12 DAYS FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL
This suggestive itinerary attempt to follow the places where St. Paul reached during his journeys, such as Athens, Corinth, city of Lindos in Rhodes, Philippi, and Verria among others. It combines a 3-day cruise that allows to get a glimpse of Turkey and the site of Ephessus, while exploring more in depth parts of mainland Greece. The tour in Northern Greece takes us to the impressive, hanging monasteries of Meteora, one of the epicentres of Greek Orthodoxy and monastic life, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Itinerary
Day 0: USA-ATHENS. Departure from US gateway to Athens.
Day 1: ATHENS. Arrive in Athens Eleutherios Venizelos Airport. Transfer to your central 3 ***or 4 ****hotel near the Acropolis and the Old Town Plaka. Welcome drink and dinner in selected taverna. Overnight at hotel Philippos or hotel Herodion. (B,D)
Day 2:ATHENS. Meet your private guide/lecturer and bus for a half-day tour to Ancient Corinth, where St. Paul preached. Afternoon return to Athens and at leisure. Overnight with breakfast. (B)
Day 3: PIREAUS-MYKONOS. Start 3-day cruise with cruise-ship by Celestyal Cruises (cruise starts every Friday). 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. (B, L, D)
Day 4: RHODES 9:00am–9.00pm. Reach the island of Rhodes. Optional tour of the Medieval Town including the Palace of the Knights and excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos, where St. Paul also landed. (B, L, D)
Day 5: PATMOS- EPHESUS 7:00am- 11:00am Reach the serene island of Patmos. 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 Ephesus, the largest excavated city in Asia Minor, which St. Paul and St. John visited. (B, L, D)
Day 6: PIRAEUS- KALAMBAKA-METEORA. Arrive at the port of Athens at 7:00 am. Disembark cruise ship. Board your private bus and along with your guide/lecturer depart for Northern Greece via Thermopylae (famous battlefield) to Kalambaka/Meteora. Arrive in Kalambaka, and visit two of the «Hanging Monasteries» in Meteora (,built on the cliffs overlooking the plain of Thessaly, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.. Dinner & overnight at hotel Amalia or similar. (B, D)
Day 7: KALAMBAKA-THESSALONIKI. Drive via Dion (visit of the Hellenistic town and museum) to Thessaloniki. 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 at hotel Mediterranean Palace or similar. (B, D)
Day 8: PHILIPPI. 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 overnight. (B)
Day 9: 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. (B)
Day 10: ATHENS. Guided visit of Athens including the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, Areopagus, and stroll around the old town of Plaka. Visit the Athens Cathedral. Overnight with breakfast. (B,D)
Day 11: ATHENS. Guided visit of the Christian and Byzantine Museum of Athens. Afternoon at leisure. Evening: Farewell dinner in typical tavern in Athens Old Town with Greek music. Overnight with breakfast. (B,D)
Day 12: ATHENS-USA. After breakfast, transfer to airport for departure to the U.S. (B)
We provide:
Accommodation in 3 *** and 4 **** central hotels in Athens, Kalambaka, Thessaloniki in twin bedded rooms, with all modern comforts central location
Daily buffet breakfast
Three (3)-Day cruise on cruise ship (Celestyal Cruises) in outside A/C cabins (lower berths) in double occupancy with private facilities including all meals –breakfast, lunch and dinner—and entertainment
English-speaking guide during whole trip including all her expenses
All transfers to & from airport / port with private assistant
Four (4) days land tour to Northern Greece with modern A/C motorcoach and professional driver
City tour of Athens including the Acropolis with your private guide
Half-day tour to Corinth by coach and guide
Four (4) typical Greek dinners in Athens and during land tour
All admission fees to museums and sites visited as per itinerary
Porterage in hotels
24-Hours Assistance from local reps in Greece.