Jesus and the Nations
March 2027
12 nights. In the footsteps of the Apostles. Lifelong friendships.
Not just a tour. It's a retreat into the world of the early church.
Pay in full today for $6,995, or put $100 down and split the rest into easy monthly payments.
More than a tour.
It's a retreat in the world of the Bible.
Philip's House takes Timberlake Church to the Mediterranean shores where the Apostles turned the world upside down, across Turkey, Greece, and Italy, and gives you space to encounter God there. Hotels near historic sites, guides who work alongside your pastor, and unhurried margin to stop, read, and pray where the Bible was written.
Activate
WALK like an apostle. Step on the pavement where Paul once stood and scan the same horizon he saw. Shake off the spectator and step into the story.
Meditate
PAUSE on location. Just five minutes of quiet where the Bible was written is enough to set you up for an encounter with Jesus.
Relate
MEET local believers. God is still at work in Turkey, Greece, and Italy today. Make friends with the followers of Jesus who live where Paul taught.
People come home changed.
Real reviews from real Philip's House travelers.
"This was definitely the trip of a lifetime. The accommodations, the food, the tours were top of the line. Our guide was historically and biblically knowledgeable and funny. We're going again in 2027!"
"Of all my trips to Israel this was the best by far — professional, kind, and knowledgeable from guide to photographer."
"A profound and enriching experience… memories that will last a lifetime. Highly recommended for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of Israel, its people, and its faith."
"I cannot put into words how life changing my time in Israel was. Philip's House had all the details planned out so all I had to do was rest in the presence of Jesus. I've changed because of my experience!"
"Philip's House gives you the time to stop, read your Bible, pray and let the Holy Spirit speak. Other tours rush you site to site — here you soak in the beauty and essence of the land. The Bible came alive and it really is true."
"Philip's House stayed the course with us through every reschedule and cancellation, and guided us through a difficult season until our trip finally happened. I would definitely go with Philip's House again and highly recommend others to do so."
Day by Day
Itinerary
Click any day to explore what you will see. Follow the footsteps of the Apostles through Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
Arrive in Izmir and settle into your hotel near the ancient Agora and the Kordon waterfront, the heart of ancient Smyrna. The afternoon is a deliberate buffer, not a tour: time to rest and shake off the flight.
In the evening we gather for a welcome dinner and our opening devotional: the journey ahead and the calling of Acts 1:8, the gospel carried from Jerusalem to the nations.
- Private transfer from Izmir (ADB)
- Settle near the Agora & Kordon
- Welcome gathering & opening devotional
- Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Izmir
The day opens with orientation at the hotel: the shape of the journey and the story we are stepping into. Then Smyrna on foot: the ancient agora and the Kordon, the church called to be faithful even to the point of death, and the city of Polycarp's martyrdom (Rev 2:8-11).
The afternoon is free to explore the shops and restaurants of Izmir at your own pace, with dinner out, a first taste of local flavor. Teaching: the Masterplan of Jesus, the Great Commission worked out across the Mediterranean.
- Orientation at the hotel
- Ancient Agora of Smyrna
- The Kordon
- Free time in Izmir
- Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Izmir
A full, unhurried day in ancient Ephesus: the Library of Celsus, the Agora, the Great Theater where the silversmiths' riot erupted in Acts 19, the Terrace Houses, the Temple of Artemis, and the Basilica of St. John, the traditional tomb of the apostle.
Two ways to tour: the Quick Path frees you to explore, or stay with the guide for the full Deep Dive. Teaching: Paul's ministry of more than two years in Ephesus, the riot, and his tearful farewell to the elders.
- Library of Celsus
- The Agora
- Great Theater
- Terrace Houses
- Temple of Artemis
- Basilica of St. John
- Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Izmir
Drive north to Bergama for the Pergamum Acropolis and the Red Basilica, the church Jesus calls the place "where Satan has his throne," yet where His people held fast to His name (Rev 2:12-17).
An optional visit to the Asklepion, the ancient healing center, awaits Deep Dive travelers before we return to Izmir in the afternoon. Teaching: Pergamum's call to hold fast amid compromise.
- Pergamum Acropolis
- The Red Basilica
- Optional Asklepion
- Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Izmir
A relaxed morning in Izmir, then a transfer to the airport and a flight to Thessaloniki, Greece, arriving in the evening. Met on arrival by our Greek guide and escorted to the hotel for a short orientation to Chapter II.
Teaching: the Macedonian call, "Come over to Macedonia and help us," the vision in the night that carried the gospel from Asia into Europe.
- Relaxed morning in Izmir
- Fly Izmir to Thessaloniki
- Evening arrival & orientation
- Overnight: Makedonia Palace, Thessaloniki
Drive to Philippi: the forum, the traditional site of Paul and Silas's imprisonment, and the ruins of the first Christian congregation on European soil (Acts 16). At Lydia's Baptistry by the river, where the first European believer was baptized, we pause for teaching and the option of communion together by the water.
Continue to Kavala, ancient Neapolis, the port where Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke first stepped onto the continent. Teaching: Lydia's conversion, the Philippian jailer, and midnight songs in prison.
- Philippi: forum & prison
- Lydia's Baptistry
- Kavala (ancient Neapolis)
- Overnight: Makedonia Palace, Thessaloniki
Berea (Veria) and St. Paul's Bema, honoring the Bereans who "received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day" (Acts 17:11). Then Thessaloniki's biblical sites: the ancient Agora where Paul reasoned in the synagogue, the Via Egnatia and Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda, and St. Demetrius.
