Day 1 and 2 -- Departure and Arrival in Greece
Our trip begins with departure from Dulles International Airport. We will be
met in Athens by an Educational Opportunities representative and
transferred to our hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Day 3 -- Athens
Our guide will take us on a journey to the world-renown Acropolis with
its famous Propylaea entrance and the Parthenon and Erechtheum
temples. We will also see Mars Hill, the Agora (the ancient market
place and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament,
Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This
afternoon will be free to explore Athens on your own or to enjoy an optional
journey to Sounion to visit the famous Temple of Poseidon
(additional fee).
Day 4 -- Delphi
An ancient city perched high in the mountains, Delphi was considered
by the ancient Greeks to be the center of the world. The exact age of Delphi is
unknown, but it is mentioned by Homer. We will walk along the Sacred Way
to the Athenian Treasury, the Theatre and the Temple of Apollo
which housed the Delphic oracle. Among the treasures in the museum is a unique 5th
century BCE bronze charioteer. We will continue on to Kalambaka for an
overnight stay.
Day 5 -- Meteora
In western Thessaly are the majestic rock formations of Meteora where
Byzantine monasteries are perched on summits of soaring, sheer-sided rock
pinnacles of varied and spectacular shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th
century when the monks sought refuge in cliff-side caves, then fled higher to
build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. We will
travel on to Thessalonika where we will spend the next two nights.
Day 6 -- Amphipolis, Philippi and Neapolis
Like Paul and Silas, we'll travel to Amphipolis where we will see the
ruins of early Christian basilicas. In Philippi, we will visit the place
where Paul's baptism of Lydia, the first European convert to Christianity
mentioned in Acts, is remembered. We will also see the place thought to be the
prison where Paul was kept, the Acropolis, the Market Place, the Basilica,
and the Theatre. We will also visit Neapolis (modern Kavalla),
Greece's most picturesque mainland port.
Day 7 -- Thessalonika, Veria, Olympos Mountains and Thermopylae Pass
In Thessalonika we will visit the old city ramparts, the Archaeological
Museum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument that was
transformed into a church, and the Galerius Arch that rises over the Via
Egnatia. We will also visit two of the most beautiful basilicas in the city:
St. Sophia and St. Demetrios. Veria was a city visited by
Paul that was very receptive to his message. As we make our way back to Athens,
we will travel in the shadow of the Olympos Mountains and through the Thermopylae
Pass, the sight of a key battle between the Spartans and the Persians 400
years before Christ.
Day 8 -- Corinth and Cenchraeae
In Corinth we will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market
Place, the Bema and the Temples. Paul departed from Corinth
for his voyage to Ephesus from the port at Cenchraeae.
Day 9 -- Day of Leisure / Cruise Departure
Those who are taking only the land portion of the trip will have a day at
leisure in Athens or can choose to take an optional one-day cruise (additional
fee). They will return to the USA early on Day 10. Those who are taking the
cruise extension will set sail on the morning of Day 9 (itinerary below), and
will enjoy a free day upon their return on Day 12 of the trip. Their return will
be on the morning of Day 13.
Three Day Cruise Extension
Day 9 -- Mykonos
This morning we will sail the Aegean Sea for evening arrival at the Greek
Island of Mykonos, where gleaming white-washed buildings seem to climb atop each
other to reach the azure sky.
Day 10 -- Rhodes
Fleeing Jerusalem the crusaders settled on the island of Rhodes. We will see
the castles and the old city they built.
Day 11 -- Ephesus and Patmos
This morning we will arrive at Kusadasi, Turkey and will journey to ancient
Ephesus where Paul spent three years during his ministry. The ruins of Ephesus
have been restored much as the city was in Paul's time. We will visit the Agora
and have a worship service in the great Theatre where Paul preached about
Christ. Nearby is the stadium, the library and the Temple of
Diana (Artemis), one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World."
In the afternoon we will sail for the island of Patmos where the Book of
Revelation was written by John the Seer.
Day 12 -- Athens
Following an overnight sea voyage, we will disembark in the morning in Athens
for a day of sightseeing or shopping on our own.
