This tour is a deep dive into the world of early Christianity and ancient Greco-Roman religion—led by Dr. Andrew Mark Henry, a scholar of early Christianity and the creator and host of Religion for Breakfast.

Andrew designed this trip after a PhD-level course he took in graduate school, but redesigned it to make it accessible, engaging, and fun for everyone. You don’t need to be a scholar to enjoy this, just someone curious about ancient Greco-Roman religion and how ancient Christianity took root in the cities, marketplaces, and sanctuaries of the ancient world.

Over the course of a week, you’ll travel across western Turkey visiting both the “famous” sites—like Ephesus, where Paul once faced a riot in the Ephesian stadium—and off-the-beaten-path ruins that most tourists never see. Explore the synagogue of Sardis, wander through the ancient residential district of Priene, and stand amid the towering columns of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma.

Throughout the journey, we’ll explore how early Christianity took shape within the broader religious landscape of the Roman world. At sites like Sardis and Priene, we’ll examine how Jewish, Greek, and Roman communities interacted, sharing spaces and symbols while maintaining distinct identities. In cities like Pergamon, we’ll consider how temples, theaters, and domestic spaces became arenas for new religious movements, and how Christian groups adapted, resisted, or repurposed these environments.

Along the way, we’ll discuss questions central to the academic study of Christian origins: How did Christianity spread through urban networks? What did it mean to be “pagan” or “Christian” in a world where religious boundaries were fluid? And how did early believers negotiate faith within empires, marketplaces, and households?

Come for the archaeology, stay for the big questions.

Payment Methods:
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Deposit payment & Cancellation Policy

• We require a $750 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 cancels the tour:

• The deposit will be refunded less any bank fees

Required Documents:

• A passport valid for at least six months after returning home is required for all U.S. 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, for foreign citizens living in the U.S., check what visa requirements are necessary to re-enter the U.S.

Sunday, May 24, arrive to Izmir. Meet and greet. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Monday, May 25, we have a full day visit to the unforgettable ruins of Ephesus: the ‘desirable church’ that left its first love, according to the Book of Revelation (Rev. 2:1-7.). Located on the Aegean Sea at the mouth of the Cayster River, the city was one of the greatest seaports of the ancient world.

It was here that, according to the Book of Acts, Paul ran into opposition from Demetrius the Silversmith and devotee to Artemis of Ephesus—the patron goddess of the city. We’ll see the grand theater, capable of seating over 20,000 spectators and the very site where Paul’s companions may have faced the wrath of the Ephesian crowd. From there, we’ll stroll along Curetes Street, lined with marble columns, intricate mosaics, and the remnants of bustling shops and houses that once formed the heart of this thriving metropolis. At the end of the street, we’ll see the iconic Library of Celsus, a stunning example of Roman architecture and a testament to the intellectual life of Ephesus.

Our day also includes a visit to the church of Apostle John and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Dinner is back at our hotel in Izmir.

Tuesday, May 26, after a 45 min. drive, we will reach our first stop Priene, a stunningly preserved ancient city that offers a rare glimpse into urban life in antiquity. You’ll visit a small, but beautiful theater, a Temple of Athena with a fantastic view of the lowlands, and one of the few examples of an ancient Jewish synagogue discovered outside of the Holy Land.

After Priene, we will drive 20 minutes to the ancient city of Miletus, a major port of Anatolia where Paul visited in Acts 20:15. There you’ll explore a large and beautifully preserved Roman theater and the inscriptions carved into its seats.

After Miletus, we’ll drive 40 min. to Didyma. The tour breaks for lunch near the temple ruins at Didyma. After lunch, we’ll explore the awe-inspiring Temple of Apollo at Didyma, one of the most impressive ancient sanctuaries in the region. The temple was a major center for oracular activity in the ancient world. Its monumental scale and architectural details offer a glimpse of what the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus might have looked like in its prime.

After Didyma, we will return back to Izmir for dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)

May 27:
The first stop will be the ancient city of Sardis – The church that had fallen asleep, according to the Book of Revelation (Rev. 3:1-6). Dating back to the 3rd century CE, this synagogue is one of the largest and most significant ever discovered from antiquity. Its marble floors, intricate mosaics, and Greek and Hebrew inscriptions reflect the thriving Jewish community that once lived at the crossroads of Roman and Anatolian cultures. Just steps away, you’ll find the impressive remains of the gymnasium, with its grand courtyard and Roman-era bath complex. Nearby, the impressive ruins of the Temple of Artemis, offering a striking contrast to the synagogue and highlighting the city’s multi-religious history.

After Sardis, we will return to Izmir for an optional visit to the ruins of Smyrna, the persecuted church that suffered poverty and martyrdom according to the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:8-11). Located in the heart of modern-day Izmir, you’ll see the ancient agora, or marketplace, as well as the vaulted chambers and waterways beneath the agora that reveal the ingenuity of ancient engineering. Smyrna was also known for its connections to early Christianity, including the city’s bishop Polycarp, said to be the disciple of the Apostle John.

Dinner will be at our hotel in the city of Izmir (ancient Smyrna.)  (B,L,D)

May 28, this morning, we shall journey along ancient trade routes as we visit the ruins of Laodicea, the “luke warm” church that is neither hot nor cold according to the Book of Revelation (Rev. 3:14-22). We’ll explore its sprawling ruins, including an impressive theater, intricate aqueduct systems, and grand colonnaded streets that speak to the city’s prosperity. The remains of a church and other Christian landmarks highlight its importance in early Christian history.

That afternoon, we then drive to Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, is famous for its breathtaking white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside. Above this natural wonder lies the ancient city of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was a prominent spa city in Roman times. We’ll explore its well-preserved theater, grand necropolis, and the Plutonion—a mysterious sanctuary dedicated to Pluto, the god of the underworld. The Plutonion’s cave, believed to emit toxic gases, was once used for rituals and oracular practices, offering a unique glimpse into ancient religious beliefs.

You will return back to Izmir for dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)

May 29, after breakfast, we depart for Pergamon—the “worldly church” mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 2:12-17), known for blending doctrines and receiving a call to repentance. At Pergamum, we’ll explore the stunning acropolis perched high on a hill, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. This ancient city was famed for its grand theater, one of the steepest in the ancient world.

We’ll also visit the remains of the Red Basilica, a, temple that may have been dedicated to Egyptian gods, perhaps Isis or Serapis, reflecting the city’s rich and diverse religious history.

You will return back to Izmir for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,D)

May 30, after breakfast, transfer to the hotel and end of our services. (B)