Sacred Space Tours in Istanbul-Ephesus, Greece, and Egypt with Pastor Jeff McCullough and Dr Trevan Hatch, June 27-July 9, 2025
$ 4,850 (single room extra $1,565.00); Deposit is $500-- Price Excluding Airfare
- Availability: 40
- Number of Days: 13
- Arrival Date: 2025-06-27
- Departure Date: 2025-07-09
About Tour
27 June– Depart the USA overnight on board
28 June– Arrive in Istanbul, Turkiye, overnight in Istanbul
A Sacred Space Tours Representative will meet you at Istanbul Airport and transfer you to your hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Istanbul
ISTANBUL: 4* SUP BARCELO OCCIDENTAL hotel or similar
29 June– Istanbul touring flight to Izmir
Tour of “Sultan Ahmet Center”, the heart of the “Old City” from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Divine Wisdom, is one of the greatest marvels of architecture. Emperor Justinian constructed it as a basilica in the 6th century.
Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, is famous for its blue İznik tiles and is unique with 6 minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.
Hippodrome, center of the old city’s sporting events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities. The Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.
Egyptian Spice Market – Experience the atmosphere of the authentic marketplace, with sights, sounds, and smells stimulated by this unique covered bazaar.
Bosphorus River Cruise – Viewing the picturesque beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to Izmir. Transfer to Kusadasi Hotel. Dinner will be at our hotel this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)
KUSADASI: LOCAL 5* ELITE WORLD KUSADASI hotel or similar
30 June– Ephesus & Mary’s House
Today, we have a full-day visit to the unforgettable ruins of Ephesus:- The ‘desirable church’ that left its first love. (Rev. 2:1-7.)
Ephesus was a center of travel and commerce in the ancient world. Situated on the Aegean Sea at the mouth of the Cayster River, it was one of the most significant seaports of the ancient world.
Paul visited here while returning to Israel, but he was forced to leave the city despite vowing to return.
He never returned to Ephesus but held council from Melitus during his Third journey.
Our day also includes a visit to the church of Apostle John.
Our Pilgrimage journey continues with a Mass in the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is said that she lived after the Crucifixion and where she spent her last days.
Dinner is at our hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
01 July– Embark cruise in Kusadasi.
Departure at 13:00. Port in Patmos, Greece 16:30–21:30
Sail to Patmos, a small Greek island in the Mediterranean. We will visit the historic Monastery of St. John and relax on the beach. Back to the boat to sail to Rhodes by night. Dinner on board. (Dinner)
CELESTYAL Cruise – Cabins Offered: Outside cat XBO and XC
02 July– Port in Rhodes 07:00–18:00
Morning arrival in Rhodes port to spend the whole day on the island. We will take in gorgeous landscapes and talk about Jews and Christians of the ancient Mediterranean. Sail again at 18:00 towards Crete. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
03 July– Crete (Heraklion) 07:00 – 12:00, Port in Santorini 16:30–21:30
Morning arrival at Heraklion (Crete) at 7:00am. Optional tour to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home to Europe’s oldest civilization and the setting of the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur.
Re-embarkation on the ship at 11.30 am to set sail to Santorini. Lunch on board. Arrive to Santorini at 4:30pm. Free afternoon in Santorini. Reembarkation on the ship at latest 9:00pm. Departure for Athens. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
04 July– Arrival in Lavrion Port in Athens at 6:00.
Disembark in Lavrion at 8am, meet the local guide, and head for Cape Sounio to visit the Temple of Poseidon (opens at 09:00). After this visit, drive along Athens Riviera and arrive in Athens center. Drive to hotel to leave luggage.
Then follow your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul preached.
Rest of the day at leisure. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Divani Acropolis Athens hotel (or similar)
05 July– Corinth
In the morning, head for the excursion to Ancient Corinth. We will drive by the Saronic Gulf via the historic Corinthian Canal (quick stop for photos) and arrive at Ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was in this megalopolis where the Apostle Paul came, worked, and established a thriving church. We will see all the sites associated with his ministry: the agora, the Bema, the Erasmus inscription, and the small archaeological museum. On our return to Athens, we will pass by Cenchreae, to see the port where Paul and his companions sailed to Ephesus. Afternoon back to Athens. (Breakfast, Dinner)
06 July– Flight to Cairo, Egypt
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Cairo. Transfer to hotel in Cairo for dinner and overnight.
Concorde El Salam hotel or similar
07 July– Egypt– Memphis and Sakkara
08 July– Cairo– Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Cairo Museum
09 July– Return flights home
INCLUDED:
– All r/t transfers
– 6 nights 4* hotel accommodation including breakfast
– 6 dinners
– A/C transportation
– Expert guiding by Dr. Andrew Mark Henry, scholar of early Christianity
– Entry fees to the sites mentioned in the program
– Local taxes
– Service charges
– Tip for local bus driver, hotel kitchen staff, local chaperon
NOT INCLUDED:
– All personal expenses
– All other items not specifically mentioned as included
Deposit payment & Cancellation Policy
- We require a $500 deposit. Full payment is due within 60 days of the start date.
If you cancel:
Cancellation penalties applicable thereafter:
- 25% of total tour cost 45–89 Days prior to tour date
- 50% of total tour cost 31–44 Days prior to tour date
- 100% of total tour cost less than 30 days prior to tour date
- Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure
If the leader or Sacred Space Tours cancels the tour:
- The deposit will be refunded less any bank fees
Payment Options
- Online Payment at www.sacredspacetours.com (4% credit card fee)
- Personal cheque (contact Sacred Space Tours for details)
- Credit Cards over the phone (4% credit card fee applied)– We accept both Master Card and Visa.
- Wire transfer (contact Sacred Space Tours for details)
Documents
- A valid passport for at least six months after returning home is required by all US citizens. A visa is a stamp on your passport that permits you to enter a country. It is the passenger’s responsibility to verify and obtain a visa, if needed, according to citizenship. Also, check what visa requirements are necessary to enter back into the US.
Pastor Jeff McCullough
Dr Trevan Hatch
Dr. Trevan G. Hatch is the Bible & Ancient Near East, Middle East, and Religious Studies specialist at the Lee Library at Brigham Young University. He is also a transfer professor in the Departments of Ancient Scripture and Middle East Studies. He earned a B.A. in History at Brigham Young University; an M.A. in Jewish Studies (emphasis in Bible and Jewish origins) at Baltimore Hebrew University and Towson University; a Master of Library & Information Science at the University of Kentucky; a PhD in the social sciences at Louisiana State University with a research emphasis in religion and Judaism; and is currently finishing a doctorate in Jewish Studies (emphasis in Bible and Early Judaism) at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies in Chicago. He was an Israel Studies research fellow at Brandeis University and also studied at two universities in Israel: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of the Holy Land.