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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: Athens
We arrive in Athens and check into our hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the city. This evening our group will enjoy the first of many delectable European style dinners.
Day 3: Athens & Plaka
We begin our sightseeing with a tour of
Athens,
the birth place of democracy. Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and
Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and
preached the truth to the Gentile nation during his
missionary journey.
Additional sites include the Agora (ancient market place and center of
Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. A short walk from your
hotel is the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes. This
evening we will meet together for a time of preaching and singing.
Day 4: Corinth - Mycenae
This morning we leave Athens by motor coach, stop
for a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal and then travel to the ancient
city of Corinth.,
another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that
inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters. See the Archaeological
Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional
in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars,
steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your
understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important
cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the
Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these
people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to
modern day.
Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical
care of that period.
After the visit to ancient Corinth we travel to
Mycenae where the remains of the ancient city date back to the Bronze Age.
We will have a lunch stop (on our own) today in Mycenae at a wonderful
restaurant
where Jackie Kennedy Onassis enjoyed lunch. This
afternoon we see the famous Lionesse Gate, the Tomb of Agamennon in the
shape of a Beehive, and many other sites before returning to Athens for
the evening.
Day 5: Cruising Mykonos
We sail this afternoon from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills.
In route we will get together in the theatre for a time of song and
another teaching session. This evening we experience the Mykonos waterfront lined with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner
and evening activities.
Cruise
Ship Info
Day 6: Rhodes
After breakfast we will visit
Rhodes. This ancient fortified city was built by the knights of St. John and is rich in Roman and Greek culture. Stroll down the Street of the Knights to the market area for shopping and a wonderful Greek lunch. You may enjoy an optional tour to the ancient city of Lindos. Magnificently situated between two bays with sandy beaches, an ancient acropolis and medieval castle, Lindos is famous as a most striking and impressive city. Again we return to the ship for dinner.
Day
7: Patmos & Kusadasi, Turkey
This morning we visit the Isle of
Patmos, under statutory protection as a historic monument.
We will take a tour to see the fortified
monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where John received the Revelation. Docking in
Turkey, we tour
Ephesus,
the city of the Bible and one of the largest restorations still in
progress with miles of ancient treasures. Ephesus was once a thriving port
town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular
excavations of the major streets in this ancient city where we view the
Library, Agora, Temple of Artemis, theatre, colorful mosaics, a panoramic
view of the surrounding ancient port area including a wealth of church
history and cultural insight. The day will not be
complete without a visit to a local Turkish Rug cooperative. Our
lodging this evening will be in Kusadasi.
Day 8: Ephesus,
Colossae, Aphrodisias & Laodicea
A wealth of artifacts awaits us at the Museum of Ephesus. The city of
Aphrodisias
thrived as the center for worship of the goddess Aphrodite until
five-hundred years after Christ and the extensive excavations of theatre,
church, coliseum and city agora give great insight into the Christian
persecution during that time. Lunch at a charming
wood-fired pita bread oven restaurant is a lovely experience.
Colossae
is well-known throughout Christian circles as the receiver of Paul's
letter to the Colossians. Today, the town has fallen into obscurity and
nothing remains. Known as being "luke-warm" in the book of Revelation (Rev 3:14-22),
Laodicea contains many acres of ruins to visit including a stadium
and remnants of a sophisticated water system. Our lodging this evening will be in
a lovely spa hotel in
Pamukkale.
Day 9: Philadelphia, Sardis,
Thyatira, Smyrna
Philadelphia
was referred to as the "New Jerusalem" (Rev. 3:7-13) in the Book
of Revelation, yet today, not much is left of the city except for the
ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica in the modern city of
Alasehir.
Sardis
was berated by John for its facade of strength when in reality, it was
weak (Rev. 3:1-6). Here coins were minted and the dyeing of wood
originated. We'll visit the gymnasium and
synagogue. A stop will be made in
Thyatira to view the ancient roadway and
period columns. Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and a long time
center for Jews and Christians. In Paul's day, Izmir was known as
Smyrna
and was another of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2:8-11). Here we'll see
Polycarp's Church and the ancient agora. Our lodging this evening will be in
Izmir.
Day 10:
Pergamum &
Ancient Troy
Once a busy trading
center and famous as a "seller of purple," the most favored of the Seven
Churches, the church of
Pergamum
was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17). It was here that the first
Christians were executed by Rome. We'll visit the fabled Acropolis, pass
through the Royal Gates, view the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and
visit the ruins of the library, which once held 200,000 volumes. Ancient Troy is well known for its 3rd and 4th Century BC
excavations. Don't forget to have your picture taken from the top of
the Trojan Horse. We pass by the area known as
Troas,
where Paul had a vision during his second missionary journey and was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:8-13). Paul later spent a week in Troas preaching here and Eutychus
was resurrected (Acts 20:6-12). Our lodging this evening will be in
picturesque
Çanakkale.
Day 11:
Constantinople
This morning our bus
boards a large ferry for the scenic crossing of the
Dardanelles to
"Trace," the European portion of Turkey. Views of the
bunkers on the hillside and the ocean going vessels give clear
understanding to the commentary of the British major losses and World War
I defeat in the Dardanelles Strait. Sea
of Marmara with thousands of summer homes will provide the scenery as we
travel to Istanbul. Upon arrival we will visit the fascinating Topkapi
Palace housing the many priceless treasures and colorful stories of
Ottoman Sultans. Our lodging for the next two evenings will be in
Istanbul.
Day 12: Bustling Istanbul
The tour today will be an unusual combination of Greek Orthodox, Roman,
Ottoman and modern day
Islam
with a city driving tour and entrance into the famed
Blue Mosque and
St. Sophia Church. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey
is a thriving seaport and commerce center with a marvelous Bazaar and
Spice Market allowing for a perfect
opportunity to pick up those last minute souvenirs and gift items. The
entire afternoon is free for you to shop and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Day 13: Homeward
An early morning flight will bring us home by this afternoon.
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Price Includes:
Air fare (low cost
add-on fares available nationwide), standard inside cabin,
first class (4 Star) lodging, breakfast and dinner daily,
modern transportation, sightseeing as listed,
air taxes (currently $285), port taxes ($65.00), Turkey visa
($25.00), port tour of Patmos.
Not included:
Travel insurance, gratuities to ship personnel,
gratuities to guides and drivers on land portion,
lunches on land portion, credit card payment will incur a fee
of an additional 3%.
Single Supplement - $625
Outside Cabin Upgrade - Only
$75 Per Person
Cruise
Ship Info
Note: The cruise portion is not a
Christian charter. We will have our own private programs and
meeting times on both the land and cruise portions.
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