“Following Paul on Mission”
with Dayspring Christian Academy (PA)
May 9-22, 2026
(Program #260502, Taught by Dr. Smith)
Pricing:
Adult Full Tour: $5999 Adult Land Only:$4499
Student Full Tour: $5699 Student Land Only:$4199
Day One. Saturday, May 9, 2026: DEPARTURE DAY
Flights are from an east coast gateway (EWR/JFK). Overnight: in flight.
Day Two. Sunday, May 10, 2026: ARRIVAL in ISTANBUL
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner this evening and introductions. Overnight: Istanbul (1 of 3). D
Day Three. Monday, May 11, 2026: ISTANBUL
The historic and grand city (ancient Constantinople) will be our backdrop to look at the period of expansion in the early centuries of the church. During these next two days, we will deal with the unique fusion of east and west that can be seen in Istanbul. This will provide the backdrop to discuss issues of the period of the Apostolic and Apologetic Fathers, including 1) The canon of the Scripture; 2) The order and formalization of creedal doctrine; 3) The structural footprint of the church (how the church became a political force and at what cost).
Understanding east and west comes from experiencing them both. To that end, we selected six experiences for you. After breakfast, we will have a classroom introduction to our program (1.5 hours) and then visit:
1. The collection at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum (grandeur of the past),
2. A brief view of the park area where the ancient Hippodrome once stood (the volatility of power in decline),
3. The Grand Bazaar (the powerful commercial base) and
4. The Aya Irini (the acknowledgment of Holy Scripture). After these, we will have dinner and a relaxing overnight at our hotel. Overnight: Istanbul (2 of 3). B,D
Day Four. Tuesday, May 12, 2026: ISTANBUL
Continuing our theme discussing the early period of Christianity, we will continue our seven experiences with:
1. Aya Sophia (structured power of heaven and earth).
2. Turkish bath (comfort, the earth and heaven) for a unique but wonderful cultural experience! Our day will end again with dinner and a relaxing time at the hotel. Overnight: Istanbul (3 of 3). B,D
Day Five. Wednesday, May 13, 2026: SMYRNA / IZMIR
Today we begin the ongoing theme of seven heart problems that effect Jesus followers as taken from His letters to seven churches. The first we will visit is to Smyrna, where we learn about “Fear and Heart Health: When opposition presses us and has a chilling effect on our faithfulness.” After a morning flight to Izmir, we will visit sites in the city, including the walled Citadel, an excellent view of the harbor and the St. Polycarp Church. Overnight: Izmir (1 of 2) B,D
Day Six. Thursday, May 14, 2026: PERGAMUM / BERGAMA
Our second of the seven churches visits will be at Pergamum, where we look at “Exhaustion and Heart Health: When we join the corps of the unfaithful because we feel we just can’t fight ‘City Hall’ anymore.” After breakfast, we will journey by motor coach to Bergama (Pergamum, 2 h 20m) via a beautiful coast road: Acropolis, Great Theatre, area of altar of Zeus. Nearby, visit the Red Basilica; walk through the Asklepion, the famous medical center of antiquity. Overnight: Izmir (2 of 2). B,D
Day Seven. Friday, May 15, 2026: THYATIRA / AKHISAR - SARDIS / SART – PHILADELPHIA / ALASEHIR
Today we will visit the ancient sites of three of the churches, and continue the “heart health” theme, first with a visit to Thyatira, where we examine “Complacency and Heart Health: When we tolerate immorality because we don’t want to cause a conflict.” Next, we travel and visit the ancient city of Sardis, where we learn about “Apathy and Heart Health: When we allow the weakness to spread unchecked by vigilance and defense of the truth.” Finally, we make our way to ancient Philadelphia, and study a bit on “the Feeling of Insignificance and Heart Health – When we feel tiny and won’t push to deliberately build the body of believers.” For travel planning, after breakfast, we plan to depart our hotel in Izmir for the visit of Akhisar (Thyatira, 1h45m). From there we travel south to Sart (Sardis, 1 h20m), visit ruins of the Temple of Artemis, Royal Road, gymnasium, and synagogue. Travel on to the modest ruins of Alasehir (Philadelphia, 1 h). On to Hierapolis area. Overnight: Pamukkale / Hierapolis area (1 of 2). B,D
Day Eight. Saturday, May 16, 2026: HIERAPOLIS – PAMMUKALE - LAODICEA.
Today we visit HIERAPOLIS and her sister city at Laodicea, where we will discuss “Distraction and Heart Health – When we focus so much on this world’s success, we forget this isn’t the real world.” This morning we will depart first for a visit of Hierapolis, Pamukkale, and Laodikeia (25 m, Laodicea), then return to our spa hotel for refreshment. Overnight: Pamukkale / Hierapolis area (2 of 2). B,D
Day Nine. Sunday, May 17, 2026: HIERAPOLIS – COLOSSAE - APHRODISIAS – KUSADASI
Taking a break from the Revelation letters, we will climb up onto the ruins of Colossae and discuss the writing of Paul to the Colossians (and the foundations of conflict in pseudo-sciences, while also addressing the small letter of Philemon. After our visit, we will travel to the ruins of Colossae’s ancient “sister city” of Aphrodisias, before driving to our hotel for dinner near Ephesus. Overnight: Kusadasi (1 of 2). B,D
Day Ten. Monday, May 18, 2026: EPHESUS / SELCUK
Today we complete our theme of the seven churches at the monumental excavations in Ephesus, where we will look at “Priorities and Heart Health: When we neglect our walk with God and our heart becomes unhealthy.” This includes a full day tour of Ephesus including the Arcadian Way, the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre. Visit to the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened. The Basilica of St. John. Visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city. Overnight: Kusadasi (2 of 2). B,D
Day Eleven. Tuesday, May 19, 2026: The Apostle John at Ephesus and Patmos.
Today the ports of call include Kusadasi (near Ephesus, arrive 07:00 and depart 13:00) in Turkey, as well as the Island of Patmos (arrive 16:30 depart 21:30) in the Aegean Sea. Celestyal offers an included shore excursion with their own guide and transportation in Ephesus. If you have never seen it - DON’T MISS IT! Ephesus is filled with monumental buildings excavated and restored from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. As for Patmos, the little island is an “on your own” trip, but it is easy to see what this little gem holds! Overnight: Cruise Ship. (2 of 4) B, L, D.
Day Twelve. Wednesday, May 20, 2026: Rhodos.
Today we harbor in at Rhodos (arrive 07:00 depart 18:00), and have opportunities to do a wonderful walk around the city that is near to the place where our ship is tied. This island once displayed the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the world. Today, the Latin Kingdom walls remind us of the knights of old. This is a really fun destination, and the ship is there all day! Overnight: Cruise Ship (3 of 4) B, L, D.
Day Thirteen. Thursday, May 21, 2026: Heraklion and Santorini.
The ship’s ports of call are Heraklion, Crete (arrive 07:00 depart 12:00) and the Island of Santorini (arrive 16:30 depart 21:30). (Your shore excursion to Heraklion with Celestyal’s guide and transportation is included) and SHOULD NOT BE MISSED! It is an archaeological treasure! As for Santorini, you MUST experience this place! Overnight: Cruise Ship. (4 of 4) B, L, D.
Day Fourteen. Friday, May 22, 2026. Return Day to USA.
Arrive Lavrio 06:00. Depart for the Athens airport for flight home arriving the same day back in the USA.