Athens, Corinth & 7-Day cruise to the beautiful Greek islands
Duration: 10 Days
Program only valid for private groups of 20 or more people
2023 ARRIVAL DAY TO ATHENS | |
|---|---|
MARCH | 30 |
APRIL | 06 |
STOPS: Athens, Istanbul, Kavala, Thessaloniki, Volos, Santorini, Athens
Day 1: THURSDAY: ATHENS - ARRIVAL
Arrival in Athens, the birthplace of Western Civilization and a vibrant city! After your transfer to the hotel, check-in and enjoy free time to explore the city. By day, the Attica light will lead you to streets filled with history and colors, and by night, stroll through the numerous restaurants and taverns and discover the rich culinary tradition.
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Day 2: FRIDAY: ATHENS CITY TOUR
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Athens. Climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis, the sacred rock of Athens and citadel of the city in antiquity. We become time travelers by visiting the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Then, we go to the nearby Mars' Hill (Areopagus) to read Acts 17:22 where Paul gave his famous speech to the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:18-34) and spoke about “an unknown god”. We view the ancient Agora of Athens from the Acropolis, before visiting the Acropolis museum, which was built to house every artifact found on the Acropolis, from the Greek Bronze Age to the Roman and Byzantine period. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament House, the Academy, the University of Athens, the National Library, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and much more. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Rest of the day is free for you to explore the city of Athens. Overnight at hotel.
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DAY 3: SATURDAY: CORINTH TOUR / EMBARK ON CRUISE
Today we depart at 8:00 a.m. for our excursion out of Athens, which takes us by the Saronic Gulf, where in 480 BC the course of history was changed! The small Grecian fleet managed to defeat the enormously powerful armada of the Persians. From here, we arrive at ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) via the historic Corinthian Canal. It was to this megalopolis where the Apostle Paul came and worked, establishing a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles, now part of the New Testament. Here, we 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! Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Athens via Cenchrea, an ancient port where Paul sailed for Ephesus.
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DAY 4: SUNDAY: ISTANBUL, TURKEY
At 3:00 pm arrive in Istanbul. Enjoy Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents: Europe and Asia. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul, its three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known. Enjoy an optional Bosphorus cruise from Europe to Asia, passing by the palaces of Dolmabahce and Ciragan and a visit to the Spice Market where you will have the opportunity to do some shopping. All meals & overnight on board ship.
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DAY 5: MONDAY: ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Enjoy the day exploring Istanbul. At 6:00 pm sail to Kavala, Greece. All meals & overnight on board ship.
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DAY 6: TUESDAY: KAVALA, GREECE
At 11:00 am we dock at the port of Kavala, Greece. Often referred to as the “blue city”
due to its crystal-clear coastal waters and legendary scenic sea views from the Bay of Kavala, with a picturesque historic town unfolding high atop the triangular Panagia peninsula. This charming old town is comprised of a mosaic of winding lanes of red-tiled houses and a Byzantine fortress known as the Kastro. Enjoy free time exploring the port city or join the optional excursion to visit the ancient city of Philippi, home to the first Christian church in Europe. Philippi became an important early Christian center following a visit to the city by Paul the Apostle in 49 C.E. Sail at 8:00 pm to Thessaloniki. All meals & overnight on board ship.
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DAY 7: WEDNESDAY: THESSALONIKI, GREECE
At 08:00 am arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece. Thessaloniki's ancient ruins rooted in the middle of the city create a rich tapestry with the Roman Agora, the Arch of Galerius, the Rotonda, the Byzantine Baths and the Crypt of Agios Demetrios. Thessaloniki also has a reputation of its sumptuous culinary delights and delicious pastries. Sail at 7:00 pm for Volos, Greece.
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DAY 8: THURSDAY: VOLOS, GREECE
At 08:00 am arrive in Volos, Greece. Join the optional guided visit to Meteora, a rock formation in central Greece and a UNESCO world heritage site, hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Byzantine Greek Orthodox monasteries. In the afternoon, sail to Santorini. All meals & overnight on board ship.
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DAY 9: FRIDAY: SANTORINI, GREECE
At 09:00 am we arrive in Santorini. Enjoy an optional excursion to visit the beautiful and picturesque village of Oia, where one can see the famous blue domed churches. Enjoy free time for taking photos, browsing, shopping and enjoying the breathtaking view of the caldera. Sail at 8:00 pm for Athens.
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DAY 10: SATURDAY: ATHENS, GREECE
At 07:00 am arrive in Athens. Disembarkation after breakfast on board and transfer to Athens international airport for your departure flight home.
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