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DAY 01: USA
/ EUROPE.
Tour members will gather at the ticket counter at the airport two hours
prior to their departure to Europe. Dinner and breakfast will be served
in-flight.
DAY 02:
ROME / ATHENS.
Breakfast inflight before arrival in Rome. We then connect to our
convenient lunch flight to Athens, Greece. Personal meeting and private
motor coach transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
 DAY
03: ATHENS.
This morning our tour will give us an opportunity to observe the
striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert
guide will take us to see the center of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma).
the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the
fine neoclassical buildings on Venizelou Avenue; the Academy, the
University and the National Library. Driving down Herod Atticus Street,
you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the
Presidential Palace and then you will visit the Byzantine Monastery of
Kaissariani at the foot of Mt. Hymettus. On your way to the Acropolis,
you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of
the modern era were held in 1896) and the Athens of the 2nd century
A.D., the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Adrian's Arch. At the
Acropolis visit it's Museum and the architectural masterpieces of the
Golden Age of Athens, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the
Erechtheion and, finally, "the harmony between matter and spirit", the
monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Return to our
hotel for an afternoon at leisure or you may wish to join an optional
tour to the Archaeological Museum of Athens. Dinner and overnight in
your hotel.
 DAY
04: CORINTH / MYCENAE / NAUPLIA / EPIDAURUS.
Depart in our private motor coach to Corinth, where the Apostle Paul
spent 18 months and penned his first epistle. The tribune (Bema), where
it is said he spoke, is pointed out along with other surviving Grecian
and Roman ruins. Continue into northeastern Peloponnese to where one of
the great Bronze Age fortress-palaces stood guarding the pass between
Corinth and Argos. See Cyclopean stonework, the Lion Gate, and the
underground beehive-shaped tombs where Bronze Age Greeks - Homer's
Argives - buried royalty. Drive south to beautiful Nauplia on the sea,
home of fishermen. Continue east into the hills of the Argos, where
stood the greatest temple of healing, the Sanctuary of Asclepius. The
foundations of a hospital dormitory with cubicles can be seen today. In
the Epidaurus Museum see healing testimonials. Archaeologists also
unearthed here inscriptions recording the healing of ailments. Then
visit the best preserved, most magnificent theater in the ancient world
- the Epidaurus Theater, built over 2,300 years ago. Then, as today,
perfect acoustics take every whisper to a perfect fan of 14,000 seats.
Return to Athens and our hotel.
DAY 05:
ATHENS / PIRAEUS / CRUISING / MYKONOS.
This morning we will be transferred to the Port of Piraeus for our three
day Greek Isles and Turkey cruise. Air-conditioned cabins await you
aboard ship as does a sumptuous lunch. Tonight, enjoy the Captain's
Party and grand buffet. Of course, there will be time for a delightful
stroll around Mykonos, an island of uninhibited pleasure that attracts
and captivates some of the most interesting people in the world.
 DAY
06: CRUISING / RHODES.
Early
morning glide into the attractive harbor of medieval Rhodes. "The
Island of Roses" is the most beautiful of all the 1,400 Greek Isles.
There's a full day to participate in the optional comprehensive
sightseeing of the town and even take the special trip to the beautiful
town and acropolis of Lindos. Truly a breathtaking coastal drive and
the Temple of Athena is incredible.
DAY 07:
CRUISING / KUSADASI, TURKEY / PATMOS, GREECE.
Dock early this morning in scenic Kusadasi. You can take the optional
excursion to biblical Ephesus where St. Paul preached. It's Temple of
Artemis is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Lunch aboard
ship while cruising to the delightful island of Patmos. Charming
terraced villages and craggy hills are in view. You may wish to visit
the lofty monastery where St. John wrote "The Book of Revelations". The
last night aboard the ship is a joyous one.
DAY 08:
PIRAEUS / ATHENS.
This morning we return to Piraeus and disembark to our private motor
coach. This afternoon is at leisure to explore Athens on your own.
Revisit the Acropolis, go shopping, it is up to you. Dinner and
overnight at our hotel.
DAY 09:
ATHENS / ROME.
After breakfast we board our motor coach proceeding to the Athens
Airport for our flight to Rome, Italy. Upon arrival at the Leonardo da
Vinci Airport, personal meeting and private motor coach transfer to our
hotel. Welcome to "The Eternal City" of Rome.
DAY 10:
ROME / PAPAL AUDIENCE.
Today we will have a Papal Audience.
 DAY
11: ROME.
Our tour will take us along the Via Veneto (the fashionable street of
Rome) past the American Embassy, Moses' Fountain and the Piazza Della
Republica to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, built in 432 A.D. on the
Esquiline Hill. Continue to the Vatican City, St. Peter in Chains with
the famous statue of Moses by Michelangelo, the Roman Forum, Arch of
Titus, the Colosseum and the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Wall.
This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the city as you like. Perhaps
visit the Vatican Museum, the Catacombs or simply relax.
DAY 12:
ROME / NORTH AMERICA.
Time is allowed for last minute shopping before an afternoon departure
flight from Rome to North America - the end of our enjoyable tour. |
