Istanbul was Constantinople

The Today Show with Matt Lauer was here last week. Now it is our turn. This is where Europe meets Asia. The Bosphorus is the vital waterway linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. We plan to visit the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, and the Topkapi Palace with its priceless jewels. Our visit also includes the Istanbul Archaeological Museum which houses numerous discoveries of biblical interest. Everyone should visit the Grand Bazaar at least once. The bazaar is made up of more than 4,000 little shops under one roof. Everything from cheap trinkets to expensive jewelry and carpets may be found in the bazaar.

Here is a photo of the famous Hagai Sophia. This structure was built by the Emperor Justinian as a church between 532 and 537 A.D. Later it was converted to a mosque, and in now a museum. It is one of Istanbul's most famous landmarks.

Have you heard the song, "Istanbul (not Constantinople)"? The lyrics begin this way:

Istanbul was constantinople
Now its istanbul, not constantinople
Been a long time gone, constantinople
Now it's turkish delight on a moonlit night

Let's not forget that Constantinople was Byzantium.

We have arrived safely in Istanbul. It appears that Wordpress is not banned any longer. We will continue to post at the old site as soon as we (and you) are able to read the posts.

Please visit Ferrell's Travel Blog at

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On the road in the Steps of Paul and John

Tuesday afternoon, May 6, our group should land in Istanbul, Turkey, to begin a tour that I have called Steps of Paul and John. This area of travel has been one of my favorites for many years. My first visit here was in 1968. We will visit Istanbul, a city rich in church history. It has been called Constantinople and Byzantium.

From Istanbul we plan to fly to Izmir, the site of biblical Smyrna. There we begin a visit to the sites of the seven churches of the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3), and a few other sites (Hierapolis, Colossae, Miletus, and Aphrodisias). We will be discussing important themes from the book of Revelation during this portion of the tour.

Our group will then spend 3 days cruising the Aegean Sea in order to visit some of the islands associated with the travels of Paul and John. Our first stop will be at Patmos (Revelation 1:9). Then Rhodes (Acts 21:1) and Crete (Acts 27; Titus 1:5). There is also a short stop at Santorini.

Upon arrival in Athens, Greece, we will visit the city of Athens (Acts 17). We have planned a visit to ancient Corinth also (Acts 18).

We hope you will join us for these visits. I will do my best to write a post each day of the tour.