Greece

Depart via scheduled air service. The destination is Athens, Greece.

Arrive in Athens. Meet your Faith Journeys Tour Manager who will assist the group to awaiting chartered motorcoach for transfer to the hotel for check-in. Afternoon at leisure for sightseeing, shopping, or other activities. Evening Welcome Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will explore the city of Athens. Highlights include a visit to the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon and ascend Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only God. From here we have an excellent view of the ancient agora. Lunch, on own. Continue across the Corinthian Canal to Corinth where Paul came after he left Athens. We will see the Temple of Apollo and Corinth Museum. As we return to Athens, we will stop at what used to be the ancient port of Cenchreae. It was from here that Paul sailed to Ephesus. Evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will leave for Piraeus and set sail into the Aegean Sea. Lunch on the ship. In the evening we will arrive at Mykonos. The mountainous island of Mykonos has about 400 churches and consists of picturesque white houses and its trademark windmills. Must “sees” in Mykonos include the Church of the Virgin Paraportiani, the Cathedral on the main square, and many boutiques and taverns to along the tiny paved streets. Evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will arrive at the Turkish port city of Kusadasi. From here we will explore Ephesus, where Mary lived with John in a small house on the hill behind the city. We will walk the marbled roads rutted by wheels of countless chariots and pass the ruins which are architectural masterpieces. It is here that Paul preached to the Ephesians and was arrested and cast out of the city. Lunch on the ship. Visit the island of Patmos, where John wrote the apocalyptic Book of Revelations. We will visit the cave where he lived, now the site of a monastery
housing priceless icons and manuscripts. Evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Wake up at Crete, the largest island in Greece, and home of St. Titus. Visit the ancient Minoan civilization, the Knossos Palace and the city of Heraklion.
Continue to the volcanic island of Santorini. You can take a cable car (not included in the cost) up to the exquisite whitewashed villages of Fira or Thira. Lunch on the ship. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure for sightseeing, shopping, or other activities. Evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Disembark the cruise ship and reunite with your Faith Journeys Tour Manager who will assist the group to awaiting chartered motorcoach for transfer to Thessaloniki. Lunch, on own. Visit the places where Paul lived and preached, possibly including the Agora, the Jewish Quarter, White Tower, Palace of Galerius, Church of Agia Sofia, Aristotelous Square, Town Hall, Dioikitirio, Old City, Byzantine Walls, Rotonda, Arch of Galerius, etc. Evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, we will enjoy an excursion to the port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolos, where Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke, and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. It was in Philippi where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Lunch, on own. Visit the Roman forum from Paul’s time, which is now completely excavated. Among the ruins is the site where Paul and Silas were thrown into prison. It was in Phillipi that Paul baptized Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Bera (Veria) to see where both Paul and Silas preached to a Jewish settlement after leaving the Thessalonians. Lunch, on own. En route we will also see the legendary battle site of Thermopyles where 300 brave Leonidas fought the overwhelming Persians. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Athens International Airport for return flight home.