Day 1: Overnight Flight
Paul the Apostle, the prolific writer of the New Testament letters, was one of the first Christian missionaries. Trace his journey through the ancient cities and pastoral countryside of Greece and Turkey.
Day 2: Athens, Greece - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Greece's lively capital, Athens. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in Athens' historic district - the Plaka - a lively historic neighborhood nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Feast on local cuisine and enjoy fine wine in a traditional taverna while Greek entertainment creates a wonderful ambiance around you. Today dinner will be included.
Day 3: Athens - Piraeus (Embarkation) - Mykonos
Embark on a wonderful 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily while on board. Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands, is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, white-washed buildings and beautiful windmills that dot its landscape. Don't miss Mykonos Town, where mazes of narrow streets link the whitewashed buildings and traditional life continues amidst the bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this island paradise Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 4: Kusadasi, Turkey - Patmos, Greece
Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an included excursion to the ruins of Ephesus where Paul the Apostle spent three years during his ministry and where its inhabitants were the recipients of Paul's famous epistle. Visit the House of Mary, where she is said to have spent her last days. A visit to the ruins includes the Agora, the great theater, and the stadium where chariot races took place and gladiatorial combats were held. It is said that Paul himself fought here against wild beasts. Continue your cruise to Patmos, the "Jerusalem of the Aegean." Visit the Monastery of John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist, inspired by God, wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 5: Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini
Arrive early this morning in Heraklion, Crete. Time is allowed for an optional excursion to Knossos, one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the western world and the center of the 4000 BC Minoan civilization. Explore the site and visit the world-famous Knossos Archaeological Museum. Later, arrive on the fabled island of Santorini, known as the "Black Pearl of the Aegean." Accessible by foot, cable-car or donkey, enjoy free time to visit the cliff-top village of Fira for one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 6: Piraeus - Disembark Cruise Ship - Athens - Thessaloniki
After an early morning disembarkation, travel north. Make a picture stop at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defense by Leonidas and his courageous Spartans against the Persian army. Your day ends in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. Founded in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki was an early center for Christianity, where Paul visited and preached during the winters of 49-50 A.D. and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. Visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, one of the finest museums in the world devoted to Byzantine art and civilization with an impressive collection of many Byzantine and early Christian frescoes, icons and artifacts. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 7: Thessaloniki - Kavala - Thessaloniki
Travel to the coastal town of Kavala where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site and monuments spanning the Ancient, Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe. Today breakfast will be included.
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