For inquiring minds (mostly our parents), here is our itinerary (that we know of). In London, we're staying at the Copthorne Hotel in Kensington, right off Hyde Park (excited about that), then we stay at Titania Hotel in downtown Athens the first night. Compared to the London Tube, doesn't the Athens tube look so simple?!
6/26/08 Athens
Upon arrival our guide will accompany us to the Dionysus Theater, House of Parliament, and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Odeon of Herodes, and the ancient Agora (marketplace). We will check into our hotel and the remainder of the day is free to explore Athens on own. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
6/27/08 Athens, Greek Isle Cruise & Mykonos
This morning we travel to Port of Piraeus to begin our cruise to some of the Greek Isles Weather and time permitting there will be a short stop at Mykonos with its dazzling white houses, narrow paved streets, shops and windmills. Dinner is served on board the ship.
6/28/08 Rhodes
Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese with a population of 98,181. Optional city tour and Lindos is available along with Temple of Athena per person entry fee not included)Our ship enters the port of Rhodes, largest island of the Dodecanese, which was once dominated by Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Optional Excursion (price not included) Tour of Rhodes and Lindos: Drive along the southeastern coastline to Lindos- the most important of the three great cities of ancient times- overlooking the Aegean Sea and St Paul's Bay. Lindos was visited by Paul on his way to Rome. Free time for wandering Lindos before driving back to the City of Rhodes for a walking tour through medieval Rhodes Old Town.
6/29/08 Kusadasi, Ephesus & Patmos
Early morning arrival in Kusadasi-a lovely Turkish port and gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus. We will take an excursion to Ancient Ephesus . Drive along the coast to Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of Diana - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - and later as the home of St. John as well as where Paul spent 3 years of his ministry. View ancient monuments such as the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Bath of Scolastika and the Great Theatre, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period. Walk along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Anthony and Cleopatra rode in procession. On this excursion we will also visit the Church of the Virgin Mary and St. John's Church built by Justinian in 527-565. Sail for Patmos arriving about 4:00 pm. On Patmos, Excursion to the Monastery and Grotto of St John. Departing the port of Skala by motor coach you will enjoy the short drive up to the Monastery of St John, which has been magnificently built within the walls of a strong fortification. Walk uphill towards the entrance of the Monastery; view the courtyard, the Monks' dining room and the main church with its outstanding frescoes and the small but beautiful museum. Continue on to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse where above stands the church of the Apocalypse. Once inside the grotto, see the silver niches in the wall that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by St. John as he wrote the Book of Revelations, and view the three-fold crack made by the Voice of God. Dinner served on board. A full & unforgettable day!!
6/30/08 Piraeus, Corinth, Kalambaka
Morning arrival at Port of Piraeus for day trip to Corinth. A scenic drive along the Saronic Gulf across the Corinth Canal through rolling vineyards to ancient Corinth, the most beautiful & frivolous city of Roman Greece! While in Corinth we visit the Bema and remember Paul's trial and ministry followed by a visit to the temple of Apollo, the Agora (ancient market place), museum, and the Fountain of Peirene. We continue onto Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.
7/1/08 Meteora, Thessaloniki
This morning we depart for Meteora, in Western Thessaly, where the world famous Byzantine monasteries perch precariously on top of strange rock formations. We will have an opportunity to visit one or more of the monasteries. We travel onto Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
7/2/08 Berea
Today finds us in picturesque Veria (Berea) and flourishing Thessaloniki, both important stops in the ministry of the Apostle Paul. In Veria, we will view the monument erected to Paul and in Thessaloniki, we will tour the 5th-century Church of Agios Dimitrios, Greece's largest church & St. George's Basilica, traditionally believed to be built over the synagogue where Paul preached. Time permitting, we plan to visit the church of Ayia Sophia. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
7/3/08 Philippi, Kavala, Athens
After breakfast, we travel to Philippi for a visit to the ruins - the tribunal (Bema) where Paul was beaten, the prison where Paul and Silas were held in wooden stocks, and the small church of Lydia, over the stream where Paul baptized Lydia, the first Christian convert on European soil. We will tour Kavala, one of the most attractive towns in Greece and where Paul visited and preached in 49AD. Overnight in Athens.
7/4/08 Athens, Mars Hill, Acropolis
This morning we have the opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. The highlight of today’s guided tour will be our visit to the Acropolis, the crown jewel of Greece, which includes ~ the Propylaia, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion,the Parthenon, and Mars Hill. Our guide will accompany us to the Dionysus Theater, House of Parliament, and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Odeon of Herodes, and the ancient Agora (marketplace). Afternoon may be free to explore Athens on own or enjoy an optional journey (additional fee not included) to Sounion to visit the famous Temple of Poseidon. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
---
Then Saturday is on our own and we fly back to London that eve. Sunday we'll play a bit before our afternoon flight back to WA. See you when we return!
No comments:
Post a Comment