Religious Tours of Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Turkey & the Holy Land

Visit places of biblical significance while experiencing rich culture and history. This year Globus takes you to the Holy Land to trace the life of Jesus. Visit Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, and other places where Apostle Paul traveled. Stand atop Mount Nebo and watch as ancient history unfolds. Experience early Christianity as you travel to Turkey and visit the seven churches that John addresses in the Book of Revelation.

Biblical Trips, 2009 Vacations

What Can You Experience?

Stories and Religious Sites

Learn more about the cities and places you'll see on a Lands of Bible Globus vacation by clicking on the locations below.

Ancient Philippi is the first European city in which Apostle Paul arrived to spread the Christian Gospel. It is also here where Lydia was baptized and became the first Christian of Europe. As a result of this and their teachings, Apostle Paul and Silas were threatened, arrested, and beaten. While in jail, an earthquake occurred which could have freed Paul from prison, but he chose not to flee. The jailer was so impressed with his devotion to the Lord; he asked how he too could gain salvation. Paul subsequently baptized the jailer and his family. In future years Paul returned several more times to Philippi.

In Christianity, Athens is probably best known for being the place where its people idolized as many as 30,000 different pagan gods. Apostle Paul saw an inscription on an altar in Athens which encouraged praying to the "Unknown God," and as such, he addressed the local people at the Areopagos and described to them the identity of this "Unknown God." (Acts 17:22). `Today visitors can visit the very site where Apostle Paul delivered this sermon. Key sites to visit include the Areopagus and Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul preached (Acts 17: 16-34) to the City Council.

In addition to visiting Mt. Sinai, the most cherished place of pilgrimage on the Globus Journey through the Bible itinerary is Bethany Beyond the Jordan - the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus (John 1:28). Located next to the River Jordan and near the border of Israel, Bethany Beyond the Jordan is also the place where John the Baptist is said to have preached and lived in the wilderness. Another significance of the site is that according to tradition, this is the site where the Prophet Elijah ascended into heaven (2 Kings 2:5-14). This area is referred to as Tell Mar Elias, or "St. Elijah's Hill." Visitors can descend into the waters of the River Jordan; many people choose to be baptized here or renew their baptismal promises. Bethany Beyond the Jordan is part of what is today's called the Baptism Archaeological Park, which includes a visitor center and seventeen Christian sites.

Religious tourism as we know it today actually has its roots in Cairo. Here, some three to four thousand years ago, the Egyptians would hold religious festivals which brought an influx of visitors from outside the city center. Today, Cairo still remains home to several prominent religious sites. The "Hanging Church" is the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo, while St. Sergius Church is renowned for being the place where the Virgin Mary and Child took refuge during their flight to Egypt. Two flights of stairs lead down from the side chapels into the oldest part of the church, the fifth century Crypt. Nearby is the altar in the form of an Early Christian tomb recess, which is said to be the spot where Mary resided with the baby Jesus.

Corinth, which is located to the west of Athens, played a prominent role in the New Testament and journeys of Apostle Paul. It is this city which Apostle Paul visited in AD 51 or 52, and spent eighteen months in residence. He met Aquila and Priscilla and together with them ministered to the local people. In later years Apostle Paul wrote several letters to the people of Corinth; these letters are identified in the Bible as the Epistles to the Corinthians. In his writings to the Corinthians, Apostle Paul spoke about the challenges and joys of the Christian life, while also expounding on the teachings.

Almost anyone familiar with the Bible is familiar with the Dead Sea. Geographically speaking, the Dead Sea is one of the most unique places in the world, as it sits well below sea level. The Dead Sea which borders modern-day Jordan and Israel played a prominent role throughout biblical history. The body of water is referenced numerous times in Scripture under various names such as the Salt Sea. The Dead Sea is believed to be the site of five biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (Bela). Today's visitor can not only view the spectacular scenery of the Dead Sea, but also float on it. The Dead Sea serves as a wonderful resort place.

Ephesus played a very key role in the New Testament and in the early days of Christianity. It is where Paul preached on several occasions. He used the city as a "base” for his evangelism. It is also the community to which he wrote many of his letters or epistles. The Roman theatre is where he addressed the local people. Ephesus is also the place where according to tradition the Virgin Mary spent her last days, and where Apostle John is buried. Ephesus is also one of the seven cities spoken about in the Book of Revelation. Ephesus is also known for being the site of the Third Ecumenical Council (431 A.D.), a general assembly in which Christian beliefs were affirmed and heresies exposed.

Istanbul is one of the most recognizable cities in the world, and one of the most prominent cities in Christian and Islamic history. It served as the "center of the Roman Empire" from 330-395 and as the seat of the Byzantine Empire from 395-1453 and was formerly known as Constantinople. It later served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1453-1923. The city has played a key role throughout world history due to its location of serving as the "physical crossroads" between the West and East. One of the most famous buildings in modern-day Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom). Once a prominent Christian church, it was later converted into a mosque, and then again in 1935 into a museum. Some label it one of the great Wonders of the World.

