FLIGHT TO ATHENS GREECE:

Today we travel to the Charlotte Airport for our trans-Atlantic overnight flight to Athens, Greece, where our breathtaking journey begins.

ATHENS:

We arrive in Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece. We are greeted by our local guide and enjoy an orientation tour as we travel to the hotel where we stay overnight two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner is included this evening at the hotel. (B, D)

CORINTH • ATHENS TOUR:

With just a short drive, we visit Ancient Corinth and see the Bema where Apostle Paul worked for 18 months with tent makers Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-18). Among the ruins see the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Agora, the Bema where St. Paul had to plead his case before the Roman governor Gallio in 52 AD, the pavement inscription of Erastus, the Roman Lechaion Road, and the Fountain of Peirene which is the major source of water for Corinth. Then we return to Athens for a panoramic tour that includes the Parliament House, the Academy, Omonia Square and Panathenaic Stadium. We visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, Areopagus, and Mars Hill where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:15-34. We have a free afternoon in the area of Plaka in Athens. Dinner is included at our hotel. (B, D)

AEGEAN CRUISE – 3 NIGHTS • GREECE & TURKEY ABOARD CELESTYAL CRUISE LINE:

We transfer to the port of Piraeus, outside of Athens, to begin our 3-night Greece and Turkey cruise. The first port of call is the famous island of Mykonos. A free shuttle bus takes us to the capital for free time to explore. (B, D)

KUSADASI • EPHESUS • PATMOS – ST. JOHN’S MONASTERY • GROTTO OF THE APOCALYPSE:

This morning we dock at the Turkish port of Kusadasi, and enjoy an included excursion to 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 and the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days. Then we return to the ship to sail to Patmos to visit the Monastery of St. John built within the walls of a strong fortification. We 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. We visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse to 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. We return to the ship for our evening meal and overnight sailing. (B, D)

CRETE • SANTORINI • CABLE CAR TO FIRA • ATHENS:

Today we dock at Crete which is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. It is also the home of the great Minoan Civilization and the mythological home of Zeus. After a short drive through the town of Heraklion, we arrive at Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 BC, when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete. After exploring this remarkable site, our coach takes us to the heart of Heraklion where we have free time to explore its beauty, a mix of unique Greek island ambiance and modern city. We return to the ship and sail to Santorini which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. Here you may purchase a ticket to ride the cable car up the slope to Fira, the capital, to enjoy this unique town with its narrow paths, shops and great view of the Aegean. Return to the ship for the evening and return to Athens. (B, D)

DISEMBARKATION – FREE DAY IN ATHENS:

This morning we disembark the ship and drive to Athens for a free day of exploring the city. Take time to shop and taste some delicious Greek food. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel. (B, D)

DELPHI • KALAMBAKA:

Wave farewell to Athens as our journey takes us on to Delphi, the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Gain a greater understanding of the Greek religious heritage and their influence on the early Christian church during our visit. Marvel at the site of the Charioteer, a bronze statue so delicate we can see his eyelashes. Take a few photos of the Temple of Apollo and Castalia Springs. We continue to Kalambaka for another included dinner and our overnight stop. (B, D)

METEORA • VERIA THESSALONIKI:

Crowning the rocks of Meteora, the “Hanging Monasteries” seem to be suspended in mid-air. Only six of these twenty-four exquisite examples of Byzantine art are inhabited. Our next stop is at 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 where Apostle Paul is said to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. We continue to Thessaloniki and check into our hotel for a three night stay. Dinner is included tonight. (B, D)

EXCURSION TO PHILIPPI AND KAVALA:

We begin our day with a tour along the ancient route of Apostle Paul to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1). We continue our journey to ancient Philippi, which was named after the father of Alexander the Great. This busy Roman colony boasted a great library and theater. In Philippi, Paul preached, established the first church in Europe, and was to whom he wrote one of his epistles while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 16:11-40; Philippians). It was in this area 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, we continue to Kavala, ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:9-11). Late this afternoon we return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

THESSALONIKI • GUIDED TOUR • FREE TIME:

Enjoy your day in this seaside city which was considered a world cultural center and an important city of Paul’s activities in Northern Greece. It is where he preached and founded a church and to whom he wrote two epistles (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians). We visit the byzantine church of St. Dimitrius and St. Sophia. We see the White Tower along with the Rotonda of Galerius in addition to many other sites. We have free time in the afternoon for walking by the sea or shopping. Our farewell dinner is at the hotel this evening. (B, D)

FLIGHT HOME:

Today we say goodbye to Greece and transfer to the airport for our departure flight back home.