Biblical tour of Greece with 3-day cruise
Duration: 10 Days
DAY 1, Wednesday / Arrival
Arrive at Athens International Airport, meet with our assistant and transfer to the hotel. Your journey to the Biblical land of Greece begins! Travel in time, exploring a city with a history of more than 5,000 years! Temples, churches and museums blend with neoclassical buildings, quaint shops and cafes, in a vibrant cosmopolitan bustle that will stimulate your senses and inspire your mind!
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DAY 2, Thursday / Athens
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Athens, including a visit to the Acropolis & its Museum, as well as a panoramic tour of the highlights of the city. From the Acropolis hill you can see Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where Apostle Paul delivered his soul-stirring sermon. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Rest of the day is free to wander through the Plaka and Monastiraki districts, where old combines with new as you discover shops and restaurants full of Greek delicacies.
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DAY 3, Friday / Piraeus – Mykonos, Greece
In the morning transfer to the port of Piraeus and the cruise ship for our 3-day Cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey. In the afternoon (6:00 p.m.), stop at Mykonos and stroll on your own through the whitewashed, flower-decked alleyways, climbing to the sculpture church of Paraportiani or along the waterfront of “Little Venice” to the famous windmills. Sail for Kusadasi at 11:00 p.m.
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DAY 4, Saturday / Kusadasi, Turkey - Patmos, Greece
At 07:00 a.m. we dock at Kusadasi in Turkey, starting point for our optional excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21).The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great city. At 1 p.m. sail for Patmos, Greece (Rev 1:9). At 4 p.m. arrive Patmos. Optional tour to the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist and the Grotto of the Revelation. Return to the ship and sail for Heraklion, Crete at 9 p.m.
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DAY 5, Sunday / Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini, Greece
At 7 a.m. we arrive at Heraklion, Crete (Acts 27:7-13). Optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home of King Minos and the legendary Minotaur (half-bull and half-man). Sail for Santorini at 11:30 a.m., where we arrive at 4:30 p.m. Ride a donkey or the cable car up to the white-washed town of Thera, perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano. Sail for Lavrion port at 9:30 p.m.
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DAY 6, Monday / Piraeus – Ancient Corinth
At 7 a.m. arrive at Piraeus. We disembark after breakfast and transfer to the Tour Terminal. Depart for our morning's excursion out of Athens, which takes us by the Saronic Gulf via the historic Corinthian Canal (quick stop for photos) to Ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was in this megalopolis where the Apostle Paul came, worked and established a thriving church. Return to Athens.
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DAY 7, Tuesday / Athens - Thessalonica
Morning transfer to Athens airport and fly to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-13), the second largest city of Greece. Meet with your private guide and drive to the upper part of the Old City Walls. Enjoy the excellent view of the City and continue to the Byzantine churches of St. Sophia and St. Demetrius. Then join the locals in sampling the exquisite restaurants and stylish cafes for which this city is famous.
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Day 8, Wednesday / Philippi – Kavala - Thessalonica
Private tour to Philippi (Acts 16:12-40; 20:6), with a short stop at the Lion statue of Amphipolis for photos. Visit Philippi, where Paul ministered, to see the river where Lydia is said to have been baptized, the ruins of a Prison where Paul and Silas were kept, the Agora, the 5th and 6th century Basilicas, and the Theater. Continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis. Late that afternoon return to Thessalonica for a night out on the town.
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Day 9, Thursday / Thessalonica - Athens
Transfer to Thessalonica airport and fly back to Athens. Arrive, meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Free Day to enjoy shopping and dinner at one of the traditional taverns in Plaka.
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DAY 10, Friday / Departure
As you reflect on these past few days, full of history and spiritual inspiration, you will be transferred to the Athens International Airport for your flight home.
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