DAY 1: USA/ATHENS
Overnight flight to Athens.
Day 2: ATHENS
Upon arrival at Athens airport you will be met by our representative for transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: ATHENS
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will enjoy a sightseeing tour with a visit to the legendary Acropolis. We visit the chief jewel of the Acropolis - the Parthenon, the Temple of Wingless Victory, the Propylea and the Erechteum with its peerless Porch of Maidens. Beneath the Acropolis is the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is where St. Paul made his famous "Men of Athens" speech revealing a considerable knowledge of the Greek philosophy and character. Afterwards we check in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4: ATHENS – PIRAEUS - CRUISE
We are transferred from our hotel to the seaport of Piraeus, where we board our cruise ship for our four-day cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. That same afternoon, we arrive at the island of Mykonos. We are free to explore this picturesque island, startling white against the multi-hued sunset. Dinner and overnight stay aboard our ship.
Day 5: SANTORINI - CRETE
This morning, we arrive at Santorini, the island thought by many to be the lost continent of Atlantis. Here we ascend the steep cliffs by cable car. Atop, we will find the village with typical island house, narrow streets with interesting shops. At our second port of call today, we visit Heraklion on the island of Crete, the largest of the Greek island, where Paul was shipwrecked during his journey to Rome. Here we will find the ruins of the Minoan church and the museum depicting the birth of the Minoan civilization. Dinner and overnight stay aboard our ship.
Day 6: RHODES
We arrive this morning at the island of Rhodes, a sparkling isle with golden beaches, forested hills and fragrant flowers. According to Acts 21:1 Paul stopped on the island of Rhodes on his way to Palestine (Israel) via Troas (Troy). Today we enjoy a half-day trip to Lindos, where tradition holds that Paul landed on his sea voyage. Here visitors will see the Acropolis of Lindos, site of the Temple of Athena, one of the most beautiful in all Greece. After a day of touring and/or relaxation, shopping or swimming, we will re-board our ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: PATMOS - EPHESUS (Kusadasi)
This morning, our ship will dock in Patmos, which was considered sacred and is often referred to as the "Jerusalem of the Aegean". It was here that the Evangelist St. John received the inspiration for the Apocalypse. Our excursion will visit the Monastery of St. John, a huge fortress-like building dating from the 11th century. We will also visit the grotto, where tradition says that St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. We return to our ship for lunch as we continue our journey. This afternoon, we will dock at Kusadasi, where our excursion takes us to Ephesus, where Paul spent two years during his ministry. We first visit the site of the Temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Some of the most spectacular ruins of the ancient world are to be found in Ephesus, the city to whom St. Paul wrote his famous epistle. Early Christian tradition also believes that Mary, the Mother of Our Lord also lived here with St. John. We will visit the Chapel of Panaya Kapulu, which tradition tells us is the house of the Blessed Mother. We will celebrate our Mass on this site. We may then walk the streets of the modern Turkish resort city of Kusadasi before returning to the ship at dockside port. Dinner and overnight aboard ship.
Day 8: PIRAEUS – CORINTH - ATHENS
Upon Arrival in Piraeus, we disembark and drive along the coastal highway to Corinth, with a splendid view of the Aegean Sea. After a short stop at the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas, we arrive in Ancient Corinth. We visit the ruins of Corinth, where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. Included are the first century shops, the Agora, Temple of Apollo and the Bema Seat. In the afternoon return to Athens for check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9: ATHENS/USA
Morning transfer to the airport for our return flight home. Arrive in the USA the same day.