Modern-day Iznik is located just east of Istanbul. Formerly known as Nicea, this city will forever be written in the annals of Christianity as it was the site of two pivotal Ecumenical councils (Ecumenical Councils were formal gatherings of Christian leaders to address key issues facing the church). The most famous is the First Council of Nicea, which took place in 325 during the reign of Constantine. It was at this Council that today's Nicene Creed was written and adopted. It was also this Council which condemned the Arian heresy. In 787, the Second Council of Nicea took place and the topic of iconography was addressed.

In addition to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the other most famous place of pilgrimage in Jordan is Mt. Nebo - the place where Moses viewed the Promised Land from (Deuteronomy 34:1-4). Today, Mt. Nebo features a memorial marking the prophet's burial site, as well as a sixth-century basilica. Religious services are often held in the church. Mt. Nebo offers not only breathtaking views of Israel and the "Promised Land," but also a very peaceful, revered, and reflective setting. A prominent serpent monument rises from the top of Mt. Nebo, signifying the Biblical passage where God instructs Moses to raise a bronze serpent on a pole and all who look upon it would be protected from the plague. Mt. Nebo has been a place of pilgrimage for Jews and Christian since the fourth century.

One of the most famous places in the Bible is Mt. Sinai, the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Biblical Mt. Sinai is considered to be located in the southern section of the Sinai Peninsula, just north of the Red Sea Resort of Sharm el Sheikh. Mt. Sinai goes by many names including Biblical Mount Horeb, Jabal Musa ("Mount Moses"), and Mount Musa. At the base of Mt. Sinai is the (Greek Orthodox) Monastery of St. Catherine, which houses some of the world's most treasured icons and ancient manuscripts - only the Vatican is said to possess a larger collection of illuminated manuscripts. Visitors can see not only the reputed site of the Burning Bush (where God appeared to Moses via the Burning Bush), but can also walk to the summit of Mt. Sinai. The monastery chapel is said to contain the rock from which God made the Ten Commandments. St. Catherine's remains one of the oldest functioning Christian monasteries in the world.

The most prominent geographical site in the Book of Revelation is Patmos Island, the place from which Apostle John wrote the last book of the Bible. Visitors can actually walk in the cave where according to tradition the Evangelist slept and wrote. The desk, from which he wrote, as well as the "rock pillow" upon which he rested his head for sleep, can both be seen. This place of pilgrimage is called the Cave of the Apocalypse. The Apostle John had been exiled to Patmos Island, which is why he wrote from here. At the top of Patmos Island is the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. John.

By traveling throughout the country of Jordan, one travels through the Plains of Moab which stretch from the Jordan Valley east of the Jordan River, along the northeast Dead Sea Plain opposite Jericho. The Plains of Moab figure prominently throughout the Old Testament, including serving as the site where Moses and the Israelites arrived after their Exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness.

The "Seven Churches of Revelation" are the seven communities that the Evangelist John addresses and writes about in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. As John states in this letter, he writes from Patmos Island where he is exiled. In addressing the seven churches or communities, Apostle John sometimes admonishes, warns, or complements them. All seven churches are located in modern-day western Turkey. Patmos Island is located in modern-day Greece. In Revelation 1:11, Apostle John writes that he is instructed by God to write letters to each of these communities. The Seven Churches, their related messages, and Biblical chapters/verses from the Book of Revelation include:

Smyrna (modern-day Izmir)
- (Revelation 2:8-11) The church of martyrdom, persecution, and poverty.
Sardis (modern-day Sart)
- (Revelation 3:1-6) The church that had fallen asleep; the "dead" church. Few not defiled. The Reformation.
Philadelphia (modern-day Alasehir)
- Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) The church that had endured patiently; Church of brotherly love.
Ephesus
- (Revelation 2:1-7) The church that had forsaken its first love; Apostolic, desirable.
Pergamum (modern-day Bergama)
- (Revelation 2:12-17) The church that needed to repent; Married to the world. The world infiltrated the church. Mixed doctrines.
Thyathira (modern-day Akhisar)
- (Revelation 2:18-29) The church who had a false prophetess; continual sacrifice. Ungodly doctrines mixed in.
Laodecia
- Revelation 3:14-22) The church with the lukewarm faith; church of lukewarmness-spewed out.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece, and is another city that played a prominent role in the New Testament. During his second missionary journey (49-50 AD), it is here where Apostle Paul founded a church. After his departure he later wrote two letters to the community. Thessaloniki is also known for being the place where Apostle Paul and his companion Silas were almost attacked by the local people for betraying Caesar. Despite the trials of his time here, Apostle Paul spoke with great love and concern for the people of Thessaloniki in his epistles.

Although not very well known, Um Quais is home to one of the miracles of Jesus - the miracle of the Gadarene swine. Here, Jesus expelled the evil spirits of out of two men into a herd of swine who subsequently hurled themselves into the Sea of Galilee and drowned. Today, the ruins of a fourth century basilica built at the reputed site of the miracle remain.

