Apostle Paul’s trip to Greece & Turkey with 4 day cruise
DAY 1
Arrive in Athens, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 2
Today, admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens, as you follow your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis
to see the Propylea, the Erectheum and the Parthenon temple. Visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his ingenious
speech on the “Unknown God”. View the Agora, the ancient centre of the economic and public life of the city, where
Paul preached to the sceptical Athenians. During the bus tour of the city, you see Constitution Square with the House of
Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and important
Neoclassical Buildings of Athens like the National Library, the National University and Academy.
DAY 3
Today you will be transferred to the port of Piraeus for your embarkation on the 4-day cruise (Celestyal Cruises).
Afternoon arrival at the world-famous island of Mykonos. The town is a small architectural miracle, with its gleaming
white-washed buildings and windmills, and one of the most cosmopolitan places in the world.
DAY 4
In the morning you will arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey, and you will drive through the colourful town of Kusadasi and along
the coast to reach Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of Diana - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World - and later the home of St. John. During the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the
greatest city in Asia Minor. Upon arrival at Ephesus, follow your guide to enter the ancient site through the Magnesian
Gate. Discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of
Scolastika and the Great Theatre built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period, which is still noted for its
remarkable acoustics. View the symbols all around and marvel at the fact that one is still able to read the inscriptions in
the ancient Greek language. Walk back to your coach along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Anthony and Cleopatra
rode in procession. As you drive back to Kusadasi, on a hill above Selcuk just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St.
John which was erected over his grave in the 6 th century A.D. by Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, enjoy
free time in Kusadasi. Later, you will sail for the island of Patmos where you will visit the Monastery of St. John, on one
of the island’s highest points. Depart from the port of Scala and enjoy a short drive to the village of Chora, where the
Monastery of St. John is built within the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk uphill towards the entrance of the
monastery, marvel at this magnificent structure which was built over 900 years ago. View the courtyard, the monks’
dining room and the old bakery before you visit the main church noted for its outstanding frescoes and interior
decoration. Next, visit the small museum where priceless ecclesiastical treasures, books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons,
splendid medieval textiles, vestments and jewelry are housed. Return to your motor coach and continue to the nearby
Grotto of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of the Apocalypse above it. Walk down the steps to the Grotto of the
Apocalypse. Here you will see the niches in the wall that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the
Book of the Revelation and the crack in the rock made by the voice of God honouring the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive
back to the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque town.
DAY 5
Today you arrive in Rhodes. Your tour start with a drive along the picturesque southeastern coastline, dotted with
white-washed villages, to Lindos, one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. See how this
entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13 th century. Within
them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis,
marvel at the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s Bay, where the apostle
cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Proceed on foot uphill to the great staircase leading from the
Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and Temple of Athena. Should you wish to make your way up by mule, a fee must be
paid to the local muleteer. After the guided tour of the Acropolis, enjoy some free time on your own in Lindos village
before meeting up with your motor coach. Return to Rhodes city and enjoy a panoramic drive through the new part of
the city before continuing to Mount Smith to see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras
Stadium. Afterwards your motor coach will drop you off at Porte d’Amboise, the start of the walking tour through the
medieval city of Rhodes. Follow your guide through the northern part where once lived the knights and their
attendants. View the Palace of the Knights, continue your walk down Chevaliers Road to the Marine Gate and return
back to the ship.
DAY 6
In the morning arrive in Heraklion, Crete, where you will enjoy a unique tour to Knossos. Crete is the largest and the
most rugged of the Greek islands. It is also the home of the great Minoan Civilization and the mythological home of
Zeus. Taking the National Road along the North coast you will get to Heraklion, where the tour will start with the visit of
Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C.,
when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete. Based on the wealth of artefacts that were found, Evans
theorized that this was the site of the ancient Minoan Kingdom. These findings will be viewed in detail, as your guide
will lead you on a journey of discovery to learn of the sophisticated culture that flourished thousands of years ago on
this island. The Palace, decorated with frescoes and shields, houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double
Axes, the King's Chamber with the alabaster throne, the Queen's Apartment, beautiful courtyards and shrines. After the
visit of Knossos Palace, the tour will continue back to Heraklion. Then, sail north to the island of Santorini, the most
breathtaking of all the Greek islands. The exquisite whitewashed villages, including the town of Fira, or Thira, cling to
volcanic cliffs accessible only by cable car or mule.
DAY 7
Today you disembark from the cruise ship and start your trip to Ancient Corinth. This is the once glorious city near the
Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. You visit the
Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema, where Paul stood before Gallio, accused by
the Jews of Corinth. Then you drive to Cenchreae, the little harbour Paul sailed back to Asia from, thus ending his
secondary missionary journey. Travel back to Athens for your farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 8
Fly back home with a new insight into Paul’s life and teachings.
DAY 9
In the morning arrive at Ayios Nikolaos, Crete, where you will enjoy a unique tour to Knossos. Crete is the largest and
the most rugged of the Greek islands. It is also the home of the great Minoan Civilization and the mythological home of
Zeus. Taking the National Road along the North coast you will get to Heraklion where the tour will start with the visit of
Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C.,
when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete. Based on the
wealth of artefacts that were found, Evans theorized that this was the site
of the ancient Minoan Kingdom. These findings will be viewed in detail, as
your guide will lead you on a journey of discovery to learn of the
sophisticated culture that flourished thousands of years ago on this
island. The Palace, decorated with frescoes and shields houses the Hall of
the Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King's Chamber with the
alabaster throne, the Queen's Apartment, beautiful courtyards and
shrines. After the visit of Knossos Palace, the tour will continue back to
St. Nicholas, a picturesque and
popular resort town on the Bay of
Mirabelo with a harbour area pulsating with activity, restaurants and cafés
providing a cosmopolitan atmosphere, though the town itself has maintained its
traditional style. The landmark of the city is a small lake, known as "Voulismeni"
that is located in the centre of the city, at the foot of the cliffs. According to the
mythology, the goddess Athena used to take her bath in this lake. It is an
especially picturesque site with many open-air cafés and restaurants along the
bank. Here you'll be given free time to browse in this beautiful town before you
re-embark your ship to continue the trip in Aegean Sea. Then, sail north to the
isle of Santorini, the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands. The exquisite whitewashed villages, including the town
of Fira, or Thira, cling to volcanic cliffs, accessible by cable-car, or mule.
DAY 10
Today you disembark from the cruise ship and start your trip to Ancient Corinth. This is the once
glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and
spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. You visit the
Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema,
where Paul stood before Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth. Then, you
drive to Cenchreae, the little harbour Paul sailed back to Asia from, thus
ending his secondary missionary journey. Travel back to Athens for your farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11
Fly back home with a new insight into Paul’s life and teachings.
