DAY 01: U.S.A./ROME. Departure from North America for overnight flight to Rome, Italy.  DAY 02: ROME. Upon our arrival in Rome we are met and transferred to our hotel. Overnight in Rome. Dinner is on your own tonight.
DAY 03: ROME. A morning visit to the Vatican City includes the Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, Church of St. Peter, Basilica of St. Paul, the ancient Appian Way and the catacombs of St. Caliztus. Afternoon sightseeing will include Moses' Fountain, Quirinale Palace, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Arch of Titus, the Coliseum - site of early Christian martyrdom - and Mamertine Prison, possibly the final place of confinement of the Apostle Paul before his execution. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. DAY 04: ROME / IGOUMENITSA, GREECE. After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and drive to Bari to board our ferry. Dinner and overnight aboard the ferry for our trip to Greece.  DAY 05: IGOUMENITSA / METEORES. Upon arrival in Igoumenitsa, continue to Meteores. See the Meteora Monasteries, perched upon the summits of gigantic rocks, which have been etched into variety of strange shapes. Grey gigantic stalagmites rising towards the sky, they seem to be nature's gift to the pious who opted for monasticism and for a life totally dedicated to the worship of God. The monastic history of the Meteora goes back to the 11th century A.D. when the first hermits sought peace and solitude in the rifts and caves of these rocks, but the first monasteries were not built until the 14th century A.D. attaining their peak in the 16th. Of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are not occupied: Megalo Meteora, Monie Varlaam, Monia Aghias Triadas and Moni Aghiou Stefanou. Apart from portable icons, miniatures, ecclesiastical robes, utensils and crosses, all of them excellent examples of Byzantine art, the Meteora Monasteries also contain rare editions and manuscripts. Overnight and dinner in Meteores.
DAY 06: METEORES / THESSALONIKI. Depart Meteores and travel to Thessaloniki. We become acquainted with this great city, the “Queen of the North”, where Paul wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. Built by King Cassandros and named after the sister of Alexander the Great, the city flourished under the Byzantine Empire and it’s most important buildings date from those days. Today it is considered the second capital of Greece, the Queen of the north. Our city tour takes us 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 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 07: THESSALONIKI / PHILIPPI / THESSALONIKI. Today you will visit 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, the market place (where Paul and Silas were brought before the rulers), the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St. Paul were imprisoned. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 08: THESSALONIKI / ATHENS. We start our return journey back to Athens, arriving in the late afternoon. Rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY 09: PIRAEUS / MYKONOS. 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 10: RHODES. 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 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 11: KUSADASI / PATMOS. 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 12: PIRAEUS / CORINTH / ATHENS. The end of a marvelous cruise. Upon docking, you will be taken on a tour of Athens. Our sightseeing includes the Stadium and Temple of Zeus, Theatre of Dionysus and the Hill of Muses for a panoramic view of Athens and the Acropolis. See Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the citizens of Athens, and the monuments of the Acropolis - including the Parthenon, the Agora (marketplace) and Socrates' Prison. This afternoon we visit 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. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13: ATHENS / U.S.A. After breakfast you are taken to the Athens Airport for your departure home. The end of a most enjoyable tour. |
