footsteps of the apostle paul and greek islands cruise

DEPART CANADA

Day 1 ~ Tuesday 
Departure from Kelowna flying to Vancouver on Air Canada departing at 5:45am arriving in Vancouver at 6:50am Connect on Vancouver departing at 9:00am and arriving in Toronto at 4:28pm. Connect in Toronto at 6:30pm and flying non-stop to Athens.
 

ATHENS

Day 2 ~ Wednesday 
We arrive at Athens airport at 11:10AM. Meet & greet our representative and transfer to Athens downtown. Check in at the hotel and rest of day at leisure. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

ATHENS / CORINTH

Day 3 ~ Thursday 
After breakfast, we will continue our sightseeing with a visit to Ancient Corinth. This is the once-glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples, and the famous Bema, where Paul stood before Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth. Then we drive to Cenchreae, the little harbor from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary journey. We continue to Athens and visit Acropolis. Here we admire the architectural wonders of ancient Athens, as we follow our guide to the world-renowned Acropolis, to see the Propylaea, the Erechtheum and the Parthenon. We visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his speech on the “Unknown God.” From the top we see the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. During the bus tour, we also see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium, and the Neoclassical Buildings of Athens. Dinner tonight will be arranged at a traditional Greek tavern.
 

MYKONOS

Day 4 ~ Friday 
Today, we sail from Lavrion to the charming island of Mykonos, known for its windmills. The magical sun-kissed island invites you to admire its stunning coastline, soft sunny beaches, and rugged rocky landscape. Affectionally known as the “island of the winds”, Mukonos is home to the 16th century windmills that become iconic landmarks on postcards. The energetic Greek island is well known for its beauty, diverse range of bars, cafes and restaurants and a vibrant atmosphere. We wander through the charming white-washed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening activities. Today is free for personal exploration on the island. 

KUSADASI / PATMOS

Day 5 ~ Saturday 
This morning, we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey. An included excursion takes us to Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his ministry. This marvellous city, sitting on the hills outside Kusadasi is a fabulous open air archaeological wonder founded by the Greeks around 2000 BC.  It was one of the most important cities of the region and was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The Temple built in her honour was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It had more than 100 marble pillars each standing 56 feet tall and it earned the city the name ‘Servant of the Goddess.’ A single pillar remains standing on the site, found during an excavation in the 1870s. We will be able to see the Agora, Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the marvel-paved Main Street of Curetes, the Baths of Scholastica, Trajan’s Fountain, the Temple of Hadrian and the Houses of Koressus, where the wealthy families of Ancient Ephesus lived. Only 13 per cent of Ephesus has so far been uncovered. The finds from the excavations made so far are housed in the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus in the city of Selcuk. Later, we sail to Patmos where we will visit the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse.  Patmos in the Aegean is among the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese. It is has a long been a place of pilgrimage because Patmos is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Christian Bible. t records that St John the Evangelist received a vision from Jesus here. Visitors can see the location where John is said to have had the revelation, the Cave or Grotto of the Apocalypse. Meanwhile a number of churches are named after the apostle and we are able to call at the Monastery of St John. Of exquisite beauty is our tour of the Byzantine Church of St John, adorned with a wood- carved icon screen, important frescoes from several periods of history. Behind the chapel of St Anne lies the entrance to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. We will see the cross engraved by St John and the triple fissure in the wall where John is said to have heard God telling of the Apocalypse. You may feel the historical and religious enormity of this special moment. In Greek mythology Patmos originally existed at the bottom of the sea but Zeus was persuaded to allow it rise from the waters.

 

CRETE / SANTORINI

Day 6 ~ Sunday 
In the morning, we disembark at Heraklion, Crete. An optional excursion would take visitors to Knossos excavations, revealing a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C. Here, Paul left Titus to appoint church leaders in the towns (Titus1:5 & Tim. 3:1). (Heraklion excursion not included). Alternatively, we spend time in the vivid town of Heraklion where we will have the chance to snap the imposing 16th century walls of Koules Fortress. We can enjoy the calm of the stunning waterfront, visit St Titus church or relish some of the exceptional plates of Cretan cuisine. In the afternoon, we cruise to Santorini, known for its breathtaking villages clinging to Volcanic cliffs. The romantic charm of Santorini is one of the most celebrated Greek islands in the Aegean. Here you will have the opportunity to explore the magical villages of Fira and Oia and photograph the whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches perched on caldera cliffs. Personal exploration is recommended. 

ATHENS / METEORA / KALAMBAKA

Day 7 ~ Monday 
After disembarkation, we will depart for Meteora. This morning, we see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched on summits of gray rock peaks of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff-side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, which were later transformed into monasteries. We continue to Kalambaka Dinner and overnight.

KALAMBAKA / VERIA / VERGINA /

Day 8 ~ Tuesday 
After breakfast, we will depart for the capital of Imathia, which name is Veria. It is built at the foot of Mount Vermio. We will have free time to visit the Step of Apostle Paul. Afterwards, we will proceed to Vergina, where we will visit the museum with the four tombs, two of which are the most significant, and a small shrine, the Heroes Garden. Two of the tombs are the most significant, the one of Philip II and the other of Alexander the fourth. We continue to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
 

THESSALONIKI / PHILIPPI

Day 9 ~ Wednesday 
In the morning we start with the landmarks of the city: the White Tower, the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the Roman Arch of Galerius and the Rotonda. We visit two of the city’s oldest and most admired Christian churches, the Basilicas of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia. We then follow the route of the Via Egnatia and visit, like Paul and his companions, the area of Amphipolis, to see the famous funerary Lion of Amphipolis. Then we travel onto Philippi. There, we visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river, where Paul baptized her. Lydia was the first convert of Paul on European soil, followed by the jailer. Also, visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul” and the Theater. Then we drive to Kavala (Neapolis), Paul’s first step in bringing the Gospel to present day Europe. We view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. After that, we will make our way back to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

THESSALONIKI / THERMOPYLAE / A

Day 10 ~ Thursday 
After breakfast, we will start our way back to Athens, with a short stop at Thermopylae. Thermopylae is a location in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. "Hot gates" is also "the place of hot springs and cavernous entrances to Hades. Thermopylae is primarily known for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces including the Spartans and the Persian forces. Late in the evening we will arrive to our hotel. Dinner and overnight. 

RETURN TO CANADA

Day 11 ~ Friday 
After breakfast, we depart Athens at 1:10pm flying non-stop to Toronto arriving at 4:55pm. Connect in Toronto departing at 8:40pm and flying non-stop to Kelowna arriving at 10:28pm