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Greece in Detail & Italy Tour/Cruise |
(18 day first
class & tourist class package)
July 28-August 14,
September 22-October 9, November 3-20, 2007
April 12-29
(with Apostle Paul),
May 17-June 3, June 7-24,
2008
Day 1
• Departure
Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures
and Christian history with an overnight flight to
Thessalonica. Prepare yourself for a
life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be
walking where the apostles walked!
Day 2
• Arrival Thessalonica
We transfer to our hotel in Thessalonica,
Macedonia
for the next two evenings. The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians
will come alive to us today. En route to the hotel we will view the old
city ramparts; the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient
Roman monument which was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch
which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. The remainder of the day is free
to relax and explore on your own.
Day 3
• Thessalonica/Philippi/Kavala
We begin the day by following the massive battlement Byzantine wall to the
citadel for a panoramic view of the city. Next, we will visit
Philippi and
Kavala. Kavala is Greece's prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbor. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of the Bible! We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th century as
Kavala. Continue on to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. We will
view the baptismal site where Lydia surrendered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for
Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre. We return to Thessalonica
and visit St. Demetrius basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of
the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert before returning to the
hotel for the night.
Day 4
• Berea/Meteora Monastery
A stop will be made in
Berea to view the Bema surrounded by newly placed
mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more
noble" church. We also visit King Phillip's (Alexander's father) tomb in Vergina,
one of the most outstanding finds in all of Greece. This afternoon we
see the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into
monasteries. Our lodging this evening will be in Meteora.
Day 5
• Athens & Plaka
From the mountains, our tour travels southward past
Thermopylae
and on to the city 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. 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.
Day
6
• 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. 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. We will be sure to
gather for a devotional around the Bema where Paul stood and challenged
the Corinthians. The Museum houses a variety of antiquities to include
pottery, statues, mosaics and art work. 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
7
• Cruising Mykonos
We sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called
the island of windmills. Experience the 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 entertainment.
Cruise
Ship Info
Day
8
•
Rhodes
The largest of our adventure islands, Rhodes 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 and evening entertainment.
Day
9
• Patmos & Ephesus, Turkey
This morning we visit the Isle of
Patmos, under statutory protection as a historic monument.
You may choose to take an optional tour to see the fortified
monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where John received the Revelation. Docking in
Turkey,
enjoy an optional tour of
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. We'll view the Library, Agora, Temple of Artemis and visit the Basilica of St. John. The basilica is believed to be the site of the grave of John. From here we'll also enjoy a panoramic view of the area.
Back on the ship, enjoy the Captain's dinner before settling in to your
cabin for the night.
Day
10
• Optional Day - Delphi or Cape Sounion
Those interested in an optional tour
of Delphi will need to disembark early at 700 AM. Those taking this tour
will travel to lovely mountain region of Delphi-the ancient
sanctuary of Apollo. Here you will gain a greater understanding of the Greek
religious heritage and their influence on the early Christian church. We
also visit the museum where we will marvel at the site of the
Charioteer, a bronze statue so delicate we will see his eyelashes.
You may choose to visit the Plaka where you can
find the finest of jewelry, leather, pottery and marble, or the fun
souvenirs all "tourists" enjoy. Be sure to taste the Greek
almonds and pistachios from the street vendors. If you choose not to
shop, there are several interesting museums including the
Museum of Folklore or the National Archaeological Museum. This afternoon,
you may choose to travel along a coastal road past many wonderful beaches to the
southern most point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where the white marble
pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand. Today's sightseeing is at your
own expense.
Day 11: Rome
We transfer to the airport for
our flight
to Rome, our home for the next three nights. The remainder of the
day is free with many things to do and see.
Day 12 • Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St.
Peter Basilica
After breakfast you will begin a full day of site seeing. First visit
Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine
Chapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn.
