Sunday, April 21
Depart USA
Monday, April 22
Upon our mid-day arrival into Thessaloniki, we will be met by our tour guide and motor coach and will transfer to our hotel for a welcome dinner. Overnight Thessaloniki – MonAsty Hotel (D)
Tuesday, April 23
After breakfast, we will tour Thessaloniki, a city that is over 2,300 years old and the second-largest city in Greece. Our tour will include the sites visited many times by Paul – the Roman Market, theatre and baths. After lunch, we will drive west to Vergina, the ancient capital city of Macedonia and tour the royal tombs of King Phillip II. Dinner will be served at a traditional restaurant with live music. Overnight Thessaloniki – MonAsty Hotel (B)(L)(D)
Wednesday, April 24
After breakfast, we will visit the ancient colony of Philippi built in 356 B.C. by Alexander’s father, Philip II. This is where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe and baptized Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. We will also see the Roman forum and the prison where Paul and Silas were held. We continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. We will end the day with free time for dinner on your own in the city center. Overnight Thessaloniki – MonAsty Hotel (B)(L)
Thursday, April 25
This morning we will head towards Berea, where Paul established a small church and we will view the reconstructed steps of the bema. We 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 – Divani Meteora Hotel. (B)(L)(D)
Friday, April 26
After breakfast, we 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 – Divani Palace Hotel (B)(L)(D)
Saturday, April 27
Today we will tour the great city of Athens which will include visiting 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), House of Parliament, and the Presidential Palace. Afternoon and evening at leisure in the Plaka (shopping area of Athens). Overnight Athens- Divani Palace Hotel (B)
Sunday, April 28
After breakfast, we will tour ancient Corinth with a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, which separates Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Corinth was home for Paul for eighteen months and we will see the Archaeological Museum, the Bema, the Market Place and the Temples. Upon returning to Athens, dinner will be at a traditional restaurant with live music. Overnight Athens – Divani Palace Hotel (B)(L)(D)
Monday, April 29
This morning we will transfer to the port and board our cruise ship, Celestyal Olympia, for the next 5 days. Late afternoon, we will have our first port of call, Mykonos – an island known for its jet-set atmosphere, whitewashed buildings, sidewalk cafes, 360 churches and chic shops. Overnight Cruise
Tuesday, April 30
This morning we will be in the port of 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, May 1
Today we will spend the day 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, May 2
The island of Crete where Paul and Titus visited in support of the early church is our destination for the day. There will be free time in the morning to enjoy shopping in the city center or to enjoy the ship’s amenities. In the afternoon, we cruise to Santorini, one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. Overnight Cruise
Friday, May 3
This morning, we will disembark and transfer to the Athens airport for our flight home.
(B) – breakfast included
(L) – lunch included
(D) – dinner included