An afternoon flight carries us south to Athens for an evening arrival and orientation. Teaching: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, the gospel under pressure, and the hope of Christ's return.
- Berea & St. Paul's Bema
- Ancient Agora of Thessaloniki
- Arch of Galerius & Rotunda
- Afternoon flight to Athens
- Overnight: Amalia Hotel, Athens
The Acropolis and Parthenon for context, the Ancient Agora, and the focus, the Areopagus (Mars Hill), where Paul addressed the philosophers of Athens. We stand where Paul stood and read his sermon aloud on the rock itself: the altar "to an unknown god," now made known in Christ.
An early afternoon finish leaves free time in the Plaka for shops and fellowship, the unstructured time where friendships are made. Teaching: "In him we live and move and have our being."
- The Acropolis & Parthenon
- Ancient Agora of Athens
- Areopagus (Mars Hill)
- Free time in the Plaka
- Overnight: Amalia Hotel, Athens
To ancient Corinth by way of the Isthmus and its dramatic canal. At the site: the Temple of Apollo, the marketplace, and the Bema where Paul stood trial before the proconsul Gallio (Acts 18).
We stop at Cenchreae, Corinth's eastern port, where Paul set sail and where Phoebe served the church (Romans 16:1). Teaching: 1 & 2 Corinthians, grace for a divided church, love, and resurrection hope.
- The Corinth Canal
- Ancient Corinth: Temple of Apollo & the Bema
- Cenchreae
- Overnight: Amalia Hotel, Athens
A morning flight from Athens to Rome, then a private transfer to our central hotel, walkable to the historic heart of the city. An orientation on foot: St. Peter's Square and the site of Peter's crucifixion, marked by the Egyptian obelisk that once stood in Nero's circus.
Evening teaching: Paul's storm tossed voyage and shipwreck, and his arrival under guard in the capital of the world (Acts 27-28).
- Fly Athens to Rome
- St. Peter's Square
- Site of Peter's crucifixion
- Orientation on foot
- Overnight: Starhotels Metropole, Rome
A full day through imperial and early Christian Rome: the Colosseum (exterior), the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, the context of empire and Christian witness. The Mamertine Prison, where tradition holds Paul and Peter were held, is where we pause for teaching on the prison letters.
Out along the Via Appia Antica, the ancient Roman road, to the Catacombs of San Callisto, the resting place of the early church. Teaching: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race," the prison epistles.
- Colosseum (exterior)
- Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- Mamertine Prison
- Via Appia Antica & Catacombs of San Callisto
- Overnight: Starhotels Metropole, Rome
A genuine free day. An optional guided Vatican tour, the Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica, is there for those who want it; everyone else is free to explore, shop, rest, and linger over long lunches. This unstructured time is where the trip's friendships deepen into something that lasts.
In the evening, a farewell dinner at the hotel with shared testimonies and a closing commissioning, returning to Acts 1:8, now as people who have walked it.
- Free day in Rome
- Optional Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
- Farewell dinner, testimonies & commissioning
- Overnight: Starhotels Metropole, Rome
A private transfer to Rome (FCO) for flights home, with new friends, a deeper love for the Word, and fresh courage for your calling.
Optional: extend your stay with extra days and nights in Rome at the same central hotel, available as an optional extension.
- Private transfer to Rome (FCO)
- Fly home to Seattle
- Optional extra nights in Rome
What's Included
Group Air Travel
Return group airfare from Seattle, into Izmir and home from Rome, booked and managed by Philip's House.
Hotels Near Historic Sites
12 nights in selected hotels chosen for comfort and closeness to the history (double occupancy).
Breakfast & 7 Dinners
Daily breakfast, plus dinner at the hotel on seven evenings. Five dinners out are yours to explore local cooking.
All Internal Flights
The Izmir to Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki to Athens, and Athens to Rome flights are all included.
Private Motor Coach
A deluxe, air conditioned coach with a professional driver for all touring in Turkey and Greece.
Expert Guides & Teaching
Vetted, believing local guides in each country, working alongside your Philip's House teaching leader.
Every Site Admission
All entrance fees to the sites and museums on the itinerary, no surprise costs along the way.
Airport Transfers
Every arrival and departure transfer, with an English speaking assistant to meet you.
Thinking about it, but…
"Is it safe?"
Your safety comes first. We travel in close coordination with our trusted local partners in Turkey, Greece, and Italy and adjust in real time. We've guided groups faithfully through every season; see our Peace of Mind Promise below.
"Can I afford it?"
Pay in full today for $6,995, or put $100 down and split the rest into easy monthly payments. Either way it's all inclusive: airfare, hotels, breakfasts & seven dinners, transport, expert guides, and site admissions.
"I've never done this."
You won't go alone. You travel with your own Timberlake family and pastor, led by an expert guide who handles every detail, so all you do is show up and encounter God.
Our Peace of Mind Promise
Your safe journey and confidence in booking come first. If international events require it, we will rebook your trip for a future date, and if that new date doesn't work for you, we will refund 100% of what you paid. Reserve today with peace of mind.
Your moment
in the story is waiting.
Thousands dream of walking where Bible heroes walked yet never go. Reserve your spot with Timberlake today. Secure your place with a deposit, and pay the rest on your schedule.
Pay in full today for $6,995, or put $100 down and split the rest into easy monthly payments.
Reserve Your SpotQuestions? (800) 802-0747 · hello@philipshouse.com