One of the most important figures in Early Christianity, St. Paul's journies took him through much of the eastern mediteranian. He stopped and shared his ideas at several sites throughout Greece and Turkey. Set out on a fantastic journey as you and your students or tour participants follow in the footsteps of this famously important religious and historical figure. This trip is customizable, and you can feel free to emphasise whatever elements or sites you believe are most crucial to truly feeling the story of Paul's journies and letters.
Day 1: USA-ATHENS. Departure from US gateway to Athens.
Day 2: ATHENS. Arrive in Athens Eleutherios Venizelos Airport. Transfer to your First Class hotel near the Acropolis and the Old Town Plaka. Welcome drink . Overnight.
Day 3: ATHENS. Half-day tour to Ancient Corinth. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight with breakfast.
Day 4: PIREAUS-MYKONOS. Start 3-day cruise with cruiseship by Louis Cruises. Depart at 11:00 am. Arrive in Mykonos at 5.30pm. Enjoy the picturesque harbor with small streets, white washed houses and "little Venice". Overnight on board in outside cabins.
Day 5: RHODES 9:00am-9.00pm. Optional tour of the Medieval Town including the Palace of the Knights and excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos, where St.Paul also landed.
Day 6: PATMOS 7:00am- 11:00pm Optional tour of the St.John's Monastery and the Cave, where he wrote the Book of Revelation while in exile. KUSADASI 2.30pm-8.00pm. Optional visit of the Ancient city of Efessus, the largest excavated city in Asia Minor, which St. Paul and St.John visited.
Day 7: PIREAUS- KALAMBAKA. Arrive at the port of Athens at 7:00 am. Continue drive to Northern Greece via Thermopylae (famous battlefield) to Kalambaka/Meteora.. Visit two of the "Hanging Monasteries". Dinner & overnight.
Day 8: KALAMBAKA-THESSALONIKI. Drive via Dion (visit of the Hellenistic town and museum) toThessaloniki. Upon arrival, enjoy a city-tour, including the White Tower, Ag. Demetrius and Ag.Sophia church and a visit of the archeological museum, famous for its treasures. Dinner in typical taverna with music. Overnight.
Day 9: THESSALONIKI. One-day-trip to Philippi, where St.Paul was imprisoned and where Lydia - the first European women was baptized. Lunch break in Kavalla. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: THESSALONIKI -VERRIA-ATHENS. On the way back to Athens, visit Verria (where St.Paul preached) and the Byzantine churches. Arrive in Athens in the afternoon. Overnight with breakfast in Athens.
Day 11: ATHENS. Sightseeing of Athens including the Acropolis,Philoppapus, Areopagus, Olympic Stadium. Afternoon at leisure. Evening: Farewell dinner in typical tavern in Athens Old Town with Greek music. Overnight with breakfast.
Day 12: ATHENS-USA. After breakfast, transfer to airport for departure to the U.S.
RATE: $ 2,235 p.p. (min. 30 participants + 1 free)
Single supplement for land and cruise portion: US $ 695 - Port Taxes $ 105 p.p. not included
INCLUDES:
In Athens: Accommodation in double rooms with private facilities, minibar, A/C in First Class Hotel
In Kalambaka and Thessaloniki: Superior Tourist Class hotels, in double room with private facilities
- Daily buffet breakfast
- Three (3)-Day cruise on cruise ship by Louis Cruises in outside A/C cabins (lower berths) in double occupancy with private facilities including all meals and entertainment.
- English-speaking guide during whole trip including all her expenses
- All transfers to & from airport / port
- Four (4) days tour by modern coach with a/c and selected driver
- City tour of Athens including the Acropolis
- Half-day tour to Corinth by coach
- Three (3) dinners, two of which are in selected taverns with music
- All admission fees to museums and sites visited as per itinerary
- Porterage in hotels
Not included: shore excursions, port taxes, meals not mentioned, gratuities to crew, guide or driver.
Shore excursion package to Rhodes - Patmos - Ephesus: $200 p.p. - Port taxes $85 per person, not included
*Rates for 2006/07 are based on the current exchange rates of the Euro to the Dollar (1 Euro = $1.35) and are subject to change due to currency fluctuations