A unique Faith-Based vacation! Start your trip in Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, and enjoy a welcome dinner. Travel to Thessalonika for a guided sightseeing tour of this city, which was named after Alexander the Great’s sister and figured prominently in the New Testament at which time this provincial capital was considered a world cultural center. On your way to Kalambaka, stop in Veria and visit the Bema of Apostle Paul, where Paul is said to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. In Meteora, visit Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries. Situated atop vast rocks, the 14th-century monasteries compose one of the most breathtaking sites in the world.In Piraeus, board your 3-day Greece and Turkey cruise with visits to the islands of Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, and Crete. In Mykonos, you have time to wander through the narrow paved streets lined with trendy boutiques and shady tavernas. You also stop at the tiny island of Patmos, the “Jerusalem of the Aegean,” and the Turkish port of Kusadasi.Disembark in Piraeus and travel to Corinth to visit the excavations and then journey to Athens. In Athens, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour featuring visits to the Acropolis and Areopagus, where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of "the Unknown God." This vacation, including the 3-night Greece and Turkey cruise, is a trip of a lifetime!No one brings the world’s stories to life like we do. What story will you discover next?
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Athens, Greece. Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner with your traveling companions. (D)
Day #2 Athens–Thessalonika. Journey north to Thessalonika. Enjoy guided sightseeing of this city, named after Alexander the Great’s sister and which figures prominently in the New Testament, at which time this provincial capital was considered a world cultural center. This community was the center of Paul’s activities in northern Greece. It is where he preached and founded a church and to whom he wrote two epistles (Acts 17:1-9, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians). (B,D)
Day #3 Thessalonika. Excursion to Philippi and Kavala. Full-day excursion along the ancient route of Apostle Paul to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1). Journey to ancient Philippi, which was named after the father of Alexander the Great. This busy Roman colony boasted a great library and theater. In Philippi, Paul preached, established the first church in Europe, and was to whom he wrote one of his epistles while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 16:11-40; Philippians). It was in this area that Paul met Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She and her household accepted Christ and were baptized in the nearby river (Acts 16:11-15). Next, continue to Kavala, ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:9-11). (B,D)
Day #4 Thessalonika–Veria–Kalambaka. This morning, stop in Veria (Beroea of the New Testament), where Paul and Silas were sent by friends after being accused of treason in Thessalonika (Acts 17:5-15). Visit the BEMA OF APOSTLE PAUL, where Paul is said to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. Continue to Kalambaka. (B,D)
Day #5 Kalambaka–Meteora–Athens. In Meteora, visit VARLAAM and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERIES. Situated atop vast rocks, the 14th-century monasteries compose one of the most breathtaking sites in the world. Inside the monasteries, discover many historical and religious treasures. Return to Athens. (B)
Day #6 Athens–Piraeus (Embarkation)–Mykonos. Begin your 3-night Greece and Turkey CRUISE with a visit to the mountainous island of Mykonos. Free time to explore the island before returning to the ship for evening entertainment. (B,L,D)
Day #7 Kusadasi, Turkey–Excursion to Ephesus–Patmos, Greece. Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi and enjoy an included excursion to the RUINS OF EPHESUS, whose inhabitants were the recipients of Apostle Paul’s famous epistle (Acts 18:19-26; Ephesians) and which was once the capital of the Roman province of Asia, and to the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days. Continue your cruise to Patmos, the “Jerusalem of the Aegean,” where you can enjoy an included excursion to the MONASTERY OF ST. JOHN and to the CAVE OF THE APOCALYPSE, where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile (Rev. 1:9-11). (B,L,D)
Day #8 Heraklion–Santorini. Early arrival in Heraklion on Crete. A few miles away is Knossos, the center of the 3000 BC Minoan civilization, and an optional excursion can be booked. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” The optional shore excursion is available to the cliff-top village of Thera for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. (B,L,D)
Day #9 Piraeus, Greece (Disembarkation)–Corinth–Athens. Disembark, and continue to Corinth for a guided visit of the EXCAVATIONS where Apostle Paul worked for 18 months with tent makers Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-18). Return to Athens, and enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide. Visit the ACROPOLIS with the Parthenon and AREOPAGUS, where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:15-34). Tonight ask your Tour Director for dining suggestions. (B)
Day #10 Athens. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Meals:
Full buffet breakfast (B); 4 three-course dinners (D), including welcome dinner in Athens; all meals on board daily featuring full à la carte breakfasts (B), lunches (L), and dinners (D).