Itinerary

DAY 1, TUES.- USA

-ATHENS:  Overnight flight to Athens. Airfare is not included.

DAY 2, WED.  ATHENS: On Arrival in Athens, the Tour begins. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.  Enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner with your traveling companions. (D)   Royal Olympic Hotel 5*                           

DAY 3, THURS.  ATHENS: After breakfast, we enjoyed sightseeing with a Local Guide visiting the ACROPOLIS with the Parthenon and AREOPAGUS, where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:15-34).  Continue for a visit to the Acropolis Museum with its artifacts.  (B)  Royal Olympic Hotel 5*                           

DAY 4, FRI. ATHENS - MYKONOS:  Breakfast at the hotel before your transfer. Embark on a 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. Late afternoon, you will arrive in Mykonos, where you will enjoy free time on your own, on one of the most cosmopolitan islands in Greece. Return to the ship Celestyal Discovery for dinner and departure. (B, L, D)   Inside Cabin Cat. IB

DAY 5, SAT. KUSADASI - PATMOS: Early morning breakfast will be served onboard as you arrive in the Port of Kusadasi. We highly recommend the included  excursion to Ancient Ephesus where Paul the Apostle spent three years during his ministry. Visit the House of Mary, where she is said to have spent her last days, or perhaps you may prefer to walk around this colorful town of Kusadasi on your own. Continue your cruise to Patmos, the “Jerusalem of the Aegean.” Visit the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist, inspired by God, wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile. Early evening return to the ship where dinner will await you as you sail for Crete. (B, L, D)  

DAY 6, SUN. CRETE - SANTORINI:   Breakfast will be served onboard as you arrive in the Port of Heraklion, Crete. Spend your morning with an included unforgettable tour visiting the Palace of Knossos and its excavations. Return to the ship mid-day and enjoy lunch onboard before sailing to Santorini, known as the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Captivating views are not to be missed as your ship has Santorini in its sight. Passengers have the option of purchasing a tour of Oia and Thira. All passengers will disembark via tender boats to Athenios Port where motor coaches will await. All other passengers will disembark via tender boats to Santorini`s small port. Experience a journey up the caldera by cable car, donkey, or foot. Early evening return to the ship via cable car and tender boat for dinner as you depart Santorini and sail back to Piraeus, Athens. (B, L, D) 

DAY 7, MON. ATHENS - KALAMBAKA: After an early breakfast, disembark your ship and depart north for Kalambaka. We will stop for a coffee break at Kamena Vourla, a seaside resort. Next a photo stop at Thermopylae, site of the famous Greek Persian battle where King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans heroically held the Persians. Early afternoon, visit an icon-painting workshop and discover the ancient traditions behind the sacred images used in Orthodox Byzantine devotional tradition. Overnight with dinner in Kalambaka.  (B, D)    Hotel Divani Meteora 4*

DAY 8, TUE. KALAMBAKA – METEORA - THESSALONIKI:  Today we visit the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora atop 1000-1200 ft. cliffs. You will visit ageless monasteries containing priceless historical and religious treasures standing suspended between earth and sky. In Meteora, visit VARLAAM and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERIES. Situated atop vast rocks, the 14th-century monasteries compose one of the most breathtaking sites in the world. Afternoon arrival in Thessaloniki. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of this city, named after Alexander the Great’s sister, and which figures prominently in the New Testament at which time this provincial capital was considered a world cultural center. This community was the center of St. Paul’s activities in Northern Greece. He preached and founded a church and to whom he wrote two epistles (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians & 2 Thessalonians). Visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, one of the finest museums in the world devoted to Byzantine art and civilization with an impressive collection of many Byzantines and early Christian frescoes, icons, and artifacts. Check-in at our hotel in Thessaloniki
for our two-night stay.  (B, D)    Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki 4* or Electra Palace

DAY 9, WED. THESSALONIKI, Excursions to Philippi and Kavala: Full Day Excursion along the ancient route of St. Paul to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1). Journey to ancient Philippi, named after the father of Alexander the Great. This busy Roman colony boasted a great library and theater. In Philippi, St. Paul preached, established the first church in Europe, and was to whom he wrote one of his epistles while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 16:11-40-Philippians). It was in this area that St. Paul met Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth.  She and her household accepted Christ and were   baptized in the nearby   river (Acts 16: 11-15).  Continue to Kavala, ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16: 9-11). Return to Thessaloniki for dinner / overnight. (B, D)  Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki 4*   or Electra Palace 5*   

DAY 10, THU. THESSALONIKI - VERIA – KAMENA VOURLA: This morning after breakfast, we said farewell to Thessaloniki. The next stop was Veria (Berea of the New Testament), where friends sent St. Paul and Silas after being accused of treason in Thessaloniki (Acts 17: 5-15). Visit the Bema of St. Paul, where St. Paul is said
to have stood and preached the Gospel to the local community. Continue with an early afternoon arrival in Kamena Vourla. Rest of the day at your leisure. Take a stroll at the town's seaside with the many cafes and souvenir shops. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)    Mitsi’s Galini 5*

DAY 11, FRI. KAMENA VOURLA - CORINTH:  After breakfast, we continue to ancient Corinth, a major commercial crossroads in the time of the Apostle Paul and the city where Paul spent over a year in ministry (Acts 18:11). We will see the very road that Saint Paul walked on almost 2000 years ago when he entered the city. We will
stand on the Bema platform where Paul’s case was dismissed by Roman proconsul Gallio (Acts 18:12).  You will have time for a leisurely lunch at your expense at one of the Corinthian tavernas, continue to see the Corinthian canal which connects the Aegean and Adriatic Seas. Tonight join your fellow travelers for our “farewell dinner” celebrating the end of a spiritually fabulous trip while sharing some of the beautiful memories you have experienced on this tour. ( καληνυχta  kaί Καλό ταξίδι ) translation... Good Night and have a Great Trip. (B, D)         

DAY 12, SAT. ATHENS Airport / USA: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport terminal for your departure flight home. (B)  

NOTE:  Airport transfers are included only when airfare is purchased from Classic Holidays. Taxi service is available for those purchasing their airfare elsewhere. Prices and dates available can be found on our brochure price insert or on our Online Booking Module above. 

The Royal Olympic Hotel is situated in the heart of Athens, very close to the historical sites of Athens, such as the Acropolis (400 yards), 200-300 yards from the traditional Plaka area (old town) and 500 yards to Syntagma (Constitution Square). The 5-star Royal Olympic Hotel have modern interior design, with state-of-the-art technology and support, making them ideal for a pleasant stay in a relaxing environment.

OPTIONAL AIR EXTENSIONS: Air Extension up to additional 21 days available to individuals on return flights.