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STEPS
OF PAUL A
STEPS OF
PAUL B
PAUL IN GREECE A
PAUL IN GREECE B
IN ATHENS, CORINTH, ROME
IN GREECE & ROME
|
15
nights/16 days
|
Day 1 - Athens
|
| Arrival Athens, meet and
transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight |
Day 2 - Delphi
|
Depart for Delphi, via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque
village of Arahova.
Visit the sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the museum. Dinner and
overnight.
|
Day 3 - Kalambaka
|
| Depart for Meteores. A
particularly impressive scenery: ageless monasteries containing
priceless historical and religious treasures stand, suspended between
earth and sky, atop huge granite rocks. Dinner and overnight in
Kalambaka. |
Day
4 ñ Veria, Pella, Thessaloniki
|
| Drive to Thessaloniki through
the beautiful countryside of Northern Greece, going through Veria
(Beroea). Upon arrival tour the city. Paul preached in Thessaloniki
during the winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles to the ancient
Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of
Galerius starting the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman
Empire. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. |
Day 5 ñ
Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kavala
|
| Visit Philippi where Paul
delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity.
Here Paul baptized a ìcertain woman named Lydiaª the first Christian
convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely excavated, is from after
Paulís time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the
townís main road is the prison where Paul and Sills were thrown.
Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where
Paul accompanied by Sills, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe.
Dinner and overnight in Kavala. |
Day 6- Greek /
Turkish borders, Istanbul
|
| Continue on to the Greek/Turkish
borders with Istanbul as our final destination. Istanbul is Turkeyís
largest city, which lies on two continents. Transfer to your hotel for
dinner and overnight. |
Day 7 - Istanbul
|
| After breakfast, depart for a
full day tour of Istanbul. Visit the Church of St. Sophia, the oldest
Christian Basilica where the ecumenical councils were held, the
Hippodrome of old Constantinople and the Blue Mosque. In the afternoon,
visit the Topkapi Palace, the Sultanís former residence with its
incredible collections of jewels and china. Dinner and overnight in
Istanbul. |
Day 8 ñ
Dardanelles, Canakkale
|
| In the morning depart Istanbul
by coach to Canakkale (Gallipoli), situated at the narrowest part of
the Dardanelles Straits. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale. |
Day 9 - Troy,
Pergamon, Izmir
|
| Continue to the ancient city of
Troy, with its 4000-year history, which recalls the epic struggle of
the Iliad. Then on to Pergamon (Bergama) to see the site of the Homonym
Church, as well as the Acropolis; the Asclepion, one of the foremost
medical centers of classical times; the Red Basilica, as well as the
site of the Church of Pergamon. Continue to Izmir the birthplace of
Homer and the capital of the Aegean. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. |
Day 10 ñ
Pamukkale (Hierapolis)
|
| En route to Pamukkale, visit the
sites of the Churches, Theatres, Philadelphia, Sardis and Laodikia.
Pamukkale, whose Turkish name means Cotton Castle, is so named for the
spectacular and unique sight formed by cascades of white petrified
water and Calcerous salts rushing from different levels of height for
thousands of years. It is the ancient Greek city Hierapolis (Holy
City). Dinner and overnight. |
Day 11 -
Kusadasi (Ephessos)
|
| This morning, discover the
famous city of Ephessos. First see the remains of Diana Temple which
was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is said that John brought
Mary (mother of Jesus) to Ephessos, after the crucifixion of Christ,
and this is where she spent her last days. Visit the city of Ephessos,
see the town hall, baths, the Grand Theater where Paul preached. |
Day 12- (must be
a Tuesday) cruise
|
| We sail for Patmos, a lovely
serene island with an awesome view of the Aegean, it was here that St.
John wrote the Apocalypse while in exile, and here you can see the
Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. |
Day 13 - Rhodos
|
| The ship enters the port, which
was once dominated by the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the
Ancient World. Optional tour takes one to the old town of Rhodos; tour
within its high walls and through the narrow, winding streets. The
castle of the Grand Master of the Knights and many other gothic places
are still in remarkably good condition. Tour also to Lindos where we
can see the Acropolis; an exquisite site with its beautiful Temple of
Athena Lindia. St. Paul is believed to have landed here in a small gulf
at one side of the cliff foot. |
Day 14 ñ
Heraklion (Crete) / Santorini
|
Crete is the largest in size of
all the Greek Islands, and famous in legend as the birthplace of Zeus,
Father of the Gods. Visit Knossos, the mythical palace of King Minos
and the Minotaur.
Our next stop is the island of Santorini; a sickle-shaped volcanic
structure which the ancients call ìcallisteî the most beautiful. |
Day 15 ñ Athens
/ Corinth
|
End of cruise, return to Piraeus
and continue with our tour of Athens. We will visit the Acropolis to
see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. We shall also
ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora (ancient market place where Paul spoke
to the *****)******. We will also see the House of Parliament, the tomb
of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Palace, Hadrianís Arch and the
Panathenaic Stadium.
We continue our tour to Ancient Corinth. Here under the shadow of the
towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The
vigorous and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him
much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them.
Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and
Priscilla. See the remains of first century shops, the agora where
Paulís trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of
Apollo and the Bema. |
Day
16 - Departure
|
| Transfer to the airport for your
departure flight. |
