Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Tuesday, October 1, 2024: Depart
We will depart from the USA on our overnight flights to Thessaloniki, Greece. (IF)
Day 2: Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Thessaloniki
On arrival at Thessaloniki Airport, we will meet with our representative and transfer to our hotel in Thessaloniki for dinner. (D)
Day 3: Thursday, October 3, 2024: Philippi, Kavala, Thessaloniki
We will begin our tour in Philippi where the Apostle Paul established a strong church. The letter he wrote to the church is recorded in Acts 16:9-33. We will see the river where Lydia is said to have been baptized, the ruins of a prison where Paul and Silas were kept, the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica, and the Theater. We will have a group lunch in the bay of the ancient port of Kavala, which was known as Neopolis and mentioned in Acts 16:11. Kavala has a wonderful aqueduct and acropolis. We will dine in our hotel in Thessaloniki this evening. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Friday, October 4, 2024: Berea, Meteora, Kalambaka
Paul and his companions went to Berea to escape the angry Jews of Thessaloniki, finding that the Bereans, “received the word with great eagerness…” The Bema memorial commemorating Paul’s preaching features gorgeous Byzantine-style mosaic scenes of Paul spreading the gospel. We will pass by Katerini and see Mount Olympus, the home of the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses. We will take a spectacular drive up to visit Meteora. Breathtakingly beautiful centuries-old monasteries perched precariously high above the ground were first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation. Meteora is the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos. We can locate the first traces of their history from 11th c. when the first hermits settled there. The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and they form one of the most important stations of cultural map of Greece. Our evening meal is in our hotel in Kalambaka. (B/D)
Day 5: Saturday, October 5, 2024: Delphi, Athens
Delphi was the capital of the Ancient World. On the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, in a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty, is the archaeological site of Delphi. considered by early Greeks to be the center of the world. Walking the Sacra Via to the Athenian Treasury, we will see the amphitheater, stadium and the Temple of Apollo where the oracle performed his or her prophetic rituals. With pagan ruins surrounding our walk, capture a glimpse of the challenge the apostle Paul incurred in preaching the Gospel of Christ in Macedonia. In the Delphi Museum, we will view many ancient treasures, the chief of which is the 5th century bronzed Charioteer, complete with eyelashes. We will arrive in Athens in the evening and will dine in the Plaka area. (B/D) *
Day 6: Sunday, October 6, 2024: Athens, Cruise
This morning we will enjoy a city tour of Athens, including a visit to the Acropolis & its Museum, as well as a panoramic tour of the highlights of the city. We will visit Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where Apostle Paul delivered his soul-stirring sermon. Pastor Case will share insights about Paul’s preaching there. We will board our Windstar cruise in the afternoon ready for the 5 PM departure on the Treasures of the Greek Isles cruise. The ship has many wonderful amenities including a spa, watersports platform, whirlpool, live music in the Lounge, as well as fabulous food and attentive staff. All meals, Wi-Fi, unlimiled alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included and we’ll enjoy an array of fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from each port along the way. (B/D)
Day 7: Monday, October 7, 2024: Mykonos
Our first island on the cruise is the spectacular island of Mykonos. There are various excursions to chose from, including the “Five Senses of Mykonos”. This sightseeing option includes a walking tour of Little Venice to see Mykonos Castle. After visiting the pastry shop to buy an amigdalota, we will go to Agios Giannis Beach from which we can see the island of Delos. In Ano Mera we will enjoy lunch and wine-tasting. Our final stop will be in the Taverna of Apostolis, where we’ll have a glass of ouzo and homemade meze, accompanied by a live Greek music show. For those of you who enjoy cooking, there’s an option to travel to Messaria and learn how to make a traditional Mykonian meal with fresh local ingredients. We’ll also learn about local traditions, faith and family life. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Tuesday, October 8, 2024: Ephesus, Kuşadası
Our boat will dock in Kuşadası in Turkey, where we will disembark for a shore excursion to Ephesus, which is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. The Apostle Paul was based in Ephesus for several years. We will tour the spectacular ruins in the city which was founded in the 10th century B.C. and Case will be able to do an en-site Bible study about the church in Ephesus and Paul’s ministry. The tour will also include the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in nearby Selçuk. The Evening in Ephesus event is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’ll walk the Marble Road to Harbor Street for our 5-course, white-glove-service dinner under the stars accompanied by a trio from the Aegean Chamber Orchestra. (B/L/D)
Day 9: Wednesday, October 9, 2024: Patmos
We will disembark in Patmos where the Apostle John was exiled, and where he wrote the book of Revelation. We will visit the Monastery of St. John, which dates back to 1088 and see the artefacts in the museum. Our next stop is the Grotto of St. John, a 17th century monastery built around the cave where John is said to have written the book of Revelation. (B/L/D)
Day 10: Thursday, October 10, 2024: Santorini
Santorini, an island in the Cyclades, has one of the most spectacular landscapes in all Greece. The traditional villages are built on tall cliffs and offer breath-taking views over a former volcanic crater. On our island orientation tour, we will travel up to Prophet Elias Mountain for unparalleled panoramic views. The village of Oia has picturesque, blue-domed churches, old 2-story mansions and narrow cobblestone streets. After free time to explore at our leisure, we will end our day in the village of Fira and take the cable car back down to the ship. There are a range of possible excursions, including a trip to the wineries of Santorini. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Friday, October 11, 2024: Monemvasia
Monemvasia is a small, secluded pedestrian-only port city built into a cliffside. We will walk through the narrow streets within the castle walls and see ruins of houses and Byzantine churches. The Church of Christ Elkomenos is a cathedral that dates back to the 13th century, was updated during the Venetian occupation, and still has four surviving Byzantine icons. There’s also the option to add on a visit to an olive oil factory housed in a fully restored historical mansion. After the tour, we’ll have a chance to sample the oil and freshly baked traditional bread in a winery, accompanied by local wines. (B/L/D)
Day 12: Saturday, October 12, 2024: Nafplio
Nafplio is a delightful mainland town where we can wander cobblestone streets and explore Venetian fortresses. The Castle of Palamidi is one of the best-preserved castles in Greece and is an excellent example of Venetian architecture. We will visit the ancient city of Epidaurus, which was the site of Apollo worship and was the center of the Epidaurian cult until it moved to Rome in 293 BC. The theatre has 12,000 seats and amazing acoustics. It was a famous healing center and the symbol of the god Aesculapius was a serpent winding its way around a staff, which is still used as a medical symbol today. We will also visit Mycenae and the famous Lion’s Gate. (B/L/D)
Day 13: Sunday, October 13, 2024: Athens
On arrival in Athens, we will disembark and continue our explorations in Athens with a Biblical guide. We will end the day with a spectacular sunset view from the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounio, before dining in our hotel. (B/D)
Day 14: Monday, October 14, 2024: Fly
We will transfer to the airport for our return home. (B/IF)