After some free time for lunch, you will visit the 4th century Basilica
of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the traditional site of Paul’s tomb, and
the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice
of indulgences. The spiritual and historical insight gained from this
tour will be invaluable to you in your understanding and application of
scriptural truths.
Day 13
•
Forum, Mamertine Prison, Coliseum, Catacombs
We begin our walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where our guide will divulge its secrets.
We will visit the Arch of Titus which commemorated the sack of Jerusalem
by Titus in AD 70.. We will step inside the Mamertine Prison, where
tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned.
Next, we visit the
Coliseum, where thousands of people and animals perished during
gladiatorial games. The Coliseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100
days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughter of
both humans and animals continued for three more centuries. Historians
believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people
depending on how close the seating was. The floor has recently had a
plank placed over the middle making it accessible for people to walk
over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators used to
transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories of the
games that have fascinated people for years. We conclude our day at the
Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable
tiered series of galleries.
Day 14 • Frescoes, Assisi, Montecatini
After breakfast you will say “Arrivederci Roma” and board your coach and
travel to the ancient walled hillside village of Assisi. After lunch on
your own, you will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful, medieval town,
which will include the Basilica San Francesco, decorated with some of
the most renowned frescoes in the world. Then, we travel on to the spa
village of Montecatini, our place of lodging for the next two nights.
Day 15 • Beautiful Florence, Michelangelo’s
David & Free Time
After breakfast, you will spend the morning enjoying a guided tour of Florence, one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals, which will include the Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistry and a visit to the Accademia
Galley, home of Michelangelo’s David. A stop will also be made on the
overlook across the river from Florence where we will take a panoramic
group photo with the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape in the
background.
This afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy shopping, visiting more galleries or strolling on the famous Pont Vecchio, the old bridge which spans the Arno
River. Remember that Florence leather shops are the best in the world
and bargains on excellent quality goods are abundant. It may be the time
to purchase those special Christmas gifts.
Day 16 • Pisa & Venice
This morning we tour Pisa where you will visit the Baptistry, Duomo and the famous leaning tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Following lunch we travel northward to romantic Venice where we
overnight just outside the city for two nights.
Day 17 • Venice
After breakfast, we'll begin sightseeing on a leisurely walking tour of Venice. We'll visit the city's most famous landmarks such as the Basilica of San Marco, St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace. The remainder of the day is on our own
to stroll through a labyrinth of criss-cross canals, arched bridges, palaces, charming waterside restaurants and little quiet piazzas. For those who wish, your tour host may arrange a private glassblowing presentation at the famous Murano
Venetian glass makers. Shoppers will enjoy the vast array of beautiful
pieces of glass available in the city's many fine stores. During your
free time, you may also choose to board gondolas for a relaxing canal
cruise.
Day 18 • Home
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to the USA.
| All
prices subject to availability at time of booking. |
| Dates |
Approximate Air & Land - NYC |
Land Only
No Transfers |
| July, August |
$4337 |
$3245 |
| October |
$3995 |
$3245 |
| November |
$3795 |
$3145 |
| April, 2008 with the Apostle Paul
- Info:
Click Here |
$4185 |
$3415 |
| May |
$4095 |
$3345 |
| June |
$4515 |
$3355 |
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Discount
add-on air available from anywhere in the U.S. |
Ask
About Special Rates for Pastors,
Christian Educators & Parties of 6 or More
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Single Supplement - $895
Outside Cabin - Only $125
Category Prices -
Cruise
Ship Info
Price
Includes:
NYC
departure (low cost add-on fares available nationwide),
inside cabin
(category D), 4 star lodging in Greece, 3 star lodging in Italy, breakfast and dinner
daily in Greece, breakfast daily and 2 dinners in Italy, modern transportation, sightseeing as listed.
Not included:
Air taxes, transportation to domestic airport, travel insurance,
port taxes ($65.00), port tours, gratuities.
Please Note:
Visa not required for optional touring listed for Ephesus, Turkey.
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