Itinerary
DAY 1: Flight with Emirates Airlines via Singapore and Dubai to Athens
DAY 2: ATHENS ARRIVAL Upon your Athens arrival our representative will meet, welcome and assist you in your transfer to the hotel. After check-in welcome dinner at hotel and overnight stay. (D)
DAY 3: ATHENS - CORINTH – CENCHREAE - ATHENS Drive along the picturesque Corinthian Gulf and stop for pictures at the famous and breathtaking Corinthian Canal. Continue on to Ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) where the apostle Paul lived and worked and from where he sent his first and second letters to the Corinthians. Here we see all the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small local archaeological museum here is an absolute must! In Romans 16:23 Paul mentions his friend Erastus and we will see an inscription to him at the site. Before returning to Athens we will see Cenchreae, the ancient seaport from where the apostle Paul set sail for Ephesus. In the afternoon we enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour of Athens (Acts 17:15). We climb up to Acropolis Hill and see the spectacular Parthenon. Then we go to nearby Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul preached to the philosophers of his day. After the tour return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)
DAY 4: DAY AT LEISURE Free day in Athens. Dinner and overnight at hotel.(B,D)
DAY 5: ATHENS – METEORA - KALAMBAKA We leave Athens early in the morning and reach Kalambaka where we enjoy a spectacular drive up to visit Meteora. Colossal symmetrical gray and reddish boulders, as though pushed upwards from the bowels of mother earth by an invisible hand, sustain breathtaking beautiful monasteries perched precariously high above the ground. They were first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation, accessible only by ropes thrown from above. We will climb through steps built since. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes. After the visit return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)
DAY 6: KALAMBAKA – BEREA - THESSALONICA Today we leave Kalambaka and drive to Berea (Acts 17:10) where the Apostle Paul arrived, and according to his custom went to the synagogue. To his pleasant surprise, he discovered that these Jews were “more noble” than those he had encountered in Thessalonica. We see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching. According to the local tradition, it was at this place where he stood and delivered his sermons (Acts 17:10-11). We continue on to Thessalonica (Acts 17:6) where Paul also preached. He sent his first and second letters to the Thessalonians. Here we see the Egnatian Road, the Galerius Arch, the Citadel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Thessalonica. (B,D)
DAY 7: THESSALONICA – PHILIPPI – KAVALA – THESSALONICA We drive on our way to Philippi by the Lion statue of Amphipolis (Acts 17:1) (short stop for photos). Picturesque drive to the city of Philippi (Acts 19:19). Here Paul established the first church in Europe. Here we see the river where Lydia was baptized and the Ancient Forum and jail where possibly Paul and Silas were kept. On the return journey, we pass by the beautiful city of Kavala (Neapolis) (Acts 16:11). Late in the afternoon return to Thessalonica for dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)
DAY 8: ATHENS – PIRAEUS, EMBARKATION ON 3-DAY CRUISE -MYKONOS, GREECE At 8:30 in the morning we transfer to the port of Piraeus for our 3-Day Cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey. Embarkation and sail for Mykonos at 11:00 a.m. In the afternoon (5:30 p.m.), call at Mykonos. It combines international jet-set atmosphere. Stroll at leisure through the whitewashed, flower-decked alleyways, climbing to the sculpture church of Paraportiani or along the waterfront of «Little Venice». The panoramic view from the old windmills is wonderful. Return to the ship and sail for Rhodes at 10:00 p.m. (B,L,D)
DAY 9: RHODES, GREECE At 9:30 a.m. we arrive at Rhodes. In ancient times, the Colossus of Rhodes was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This stronghold was built by a Crusading Order, which originated from Palestine. Our optional morning half-day excursion takes us to visit the Temple of Athena on the majestic rocky Acropolis of Lindos, with the blue Aegean Sea beneath it and the sophisticated whitewashed artists' colony at its foot. Local tradition has it, that Paul’s ship on its way to Rome, spent some time in the small harbor. We have the afternoon free in Rhodes. Stroll around the medieval walled city; enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere from one of the elegant cafes in the marina. Sail for Patmos at 7:30 p.m. (B,L,D)
