11 day first class package
(7 night cruise & 2 nights hotel)

Day 1: Departure
Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Athens. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!

Day 2: Arrive Athens
Arrive in Athens. Meet and greet at the airport. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Athens, Acropolis, Mars Hill
This morning we begin our tour of Athens, the Acropolis, Agora, and Mars Hill. We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. We shall also ascend to Mars Hill, view the Agora (the ancient market place where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians). We will also see the House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Palace, Hadrian’s Arch and the Panathenaic Stadium. We will continue to Piraeus Port and embark our cruise ship, enjoying the fellowship of other Christians and excellent teaching.

Day 4: Thessaloniki, Berea
The second largest city in Greece, and the capital of Macedonia, Thessaloniki was named after Alexander the Great’s sister. Paul preached here and founded a church. The New Testament books of Thessalonians are his correspondence with the people of this church. Paul preached in Thessaloniki during the winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire, the House of Jason and the Roman Agora where Paul preached. We shall also see St. Demetrios Church with its valuable mosaics and frescoes and will drive up to the upper town, which offers a marvelous view of the city. The site where the monastery of Vlatadon was built is believed to be the location where Jason’s house once stood and where Paul was accommodated during his visit to Thessaloniki. Journey to Veria—ancient Beria—to the memorial commemorating Paul’s preaching to the local Jews in 54 AD. Still visible today in Veria, is part of the Roman road—the Egnatia Way—its remains a silent witness to Rome’s greatness.

Day 5: Kavala, Philippi
We call at Kavala (ancient Neapolis) where Paul, Timothy and Silas landed on the coast of Thrace. From there, visit Philippi, named after Philip II, father of Alexander. It was here that Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira. Visit the Baptistery of Lydia, the market place (where Paul and Silas were brought before the rulers,) the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where Paul was imprisoned.

Day 6: Pergamon
A tour from Dikili (our port) is to Pergamon, the great city of Bergama and a city of the Book of Revelation. It is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in Turkey. The letter in Revelation “to an angel of the church at Pergamum” was from “the One who has the sharp, two-edged sword.” He spoke of the place where Satan has his throne. This might be the altar of Zeus in the citadel; it is more likely that it refers to the fact that the city was center of the Roman authority for the area and therefore the place of persecution for those who refused to worship Caesar.

Day 7: Sardis, Miletus
We arrive at Kusadasi, a beautiful town where we will remain docked for the next two days. From here we will make our excursions. Today, we visit Sardis, the most picturesque of the Seven Churches. John told the Christians of Sardis that the letter in Revelation was from “the One who holds the seven spirits of God, the seven stars.” He admonished them to “wake-up, and put some strength into what is left.” We will view the ruins which included the famous temple of Artemis lying along the Pactolus River and dates from the Fourth Century BC. Continue for a tour of Miletus. Paul and his companions traveled via Mytilene, Chios and Samos to Miletus where Paul delivered his touching farewell address to the elders of Ephesus and predicted his death.

Day 8: Ephesus, Smyrna
Our tour today takes us to Ephesus, the most impressive archaeological site in Turkey. Extensive excavations have facilitated the restoration of old Ephesus. From the harbor a thirty-five foot wide marble-paved and pillar-lined street led into the interior of the city. The Apostle Paul would have approached the city through this street, entering it through the northern gate, called the Magnesian. Paul suffered many trials and tribulations in Ephesus, leading finally to his imprisonment. We then proceed to Biblical Smyrna, birthplace of the famous epic poet, Homer.

Day 9: Patmos
The island of Patmos is considered an “Holy Island” for the Christian faith since this is the site of the apocalyptic Revelation of John, written here during exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is near the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. The Monastery of St. John, built on one of the island’s highest points, houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury.

Day 10: Corinth
Disembark the cruise ship and begin the tour of ancient Corinth. Here under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first century shops, the agora where Paul was on trial at the Bema, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo, and visit the museum filled with treasures from the ancient sites. We return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Home
This morning we leave Athens and the marvelous sites of the New Testament and return to the U.S. From now on, as we read our Bibles or hear our pastors teach on the Books of the New Testament, we will feel the Bible come alive and enjoy vivid memories of our wonderful adventure. 

In addition, there will be teaching by our guest speakers in places such as the ancient theatres in Philippi, Ephesus, outside the Grotto in Patmos, at Pergamum, Athens, Mars Hill, Pnyx and the Bema in Corinth.
 

Price Per Person Double Occupancy:
October $2,575.00                

Ask about our "Special Rates" for small and large groups.

Price Includes:
Z Round trip air NYC to Athens (low bulk rates available nation-wide)
Z 7-Day cruise on the ship Calypso
Z Inside cabin - double occupancy
Z 2 nights Athens accommodations in first class hotel
Z Breakfasts and dinners while in Athens
Z All meals while on board cruise
Z All land and cruise sightseeing excursions

Not Included
Z Transportation to domestic airport
Z Optional travel insurance
Z Airport taxes (currently, $195.00)
Z Port taxes (currently, $215.00)
Z Gratuities to driver, guides and cruise staff
Z Lunches on port excursions and lunches in Athens
 

Outside Cabin upgrade:
Standard Cabin + $150.00
Superior Cabin upgrade + $250.00
Single Supplement + $675.00