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ITALY, GREECE & TURKEY – 18 days |
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ROME – FLORENCE – POMPEII – NAPLES – THESSALONIKI – PHILIPPI – KAVALA – VERGINA – PELLA METEORA – DELPHI – ATHENS – CORINTH – MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS – SOUNION – MYKONOS – RHODES PATMOS – EPHESUS – IZMIR – ISTANBUL
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| DAY 01, SUN: ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY Morning arrival in Rome. Afternoon tour including visit inside the Colosseum, visit the Roman Forum and the Mamertime Prison and Circus Maximus |
| DAY 02, MON: ROME Morning visit to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Basilica. Afternoon visit to Catacombs of St. Callisto |
| DAY 03, TUES: NAPLES & POMPEII In Naples a panoramic tour of the city, before continuing on to Pompeii for a visit to the excavations of this famous Roman city. Return to Rome |
| DAY 04, WED: FLORENCE The tour of Florence will include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with Giotto’s Bell–tower and Baptistry, the Academy with Michelangelo’s David (visit), della Signoria’s Square and Palace. In the afternoon the tour will proceed to Piazza Santa Croce. The drive continues to Piazzale Michelangelo from where a magnificent view of this Renaissance city can be admired. Returm to Rome |
| DAY 05, THUR: DEPART ROME FOR THESSALONIKI Fly direct from Rome to Thessaloniki, Greece. Upon arrival immediately drive into the city for a panoramic tour starting at the upper part of the Old City Walls. We continue with a sightseeing drive of the City viewing the White Tower, the Triumphal Arch of Galerius standing on the Egnatian Way and we see the Rotunda. We visit St. Demetrius' Church with its early Byzantine mosaics and the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Thessaloniki |
| DAY 06, FRI: PHILIPPI – KAVALA (NEAPOLIS) Today we shall visit Philippi, the site where the apostle Paul came and worked, establishing a strong church. We see the river where Lydia is thought to have been baptized and the ruins of a Prison where Paul and Sylas had been kept. After the visit, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis. Late that afternoon we return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight at hotel |
| DAY 07, SAT: VERGINA – PELLA - KALAMBAKA In Vergina (ancient Aigai), the first capital of Macedonia, we visit the most important tomb ever discovered, that of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. We will also visit the museum, which displays the fabulous findings from the tomb. On to ancient Pella, the capital of the ancient Macedonia State and birthplace of Alexander the Great. On the hill to the West stand the remains of the citadel of the Hellenistic period. We visit the excavation sites and especially the museum, which displays sculptures, relief and mosaics of Classical and Hellenistic times. Overnight in Kalambaka |
| DAY 08, SUN: METEORA – DELPHI Visit Meteora. Colossal symmetrical grey and reddish boulders, as though pushed upwards from the bowels of mother earth by an invisible hand, sustain breathtaking beautiful monasteries perched precariously high above the ground. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes. Drive onto Delphi for overnight |
| DAY 9, MON: DELPHI – ATHENS Delphi, the center of the Ancient world, the "omphalos" (navel) of the earth. On the slopes of Mt. Parnassos lies the archaeological site of Delphi. We visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the Archaeological Museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Drive to Athens for overnight |
| DAY 10, TUES: ATHENS CITY TOUR This morning we enjoy our sightseeing tour of Athens. We climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechteion. 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. Afternoon free |
| DAY 11, WED: CORINTH – MYCENAE - EPIDAURUS First stop today at the Corinth Canal, then continue on to visit Ancient Corinth. We see all of the Greek and Roman sites: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema, and Gallio’s Seat. Then we proceed to Mycenae to visit the remains of the prehistoric citadel fortified with the Cyclopean Walls, the Lionesses' Gate, the remains of the Mycenaean Palace and the Tomb of King Agamemnon in which we will actually enter. On to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, where we stop to take pictures. Then we continue on to visit Epidaurus the best-preserved ancient theatre in all of Greece, famous for the harmony of its design and the perfection of its remarkable acoustics, easily accommodating 12,000 people. Return to the hotel in Athens |
| DAY 12, THUR: ATHENS – CLASSES - SOUNION Morning classes. In the afternoon we visit Cape Sounion. A crowning feature of the tour is Cape Sounion, famous for its radiant sunsets and dominated by the Doric white marble Temple of Poseidon that overlooks the blue Aegean Sea |
| DAY 13, FRI: ATHENS - MYKONOS Embark on our cruise ship at the port of Piraeus for our 3-Day Cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey. Sail for Mykonos at 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. call at Mykonos. 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 14, SAT: RHODES, GREECE At 9:30am. we arrive at Rhodes. In ancient times, the Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. This stronghold was built by a Crusading Order, which originated from Palestine. Our shore excursion takes us to visit the Temple of Athena on the majestic rocky Acropolis of Lindos. We have the afternoon free in Rhodes. Stroll around the medieval walled city; enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere from one of the elegant cafes in the marina. Sail for Patmos at 7:30 |
| DAY 15, SUN: PATMOS, GREECE - KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEY At 7:00 a.m. we arrive in Patmos, this beautiful and almost mysterious rocky island where the apostle John was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. 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 Kusadasi at 10:00am. At 2pm. we dock at Kusadasi in Turkey, here we will disembark from our ship. We are met by our Turkish coach and guide and drive to Ephesus, where the Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived for three years. Walk through history along marble streets, see the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Theater, the Temple of Diana, the streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica. After drive to our hotel in Izmir for an overnight stay |
| DAY 16, MON: FLY TO ISTANBUL Transfer to Izmir airport for our short flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival drive into the city to discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Visit Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans. The Blue Mosque, unique with its six minarets. See Hippodrome Square then the Grand Covered Bazaar |
| DAY 17, TUES: ISTANBUL A short visit to the Egyptian or Spice Market followed by a leisurely Bosphorus Boat tour viewing the beauty of the European and Asian sides, then visit Aghia Sophia, an architectural marvel before returning to the hotel |
| DAY 18, WED: DEPARTURE Transfer to Istanbul airport for our return flight home |
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