10-Day tour including a 4-Day cruise to Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete & Santorini
Monday, September 30
Depart USA overnight flight
Tuesday, October 1
Arrive in Thessaloniki, a city that is over 2,300 years old and the second-largest city in Greece. We will tour the city which includes the sites visited many times by Paul – the Roman Market, theatre and baths. Overnight Thessaloniki
Wednesday, October 2
Drive to Philippi, where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe and baptized Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. Visit the Roman forum and the prison where Paul and Silas were held. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Overnight Thessaloniki
Thursday, October 3
Drive to Berea where Paul established a small church and view the reconstructed steps of the bema. Continue on to spectacular Meteora, the famous Cenobitic Monasteries that are perched precariously on top of huge and precipitous columns of rock that rise up out of the ground thereby giving rise to the name Meteora which means “in the air”. Overnight Kalambaka
Friday, October 4
Depart for Delphi. The oracle at Delphi is a figure of great historical importance that was, and still is, shrouded in mystery. Delphi was considered “the navel” – in Greek, “the omphalos” – οf the ancient world. After visiting the archaeological site and the museum in Delphi we continue to Athens. Overnight Athens
Saturday, October 5
Morning tour of Athens, including a visit to the world-renowned Acropolis, with the ruins of the Parthenon, Erechteum and Propylea. We will climb Mars Hill, where Paul preached the famous sermon of the Unknown God. Also, view the Agora (ancient market place, and former center of Athenian public life). Afternoon at leisure in the Plaka (shopping area of Athens).Overnight Athens
Sunday, October 6
Tour of Corinth with a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, which separates Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and connects the two seas (Ionian and Aegean). Later visit Corinth, which was home for Paul for eighteen months. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Bema, the Market Place and the Temples. Overnight Athens
Monday, October 7
Transfer to the port and board a cruise ship for the next 5 days. First port of call is Mykonos – an island known for its jet-set atmosphere, whitewashed buildings, sidewalk cafes, 360 churches and chic shops. Overnight Cruise
Tuesday, October 8
Port in Ephesus to visit one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World,” where Paul spent many years and wrote his Letter to the Ephesians. Afterwards, sail to the Island of Patmos and visit the Monastery of St. John the Divine, where John wrote the book of Revelation. Overnight Cruise
Wednesday, October 9
Spend today in Rhodes. In classical times, the Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the World with the glorious history from ancient times to Medieval times as home of the Knights. Visit the Ancient Acropolis of Lindos and the Port of St. Paul, where Paul docked on the way back to Jerusalem. Overnight Cruise
Thursday, October 10
Dock in Crete where Paul and Titus visited in support of the Early Church. This will be free time for enjoying the city of Crete or the ship’s amenities. In the afternoon, visit Santorini, one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. Overnight Cruise
Friday, October 11
Morning disembark and transfer to the airport for flight home.
