11-Day Greece & Turkey Pilgrimage
with Pastor Amy Butler
$6,595
Start Date: April 8, 2026
End Date: April 18, 2026
Location: Turkey & Greece
We embark on an unforgettable journey as we trace the footsteps of Paul through enchanting Greece and Ephesus in Türkiye, to discover firsthand the sights, sounds, and feelings that he may have had as he established the Church in this ancient land. For Paul came not in word only, and not in affliction only, but also in power and with much assurance and great joy to admonish those he served, to join them in giving thanks to God and to remember without ceasing great works of faith, labors of love and patience of hope in Jesus Christ. As we walk where Paul walked, we will be awed at the beauty of this country and inspired to accomplish our own work on earth.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Wednesday, April 8
Departure from Honolulu
Enclose in your soul Greece and you shall feel every kind of grandeur. – Dionysios Solomos
Day 2
Thursday, April 9
Arrival in Thessaloniki
Paul and Silas came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.” (Acts 17:1-3) We will arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece, where we will be met by our representative and transferred to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Friday, April 10
Cavala, Philippi, Thessaloniki
“And from there [we went] to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in the city some days…” (Acts 16:12) Our first stop this morning is Kavala known anciently as Neapolis, where Paul landed on his first voyage to Europe, as we make our way to nearby Philippi, where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first preached on European soil to sow the seeds of Christianity. They founded the church at Philippi with a woman named Lydia, a purple-dye merchant (Rev. 2:18-29 and Acts 16: 14-15) who became the first Christian convert. Paul and Silas were arrested and beaten while in Philippi, but an earthquake caused their prison to be opened. It is said that when their jailer awoke, he prepared to kill himself, thinking all the prisoners had escaped and knowing that he would be severely punished, but Paul stopped him, convincing him that all the prisoners were still there. The jailer became one of the first Christians in Europe (Acts 16: 12-40). We will also see Krinides (or Crenides), an area that includes the archaeological site of Philippi in the Kavala Prefecture. We’ll return to Thessaloniki, the city where Paul was accused of turning the world upside down by his preaching of Christ (Acts 17: 3-6), and the church to whom he addressed his Thessalonian epistles, visit St. George's Basilica, traditionally believed to be built over the synagogue where Paul preached. View the Old City Ramparts, and the Galerius Arch that rises over the Via Egnatia. See two of the most beautiful basilicas in the city, St. Sophia and St. Demetrios, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Lunch included.
Day 4
Saturday, April 11
Thessaloniki, Veria, Kalambaka
And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. (I Cor. 13:2) Our day’s journey takes us to beautiful Berea (Veria) to see Paul’s Bema where both he and Silas preached in AD 54 or 55 to a Jewish settlement after leaving the Thessalonians (Acts 17: 10-15). Then we continue to Kalambaka, to visit one of the breathtaking Meteora Monasteries. The Metéora which means “suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above”, is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece (which began when an ascetic group of hermit monks moved up to the ancient pinnacles as early as the 9th century). After spending the day “in the heavens above”, we return to Kalambaka for dinner and another overnight stay. Lunch included.
Day 5
Sunday, April 12
Delphi & Athens
Croesus king of Lydia beginning in 560 B.C., tested the oracles of the world to discover which gave the most accurate prophecies. He sent out emissaries to seven sites who were all to ask the oracles on the same day what the king was doing at that very moment. Croesus proclaimed the oracle at Delphi to be the most accurate, who correctly reported that the king was making a lamb-and-tortoise stew, and so he graced her with a magnitude of precious gifts. He then consulted Delphi before attacking Persia, and according to Herodotus was advised, “If you cross the river, a great empire will be destroyed.” Believing the response favorable, Croesus attacked, but it was his own empire that ultimately was destroyed by the Persians. After breakfast we travel through the mountainous Greek countryside to arrive in a renowned city labeled the omphalos (navel) of the earth, or in other words, the center of the world! Delphi was also the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world. Today, in a most beautiful and ruggedly majestic landscape, we’ll explore the ruins of the Temple of Apollo and the museum located at the foot of the main archaeological complex. The museum houses an impressive collection of items associated with ancient Delphi, including the earliest known notation of a melody, the famous Charioteer, golden treasures discovered beneath the Sacred Way, and fragments of reliefs from the Siphnian Treasury. We’ll continue on to Athens, known as the cradle of western civilization. See the Agora, the ancient market place and center of the Athenian public life, where the apostle Paul preached "Jesus and the resurrection" (Acts 17:18) to the skeptical Athenians. Also see the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Athens.
Day 6
Monday, April 13
Greek Island Cruise: Mykonos
Beauty is the gift of God. – Aristotle Today we transfer to the city of Piraeus which sports the largest passenger port in Europe and the third largest in the world, to embark on a lovely Greek Island cruise. We sail first to the island of Mykonos, believed to have been named after a local hero who was considered an offspring of the God Apollo. There is much to see in beautiful Mykonos, also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, a common denomination in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town), which lies on the west coast. From its legendary windmills (landmarks from as early as the 16th century), to its “Little Venice” where buildings have been constructed on the sea’s edge with their balconies overhanging the water, from its famous mascot Petros the Pelican to its inviting sandy beaches, from its quaint shops to its narrow cobbled streets, we can’t help but enjoy this cosmopolitan island. Perhaps tonight at one of the wonderful restaurants of Alefkandra, we’ll see a magnificent island sunset before returning to Mykonos Town to take the shuttle back to our ship.
