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.
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 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 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 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 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.
