On this marvelous vacation, follow in the footsteps of Apostle Paul and start your tour in Athens with a welcome dinner. Then, travel to Thessalonika for a guided sightseeing tour of this city, named after Alexander the Great’s sister, and an excursion along the ancient route of Apostle Paul to Amphipolis, ancient Philippi, and Kavala, ancient port of Neapolis. Via Veria and an overnight stay in Kalambaka, arrive in Meteoa. Here, enjoy a highlight visit to the Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries. Situated atop vast rocks, the 14th-century monasteries compose one of the most breathtaking sites in the world. In Piraeus, board your 3-night Greece and Turkey cruise. Visit the island of Mykonos; Kusadasi, with an included excursion to Ephesus, whose inhabitants were the recipients of Apostle Paul’s famous epistle; Patmos for an included excursion to the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile; and Santorini (weather permitting). Disembark and return to Athens for guided sightseeing featuring visits to the Acropolis and Areopagus, where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God.” A farewell dinner at your hotel concludes this memorable vacation.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Athens, Greece. Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner with your traveling companions. (D)
Day #2 Athens–Thessalonika. Journey north to Thessalonika and enjoy guided sightseeing of the city. Named after Alexander the Great’s sister, it figures prominently in the New Testament, at which time this provincial capital was considered a world cultural center. This community was the center of Paul’s activities in northern Greece. It is where he preached, founded a church, and to whom he wrote two epistles (Acts 17:1-9, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians). (B,D)
Day #3 Thessalonika. Excursion to Philippi and Kavala. Full-day excursion along the ancient route of Apostle Paul to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1). Journey to ancient Philippi, which was named after Alexander the Great’s father. This busy Roman colony boasted a great library and theater. In Philippi, Paul preached and established the first church in Europe, which was to whom he wrote one of his epistles while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 16:11-40; Philippians). It was here that Paul met Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She and her household accepted Christ and were baptized in the nearby river (Acts 16:11-15). Next, continue to Kavala, ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:9-11). (B,D)
Day #4 Thessalonika–Veria–Kalambaka. This morning, stop in Veria (Beroea of the New Testament), where Paul and Silas were sent by friends after being accused of treason in Thessalonika (Acts 17:5-15). Visit the BEMA OF APOSTLE PAUL, where Paul is said to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. Continue to Kalambaka. (B,D)
Day #5 Kalambaka–Meteora–Athens. In Meteora, visit VARLAAM and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERIES. Situated atop vast rocks, the 14th-century monasteries compose one of the most breathtaking sites in the world. Inside the monasteries, discover many historical and religious treasures. Return to Athens. (B)
Day #6 Athens–Piraeus (Embarkation)–Mykonos. Begin your 3-night Greece and Turkey CRUISE with a visit to the mountainous island of Mykonos. Free time to explore the island before returning to the ship for evening entertainment. (B,L,D)
Day #7 Kusadasi, Turkey–Excursion to Ephesus–Patmos, Greece. Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi and enjoy an included excursion to the RUINS OF EPHESUS, whose inhabitants were the recipients of Apostle Paul’s famous epistle (Acts 18:19-26; Ephesians) and which was once the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Also visit the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days. Continue your cruise to Patmos, the “Jerusalem of the Aegean,” where you can enjoy an included excursion to the MONASTERY OF ST. JOHN and to the CAVE OF THE APOCALYPSE, where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile (Rev. 1:9-11). (B,L,D)NOTE: Departures June 2, 2013 – August 25, 2013:Kusadasi, Turkey-Excursion to Ephesus. Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi and enjoy an included excursion to the RUINS OF EPHESUS, whose inhabitants were the recipients of Apostle Paul’s famous epistle (Act 18: 19-26; Ephesians) and which was once the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Also visit the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days. (B,L,D)
Day #8 Santorini. This morning, dock at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” An optional shore excursion is available to the cliff-top village of Thera for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. (B,L,D)NOTE: Departures June 2, 2013 – August 25, 2013:Santorini. This morning, dock at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” The included shore excursion takes you to the cliff-top village of Oia, built on a steep slope of the volcanic caldera. Wander around the little shops that offer traditional, handmade products. Also enjoy one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. (B,L,D)
Day #9 Piraeus (Disembarkation)–Corinth–Athens. Disembark and continue to Corinth for a guided visit of the EXCAVATIONS where Apostle Paul worked for 18 months with tent makers Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-18). Return to Athens for sightseeing with a Local Guide. Visit the ACROPOLIS with the Parthenon and AREOPAGUS, where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:15-34). Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
Day #10 Athens. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)