24th September - Day 1
Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and
Christian history with an overnight flight to Greece. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get
some rest on the flight. Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!
25th September - Day 2
We arrive in Athens and check into our hotel. You will have the
remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the city.
This evening our group will enjoy the first of many delectable European style dinners..
26th September - Day 3
Athens tour Acropolis, Mars Hill where St Paul talked to the Judges. See
Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the memorial to the Unknown Soldier and
the University, the Academy and the National Library. Driving down Herodes Atticus street and the
Evzones in their picturesque uniforms and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis you
will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896),
the Temple of Olympia Zeus and Hadrians Arch. On the Acropolis hill, you will visit the architectural
masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylee, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and
finally the Parthenon the monument that puts order in the mind and is harmony between material
and spirit Beneath the Acropolis is the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is where St. Paul made his famous
Men of Athens speech revealing a considerable knowledge of the Greek philosophy and character. Men
of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects
of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription to an unknown God. What therefore you
worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
Drive to Corinth following closely the same route Paul took during his journey. After a short stop at the
Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas, we will arrive in Ancient Corinth. We will
visit the ruins of Corinth, where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. Included are the first century
shops, the Agora, Temple of Apollo and the Bema Seat,return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
27th September - Day 4
We sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called
the island of windmills. Our first port of call is Mykonos. It is the most cosmopolitan of all Greek islands
and attracts many visitors from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals.
Your coaches will take you to Hora the islands capital where youll enjoy a walking tour in the narrow
cobbled streets of the town, passing by chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs and white washed houses till
reaching Alefkandra. Alefkandra is a charming corner of Hora, known also as the Venice of Mykonos.
The houses are built on the sea, with wooden balconies that evoke Venice. These were built from the
mid 18th century onward and were homes of wealthy merchants and captains. At one of the famous
restaurants of Alefkandra youll enjoy the sunset on Mykonos island while drinking your refreshment
accompanied by Greek meze. Youll return then to Mykonos.
28th September - Day 5
We begin our day arriving at Kusadasi is a lively Turkish port. Drive
through the colorful town of Kusadasi to reach Mt. Koressos. Situated in a small valley, it is here where
you will visit the humble chapel which lies on the site of the little house where The Virgin Mary is believed
to have spent her last days. Despite the many controversies, the Christian World still favors this belief and
the site has been officially sanctioned by the Vatican for pilgrimage. Continue on to Ancient Ephesus and
accompanied by your guide, walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance to the ancient city
of Ephesus. Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in
the world. See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika,
the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, where St. Paul
preached, which is the largest theatre in antiquity having a capacity of 24,000 people. Walk back to your
motor coach along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.
While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected
over his grave in the 6th Century AD by the Emperor Justinian. Continue our journey to Isle of Patmos,
where we will enjoy a short journey to the village of Chora, where the monastery of St. John is built within
the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk uphill towards the entrance of the monastery marvel at this magnificent structure, which was build 900 years ago, exceptional in its architecture. View the courtyard,
the monks dining room and the old bakery before you visit the main church noting its outstanding
frescoes and interior decoration. Next, see the priceless ecclesiastical treasures housed in the beautiful
but small museum: books and manuscripts, mosaics, Icons, splendid medieval textiles and vestments as
well as jewelry. Return to your motor-coach to continue on to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse, where
above stands the Monastery of the Apocalypse, a sub-unit of the main monastery. Walk down the steps
to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here you will see the silver niches in the wall that mark the pillow
and ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of the Revelation as well as the three-fold crack made
by the voice of God emphasizing the honor of the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to the port of Scala
and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque harbor.
29th September - Day 6
Full day docked in Rhodes where Ancient Greece meets medieval
times of the Knights and the most cosmopolitan island today! Our shore excursion takes us to the
Acropolis of Lindos, view the port of St.Paul,where Apostle Paul docked on his way to Jerusalem. We
continue with a walking tour through the Medieval town.
30th September - Day 7
Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Our
included tour to Heraklion and the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and
partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and
the seat of ancient Minoan culture. This afternoon visit the island of Santorini which is perhaps the most
breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. Again we return to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.
1st October - Day 8
This morning well visit the spectacular Meteora. Here are the famous
Cenobitic Monasteries that are perched precariously on top of huge and precipitous columns of rock
that rise up out of the ground, thereby giving rise to the name Meteora, which means in the air. It
was in the 11th century that the first hermits sought refuge in the caves of Meteora where the solitude
and spectacular vistas enhanced the mystic way of life. Eventually the hermits began to group together
in monasteries whose buildings were decorated with frescoes and icons by the great artists of the day.
2nd October - Day 9
Following breakfast well travel to Berea where St. Paul established a
small church. View the reconstructed steps of the bema (or rostrum) and see the newly placed mosaics
of St. Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the more noble church (Acts 17:1-13). Visit the Jewish
Quarter,continue to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
3rd October - Day 10
Visit Philippi where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing
the seeds of Christianity. And from there (He went) to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of
Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in this city some days... Acts 16:12-18 Here Paul baptized
a certain woman named Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely
excavated, is from after Pauls time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the towns main
road is the prison where Paul and Silas were thrown. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala,
ancient Neapolis, where Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Dinner
and overnight in Thessaloniki.
4th October - Day 11
Thessaloniki, tour the places St Paul lived and preached , Athens
Thessaloniki where the New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today. Visit the
old city ramparts; the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which
was transformed into a church; and the Galerios Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia, the road
on which Paul walked to Thessaloniki. It was here in the synagogue that Paul ...reasoned with the Jews
and the God-fearing Greeks. We drive back to Athens for some free time for you to stroll in the old town
and buy last souvenirs.
5th October - Day 12
We transfer to the Athens airport for our flight home.
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