DAY 10: PATMOS, GREECE - KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEY At 6:30 a.m. we arrive at Patmos, this beautiful and almost mysterious rocky island where the apostle John was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. We have an optional tour: we drive up to the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist where we have a wonderful view of the island. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation. After some free time for browsing, return to the ship and sail for sailing for Kusadasi, Turkey at 10:00 a.m. We dock at 2:00 p.m. at Kusadasi in Turkey where we disembark after lunch.(B,L) In the afternoon arrive at Ephesus, one of the New Testament's most significant cities (Rev. 2:1-7). Apostle Paul came here in 53 A.D. and according to tradition Apostle John wrote his Gospel here and where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Visit the ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, including the HOUSE OF MARY and the BASILICA OF JOHN THE EVANGELIST. (BB,D)
DAY 11: KUSADASI – LAODICEIA – PAMUKKALE Leaving Kusadasi, drive inland heading Pamukkale through the Meander valley. Before Pamukkale, travel to the ancient city and church of Laodiceia where Apostle John chastised the inhabitants for being lukewarm (Rev. 3:14-22). Afterwards arrive in Pamukkale, home to the spectacular hot springs and naturally formed limestone cascades. Visit the nearby ruins of HIERAPOLIS, an important seat of early Christianity, including the MARTYRIUM of Apostle Philip. (BB,D)
DAY 12: PAMUKKALE – ALASEHIR – SART – IZMIR This morning you will continue to Alasehir (Philadelphia), the church which received God's highest commendation (Rev. 3:7-13). Afterwards, travel to Sart (Sardis), the church with a reputation for being alive, but God announced that it was dead (Rev. 3:1-6). Arrive in Izmir, where the rest of your day is at leisure. (BB,D)
DAY 13: IZMIR - BERGAMA - CANAKKALE This morning enjoy an orientation tour of Izmir (Smyrna), a city established in 3,000 B.C. and one of the Seven Churches which John referred to as the poor, persecuted church that God announced was rich (Rev. 2:8-11). Afterwards drive to Bergama (Pergamum), the church where The Lord is described as having a two-edged sword (Rev. 2:12-17). Visit the ACROPOLIS and the ASCLEPIEON of ancient Pergamum. Continue north following the Aegean coast to legendary Troy to visit the ancient city. (BB,D)
DAY 14: CANAKKALE - GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL This morning take ferry from Asia to Europe across the Dardanelles, and visit the battlefields of Gallipoli campaign of WW1 including the ANZAC Cove, the Lone Pine and the Nek. Drive to Istanbul through the European part of Turkey. Catch a evening flight to Munich.(BB,D)
DAY 15: MUNICH (B, D) Start the day with a morning sightseeing tour of Munich. First visit the Palace of Nymphenburg, former residence of Ludwig I, King of Bavaria. It is famous for its “Gallery of Beauty”, a collection of paintings of the most beautiful women of Ludwig’s day. Pass the former Olympic grounds, see the classical buildings and many other interesting places as Royal Square (Koenigsplatz), Ludwigstreet, the University etc. Take a walk through the traditional center of the city with the Church of the Lady (Frauenkirche Cathedral) and Marienplatz where you can view the famous Glockenspiel. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a dinner with Bavarian folklore show in the evening. Overnight at hotel. (BB, Dinner)
DAY 16: OBERAMMERGAU The history of the Passion Play at Oberammergau goes back to 1634, when the quaint alpine village of Oberammergau was threatened by the deadly and contagious disease known as the Black Plague that scourged Europe, killing two-thirds of the population of Germany. The people of Oberammergau vowed that if the village could be spared, a re-enactment of the life and suffering of Christ would be performed. The village was miraculously saved from the ravages of the Black Death. Since that date, the play has been performed every ten years. Spend a leisure morning in Oberammergau. After lunch take seats in the theater to attend the performance of the world-famous Passion Play. This Play is performed by local villagers – often roles are handed down from generation to generation within families. Dinner is included during a 3 hours break in the late afternoon. Performance lasts until 10:30 PM. Dinner and Overnight in or around Oberammergau. (BB, Dinner)
DAY 17: MUNICH Transfer to Munich airport for return or onward flights.(B)