DAY 01: NORTH AMERICA / EUROPE.Tour
members will gather at the ticket counter at the airport two hours prior
to their departure to Europe.
DAY 02: ATHENS / THESSALONIKI.
Paul came to
Thessaloniki with Silas and following his usual custom, he went to the
Synagogue where he used the Jewish scriptures as the source for his
preaching (Act 17:2-4).
Considered
the second capital of Greece, Thessaloniki was founded in 31 BC by one
of Alexander the Great's generals, Cassander, who was married to
Alexander's step-sister, Thessaloniki. In her honor, he named the town
built in the form of an amphitheater at the head of Thermaikos Gulf.
Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 03: KAVALLA / PHILIPPI.
"Setting sail
therefore from Troas, we made a great voyage to Samothrace and the
following day to Neapolis” (Act 16:11)
“And from thence to Philippi which is the chief city of that part of
Macedonia, and a colony; and we were in that city abiding certain days
(Act 16:12)
We visit the
beautiful city of Kavala
(ancient Neapolis), and from there on to Philippi, which was a Roman
garrison town and the chief city in the province of Macedonia. It was
here that Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia from
the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods. Visit the Baptistery of
Lydia., the market place (where Paul and Silas were brought before the
rulers), the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St.
Paul was imprisoned. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 04: VERIA / VERGINA / THESSALONIKI.
“The brethren
immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea; and when they
arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.” (Acts 17:10-14)
We
continue to Veria (Beroea) where we visit the monument dedicated to
Paul; we see the Bema where he stood and preached to the people of Veria.
Continue to Vergina, where excavations in 1978 discovered three very
important royal tombs. The most important tomb is believed to be that of
Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. We return to
Thessaloniki and explore this great city starting with a drive along the
water front to the massive White Tower and nearby Triumphal Arch of
Galerius, built in 303 AD. We shall also see St. Demetrios Church with
its valuable mosaics and frescoes and will drive up to the upper town
which offers a marvelous view of the city. The site where the monastery
of Vlatadon was built is believed to be the location where Jason’s house
once stood and where Paul was accommodated during his visit to
Thessaloniki. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 05: THESSALONIKI / ATHENS.
We depart for Athens, driving through the beautiful countryside of
Greece, on past many picturesque towns and villages. We arrive in Athens
in late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
DAY 06: ATHENS.
“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 . . ."
Today
we visit Athens, one of the most glorious cities in the world and the
cradle of western civilization as we know it today. For twenty five
centuries, the panorama of this city is dominated by the rock of the
Acropolis; we see the ruins of the Parthenon, the Erectheum and the
Propylae. Thereafter, we will ascend Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the
ancient Athenians about the one and only God. From here we have an
excellent view of the ancient agora; former center of the Athenian
public life. We continue for a drive through the city to see the House
of Parliament on Syntagma Square, the evzones in their picturesque
uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier. We also see the Library, the University, the Panathenaic
Stadium where the first Olympics of the modern era were held, temple of
the Olympian Zeus and Adrian's Arch. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 07: ATHENS / CRUISE.
Transfer to port and embark the cruise vessel for your 3 day cruise. Our
first port of call is the island of Mykonos; cubic white houses and
those world famous windmills. Free time to explore this lovely island.
DAY 08: RHODOS.
Rhodos, the island of “roses”, is the legendary home of the sun god
Apollo. The old town (which is the largest inhabited medieval town of
Europe) and its mighty fortifications (built by the crusaders of St.
John) are the finest surviving example of defensive architecture and is
of great interest to all visitors. An optional tour takes us to Lindos.
This entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by
the knights of St. John in the 14th century. Within, stands
the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, 400 feet above the sea. From the
Acropolis is a breathtaking view covering the great expanse of the
Aegean Sea and St. Paul's Bay, where the Apostle cast harbor during his
historic voyage to Ephessos.
DAY 09: KUSADASI / PATMOS.
“And it came to
pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the
upper coasts came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples.” (Act
19:01)
Continue
to Kusadasi, a lively Turkish port and gateway to ancient Ephessos. Our
optional tour takes us to visit Ancient Ephessos, the Greek colony
founded by the Athenians. Here history truly comes to life; walking
towards the ancient harbor down a marble road rutted by the wheels of
countless chariots you pass architectural masterpieces like the
Magnesian Gate and the Library of Celsus before arriving to the Great
Amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians. We continue our
cruise for the island of Patmos; considered a holy island for the
Christian religion it was here in Patmos where John the Divine, while in
exile, wrote the Apocalyptic Revelations which constitute the last part
of the new Testament. Optional tour takes us up to the monastery of St.
