DAYS 1 & 2: U.S. /
THESSALONIKI - We depart the U.S. today for our flight
to Thessaloniki. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we will be met
by DMI’s local representative and escorted to our hotel in Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and capital
of the province of Macedonia. It was here in the synagogue that
Paul “...reasoned with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks...”
(Acts 17:17). Remainder of the day free. Dinner and overnight
at our hotel.
DAY 3: THESSALONIKI / AMPHIPOLIS / PHILIPPI / KAVALA
– We depart for Amphipolis and the Region of the Lakes Corinia
and Volvi. Paul journeyed through Amphipolis on his way to Thessaloniki.
Visit the colossal Lion monument at Sunphipolis (5th century BC)
and proceed to visit the unique archaeological site of Philippi,
site of the famous battle between two Roman Armies. Here we will
have the opportunity to follow the steps of Paul, Luke, Timothy
and Silas. We then proceed to the city and the harbor of Kavala
where we will have a chance to taste fresh fish and a variety
of superb delicacies. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: THESSALONIKI / VERGINA / METEORA / KALAMBAKA
- After breakfast, we depart for Vergina to visit the excavations
of the Royal Palace, the Royal Tombs and the new museum. We then
proceed to the area of Kalambaka, where the famous monasteries
of Meteora are located. You will be amazed at these marvelously
preserved monasteries hidden in the mountains. We will visit the
greatest and most important monastery of all, the “Great Meteoron.”
Perfectly preserved Frescoes of the 14th century and Ancient Manuscripts
belonging to Royal Collections and Libraries are found here. Dinner
and overnight at our hotel In Kalambaka.
DAY 5: KALAMBAKA / DELPHI / ATHENS Put on your
hiking boots! After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Delphi
via the Central Greece Plateau. At Delphi we take a short climb
to the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythion, home of the "Oracle."
A little further up is the theatre where town council meetings
were conducted, and a little further, the amazingly preserved
coliseum where games were played. (Get in shape for this and do
not miss it! This is one of the true highlights of the tour.)
We visit the museum and bookstore here, then continue to Athens
for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6: ATHENS / CORINTH We begin this morning
with a tour of the city of Athens. We drive past the Academy,
the University and the Parliament with the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier. We continue to the Acropolis, where we visit the Parthenon,
dedicated to the goddess Athena and the Acropolis Museum. On the
slopes of the Acropolis we will visit the Areopagus on Mars Hill,
site of Paul's address to "the men of Athens" about
their "unknown God" (Acts 17). We then depart for Corinth,
taking the road along the Saronic Gulf, fairly the same route
that the Apostle Paul took. Corinth was an important place and
congregation in Paul's odyssey (Acts 18 and Letters to the |
Corinthians) with its temple of
Apollo ruins set against the Acrocorinth on which the Temple of
Aphrodite was located. Corinth was the largest, richest, and most
pleasure-loving city of Greece in the 3rd century BC, so it gave
Paul plenty to renounce when he came here in the 1st century AD.
Paul worked here three years with Aquilla and Priscilla. Dinner
and overnight at our Athens hotel.
DAY 7: ATHENS / PIRAEUS / BOARD ROYAL OLYMPIC’S CRUISESHIP
/ SAIL TO MYKONOS - This morning we transfer to the port
of Piraeus for embarkation on our cruise ship. We sail to the
island of Mykonos with its breathtakingly beautiful whitewashed
buildings and churches. We will wander through the many side streets
with homes above the shops and numerous outside, waterfront cafes...a
lovely respite. Evening sail for the island of Patmos.
DAY 8: PATMOS / KUSADASI Early morning arrival
at the Island of Patmos. We visit the traditional Grotto where
John received the revelations while in exile and St. John’s Monastery
atop the island. This afternoon we sail to the Turkish port of
Kusadasi. This popular Turkish port is the doorway to Ephesus
and rich ancient history. In Paul’s time, Ephesus was a port city.
Now, due to natural changes and silt build up, it is an approximate
ten-mile bus trip from the port city of Kusadasi. We visit ancient
Ephesus, a marvelous archeological site and base for much of Paul's
missionary work (Acts 19 and Letter to The Ephesians). Paul labored
and ministered here for three years. He laid the foundation for
the strongest Christian church of the First Century. John is said
to have brought Mary here. Time permitting, we will wander through
the famous Turkish bazaars of Kusadasi. Evening sail for Rhodes.
DAY 9: RHODES Morning arrival into Rhodes, the
Island of Roses, famed for its historical Old Town, home of Sun
God Apollo and the Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. It was on the Isle of Rhodes where the Crusaders gathered
before sailing to the Holy Land. We will walk through the Medieval
Castle of the Knights of St. John. We then visit Lindos, where
Paul landed in 51 AD on his way to Rome and the Acropolis of Lindos,
site of the Temple of Athena. Sail back to Piraeus (Athens) in
the evening.
DAY 10: EARLY ARRIVAL INTO ATHENS – We will have
breakfast aboard the ship. We then disembark, board our motorcoach
and transfer to our hotel in Athens. The day is free for us to
enjoy this fascinating city on our own. There are many wonderful
museums in the city and shopping at the Plaka is always an adventure.
Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 11: ATHENS / U.S. – After breakfast at the
hotel, we depart for the Athens airport where we fly back to the
U.S. We will return with new friends and memories to last a lifetime!
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