Depart USA
Dinner and Overnight: Thessalonica
See the landmarks of the city; the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the House of Jason where Paul lived and the Agora where he preached. View the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia.
Continue to Philippi where Paul lived, preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. See the baptismal site of Lydia, where the first baptism on European soil took place. See a crypt from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre.
Drive to Kavala (ancient Neapolis), the site where Paul, Timothy and Silas landed on the coast of Thrace. Luke also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Chris Tou polis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity.
See the Roman Aqueduct and the Ruins of the Acropolis.
Return to Thessalonica and visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert.
Dinner and Overnight: Thessalonica.
Drive to Veria-ancient Berea- to the memorial commemorating Paul’s preaching to the local Jews in 54 AD. View the ancient synagogue where Paul spoke, and the Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church.
Continue to Meteora - the world-famousByzantine monasteries, perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. They go back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Drive to Kalambaka.
Dinner and Overnight: Kalambaka
DAY 5: DRIVE TO ATHENS
After checking into our hotel: We visit the famous Plaka with its multitude of shops, cafes and restaurants.
Dinner and Overnight: Athens
Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. From atop Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. We view also the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace.
Dinner and overnight: Athens
Transfer to the port for embarkation.
Cruise: Mykonos
Sail to Mykonos – known for its whitewashed houses, alleyways and chapels, cosmopolitan vibe and luxury accommodation and services, as well as its part scene and beautiful, sandy beaches.
Dinner and overnight: cruise
Visit Ephesus, the most impressive archeological site in Turkey, including the Great Amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians, the major streets in this ancient city, the Library, Agora, theatre, colorful mosaics in the aristocratic Terrace Houses, and a panoramic outlook of the surrounding ancient port area. Continue to visit the Basilica Church of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal and is believed to be resting place of John. View the Ephesus harbor, the Mosque of Jesus, and see the site of the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Sali to Patmos, the “Holy Island” for the Christian faith. This is the place where the apocalyptic Revelation of John was written during his exile from the Roman Empire. We visit the cave and the monastery of St. John.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and overnight: cruise
Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Take a 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. In theafternoon, we visit the island of Santorini which is the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. You may choose to visit on your own or to take an optional panoramic bus tour viewing some of the most spectacular scenery of the Aegean.
Travel through countless villages and settlements with delicate architecture and beauties eventually arriving in Oia. Visit the many narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques of Oia. Upon returning to the ship, we view the lace-like caldera, the little islands of Thirasia, Palea, & Nea Kameni.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and overnight: cruise
Visit ancient Corinth where Paul worked and preached. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the agora where Paul was on trial at the Bema, the Fountain of Peirene and the Temple of Apollo. We then stop at Diolkos to view the paved trackway which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth and the Corinth Canal.
Dinner and Overnight: Athens
DAY 11: ATHENS, USA
Transfer to the Airport
Fly back home