John, which still keeps its character of a medieval fortress. Inside the
walls you will be able to admire the Byzantine wealth of the Christian
Orthodox religion while from its ramparts you will have the most
stunning panoramic view of the luminous sea.
DAY 10: PIRAEUS / CORINTH.
“Do not be
afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man
shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this
city.” (Acts 18:9)
At
the end of cruise, we board our coach for Corinth taking the coastal
road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the
Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Short stop for pictures and continue to
the site of ancient Corinth, Paul's beloved city and site of his most
extensive ministry. Dominated by the Acro-Corinth rising 1700 feet above
the ruins, the marketplace is laid out exactly as it stood in the days
of the great Apostle. We see the bema (the judgment seat) where Paul
stood before Galilo and preached (Acts 18). The museum contains a superb
collection of artifacts portraying life in ancient Corinth.
“After this Paul
stayed many days longer, and then took leave of the brethren and sailed
for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquilla. At Cenchreae he cut
his hair, for he had a vow.” (Acts 18:18)
Continue to
Cenchreae, the ancient port from where Paul departed for Ephessos.
Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 11: ATHENS / NORTH AMERICA.
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home. The end of
an unforgettable journey.
Considered
the second capital of Greece, Thessaloniki was founded in 31 BC by one
of Alexander the Great's generals, Cassander, who was married to
Alexander's step-sister, Thessaloniki. In her honor, he named the town
built in the form of an amphitheater at the head of Thermaikos Gulf.
Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
We visit the
beautiful city of Kavala
(ancient Neapolis), and from there on to Philippi, which was a Roman
garrison town and the chief city in the province of Macedonia. It was
here that Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia from
the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods. Visit the Baptistery of
Lydia., the market place (where Paul and Silas were brought before the
rulers), the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St.
Paul was imprisoned. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
We
continue to Veria (Beroea) where we visit the monument dedicated to
Paul; we see the Bema where he stood and preached to the people of Veria.
Continue to Vergina, where excavations in 1978 discovered three very
important royal tombs. The most important tomb is believed to be that of
Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. We return to
Thessaloniki and explore this great city starting with a drive along the
water front to the massive White Tower and nearby Triumphal Arch of
Galerius, built in 303 AD. We shall also see St. Demetrios Church with
its valuable mosaics and frescoes and will drive up to the upper town
which offers a marvelous view of the city. The site where the monastery
of Vlatadon was built is believed to be the location where Jason’s house
once stood and where Paul was accommodated during his visit to
Thessaloniki. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Today
we visit Athens, one of the most glorious cities in the world and the
cradle of western civilization as we know it today. For twenty five
centuries, the panorama of this city is dominated by the rock of the
Acropolis; we see the ruins of the Parthenon, the Erectheum and the
Propylae. Thereafter, we will ascend Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the
ancient Athenians about the one and only God. From here we have an
excellent view of the ancient agora; former center of the Athenian
public life. We continue for a drive through the city to see the House
of Parliament on Syntagma Square, the evzones in their picturesque
uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier. We also see the Library, the University, the Panathenaic
Stadium where the first Olympics of the modern era were held, temple of
the Olympian Zeus and Adrian's Arch. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Continue
to Kusadasi, a lively Turkish port and gateway to ancient Ephessos. Our
optional tour takes us to visit Ancient Ephessos, the Greek colony
founded by the Athenians. Here history truly comes to life; walking
towards the ancient harbor down a marble road rutted by the wheels of
countless chariots you pass architectural masterpieces like the
Magnesian Gate and the Library of Celsus before arriving to the Great
Amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians. We continue our
cruise for the island of Patmos; considered a holy island for the
Christian religion it was here in Patmos where John the Divine, while in
exile, wrote the Apocalyptic Revelations which constitute the last part
of the new Testament. Optional tour takes us up to the monastery of St.
John, which still keeps its character of a medieval fortress. Inside the
walls you will be able to admire the Byzantine wealth of the Christian
Orthodox religion while from its ramparts you will have the most
stunning panoramic view of the luminous sea.
At
the end of cruise, we board our coach for Corinth taking the coastal
road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the
Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Short stop for pictures and continue to
the site of ancient Corinth, Paul's beloved city and site of his most
extensive ministry. Dominated by the Acro-Corinth rising 1700 feet above
the ruins, the marketplace is laid out exactly as it stood in the days
of the great Apostle. We see the bema (the judgment seat) where Paul
stood before Galilo and preached (Acts 18). The museum contains a superb
collection of artifacts portraying life in ancient Corinth.
