|
ATHENS - CORINTH & 3-DAY CRUISE - 7 DAYS
Feasible 15 April - 31 October, 2010
on the specified weekdays
DAY 1 (WEDNESDAY): ATHENS ARRIVAL
Upon our arrival in Athens transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at hotel in Athens.
DAY 2 (THURSDAY): HALF DAY ATHENS
After breakfast we begin our morning tour of Athens (Acts 17:15), climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Return to hotel. Overnight.
DAY 3 (FRIDAY): EMBARKATION ON CRUISE- MYKONOS
At 8:00 in the morning transfer to the port of Piraeus for embarkation on the cruise ship for our 3-Day Cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey. Set sail for Mykonos at 11:00 a.m. In the afternoon (6:00 p.m.), call at Mykonos, the island which combines an international jet-set atmosphere with a very active nightlife. Stroll at leisure through the whitewashed, flower-decked alleyways, climbing to the sculpture church of Paraportiani or along the waterfront of «Little Venice» to the well-known windmills. Sail for Rhodes at 10:00 p.m.
DAY 4 (SATURDAY): KUSADASI - PATMOS
At 07:00 a.m. we dock at Kusadasi in Turkey, starting point for our optional excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theater. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city.
We return to Kusadasi for souvenir shopping before sailing for Patmos, Greece at 12:00 noon.
At 4 p.m. we arrive at Patmos, this beautiful and almost mysterious rocky island where the apostle John was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. We have an optional tour: we drive up to the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist where we have a wonderful view of the island. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation. After some free time for browsing, return to the ship and sail for Heraklion, Crete at 9:00 p.m.
DAY 5 (SUNDAY): HERAKLION (CRETE) - SANTORINI
At 07:00 a.m. we arrive at Heraklion, Crete (Acts 27:7-13). Our excursion takes us from the lively bustling city to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, legendary home of the Minotaur (half bull and half man).
Sail for Santorini at 11:00 a.m., where we arrive at 4:30 p.m. Take a mule or the cable car up to the white-washed town of Thera, perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano, the eruption of which (1,600 BC) literally buried a flourishing Bronze Age town which has now been excavated at Akrotiri. Sail for Piraeus at 9:00 p.m. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 (MONDAY): ATHENS DISEMBARKATION – ANCIENT CORINTH
At 7:00 a.m. we arrive at Piraeus. After breakfast we will disembark and transfer to Athens for departure to 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 to this megalopolis where the apostle Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. Here, see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio's Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an absolute must! The tour continues with a visit to Lechaion. Also see the ruins of early Christian 5th century basilica at the ancient port of Cenchreae before returning to Athens. Overnight at hotel in Athens.
DAY 7 (TUESDAY): DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
|
