(11 day first class package) 

April 12-22, 2008

Your host for this tour will be the Reverend Dr. Harry E. Olson, Jr.  Rev. Olson is the senior pastor of Zion Lutheran Church and School, Deerfield Beach, FL.  Rev. Olson has served congregations in Illinois, North Dakota, Arizona, California, Nevada, The Bahamas, and Florida.  He is an international traveler and speaker. "Come join with me as we 'walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul'.  Our tour will take us through Greece and Turkey to witness the ministry of the Apostles Paul and John as well.  I look forward to sharing these 11 days together with you".

Introduction

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group

Day 1: April 12 - Departure from US
Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight from Miami (optional – other gateway cities) 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: April 13 - Arrival Thessalonica
We transfer to our hotel in Thessalonica, Macedonia, our home 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: April 14 - Thessalonica/Philippi/Kavala
We begin the day by following the massive Byzantine battlement 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: April 15 - Berea/Meteora Monastery
We leave Thessalonica this morning for Meteora.  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: April 16 - Athens & Plaka
Leaving Meteora and 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: April 17 - Corinth - Mycenae 
This morning we leave Athens by motor coach, stopping 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 to 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: April 18 - Cruising Mykonos 
We sail this morning from Athens (the Port of Piraeus) 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 (including the famous five white churches) before returning to the ship for dinner and evening activities.

Day 8: April 19 - 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. Explore the massive fortress of the Palace of Grand Masters and peer into the tiny rooms of the inns which once housed the knights.  You will also see where the towering Colossus of Rhodes – one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world – once stood.  You may also 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.  This evening we participate in a special Greek night on board.

Day 9: April 20 - Patmos & Kusadasi, 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 Byzantine monastery of St. John and the Grotto of Chora, the cave claimed to be where John received the Revelation. Docking in Turkey at the Port of Kusadasi this afternoon you can 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 and before settling in to your cabin for the night.

Day 10: April 21 – Athens - Optional Day, free time, Delphi or Cape Sounion
We leave the ship this morning at the Port of Piraeus and travel back into Athens .Those interested in an optional tour of Delphi will need to disembark early at 7:00 AM. Those taking this tour will travel to the 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.  After returning to Athens 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.  Overnight in Athens.

Day 11: April 22 - Homeward
An early morning flight will bring us home to Miami or your gateway city by this afternoon.  We know you will have many lifetime memories of your tour … Walking in the Footsteps of Paul.