10, 2026: Board ship, Patmos
We will say goodbye to mainland Turkey and board our cruise ship, Celestyal Discovery. We will disembark in Patmos for our included excursion (Religious visit to St. John’s Monastery – Grotto of Apocalypse) which includes the village of Chora, where we will visit the Monastery of St. John. This dates back to 1088 and see the artefacts in the museum. Our next stop is the Grotto of St. John, a 17th century monastery built around the cave where John is said to have written the book of Revelation. (B/L/D)

Day 11: Sunday, October 11, 2026: Crete, Santorini
We will arrive in the port of Heraklion, Crete, early in the morning. There area range of excursions, including a visit to Knossos, the legendary home of the Minotaur. Prices vary. Santorini, an island in the Cyclades, has one of the most spectacular landscapes in all Greece. The traditional villages are built on tall cliffs and offer breath-taking views over a former volcanic crater. We can ride up the cable car to Fira town, spend a day on the beach, or take an island tour. Excursions can be chosen from the brochure and added to the tour invoice. Prices vary. (B/L/D)

Day 12: Monday, October 12, 2026: Corinth, Athens
On arrival in Athens, we will disembark, meet our guide and driver, and depart for our tour of Ancient Corinth. Driving along the Saronic Gulf, we will enjoy a quick photo stop at the historic Corinth Canal. We will then tour the archeological site where St. Paul lived and worked, establishing a thricing church, subsequently sending two of his epistles, now part of the New Testament. Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema (Gallio’s Seat). The small local archaeological museum is an absolute must! We will return to Athens after a quick stop at Cenchrea port, where Paul sailed for Ephesus. We will dine in our hotel. (B/D)

Day 13: Tuesday, October 13: Athens
After breakfast, we will climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis Hill and visit the famous Parthenon and Erechtheion Temples. On nearby Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) we will remember where Paul delivered his soul-stirring sermon to the giants of philosophy, logic and learning and spoke about the inscription: “to an unknown god”. We continue our tour with a panoramic sightseeing of the city highlights. The afternoon is a t leisure in Plaka, the oldest and most picturesque district of Athens. We’ll end our tour with a Farewell dinner and folklore show. (B/D)

Day 14: Wednesday, October 14: Return
We will transfer to Athens airport, for return flights to the USA. (B/IF)

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

What are accommodations like?

Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!

All upgrades are subject to availability at the time of booking. Early registration is recommended.

Istanbul, Turkey
October 2-5, 2026 (Pre-tour night available)
Grand Yavuz Hotel (4*)
Piyer Loti Caddesi, Dağhan Sk. No: 51,
34126 İstanbul

Cappadocia, Turkey
October 5-7, 2026
Melis Cave Hotel (4*)
No: 75, İstiklal Cd.,
50400 Ürgüp/Nevşehir

Izmir, Turkey
October 7-9, 2026
Kaya Prestige Hotel (4*)
İsmet Kaptan, 1371. Sk. No: 7
35210 Konak/İzmir

Kuşadası, Turkey
October 9-10, 2026
Korumar de Luxe Hotel
Türkmen, Gazi Beğendi Sk. No:21
09400 Kuşadası

Mediterranean Cruise
October 10-12, 2026
Celestyal Discovery

Athens, Greece
October 12-14, 2026
Royal Olympic Hotel (5*)
Athanasiou Diakou 28
Athens 117 43

Flight Information
You may book your own flights, making sure you land in Istanbul by Friday, October 2, 2026.  If you would prefer to arrive earlier, we can arrange a pre-tour hotel night in Istanbul. You are welcome to depart from Athens at any time on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Please wait until the tour is a guaranteed departure before buying air and mail us a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it.

Please note that if you would like to use air miles you will need to book directly with the airline.

Group air is available from Minneapolis for $1,599. Please note that due to pricing and schedule, this flight requires a pre-tour night in Istanbul on October 1.

What’s included in the land and cruise price?

The land price of $5,999 is based on double occupancy and a minimum number of 30 travelers. These rates are subject to change if there is a significant fluctuation in the exchange rate.

Your Tour Includes

Your Tour Does Not Include

Payment Schedule

• The deposit of $500 per person is due at the time of booking and can be paid while registering, or by check. Online payments incur a 3.5% credit card fee. Checks can be mailed to “Reformation Tours”, 12316 244th St, Chisago City, MN 55013-9688.
• Second deposit of $1,000 is due by March 30, 2026
• Final payment is due by July 3 2026
• Reservations will be accepted after July 3, 2026 subject to availability

Insurance

Insurance: There are two levels of insurance offered. Click here to compare. When you fill out the registration form, you will be given quotes for both.

Standard is 4.55% of the trip cost and can be purchased up until 2 days prior to departure, although we recommend purchasing it before.

Enhanced is 7.6% of the trip cost and includes cancel for any reason benefits. It has to be purchased within 14 days of registration.

Cancellations

The following penalties apply plus any non-recoverable expenses such as hotel deposits and attraction costs that had been made by the time of cancellation. Travel insurance is highly recommended for all travelers.

Cancellation penalties
From time of deposit to June 23, 2026: $350 per person
From June 24 to September 1, 2026: $1,500 per person plus any non-refundable deposits
From September 2, 2026 onwards: No refund

Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour. Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the last business day of the applicable time period. For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply. Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the time of this quotation. Should currency fluctuations necessitate an adjustment in tour price; the adjusted price will be reflected in the final invoice.

Terms and Conditions

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary.

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