Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle

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Day 1: Overnight Flight
Paul the Apostle, the prolific writer of the New Testament letters, was one of the first Christian missionaries. Trace his journey through the ancient cities and pastoral countryside of Greece and Turkey.

Day 2: Athens, Greece - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Greece’s lively capital, Athens. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in Athens’ historic district - the Plaka - a lively historic neighborhood nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Feast on local cuisine and enjoy fine wine in a traditional taverna while Greek entertainment creates a lively and wonderful ambiance around you.

Day 3: Athens - Piraeus (Embarkation) - Mykonos
Embark on a wonderful 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily while on board. Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands, is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, white-washed buildings and beautiful windmills that dot the island. Don’t miss Mykonos Town, where mazes of narrow streets link the whitewashed buildings and traditional life continues amidst the bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this island paradise.

Day 4: Kusadasi, Turkey - Patmos, Greece
Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an included excursion to the ruins of Ephesus where Paul the Apostle spent three years during his ministry and where its inhabitants were the recipients of Paul’s famous epistle. Visit the House of Mary, where she is said to have spent her last days. A visit to the ruins includes the Agora, the great theater, and the stadium where chariot races took place and gladiatorial combats were held. It is said that Paul himself fought here against wild beasts. Later, visit the ruins of John’s Basilica where the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is said to be buried. Continue your cruise to Patmos, the “Jerusalem of the Aegean.” Visit the Monastery of John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist, inspired by God, wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile.

Day 5: Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini
Arrive early this morning in Heraklion, Crete. Time is allowed for an optional excursion to Knossos, one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the western world and the center of the 4000 BC Minoan civilization. Explore the site and visit the world-famous Knossos Archaeological Museum. Later, you arrive in the fabled island of Santorini, known as the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Accessible by foot, cable-car or donkey, enjoy free time to visit the cliff-top village of Fira for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas.

Day 6: Piraeus - Disembark Cruise Ship - Athens - Thessaloniki
After an early morning disembarkation, travel north. Make a picture stop at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defense by Leonidas and his courageous Spartans against the Persian army. Your day ends in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. Founded in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki was an early center for Christianity, where Paul visited and preached during the winters of 49-50 A.D. and wrote two epistles to the ancient 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 Byzantine and early Christian frescoes, icons and artifacts.

Day 7: Thessaloniki - Kavala - Thessaloniki
Travel to the coastal town of Kavala where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site and monuments spanning the Ancient, Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe.

Day 8: Thessaloniki - Kalambaka
Proceed through the fertile Thessalian Valley - the breadbasket of Greece - to spectacular Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These dark, sandstone pinnacles rise abruptly from the plain of Thessaly, with six historic monasteries perched upon their peaks. Beginning in the 10th century, hermits, monks and ascetics sought solitude and spiritual solace in these dramatic crags. Visit two amazing Meteora monasteries* renowned for their intricate construction and exquisite Byzantine art.

Day 9: Kalambaka - Delphi
Travel through scenic mountain terrain to Delphi, one of the most moving sites of the ancient world. Once considered the “navel of the world,” Delphi is nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. Pilgrims once came from all over the ancient world to consult its mysterious oracle. A guided tour takes you along the Sacred Way to see the Doric Temple and the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasuries, and the intriguing Archaeological Museum with its staggering collection of ancient artifacts including the 5th-century bronzed Charioteer.

Day 10: Delphi - Corinth - Athens
Travel to Corinth, where Paul wrote two epistles, lived and preached for two years. Explore ancient Corinth on a guided tour featuring the Agora, where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. In Athens, see the hill of Areopagus (Mars Hill) where Paul delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech, and visit the incomparable Acropolis. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of your trip to Greece.

Day 11: Athens - Tour Ends
You’ve explored the ancient land where Paul the Apostle made missionary journeys. You’ve seen the places to which he sent his famous epistles – Thessalonians, Philippians and Corinthians – and seen many of the places described in the Acts of the Apostles. Return home inspired by the incredible, soothing landscapes and the words and deeds of Paul the Apostle.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/18/2012 - 4/28/2012	$1,899
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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