Experience the land and lessons of the Bible!
Turkey, Greece Study Tour with Bethel Bible Church
Registration is not yet open for this trip. To learn more call 800-829-8234 or 616-396-1234 or email your travel coordinator Unassigned Trips
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What to Expect
You’re invited to join us on a 10 day, all-inclusive Turkey, Greece Study Tour.
You will be immersed in the land and lessons of the Bible as you’re led on a journey through Scripture while your local guide and driver will bring the past and present culture of Turkey and Greece alive to all your senses.
Unlike other Holy Land tours, this tour is solely focused on bringing Scripture to life through first-hand experiences in the places the stories actually happened. An all-inclusive trip ensures you're free to focus on each moment without worrying about lodging, tips, transportation, entrance fees, food or water.
What is a GTI Study Tour?
We’ve built into our study tours everything you need for an enjoyable and educational trip. We want you to be fully focused on the lessons and experiences you’ll encounter, and not be distracted by local tipping practices, transportation arrangements, or meal planning.
We believe that as a Study Tour participant you’re not a mere tourist—you’re an investment! This is evident from the moment you book your trip, through to the time you return home to share what you’ve learned with your friends and family.
Our seasoned guides and ministry partners do so much more than handle the details and keep things on schedule. Our local guides have personal experience and intimate knowledge of the places and events you’ll examine, and our ministry partner’s teachers have a shepherd’s heart and a passion for God’s word.
The guides have been so personable and so knowledgeable and so friendly. There's just never a bad day for these guys. They make you very comfortable throughout the trip.
— SteveWe got to walk the land and it made our bibles come alive, and my son being 17, he needed it to come alive. It solidified his foundation in his faith.
— JoeyGTI has done such a great job of taking care of everything... allowing us to feel at home and really focus on the things we needed to from the very beginning.
— JordanRoss Strader
Senior Pastor, Bethel Bible Church
Our family loves being a part of Bethel Bible Church. I’ve served as senior pastor of Bethel since we moved here in 2006. My wife Leslie and I grew up in the same West Texas town, but didn’t meet until a “blind date” in graduate school. We married in 1995 and still look forward to our weekly breakfast date together. I graduated from Hardin-Simmons with a Masters in Family Psychology and, after serving 10 years on Young Life staff, attended Dallas Theological Seminary where I earned my Masters of Theology in Pastoral Leadership. I’m currently working on my Doctor of Ministry in Theological Exegesis from Knox Theological Seminary. Leslie and I have three kids – Maggie, Jay, and Katherine. I’m a Mac guy and a pretty big Bible software nerd. I love my family, pie, talking theology, and enjoy the occasional Netflix binge when I find the time.
Eric Barton
Downtown Pastor, Bethel Bible Church
I grew up in the Texas Panhandle and spent most of my summers in Monterrey, Mexico. I have been married to Susan for 19 years, and we met at Baylor University where I studied international business and marketing. We have two sons, Ethan and Joshua. I am a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary where I studied pastoral leadership and discipleship. My favorite part of pastoral ministry is teaching God’s Word to God’s people to move them forward to a Christ-centered life. I love martial arts movies, football, campfires, cherries, and cheese. I can talk faster than you.
Study Tour Details
GTI recommends considering trip insurance. Please click here for more information.
- $4780.00 USD base cost
- $850.00 single-occupancy supplement available
- $100.00 discount if booking prior to May 3, 2019
Optional payment schedule available:
- $500.00 per-person deposit upon registration
- $1940.00 per-person due by June 7, 2019
- Remaining balance due by September 5, 2019
- Roundtrip air from Houston
- Hotel accommodations as indicated
- Daily breakfast and dinner buffet
- Lunches
- Deluxe motor coach touring
- GTI Tour Blog
- Study guide, journal, flashlight, Bible, plug adapter
- Osprey hydro packs with bottled water on tour
- All entrance fees
- Guide/Driver Tips
- Porterage fees and taxes
- Winery visit
- Greek folklore show and dinner
- Turkish Visa ($20)
- Beverages ordered ala carte with meals
- Hot Air Ballon ride in Cappadocia ($300) per person)
- Full refund less $200 for cancellations after deposit.