Day 7
Tuesday, April 14
Greek Island Cruise: Kusadasi, Ephesus & Patmos
But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Ephesians 4:7) We dock in the resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast, Kusadasi, whose name comes from words meaning “bird” and “island” because the peninsula upon which it sits has the shape of a bird’s head as seen from the sea. After driving through this picturesque town, we’ll explore the ruins of Ephesus, a city that for many years was the second largest in the Roman Empire and ranked second only to Rome. It is to the Ephesians Paul: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil… Having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness… taking the shield of faith… the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:11-17) after having spend three years (from 52-54 A.D.) walking its marble streets, preaching and ministering here. While in the ancient city of Ephesus, we’ll look with wonder on many historical sights including the Temple of Artemis (Diana), the fountain of Trajan, the Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre capable of holding 25,000 spectators (used initially for drama, but during later Roman times for gladiatorial combats) where Paul preached and where the riot of the silversmiths occurred. We will walk along Arcadian Way where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Afternoon call to Patmos to see the Monastery of St. John noted for its exceptional architecture, frescoes and interior decoration. Patmos was an important destination where the Apostle John received his vision of the Apocalypse. We also see the cave where John is said to have received his Revelation (the Cave of the Apocalypse).
Day 8
Wednesday, April 15
Greek Island Cruise: Rhodes
Approaching Rhodes island by sea is an experience all of its own. The clifftop Acropolis at Lindos rises slowly from the still blue waters, evoking the ancient Colossus which once adorned the harbor. The old city, built by Crusader Knights of the Order of St. John, has changed little from medieval times.
Day 9
Thursday, April 16
Greek Island Cruise: Crete & Santorini
Today on the last day of the cruise we will visit Crete in the morning and the volcanic island of Santorini in the afternoon where you can take the cable car (not included in the cost) up to the lovely town of Fira. Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view! Dinner and overnight on your cruise ship.
Day 10
Friday, April 17
Piraeus, Corinth, & Athens
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things (Acts 17:24-25). Our cruise concludes in Piraeus. We then travel to Corinth, one of the oldest towns in Greece, which, in classical times rivaled Athens and Thebes in wealth. Paul lived in Corinth for 18 months working as a tentmaker and establishing a church (“… and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized” – Acts 18:8) but as we know, the Corinthians caused Paul much grief as evidenced by the four letters he wrote to them. We’ll visit the ruins of this ancient city including the remnants of the first-century shops, the agora (where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place), the Fountain of Peirene, and Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest stone temples in Greece and built on a hill overlooking the remains of the Roman marketplace (where Paul preached to the Corinthians). Return to Athens to enjoy the architectural splendors of the ancient city of Athens as you follow your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where the apostle Paul stood and said, “I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you" (Acts 17:23). After a full day, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Lunch included.
Day 11
Saturday, April 18
Depart for Home
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity (1 Cor. 16:13-14). With hearts full of gratitude and memories for a lifetime, we transfer to the Athens airport for the return flight home to Honolulu.
- $6,595 per person based on double occupancy.
- $5,595 per person Land Only (purchase your own air).
- Single room supplement - $1,495
- $500 per person with registration to secure space.
- 50% of the total amount is due on or before October 6, 2025
- Balance due on or before January 6, 2026
Tour information
PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. Participants with non-US passports are responsible for country-specific entry requirements. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.
CANCELLATION POLICY2: The $500 per person deposit is nonrefundable. Other payments exceeding the $500 per person are refundable in full up to ninety days prior to departure. After this date, refunds for unused accommodations and services will be limited to the amount received from and/or credited by all carriers, sightseeing operators, and hotels. All funds, including the deposit, are non-transferable.
AIR: The Air Included option covers round-trip, economy-class airfare from the departure city listed in the itinerary. All group seating is assigned by the airline and cannot be changed by Signature Tours. Seat changes can only be made during check-in at the airport. Upgrades such as Comfort, Premium, Business, or First Class are not available with the Air Included option. Participants who wish to upgrade or purchase a specific seat should choose the Land Only option when registering. Frequent flyer, TSA Precheck, and Global Entry numbers can only be added at check-in.
LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. The air portion will be deducted from the price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours at least 6 months prior to the departure date. Land Only Passengers arriving with or before the group are welcome to join the group bus at no additional charge. For those not traveling with the group, Signature Tours can provide contact information to arrange a private transfer.
GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met on arrival by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants not traveling with the group are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.
HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with a private bath and shower.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of single rooms are available at additional supplement prices. Signature Tours and/or the tour leader will make every attempt to pair single participants requesting a roommate. However, the single supplement fee will be charged for each person occupying a single room, whether by choice or circumstance.
MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided daily. Lunch is provided on days as noted in the itinerary.
SIGHTSEEING: Entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary are included, as well as an expert English-speaking guide.
LUGGAGE: Space is limited on the tour buses. Participants are allowed one suitcase weighing 50lbs or less and will be transported in storage under the bus. Participants are allowed one backpack/daypack or personal bag to carry on the bus during the tour. These requirements will meet most airline carrier restrictions. See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Medical devices are not included in these restrictions.
TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES, AND TAXES: Tips, service charges, and taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. Taxes, as imposed by national and/or local governments, that are not included at the time of booking are the responsibility of the participant.
NOT INCLUDED: Excess baggage fees, passport fees, food or drink items not listed on the regular table menu for included meals, and items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, etc. Any service not indicated in the itinerary and/or the above list of included features.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: This tour requires a substantial amount of walking. Many of the sites are not accessible by wheelchair, and the uneven terrain is not feasible for rollators. Signature Tours reserves the right to refuse individuals who may require special attention beyond what the tour guide and tour host can provide.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Trawick International. Please click here for more information or to enroll in the plan. A preexisting medical condition waiver is available if purchased within 21 days of registration.
CRUISE: Celestyal Discovery cruise ship: All outside cabins. Guided Shore Excursions included: Ephesus, Patmos and Santorini. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on cruise.