Veroia is another city in which Paul preached the Gospel. The locals here were much more open to receiving Paul and Silas, however, once word reached the Thessalonians about their whereabouts, Paul left town to avoid trouble. He did return in later years to minister to the people. The most famous Christian site in Veroia (Beroea in the New Testament) is the monument commemorating where Paul preached to the local community in 54 A.D.

City and harbor built by Herod the Great about 25-13 BC, and was capital city of Judea in 13 BC. Remains of the principal buildings erected by Herod and the medieval town are still visible today, including the city walls, the castle and a Crusader cathedral and church.From archaeological excavations a limestone block has been discovered with a dedicatory inscription to Pontius Pilate, which is the only secular record of him ever existing. Early Christianity mentions Caesarea in the apostolic period following the acts of Peter who established the church there when he baptized Cornelius the Centurion (Acts, 10, 11). The Apostle Paul often sojourned there (9:30; 18:22; 21:8), and was imprisoned at Caesarea for two years before being taken to Rome (23:23, 25:1-13).

Also known alternatively as Tel Megiddo (Hebrew). Megiddo is a mound made of 26 layers of the ruins of ancient cities in a strategic location at the head of a pass through the Carmel Ridge, which overlooks the Valley of Jezreel from the west. Because of its strategic location at the crossroads of several major routes, Megiddo has witnessed several major battles throughout history. According to some interpretations of the Christian Bible, this place will be the venue for Armageddon (that derives from the name's place in Hebrew) or the battle between the Antichrist coming up from Africa (returning from an imperialistic war) and the kings of the East (200 million man army). This will be the culmination of the Great Tribulation and the final major military conflict in the world. Jesus will return in order to stop the fighting, otherwise there would be no survivors. Nevertheless, all but one sixth of the soldiers there will perish, all according to the Book of Revelation as revealed to St. John the Divine on the Isle of Patmos.

Among Christians and other students of the New Testament, Cana is best known as the place where, according to the Fourth Gospel, Jesus performed his tenth miracle, the turning of a large quantity of water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1-11) when the wine provided by the bridegroom had run out. It is the first of the seven miraculous "signs" by which Jesus's divine status is attested, and around which the gospel is structured.

A Palestinian city about 6 miles south of Jerusalem, and is inhabited by one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. According to the New Testament, Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. According to the Gospel of Luke (2:4), Jesus’ parents lived in Nazareth but traveled to Bethlehem for the census of 6 AD, and Jesus was born there before the family returned to Nazareth. The Gospel of Matthew (2:1-23) account implies that the family already lived in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, and later moved to Nazareth. Matthew reports that Herod the Great, told that a 'King of the Jews' has been born in Bethlehem, ordered the killing of all the children aged two and under in the town and surrounding areas. Jesus's earthly father Joseph is warned of this in a dream, and the family escapes this fate by fleeing to Egypt and returning only after Herod has died. But being warned in another dream not to return to Judea, Joseph withdraws the family to Galilee, and goes to live in Nazareth.

Capital city of Israel, and one of the oldest cities in the world (4 BC). Home to several sites of key importance: Temple Mount and the Wailing Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Dome of the Rock. According to the Bible, Jesus was brought to Jerusalem not long after his birth and again later in life. The Cenacle, or Upper Room, is the site of Jesus’ Last Supper and is located in the same building that houses Tomb of King David. There also lies the site of crucifixion, known as Golgotha.

Masada is situated on top of an enormous, isolate rock. After Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70, the surviving Zealots fled to Masada near the Dead Sea. They held out there for three years while the surrounding Roman troops gathered. Every morning, the Zealots awoke to see the Roman Legion creating battering rams and other weapons. Once it became apparent that the Romans would soon be breaching Masada’s walls, the Zealot’s leader decide that all Jewish defenders should commit suicide rather than fall to the hands of slavery for the Romans. When the Romans finally did break through the walls they found 960 dead Jews. The only reason the story was told is due to the fact that two woman and five children managed to hide themselves during the mass suicide.

In Biblical terms, in 60 A.D., the islands were visited by St. Paul, who had shipwrecked here and inspired the Roman Catholic legacy that is strongly ingrained still today in Malta where Catholicism is the official and most practiced religion here today. Malta is often associated with the Knights of Malta, originally the Knights of Hospitaller. A Christian organization founded in Jerusalem in 1050 to provide care for poor and sick pilgrims coming to the Holy Land. Eventually, there was the loss of the Christian territory in the Holy Land and the Knights moved to Rhodes and eventually Malta to operate from. Up until the 1700’s, when Malta was taken by Napolean, the order operated from Malta. After they were ejected they decided they would no longer operate from just one location and today they offer their services of caring for the sick and the elderly in 5 continents.

Travel the Lands of the Bible

Biblical Trips, 2009 Vacations

What Can You Experience?

Stories and Religious Sites