Day
1 New York - Athens
Depart from New York’s JFK Airport for your overnight trip to
Athens. Dinner and breakfast are served onboard.
Day 2
Athens
Welcome to Greece! You will be greeted by your guide and
transferred to the deluxe hotel. Dinner and overnight in
Athens.
Day 3
Athens - Delphi
After breakfast we depart for Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the
picturesque village of Arahkova. We will visit the site of the
ancient oracle at the Temple of Apollo mentioned in Homer’s
writings. We will visit the Athenian Treasury, Castilia Spring
and the Archaeological Museum to view an exquisite 5th century BC
bronze charioteer. You will have an afternoon to wander the
sun drenched, narrow streets, white washed buildings and lush olive
trees, against a backdrop of crystal waters of the Aegean Sea.
Dinner and overnight in Delphi.
Day 4
Delphi - Meteores
After breakfast we journey through particularly impressive scenery
to the ancient monasteries containing priceless historical and
religious. We arrive at Meteora built above huge granite formations,
seemingly suspended between the earth and brilliant blue sky.
Dinner and overnight in Meteores.
Day 5
Meteores - Veria - Pella -Thessaloniki
Depart for Thessaloniki through the exquisite countryside of
northern Greece, via Veria, Pella. The apostle Paul remained in
Veria for several days on his missionary journey to Athens.
Here St Paul founded the first Christian church in Europe and
preached in the synagogue for three weeks. Dinner and
overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 6
Thessaloniki - Philippi - Kavala
Breakfast, then we depart for Philippi where St Paul reached his
famed evangelical sermon and baptized the first European
Christians. It is here Paul and Silas were viciously beaten
and imprisoned, then delivered from their cell by angels. In
the afternoon we depart for the scenic port of Kavala, the spot
where St Paul, Timothy and Silas first landed. It is
also the location
where Luke arrived when traveling from Troas. Dinner and
overnight in Kavala.
Day 7
Kavala - Istanbul
After breakfast we will continue through the Greek border with our
final destination of Istanbul. Settle into your hotel for a
relaxing meal and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 8
Istanbul
Formerly known as Constantinople, this once-walled city is built on
7 hills and is situated astride 2 continents. We will enjoy a
full day tour of Istanbul City. Over 450 mosques exist in this
city, we will investigate the most eminent, Blue Mosque. At
the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottomon Sultans, you will
observe the lavish riches of the Treasury, including the world’s
largest known emerald. Gaze at the spectacular artistry of St.
Sophia Church, the largest in Christendom for over 1,500
years. Built by Justinian in 532 AD, this impressive structure
has 107 columns and priceless glass mosaics, and is considered an
architectural marvel. We will end at the Grand Bazaar, the
oldest and largest covered marketplace. Over 4,000 shops await
you, containing rugs, gold and rare spices. Dinner and
overnight in Istanbul.
Day 9
Istanbul - Dardanelles - Canakkale
After breakfast we leave Istanbul by car ferry for Bandirma then
drive to Canakkale along the straights of Dardanelles.
Canakkale is a resort town on the tip where the Sea of Marmara ends
and the Agean Sea begins. A 14th century Sultan built
two fortresses here, one on the European side of the Strait and
another on the opposite shore at Cimenlik. Dinner and
overnight
in Canakkale.
Day 10
Canakkale - Troy - Pergamon - Izmir
Today we travel to Troy, the legendary city and site of St. Paul’s
vision calling him back to Macedonia, during his second missionary
sojourn. Archaeologists confirm at least 9 cities were built
atop this location over the centuries. This region was the
setting for Homer’s legendary narrative of the Trojan War.
We arrive later to Bergama or the ancient city of Pergamon.
Christianity came to this region early-on and the first Christians
were martyred by Rome, in this hallowed spot. Explore the most
well known of the Seven Churches. Then visit the Acropolis,
the Temple of Athena, the Library and survey the ruins of Asklepeion,
Turkey’s ancient medical center. The Red Basilica dedicated
to St. John the Apostle, is the largest building in this region.
Known during the Roman-era as the Red Court, it was later converted
into this magnificent church. We end our day upon arriving in
Izmir for dinner and overnight.
Day 11
Izmir - Hierapolis - Pamukkale
Our morning meal, then a tour of the city Izmir and a visit to the
church of Smyrna. Continuing our journey to the ancient city,
the Necropolis and the well preserved Roman ruins of Hierapolis
(meaning Holy City) which include the city gates and
amphitheatre. Our day ends in Pamukkale, the Cotton Castle,
named for the natural phenomenon of incredible white limestone
terraces.
