DAY 1: USA/ATHENS
Overnight flight to Athens.
Day 2: ATHENS Upon arrival at Athens airport you will be met by our representative for transfer to the hotel. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: ATHENS
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will enjoy a sightseeing tour with a visit to the legendary Acropolis. We see the chief jewel of the Acropolis - the Parthenon, the Temple of Wingless Victory, the Propylea and the Erechteum with its peerless Porch of Maidens. Beneath the Acropolis is the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is where St. Paul made his famous "Men of Athens" speech revealing a considerable knowledge of the Greek philosophy and character. Afterwards we check in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Friday - ATHENS – PIRAEUS - CRUISE
We are transferred from our hotel to the seaport of Piraeus, where we board our cruise ship for our three-day cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. That same afternoon, we arrive at the Island of Mykonos, with its whitewashed houses and winding streets. We are free to explore this picturesque island, startling white against the multi-hued sunset. . Dinner and an overnight stay aboard our ship.
Day 5: RHODES
We arrive this morning at the Island of Rhodes, a sparkling isle with golden beaches, forested hills and fragrant flowers. Paul stopped on the Island of Rhodes on his way to Palestine (Israel) via Troas (Troy). We can take an optional excursion including a half-day trip to Lindos, where tradition holds that Paul landed on his sea voyage. Here visitors see the Acropolis of Lindos, site of the Temple of Athena, one of the most beautiful in all of Greece. After a day of touring and/or relaxation, shopping or swimming, we re-board our ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: PATMOS - EPHESUS (Kusadasi)
This morning, our ship docks in Patmos, which was considered sacred and is often referred to as the "Jerusalem of the Aegean". It was here that the Evangelist St. John received the inspiration for the Apocalypse. Our optional excursion visits the Monastery of St. John, a huge fortress-like building dating from the 11th century. We also visit the grotto, where tradition says that St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. Independent pilgrims can wander the quaint streets of the seaside village. We return to our ship for lunch as we continue our journey. This afternoon, we dock at Kusadasi, where our excursion takes us to Ephesus, where Paul spent two years during his ministry. Our optional excursion takes us first to the Temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Some of the most spectacular ruins of the world are to be found in Ephesus, the city to whom St. Paul wrote his famous epistle. Early Christian tradition also holds belief that Mary, the Mother of Our Lord also lived here with St. John. We visit the Chapel of Panaya Kapulu, which tradition tells us is the house of the Blessed Mother. Those on the excursion then join the independent travelers to walk the streets of the modern Turkish resort city of Kusadasi before returning to the ship at dockside port. Dinner and overnight aboard ship.
Day 7: PIRAEUS – CORINTH - ATHENS
Upon Arrival in Piraeus, we disembark and drive along the coastal highway to Corinth, with a splendid view of the Aegean Sea. After a short stop at the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas, we arrive in Ancient Corinth. We visit the ruins of Corinth, where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. Included are the first century shops, the Agora, Temple of Apollo and the Bema Seat. In the afternoon return to Athens for check in at the hotel. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: ATHENS/USA
Morning transfer to the airport for our return flight home. Arrive in the USA the same day.
