Τα βήματα του Παύλου και 3ήμερη κρουαζιέρα
Διάρκεια: 10 ημέρες
Το ακόλουθο πρόγραμμα πραγματοποιείται μόνο για γκρουπ άνω των 20 ατόμων. Μεμονωμένοι ταξιδιώτες δε μπορούν να συμμετέχουν.
The trip of a lifetime! Visit the inspiring sites in Athens and Corinth, embark on your cruise sailing to the “Jerusalem of Aegean” – Patmos Island – and visit the first Christian Church of Ephesus in Turkey. Continue your journey to northern Greece and follow the steps of the Apostle Paul.
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY - ARRIVE ATHENS, GREECE
Arrive at Athens Airport where you will meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Travel in time, exploring a city with a history dating over 5,000 years!
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DAY 2: THURSDAY – ATHENS & CORINTH
Depart for a morning tour out of Athens. On the way, we stop at the historic Corinth Canal for some photos before arriving at the archaeological site of Corinth. It was Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) where the Apostle Paul lived and worked, establishing a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles. After visiting the sites associated with Paul’s ministry, we return to Athens for an afternoon city tour. Climb up the Acropolis Hill to see the famous Parthenon and Erectheion temples and the spectacular views of Athens below. Then walk to nearby Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where the Apostle Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God. Our tour will finish with a panoramic bus tour to see the city highlights. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
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DAY 3: FRIDAY - CRUISE TO MYKONOS
Transfer to the port of Lavrion to embark on your Greek Island cruise. Sail at 1 .p.m. and enjoy lunch onboard. Our first port of call is Mykonos, where we have free time for walking and exploring the town. 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. Enjoy dinner on board and sail for Kusadasi, Turkey at 11p.m.
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DAY 4: SATURDAY - KUSADASI (TURKEY) - PATMOS (GREECE)
Arrive at Kusadasi port in Turkey. This is the starting point for our tour to Ancient Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21). The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians, lived and worked here for a number of years. We tour the spectacular ruins in the city founded in the 10th century B.C. After the visit, we return to the port for re-embarkation at lunchtime and sail to Patmos. Arrive in Patmos (Rev 1:9) in the afternoon and enjoy an optional tour to the Monastery of St. John where he was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation (Cave of Apocalypse) before embarking on the cruise ship. Sail to Heraklion, Crete and enjoy dinner onboard.
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DAY 5: SUNDAY - CRETE & SANTORINI
At 7 a.m. we arrive at Heraklion, Crete (Acts 27:7-13). You can join the optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home of King Minos and the legendary Minotaur (half-bull and half-man). After a few hours, we sail for Santorini, the island with the most magnificent landscape! Ride the cable car up to the white-washed town of Thera, perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano. Set sail back to the port of Lavrion around 9:30 p.m.
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DAY 6: MONDAY - ATHENS - METEORA MONASTERIES - KALAMBAKA
Disembark after breakfast on board. Meet the local guide and board the bus for a journey to Central & Northern Greece! Upon arrival in the town of Kalambaka, we enjoy a spectacular drive up to visit two Meteora Monasteries, which are built on the top of colossal symmetrical gray and reddish boulders high above the ground. They were first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation and are now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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DAY 7: TUESDAY - BEREA - THESSALONICA
We depart from Kalambaka and continue our journey to Thessalonica. On our way we will stop in Berea (Acts 17:10-15) to see the mosaic monument commemorating Apostle Paul's preaching. Later in the afternoon, check-in at the hotel in Thessalonica. Enjoy the evening at your own leisure. Take a walk by the seaside promenade and explore the beautiful city center.
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DAY 8: WEDNESDAY – PHILIPPI – KAVALA
In the morning, we start our city tour of Thessalonica. We see the Old City Walls, the White Tower, Galerius Arch and the Rotunda. Continue with a drive to Philippi, the site where Apostle Paul established a strong church. To this congregation he sent his letter (Acts 16:9-33). We see the river where Lydia is said to have been baptized, the ruins of a prison where Apostle Paul and Sylas had been kept, the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica and the Theater. After the visit, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where we enjoy a panoramic tour before returning to Thessalonica for overnight.
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DAY 9: THURSDAY – THESSALONICA – ATHENS
Today we commence our enchanting drive back to Athens passing by Tempi Valley and Katerini where we gaze upon Mount Olympus, home of the 12 ancient Greek gods. Farewell group dinner will be provided at the hotel in Athens.
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DAY 10: FRIDAY – ATHENS DEPARTURE
As you reflect on these past few days, full of history and spiritual inspiration, you will be transferred to Athens International Airport for your flight home.
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