Marvel at the natural hot springs which cascade from one ivory
limestone tiers to the next. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 12
Pamukkale - Ephessus - Kusadasi
After breakfast we motor to Ephesus, an important pilgrimage center
for Christian. We will see the ancient amphitheatre
where rioters spoke against St Paul and incredible miracles were
wrought through his hands. You will visit the St John’s
burial site at the Basilica of St John and the House of the Virgin
where Our Lord’s Mother spent her final days on earth. We
will view the Library and the Agora, and one of the seven wonders of
the world, the Temple of Diana. We continue onto Laodicea,
another of the Seven Churches, to view the ruins of the stadium and
columned streets. This metropolitan city was chastised by the
Apostles for attempting to incorporate pagan and Christian
beliefs. Dinner and overnight in the Turkish port of Kusadasi,
where you will be greeted by the colorful sights and sounds of this
bustling city.
Day
13 Kusadasi - Patmos (Cruise
via ship)
 We
transfer to the port and embark on the cruise vessel at noon.
We sail to the island of Patmos. Famous for the monastery of
St John who received the mystical Book of Revelations, you may take
an optional excursion to the Grotto of Revelation which houses the
original script of the Holy Gospel. Impressive in its natural
beauty, this island is sacred for its historical and spiritual
contributions. Dinner and overnight aboard ship.
Day 14
Rhodes
After a restful night at sea, we sail into Rhodes to St Paul’s
harbor, to enjoy a full day on the island of butterflies and
roses. This cosmopolitan island was visited by the Apostle
during his journey to Jerusalem. Greek legend attributes this
as the home of the Sun God Apollo. Take an optional tour to
the majestic Acropolis of Lindos and the medieval castles built by
the Knights of St John in the 14th century. You may
investigate the charming island on your own or soak in the soothing
azure sea and brilliant sunshine. Overnight aboard ship.
Day 15 Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini
In the
morning we will arrive in Heraklion, the largest island in Greece,
Crete. We will visit Heraklion, the legendary birthplace of
Zeus. This island attracts visitors for its important
archaeological sites, Roman ruins, Byzantine chapels and secluded
monasteries. A natural border between Europe and Africa, you
will view high mountains, deep gorges, clear blue seas and golden
sandy beaches. In the afternoon we dock in the volcanic island
of Santorini. Take an chair lift or an optional donkey ride to
the top of this shimmering village built into the rugged
hillside. Enjoy the spectacular vistas from the mountain top
and view the rugged beauty created by a volcanic explosion in the
midst of the island.
Day 16
Piraeus - Athens - Corinth
Our cruise has ended and we return to the port city of Piraeus
before driving to Athens. After settling in we will take an
afternoon tour of Mars Hill and continue to where St Paul stood
trial before Galileo’s Council and delivered his renown
sermon. View the Agora, ancient marketplace and center
of Athenian activity. Experience the thrill of standing in the
spot where St Paul preached and Socrates contemplated. We will
tour the historic sites of the city to see the House of Parliment,
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Palace.
Relive the glory days of ancient Greece as you visit the Pnyx, the
infamous Acropolis, and survey the ruins of the Parthenon and
Erechtheum and the Theatre of Dionysus. In the afternoon we
will visit ancient Corinth where St Paul lived and preached.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 17
Athens - USA
Having walked or sailed in St Paul’s footsteps, it is time for our
return flight from Athens to the USA.
Your Trip
Includes:
Round trip airfare from New York - Athens / Istanbul - New York
15 nights accommodations at 3 and 4 star hotels or similar:
2 nights
Athens, Greece
1 night
Delphi, Greece1 night Meteores, Greece
1 night
Thessaloniki, Greece1 night Kavala, Greece
2 nights
Istanbul, Turkey
1 night
Canakkale, Turkey
1 night Izmir,
Turkey
1 night
Pamukkale, Turkey
1 night
Kusadasi, Turkey
3 nights
aboard cruise ship, Greek Islands
Breakfast & dinner daily
3 day Greek Island cruise aboard luxury-liner:
Cruise based on inside cabins (outside cabins available at
supplement of $149)
Port Taxes
Transportation by private air conditioned motor coach
Guided tours and entrance fees
Luggage handling and hotel taxes
Mass Daily
Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents
Not
included: Airport tax of $85. Travel insurance at
$99. Lunch. Tips to guides & drivers ($5 per
day). Items of personal nature.
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