Your Day by Day Itinerary
ATLANTA/ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Depart Atlanta today on board your overnight transatlantic jet flight. En route enjoy dinner followed by a full-length movie.
ARRIVE ATHENS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Arrive Athens where you will be met and escorted to your waiting motor coach for transfer to your hotel. The balance of your day is at leisure. (D)
ATHENS/CORINTH/ATHENS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3
After breakfast, drive along the Sacred Way of Elusinian Mysteries, passing the Island of Salamis. Cross the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas. See the Isthmus where boats were once dragged over land from one sea to the other. Arrive Corinth, the most important city in the days of St. Paul. 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 St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first century shops, the agora where St. Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema.
This afternoon, embark on a tour of Athens, which will include the Royal Palace, the Stadium and Temple of Zeus, the Theatre of Dionysius, Mars Hill, the Acropolis with the famous Parthenon, the Agora (marketplace) where Paul spoke and Socrates' prison. (B, D)
ATHENS/PIRAEUS/MYKONOS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Drive to Piraeus and board your fine cruise ship for a three-day Aegean Sea cruise. Sail to Mykonos, the St. Tropez of the Aegean. Walk around the glistening town. The houses, streets, even the sails of the windmills are all awash with white. Relax at a sidewalk cafe or taverna. Sail on to Rhodes. (B, D)
RHODES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Morning arrival in Rhodes, legendary home of the sun god Apollo. The ancient Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once dominated the harbor entrance. You may join an optional tour to visit the Old Town, the Grand Master's Palace from Crusader times and the Street of Knights. This afternoon is free to wander around the many colorful shops. Sail on to Kusadasi. (B, L, D)
EPHESUS/PATMOS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Cruise to the Turkish resort of Kusadasi, where an optional excursion to the magnificent city of Ephesus is available. Walk the marble streets. See the fabled Temple of Artemis, another Wonder of the Ancient World, the Stadium and the Library of Celsus. Sail on to the island of Patmos, where you will have the opportunity to visit the Monastery of St. John where John received inspiration for the Book of Revelation. Return to your cruise ship for the journey back to Athens. (B, L, D)
ARRIVE ATHENS/ DELPHI/KALAMBAKA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Morning arrival in Piraeus. Drive on the national highway through Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova to Delphi. Visit the Museum to see the famous Bronze Charioteer along with other statues. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, the Athenian Treasury, and the Castalian Spring. Drive via Larissa, Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka. Overnight in the Kalambaka area. (B, D)
KALAMBAKA/THESSALONIKI
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Visit Meteora to see the "Hanging Monasteries" perched on top of unusual rock formations. Drive through Kozani to Veria, then on to visit the tomb of Philip of Macedonia in Vergina. Continue via Edessa to Thessaloniki where you will see the Rotonda, Triumphal Arch of Galerius, and the seafront promenade with the White Tower. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (B, D)
THESSALONIKI
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Drive to Amphipholis where you will see the famous Lion Statue. Then to Philippi, where Marc Anthony defeated Brutus and St. Paul first preached the Gospel in Europe. See the archaeological site (Forum-Romanum), the ruins of two Basilicas, the theatre, the Prison of St. Paul and St. Lydia's Baptistry. Visit Kavala before returning to Thessaloniki for the night. (B, D)
THESSALONIKI/ATHENS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Visit the Thessaloniki Museum to see Macedonian and ancient Greek pottery. Then drive to the ancient Macedonian capital of Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great, for a visit. See the excavation grounds, the famous mosaic floors and a collection of ancient relics of the 4th century B.C. Return to Athens via the Valley of Tempi and Thermopylae. (B, D)
ATHENS/ATLANTA
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Your adventure is over as you board your flight back to Atlanta. (B)
B – Breakfast L – Lunch D - Dinner
