|
Daily Itinerary:
May 7, Tuesday - Departure
Today we depart for Greece. We leave from Chicago's O'Hare Airport and
fly to our destination - Greece. Enjoy superb in-flight service and wonderful
meals on our flight across the Atlantic.
May 8, Wednesday - Arrive
in Athens / Free
"While Paul was waiting for them in Athens..." Acts 17:16
We arrive in Athens where we will be met by a representative who will
assist us through customs. Continue to our hotel in Athens. The rest of
the day is free. Dinner & overnight in Athens. (D)
May 9, Thursday - Acropolis
/ Parthenon / Mars Hill / Ancient Corinth / Lunch / Corinth Canal
"Then Paul stood up in the Areopagus and delivered this address...
" Acts 17:22. "After that, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth"
Acts 18:1
Breakfast in hotel. We are in Athens, capital of Greece, cradle of democracy,
birthplace of Western Civilization. Athens is a vibrant city where old
and new co-exist. The majestic Parthenon rises above the city, its ancient
glory still visible in the time-worn stone. Today we have a tour including
Mars Hill and the Acropolis. Continue along the coastal road to biblical
Corinth, via the Canal of Corinth, 75 feet wide, linking the Aegean to
the Ioninan Sea. Paul lived and preached here for 18 months, reflected
in his letters to the Corinthians. View the excavations and the Bena Seat.
Enjoy lunch and continue back to Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
(B,L,D)
"And he argues in the synagogue every sabbath and persuaded Jews
and Greeks" - Acts 18:4
May 10, Friday - Transfer
to Piraeus Harbor / Mykonos
Breakfast in hotel. In the morning, we transfer to Piraeus Harbor for
the beginning of our cruise. Sail to the Greek Island of Mykonos. The
island combines dazzling white beauty with sophisticated jet-set atmosphere.
Stroll through the white-washed flower-decked alleyways to the sculpture-like
church of Paraportiani and along the water front to the famous windmills...
Enjoy!! Return to ship. Dinner and overnight aboard cruise. (B,L,D)
May 11, Saturday - Rhodes
/ Lindos
Enjoy fabulous breakfast galore. During the night we sail to Rhodes and
awake to the "Island of Roses" which has a rich and varied history.
The crusading knights of St. John left the magnificent city of Rhodes
after their defeat by Sultan Suleyman. Also visit Lindos, the ancient
acropolis of the goddess Athena. Enjoy many art shops as well as lovely
coffee shops. Return to ship for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
May 12, Sunday - Kusadasi
/ Patmos
Breakfast Galore! We sail to Kusadasi in Turkey. Kusadasi is a picturesque
town and the starting point for an excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus.
Walk through history along streets lined with wonderful public builings,
among the the Baths of Scholasticia, the Library of Celsus, the Temple
of Hadrian, and the theatre. In the afternoon, we continue sailing to
the Greek Island of Patmos, where the exiled JOHN the DIVINE wrote the
Apocalyptic Revelations which constitutes the last book of the New Testament.
Visit the 100th century Monastery of St. John, high on a hill, which houses
an original manuscript of the Gospel. Admire the Byzantine wealth of the
Christina Orthodox Church and from the ramparts enjoy the panoramic view.
Return to ship for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
May 13, Monday - Morning
Disembarkation / Transfer / Flight to Thessaloniki / Veria / Paul's Steps
/ Free
"Paul and Silas took the road through Amphipolis and Apollonia and
came to Thessaloniki" Acts 17:1
Arrive to Piraeus Harbor in Athens and disembark ship. Transfer to the
airport for our flight to Thessaloniki. We discuss Paul's letters to Thessalonians.
The city was built about 314BC. We view the walls, White Tower, St. George
Church, the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. View
two of the most beautiful basilicas in the city; St. Demetrius and St.
Sophia. Continue to Veria to visit the site of Paul's pulpit. It is indicated
that Paul remained in Veria for several days on his way to Athens. Free
time in the afternoon at your own leisure. Dinner and overnight in
Thessaloniki (B,D)
May 14, Tuesday - Kavala
/ Philippi
"We put out to sea from Troas...and from there we went to Philippi,
a leading city in the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony."
Acts 16:12
Breakfast in hotel. This morning, we proceed to the seaside city of Kavala
(biblical Neapolis) where Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy first set foot
in Europe from Troas. "We sat down and spoke to the women who were
gathered here. One who listened was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple
goods from the town of Thyatira." Acts 16:13-14. Travel along the
via Egnatia, remnant of Rome's highway to Philippi, where Paul preached
his first sermon in Europe and baptised "a certain woman named Lydia",
Europe's first convert to Christianity. Consider Paul's letters to the
Philippians and renew one's baptismal expressions where Lydia was baptised.
View the Forum and early basilicas where Paul was flogged, imprisoned
and released. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki (B,D)
May 15, Wednesday - Kalambaka
/ Meteora
Breakfast in hotel. In Western Thessaly, world famous Byzantine Monasteries,
Meteora, perched precariously on top of rock formations of varied and
beautiful shapes. Visit the spectacular monasteries containing priceless
historical and religious treasures. There were monastic retreats here
as early as the 10th century. Return to Kalambaka.
Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. (B,D)
May 16, Thursday - Athens
/ Free / Farewell Dinner
Breakfast in hotel. This morning we travel to Athens. Remainder of day
free for rest and relaxation or optional activities on your own. In the
evening, we will have our special Farewell Dinner...enjoy! Dinner and
overnight in Athens. (B,D)
May 17, Friday - Transfer
/ Flight to USA
Breakfast in hotel. Today we transfer to the airport for our return flight
to the United States.
Welcome home with Wonderful
Fond Memories...
Thank you for joining our tour.
|
..
