13 Day Journey to the Ancient Land of Greece

A Unique Journey of a Lifetime!
via Swiss Air

DAY 1 – U.S.A. / ATHENS
We begin an exciting journey as we board our flight to Athens. After take-off, dinner and light drinks will be served aloft as we speed across the Atlantic. There will be time for a movie and hopefully a nap during the night.

DAY 02 – ATHENS
We arrive in Athens and are transferred to our home for three days and nights, the world famous Grand Bretagne Hotel on Syntagma Square in the heart of the city across from Parliament and the changing of the Guards. Our first taverna dinner that night is just below the Acropolis in Plaka, the oldest continuously occupied town in Europe.

DAY 03 – THE ACROPOLIS
Today we tour the ancient site of the Acropolis, the Theaters of Herodes Atticus and Dionysius. We climb the Areopagus, Mars Hill, where Paul preached his sermon to the Athenians. In the afternoon, tour the splendid Roman Temple to the Olympian Zeus, finishing atop charming Lycabettus, with its spectacular view of ancient Athens. Another exciting taverna dinner in Plaka.

DAY 04 – ANCIENT AGORA / AFTERNOON FREE / DINNER AND SHOW
We return in the morning to Mars Hill for a tour and exciting on-site Bible study in the ancient Agora. We visit the Temple of Hephaestus, the best preserved classical temple in Greece. After grabbing a gyro or finding an outdoor cafe just to relax on your own, the afternoon is yours for rest, strolling in Plaka, shopping, revisiting the acropolis, the Pnyx, the modern Olympic stadium, or other fabulous sites. Taverna dinner and show in Plaka.

DAY 05 – CRUISE TO MYKONOS
This morning we transfer to Piraeus to board our ship for a three day cruise on the Mediterranean Sea. After a sunny cruise down the coast past Sounion and the dramatic Temple to Poseidon, we come to Mykonos, with its dazzling white houses, narrow lanes, distinctive windmills, and picture perfect waterfront for a wonderful sunset, cool shopping, and a memorable evening in this exquisite place. We re-board our ship via tenders under starlight for the overnight cruise to Rhodes.

DAY 06 – RHODES / LINDOS
Optional city tour and Lindos is available along with Temple of Athena $49.00 per person. Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese with a population of 98,181. On the Apostle Paul's third missionary journey, after meeting with the elders of Ephesus at Miletus and saying goodbye to them, he sails to Cos and then to Rhodes (Acts 21, 1). As his ship sailed into the harbor of Rhodes, Paul saw the remains of the Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The Rhodians maintain that the Apostle Paul stayed in their city and preached, bringing many people into the new faith. We are told that before Paul left, he appointed Prochorus, one of the seven deacons (Acts 6,5), Bishop of the Island. Another local tradition has the Apostle's ship landing in the small harbor near Lindos, referred to even today as "St. Paul's Harbor." St. Silas, a prophet and leader among the brethren (Acts 15, 22-23) is revered by the Rhodians. St. Silas proved the power of Jesus Christ by healing a paralytic, whereupon the villagers accepted the Christian faith and built a church in honor of their patron.

DAY 07 – KUSHADESI / EPHESUS / PATMOS
We have an early breakfast this morning as we arrive in Kusadasi at 7:00 am. Optional excursion to Ephesus $44.00 per person. We will visit the ancient city of Ephesus where Paul spent three years of his ministry (Acts 19-20; 1). Ephesus was a rich commercial center like Corinth. The great marble temple of Artemis was the pride of Ephesus and one of the world's Seven Wonders. The city annually played host to hordes of people from all over during the festival of Artemis. In this setting, Paul preached the Gospel. We'll visit St. John's Church built by Justinian in 527-565. Some believe the Apostle John wrote his Gospel from Ephesus and, having returned after two years of exile on Patmos, that he is also buried here. Walking along one of the main streets we will see ruins of the Library of Celsius, the Agora, and the Great Theater that seated 24,000 (Acts 19, 23-41). Some early Christian traditions believe that Jesus' mother, Mary lived and died here in Ephesus; we'll visit the Church of the Virgin Mary. We next sail for Patmos, arriving after lunch at 4:00 pm. On Patmos we will visit the cave where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. Optional excursion to St. John Monastery and the Grotto of the Apocalypse $36.00 per person. We'll also see the Monastery of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John, which have fine frescoes, priceless icons, ecclesiastical ornaments, pendants and beautiful embroideries. We sail about 7:00 pm. Dinner is served on board. An unforgettable day!!

DAY 08 – CORINTH / MYCENAE / EPIDAURUS / NAPLION
Early morning arrival in Piraeus to begin our tour of classical Greece, the Peloponnese. Our first stop is the astonishing Corinthian canal, and then on to ancient Corinth of the New Testament period, where we will tour the city and gather for a dramatic on-site Bible study of Acts 18: 1-18. We will then proceed to Mycenae, site of the famous Lion's Gate and Agamemnon's Tomb. Our third stop will be the grandest Greek Theater of them all, Epidaurus. Then it's on to Naplion, one of the most enchanting waterfronts in the world. Delightful dinner outside, then dessert and coffee overlooking the fairy-tale island castle in the harbor. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 09 – OLYMPIA / PATRAS
Early morning departure for Olympia, original site of the ancient games. After visiting the spectacular museum containing many familiar works of art we'll go out to the ancient stadium for an on-site Bible study of 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27. Dinner and overnight in Patras.

DAY 10 – DELPHI / KALAMBAKA
Early morning departure for Delphi on a ferry across the Gulf of Corinth. We tour Delphi, terraced on the edge of Mt. Parnasus. We go up to the amphitheater and hippodrome, where you can stand in the starting block. After visiting the museum, with its world-class sculpture, "The Charioteer", we proceed to what some consider the most beautiful ancient site in Greece, the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. Then it's on to Kalambaka on our bus, dinner and overnight.

DAY 11 – METEORA
Today you'll see one of the most spectacular, unusual sites in the world: Meteora. We'll visit the 11th century monasteries of the Transfiguration, Varlaam, and the impossibly sublime convent of Rousanou. You will never forget what you see on this day. We journey back to Athens for dinner and overnight.

DAY 12 – ATHENS
Today is a free day in Athens. Time for shopping in Plaka. Wonderful time for visiting the National Archaeological Museum, one of the most memorable in the world! Our late evening farewell dinner together will be under the stars at a very special rooftop restaurant in the spectacular glow of the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens.

DAY 13 – ATHENS / U.S.A.
Early morning departure for Athens Airport and the journey home, filled with a lifetime of memories of a truly spectacular trip!

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