12 Days in the Footsteps of Paul

DAY 1 – DEPART USA / ROME / ATHENS
Early afternoon departure on your transatlantic flight to Rome connecting on to Athens. Meals and refreshments served aloft according to airlines flight schedule.

DAY 2 – (ATHENS)
After a brief touch-down in Rome, we connect with our flight to Athens. Afternoon arrival in Athens. You will be met and assisted, then transferred to your hotel. Use the balance of the day to become acclimated. Wander on your own in this city of imposing squares, and let Greek hospitality overwhelm you. Welcome dinner at your hotel.

DAY 3 – (ATHENS & CORINTH)
Our sightseeing includes an excursion to ancient Corinth. A drive along the Saronic Gulf across the Corinth Canal through rolling vineyards to ancient Corinth which was the most beautiful and frivolous city of Roman Greece. Visit the Doric style Temple of Apollo, the market place, museum, the Fountain of Pirene, the Agora, and the Bema from which Paul preached so well. Return to Athens in time for a late lunch on our own. Remainder of the day at leisure for browsing and shopping in the 'Plaka Area', overnight in Athens.

DAY 4 – (ATHENS & ACROPOLIS)
Buffet breakfast this morning. Today our guided tour will show both the ancient and modern aspects of Athens. From the pleasant residential area, to the House of Parliament, Constitution Square, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and atop the ever imposing Acropolis, the most celebrated of all Greek ruins – the Parthenon. On the Acropolis, visit its museum and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens. In the late afternoon transfer to Piraeus to embark on Royal Olympic Golden Fleece Cruise – Check-in is from 4:00 to 5:30 P.M. - Your floating hotel will be your home for the next seven nights.

DAY 5 – (SANTORINI & HERAKLION, CRETE)
Today enjoy a short trip by local boat to Athenios harbor. Optional Shore excursion to enjoy a guided tour of Santorini. Board your motorcoach and proceed to the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Often compared to Pompeii, Akrotiri boasts a much earlier age and preserves amazing ruins dating back to the second millennium BC. Walk through the well kept passage way in the excavated area and marvel at the beautiful pottery, the two and three story houses, which were once decorated with renowned wall paintings, the staircases and a great variety of rooms, roads, and squares of a city 3,500 years old! Enjoy the town at leisure or perhaps relax over coffee as you gaze down upon Kamenes, the two black volcanic islets in the Caldera Bay. Afterwards, return to the small pier of Scala by cable car or mule, where the vessel's tenders will take you back to the ship. Arrive 7:00 A.M – Depart 11:00 A.M. In the afternoon, we cruise to Heraklion (Crete). Enjoy an Optional Shore excursion with a guided tour of Heraklion – The Palace of Knossos, a short drive from the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion town to Knossos, once the capital city of the prehistoric Minoan civilization, and thought to be the basis for the original Labyrinth housing the mythological Minotaur. Follow your guide in order to visit a portion of the excavation and partially reconstructed palace of King Minos, as well as the surrounding area. The palace houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, decorated with frescoes and shields, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King's Chamber housing the alabaster throne amidst paintings of griffins and lilies and the Queen's Apartment, adorned with murals of dolphins and spirals reminding us of the legend of the Labyrinth. Return to your motorcoach and drive back to Heraklion where you have the choice to either enjoy a guided tour through the extraordinary Archaeological Museum, viewing the unique items from the Minoan culture or spend free time in town to browse at the shops. Afterwards, return to the port by your motorcoach in time for ship's departure. Arrive 3:30 P.M. – Depart 8:00 P.M.

DAY 6 – CRUISING (RHODES, GREECE)
Today cruise to the island of Rhodes, also known as the "Island of Roses." Optional shore excursion to enjoy a guided tour of Rhodes, according to legend, the bronze Colossus of Rhodes stood astride the harbor. In the middle of the city is a medieval town built by the Knights of St. John. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the town of Rhodes, the elegant cafes, and the yacht harbor. Arrive 1:30 P.M. – Depart at 8:00 P.M.

DAY 7 – CRUISING (PATMOS & KUSADASI - EPHESUS, TURKEY)
Cruise towards Patmos, where St. John the Divine received the mystical revelation, which forms the last book of the New Testament. Your optional excursion takes you to the Grotto of the Revelation, and the 11th century monastery of St. John (which houses the original manuscript of the gospel) Arrive 7:00 A.M. – Depart 10:00 A.M. We return to our cruise for lunch. Cruise towards the picturesque town of Kusadasi, Turkey. Take an optional excursion to the Greek city of Ephesus, once renowned for its gleaming Temple of Diana, the archaeologist site of Ephesus is famous for the missionary work of St. Paul, and as one of the Churches addressed by St. John. Ephesus was founded in the 10th century BC. Walk through the streets of this historic town and see many wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastics, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theater. Arrive at 2:00 P.M. – Depart 7:00 P.M.

DAY 8 – CRUISING (ISTANBUL, TURKEY)
Cruise towards Istanbul, once the center of the Eastern Roman Empire. Arrive Istanbul at 6:00 P.M. Overnight on cruise-ship in Istanbul.

DAY 9 – CRUISING (ISTANBUL, TURKEY)
Today enjoy a full day in this exciting city. Optional Shore excursion to visit the famous Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent (converted from a Christian basilica in 1453). Savor the exotic perfumes in the spice market and practice your bargaining power over ceramics or a fine carpet in the World Famous Grand Bazaar, with over 4000 exotic shops. Depart at 6:00 P.M.

DAY 10 – CRUISING (MYKONOS)
Today we arrive in Mykonos at 2:00 P.M. Enjoy an Optional Shore excursion to Mykonos. By boat, make your way to the ancient harbor of Delos where you will commence your two hour guided walking tour. You will first see the Agora and beyond it, the Sacred Way, which leads you to the Temple of Apollo. Next, view the remains of a Hellenistic Quarter with its harbors, waterhouses, luxurious villas, such as the House of Cleopatra, the House of the Dolphin, the House of the Masks and the House of Dionysos, as well as remains of other notable quarters. Note their architecture and mosaic floors, which have survived over 2,500 years. Continue on and marvel at the spectacular Avenue of the Lions, where five Naxian marble beasts from the 7th Century BC crouch, vigilant guardians of the Sacred lake, which stands today, dry. Depart 9:00 P.M.

DAY 11 – DISEMBARK CRUISE, ATHENS, ROME SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Athens Airport to board your flight to Rome. Arrive Rome where we are met by our agent who helps and assists us through customs. Board your motorcoach for our sightseeing tour of Imperial Rome – to see and learn about the glory and grandeur of the Eternal City. See the Seven Hills, the Roman Forum, Arch of Titus and Arch of Constantine; thence into the Colosseum for an explanation of its history. Stop at the Trevi Fountain to throw in our coin and ensure our "Arrivederci Roma." Continue to Church of St. Peter in Chains to see the famous Moses by Michelangelo and the original chains in which St. Peter was brought captive to Rome. Farewell Dinner and overnight Rome.