- Full refund less $500 for cancellations after May 3, 2019
- Full refund less $2000 for cancellations after June 7, 2019
- No refunds for cancellations after September 5, 2019
Itinerary
Welcome to Turkey
Welcome to the Republic of Turkey. After we arrive at the Istanbul airport and our luggage is collected we will be met by our Turkish hosts who will take us directly to our hotel for a good night's sleep.
Park Inn by Radisson Istanbul Airport, Odayeri
Early Christians
After a good night's rest, we begin our journey by flying to the city of Kayseri in the region of Cappadocia. This area is rich in culture, food, and hospitality as well as early Christian history. Our afternoon will be spent learning about the early Christian groups that lived in the region as well as watching a beautiful sunset over the majestic Red Valley.
Goreme National Park
First Missionary Journey
The day starts with an optional early morning hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. Enjoy the sunrise and amazing views of the beautiful countryside with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After breakfast we will experience Monks Valley and learn about the old churches and people that used to live here. We will begin to talk through Paul’s first missionary journey as we pass through the regions of Iconium, Lystra and Debre. Once we arrive in Konya we will enjoy an evening of cultural learning with the Whirling Dervish ceremony.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Jews and Gentiles
Today we leave Konya and continue to follow Paul’s first missionary journey as we head to the ancient city of Pisidia Antoch. Acts 13 sets the scene as Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel to both a Jewish and Gentile crowd. After lunch we will drive to the area of Pamukkale and its therapeutic hot springs while experiencing some of the local Turkish culture as we make our way to our hotel for the next two nights.
Pisidian Antioch
Hot and Cold
Today holds many Biblical teachings and historic locations. Our day unfolds with discussion about the book of Colossians and the ancient city with its cold river running through it as well as Hierapolis and the hot healing sulfur pools within its walls. We will walk the streets of Laodicea and discus the passage from Revelation 3:16 to the church in Laodicea that states because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Our day will end with a chance for people to relax and enjoy time at our hotel and spa.
Hierapolis
God’s Word to the Churches
After breakfast we bid farewell to the warm springs of the Pamukkale region and head west as we continue to learn about the seven churches of Revelation. Today we will visit the sites of Sardis, Pergamum and Thyratira as we unpack the Biblical significance of the letters to the churches in these cities.
Satan’s Throne
Today will be our second part to the city of Pergamum which is referred to as Satan’s throne in Revelation 2:13. In the morning we will spend time exploring the acropolis and vast city built on top of a mountain before making our way to the coastal city of Kusadasi. Not far from the port city of Ephesus we will board a boat and sail the Aegean Sea just like travelers form centuries gone by.
Ephesus
After breakfast we will visit the magnificent city of Ephesus and explore its ancient streets as well as the famous library and theater. This city is full of Biblical significance as both Paul and John spent time here and we have an entire book of the Bible devoted to the people of this city. From here we will say goodbye to our Turkish friends and fly from Izmir Turkey to Athens Greece.
Welcome to Greece
As you wake up you will realize you are in the ancient Greek world. We will start our day exploring and studying the important trade city of Corinth for which Paul writes two books of the Bible. Our afternoon will highlight Greek cuisine with a stop at a famous winery in the region. We will visit the Parthenon with its ancient temples to the goddess Athena while reading the account from Acts 17 where Paul preaches Christ from nearby Mars Hill. Our time in Greece will finish with a cultural dining experience filled with great food and a Greek Folklore show with dancing.
Corinth
Spread of the Gospel
Today we fly from Athens back to Istanbul Turkey to finish off our trip. Istanbul known as Constantinople was the Roman Byzantine capital for over 1000 years. We will visit amazing sites such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia and discus how Christianity spread and became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The trip will conclude with a chance to shop in the Grand Bazaar and then a nice farewell dinner on the Bosphorus. After taking a moment to reflect on our trip and what we have learned we will head back to our hotel for a good night’s sleep before returning home the next day.
Blue Mosque