Greece & Turkey Tours

10 Day Journey in the Footsteps of Paul

with Cruise Extension to the Greek Islands

A Special New Creative Travel Partners Adventure!
via Swiss Air

DAY 1 – DEPART U.S.A.
Begin your exciting journey as you depart on board your flight to Athens.

DAY 2 – ATHENS
Arrive Athens, meet and transfer to your hotel. P.M. Athens city tour with visits to the Acropolis, the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. Also ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora (ancient marketplace). We will also see the House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Palace.

DAY 3 – ATHENS / DELPHI / METEORES
We start our tour in Athens, taking the road through the fertile plain of Boeotia, past the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of King Oedipus – Levadia and Arachova, famous for its colorful rugs and carpets (short stop). Arrive at Delphi, the center of the Ancient World – the "Omphalos" (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 Pythios. Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the museum. We continue our journey for Meteores, where we overnight.

DAY 4 – METEORES / THESSALONIKI
Today we visit the Monasteries of Meteores, amid striking scenery, perched atop huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see the exquisite specimens of the Byzantine art. We continue our tour for Thessaloniki, going through Veria Pella – it is indicated that Paul remained in Veria for several days on his way to Athens. We arrive in Thessaloniki in the afternoon for our city tour including: the White Tower, St. Demetrius and St. Sophia.

DAY 5 – THESSALONIKI / PHILIPPI / KAVALLA / THESSALONIKI
We visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and continue to Philippi. Visit the Baptistry of Lydia, the marketplace, the cistern where St. Paul was imprisoned, the Basilica and the theater. From Philippi, we drive to Kavalla, on the site of ancient Neapolis. Visit this beautiful city and return to Thessaloniki.

DAY 6 – THESSALONIKI / ATHENS
We depart Thessaloniki for Athens, driving through beautiful countryside of northern Greece, Valley of Tempi, Larissa, Lamia, Thermopylae. Arrive in Athens in the evening.

DAY 7 – ATHENS
Today is a free day for shopping or relaxing. There is so much to see and do that we are certain you will want to do some extra sightseeing. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

DAY 8 – ATHENS / CORINTH
Today our sightseeing includes Corinth. 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, marketplace museum, the Fountain of Pirene, the Bema of St. Paul and Agora. Return to Athens. Remainder of day at leisure. Dinner and overnight Athens.

DAY 9 – ATHENS
Morning at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing tour. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

DAY 10 – ATHENS / U.S.A.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Airport for your return flight to the United States, arriving the same day.

DAY 9 – ATHENS / PIRAEUS / SAIL ON THREE DAY CRUISE
This morning we will transfer to Piraeus to board our cruise ship. Depart about noon and sail for Mykonos. Lunch will be served enroute. This is an island of uninhibited pleasure. It is a trend setting island that attracts and captivates some of the most interesting people in all of the world. Whether you choose one of the many fashionable beaches or a secluded cove, or just a quiet walk through its streets, you will be blessed by the sun. Dazzling white houses, narrow paved streets and windmills cover the island. Reboard our ship early evening where dinner will be served. Sail about 9.30 p.m.

DAY 10 – RHODES
We arrive in Rhodes after breakfast. According to legend, the bronze Colossus of Rhodes stood astride the harbor. Even more wondrous are forests of scented pines that stretch towards skies that are as blue as the Aegean itself. In the middle if the city is a medieval town built by the Knights of St. John. Optional city tour and Lindos is available along with the Temple of Athena. Sail at 8:00 p.m.

DAY 11 – KUSADASI / EPHESUS / PATMOS
Early breakfast this morning as we arrive in Kusadasi at 7:00 A.M. Optional excursion to Ephesus. We will visit the ancient city of Ephesus where Paul spent two years of his ministry. We view the remains of St. John's Basilica, where tradition tells us, the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is still buried. Next visit the site of the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Some of the most spectacular ruins in the world are to be found in Ephesus, the city to which Paul came and to which he wrote his famous Epistle to the Ephesians. Early Christian traditions also believe that Mary, the mother of our Lord, may have died here. We sail for Patmos. Lunch is served aboard. We arrive in Patmos at 4.00 P.M. Optional excursion to St. John monastery and the Grotto of the Apocalypse; where it is believed the Apostle John wrote "Revelations." Sail about 7:00 p.m. Dinner is served on board. An unforgettable day.

DAY 12 – PIRAEUS / ZURICH
Transfer to Hellenikon airport for our flight to Zurich. Dinner aboard your flight. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

DAY 13 – ZURICH / U.S.A.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the United States, arriving the same day.

DAY 9 – ATHENS / PIRAEUS / SAIL ON FOUR DAY CRUISE
This morning we will transfer to Piraeus to board our cruise ship. Depart about noon and sail for Mykonos. Lunch will be served enroute. This is an island of uninhibited pleasure. It is a trend setting island that attracts and captivates some of the most interesting people in all of the world. Whether you choose one of the many fashionable beaches or a secluded cove, or just a quiet walk through its streets, you will be blessed by the sun. Dazzling white houses, narrow paved streets and windmills cover the island. Reboard our ship early evening where dinner will be served. Sail about 9.30 p.m.

DAY 10 – SANTORINI / HERAKLION / CRETE
We arrive in Santorini after breakfast. One of the most spectacular of the Greek islands. Santorini is actually the rim of an ancient volcano that went sky high in 1500 B.C. It is breathtaking as is the donkey ride to the top where the lovely town of Thera is perched. We sail for Heraklion, Crete and have lunch served aboard. Arrival is about 3.30 P.M. At the historic port of Heraklion we embark on our OPTIONAL excursion to Knossos, fabled palace of the ancient Minoan kingdom. Visit the royal chambers, the dining hall, the remains of temples and sporting areas. Then on to the treasures of the Heraklion Museum, in content one of the finest in Greece. It was here that the Apostle Paul sent Titus to be the Bishop. We have dinner aboard ship and sail about 10:00 p.m.

DAY 11 – RHODES
We arrive in Rhodes after breakfast. According to legend, the bronze Colossus of Rhodes stood astride the harbor. Even more wondrous are forests of scented pines that stretch towards skies that are as blue as the Aegean itself. In the middle if the city is a medieval town built by the Knights of St. John. OPTIONAL City tour and Lindos is available along with the Temple of Athena. Sail at 8.00 p.m.

DAY 12 – EPHESUS / PATMOS
Early breakfast this morning as we arrive in Kusadasi at 7:00 A.M. OPTIONAL excursion to Ephesus. We will visit the ancient city of Ephesus where Paul spent two years of his ministry. We view the remains of St. John's Basilica, where tradition tells us, the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is still buried. Nest visit the site of the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Some of the most spectacular ruins in the world are to be found in Ephesus, the city to which Paul came and to which he wrote his famous Epistle to the Ephesians. Early Christian traditions also believe that Mary, the mother of our Lord, may have died here. We sail for Patmos. Lunch is served aboard. We arrive in Patmos at 4:00 P.M. OPTIONAL visit the monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Sail about 7:00 P.M. Dinner is served on board. An unforgettable day.

DAY 13 – PIRAEUS / ZURICH
Transfer to Hellenikon airport for our flight to Zurich. Dinner aboard your flight. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

DAY 14 – ZURICH/U.S.A.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the United States, arriving the same day.

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