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Not Included: Tour
escort during cruise, Airport taxes (approx. $120-$180,
subject to change), Lunches. Travel Insurance optional at
$99-$229
Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Depart USA to Greece
Evening departure from your home town, for the overnight
flight to Greece. Dinner and breakfast will be served on
board.
Day 2 - Arrive Thessaloniki, Greece
Connect flight to Thessaloniki. You will be met and
transferred to your hotel. Time to relax, meet your fellow
pilgrims, dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 3 - Phillippi, Kavala, Thessaloniki
Visit Philippi where Paul delivered his first sermon in
Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. "And
from there (He went) to Philippi, which is the leading city
of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We
remained in this city some days..." Acts 16:12-18 Here
Paul baptized a certain woman named Lydia, the first
Christian convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely
excavated, is from after Paul's time. Among the ruins,
located on the rocky ledge above the town's main road is the
prison where Paul and Silas were thrown. Continue into the
modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul
accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in
Europe. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 4 - Thessaloniki, Meteora: Thessaloniki city-tour
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 at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the
Roman Empire. Depart for Kalambaka, Meteora Monasteries.
Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 5 - Kalambaka - Delphi
Visit Meteora Monasteries. Among striking scenery, perched
on top of huge rocks, that seem to be suspended in mid-air,
stand ageless monasteries where you can see exquisite
specimens of Byzantine art. Continue to Delphi.
Day 6 - Delphi - Athens
Visit Delphi, the center of the ancient world (navel) of the
earth, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of
the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a
landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins
of the Sanctuary of Apollo Phthios. Visit the site and the
museum and continue to Athens.“ Men of Athens, I
perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I
passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I
found also an altar with this inscription “ to an unknown
God”. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim
to you…”. Athens,
is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the
cradle of western civilization as we know it today. Dinner
and overnight at our hotel.
Day 7- Athens - Excursion to Corinth
We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the
Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. For twenty five
centuries, the panorama of this city is dominated by the
rock of the Acropolis; we see the ruins of the Parthenon,
the Erectheum and the Propylae. Afterwards, we will ascend
Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about
the one and only * God. From here we have an excellent view
of the ancient agora; former center of the Athenian public
life. We continue for a drive through the city to see the
House of Parliament on Syntagma Square, the evzones in their
picturesque uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We also see the Library,
the University, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first
Olympics of the modern era were held, the temple of the
Olympian Zeus and Adrian’s Arch. This afternoon we continue
our tour to Ancient Corinth. Here, under the shadow of the
towering Acropolis, St. 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 the first century shops, the
agora where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain
of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Return to Athens
for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 - Athens - Start 3-day Cruise (Luis Hellenic Cruise
Lines) Mykonos
Our first port-of-call is Mykonos. It is the most
cosmopolitan of all Greek islands and attracts many visitors
from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists
and intellectuals. Your coaches will take you to Hora the
island's capital where you'll enjoy a walking tour in the
narrow cobbled streets of the town, passing by chic
boutiques, elegant nightclubs and white washed houses till
reaching Alefkandra. Alefkandra is a charming corner of
Hora, known also as the "Venice" of Mykonos. The houses are
built on the sea, with wooden balconies that evoke Venice.
These were built from the mid 18th century onward and were
homes of wealthy merchants and captains. At one of the
famous restaurants of Alefkandra you'll enjoy the sunset on
Mykonos island while drinking your refreshment accompanied
by Greek meze. You'll return then to Mykonos Town (Hora)
from where you'll take the ship's shuttle service back to
the port to meet your ship!
Day 9 - Kusadasi & Ephesus (Mary's House) & Patmos
We begin our day arriving at Kusadasi is a lively Turkish
port. Drive through the colourful town of Kusadasi to reach
Mt. Koressos. Situated in a small valley, it is here where
you will visit the humble chapel which lies on the site of
the little house where The Virgin Mary is believed to have
spent her last days. Despite the many controversies, the
Christian World still favours this belief and the site has
been officially sanctioned by the Vatican for pilgrimage.
Continue on to Ancient Ephesus and accompanied by your
guide, walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance
to the ancient city of Ephesus. Your guided walking tour
will take you through one of the most magnificent
excavations in the world. See the Odeon (concert hall), the
Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika,
the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of
Celsus and The Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached, which
is the largest theatre in antiquity having a capacity of
24,000 people. Walk back to your motor coach along the
Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in
procession. While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside
Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected
over his grave in the 6th Century AD by the Emperor
Justinian. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time in
Kusadasi.
Continue our journey, Patmos, where we will enjoy a short
journey to the village of Chora, where the monastery of St.
John is built within the walls of a strong fortification. As
you walk uphill towards the entrance of the monastery marvel
at this magnificent structure, which was build 900 years
ago, exceptional in its architecture. View the courtyard,
the monk's dining room and the old bakery before you visit
the main church noting its outstanding frescoes and interior
decoration. Next, see the priceless ecclesiastical treasures
housed in the beautiful but small museum: books and
manuscripts, mosaics, Icons, splendid medieval textiles and
vestments as well as jewelry. Return to your motorcoach to
continue on to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse, where
above stands the Monastery of the Apocalypse, a sub-unit of
the main monastery. Walk down the steps to visit the Grotto
of the Apocalypse. Here you will see the silver niches in
the wall that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by
the author of the Book of the Revelation as well as the
three-fold crack made by the voice of God emphasizing the
honor of the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to the
port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint and
picturesque harbor.
Day 10 - Heraklion and Santorini
In the morning we will visit Heraklion. Heraklion is just
three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of
Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the
elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of
King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. It is in
Heraklion where Paul met the owner and captain of the ship
who warned him of continuing his journey to Rome. In the
afternoon we will cruise on to the idyllic island of
Santorini . Santorin is perhaps the most breathtaking of all
the Greek Islands. In the town of Thira white-washed houses,
narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques
cling to steep cliffs, accessible by cable-car or mule.
Return back to the ship.
Day 11 *- Piraeus - Athens - USA
Today marks the end of our cruise. After
disembarkation you will be transferred to Athens airport.
*All flights booked through 206 Tours will depart Athens
11:30AM or later. In the event 206 Tours is not able to
arrange flights to your final destination on the same day we
will overnight you at our expense.
Additional Information & Travel Tips
What to Know Before You Go to Greece
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| Travel Dates |
Special
Events |
Land Only
(no airfare) |
Air & Land
(+ airport taxes) |
# of
Pilgrims |
|
Jun 24 - Jul 4, 2011 |
|
$2,549 |
$3,849 |
|
Jul 29 - Aug 8, 2011 |
|
$2,549 |
$3,849 |
|
Aug 19 - Aug 29, 2011 |
|
$2,599 |
$3,999 |
|
Sep 2 - Sep 12, 2011 |
|
$2,499 |
$3,549 |
|
Oct 7 - Oct 17, 2011 |
|
$2,499 |
$3,549 |
|
Oct 28 - Nov 7, 2011 |
|
$2,399 |
$3,299 |
|
Single Supplement/Private Room |
$899 |
|
Business Class Upgrade (one-way) |
$1,650 |
|
Business Class Upgrade (round trip) |
$3,300 |
|
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