Follow the path of Paul the Apostle as you discover bucolic beauty and ancient history on this Grecian sojourn. Enjoy a 3-night cruise of the magical Greek islands of Mykonos, Patmos and Santorini. Visit the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, Turkey. Explore the Acropolis in Athens. Discover the biblical town of Corinth and see the Agora and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal. Stop in Philippi, where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe and baptized Lydia, the first Christian. On your journey, feel the spirit of the New Testament as you visit the places where the great apostle lived and preached.
On some dates additional accommodations may be used.
Services of a tour manager
All on-tour transportation and related fees
Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
Round trip home to airport sedan service provided when you purchase airfare through Member Choice Vacations. One transfer per person, per reservation. (Restrictions apply)
9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners
Itinerary
Engaging Experiences These special places and experiences are considered tour highlights. Look for them in the daily itineraries.
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 countrysides of Greece and Turkey.
Feast on local Greek cuisine and fine wine in a traditional taverna.
Crowne Plaza Athens City Center, Athens or Titania Hotel, Athens
Dinner
Included
Your tour begins in Athens, Greece's lively capital. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in the Plaka, Athens' historic district nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Celebrate the beginning of a marvelous trip while feasting on local cuisine and fine wine in a traditional taverna while Greek entertainment creates a wonderful ambiance around you. Today dinner will be included.
Explore ancient Corinth on a guided tour featuring the Agora. See the Bema where Paul was brought before the tribunal in Corinth, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. In Athens, see Mars Hill where Paul delivered his "Men of Athens" speech.
Crowne Plaza Athens City Center, Athens or Titania Hotel, Athens
Breakfast
Included
This morning travel to Corinth where Paul lived and preached for two years and also wrote 2 epistles. 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. Back in Athens, see the hill of Areopagus (Mars Hill) – where Paul delivered his famous "Men of Athens" speech – and visit the incomparable Acropolis. The evening is yours to explore Greece's vibrant capital city. Today breakfast will be included.
MS Olympia, Celestyal Cruises
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner
Included
Embark on a 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily while on board. The island of Mykonos is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, whitewashed buildings, and beautiful windmills that dot its landscape. Don't miss Mykonos Town, following the mazes of narrow streets full of bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this island paradise. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
*Port of embarkation/disembarkation can be either Piraeus or Lavrion. Please check your final travel documents for the correct listing.
MS Olympia, Celestyal Cruises
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner
Included
Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an excursion to the ruins of Ephesus (UNESCO), where Paul the Apostle lived 3 years during his ministry. You'll also visit the Agora, the great theater, and the stadium where chariot races and gladiatorial combats took place. Legend claims that Paul fought here against wild beasts. Visit the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mother spent her last days. Continue your cruise to Patmos. Visit the Monastery of John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
MS Olympia, Celestyal Cruises
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner
Included
Enjoy an excursion to the incredible open-air museum of the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Then, during free time in Crete's largest city, enjoy a variety of museums, shopping, or visit a nearby winery to sample traditional Greek wine. Later, arrive on the fabled island of Santorini, known as the "Black Pearl of the Aegean." Enjoy time at leisure to independently explore this lovely port or purchase a ship excursion from the cruise line. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
**For sailings during the Greek Easter period (April 14-17, 2023 and May 3-6, 2024), Crete may not be available as a port of call. Instead, more time is spent in Patmos and Santorini.
Famissi Eden, Kalambaka
Breakfast,
Dinner
Included
After an early morning disembarkation, travel north. Pause at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defense by Leonidas against the Persian army. This afternoon, visit an icon-painting workshop and discover the ancient traditions behind the sacred images used in Orthodox Byzantine devotional tradition. Overnight in Kalambaka. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
*Port of embarkation/disembarkation can be either Piraeus or Lavrion. Please check your final travel documents for the correct listing.
Visit two breathtaking monasteries in Meteora and learn about the resident monks.
Capsis Hotel, Thessaloniki
Breakfast,
Dinner
Included
Marvel at the hanging monasteries of Meteora (UNESCO). These dark, sandstone pinnacles rise abruptly from the plain of Thessaly, with 6 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*** which are renowned for their intricate construction and exquisite Byzantine art. Your day ends in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. Founded in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki was an early center for Christianity. Paul visited and preached here during the winters of A.D. 49-50 and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
***In order to enter the monasteries in Meteora, all guests must have their shoulders covered, women must wear skirts that cover the knees and men must wear long trousers.
Journey to Kavala where Paul first set foot on European soil.
Capsis Hotel, Thessaloniki
Breakfast
Included
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. Today breakfast will be included.
Holiday Inn Attica, Athens
Breakfast,
Dinner
Included
Proceed through the fertile Thessalian Valley and the plains of Central Greece to Athens, arriving in the late afternoon. This evening, celebrate the end of your spiritual journey during a farewell dinner at your hotel located close to the airport. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Breakfast
Included
Return home inspired by the incredible, soothing landscapes and the words and deeds of Paul the Apostle. Today breakfast will be included.
Itinerary featured is for May 2023 - May 2024 tour departures. Departures prior will vary. On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Pricing is per person,
double occupancy,
land and cruise only, based on September 12, 2023 travel date.
Single supplement from $800.
All this makes it AAA Vacations®
AAA Complimentary Inclusion: $50 per person credit toward a pre-paid optional excursion
Member Benefit: $50 per person savings
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