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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAINT PAUL – OPTION 2
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Day 1: ATHENS
Arrival in Athens – assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Balance of day at leisure.
Overnight in Athens.
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Day 2: ATHENS - ANCIENT CORINTH
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning city tour of Athens which will give you the opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a
fascinating city. Your guide will take you to the center : Constitution Square, the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown
Soldier. Driving down Herod Atticus street you will see the Evzones in their picturesque costume and the Presidential Palace. On
your way to the Acropolis you will see the Panathenaic stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896)
and the Athens of the 2nd century A.D. , the temple of Olympian Zeus and the Adrian’s Arch. On the Acropolis visit its museum and the
architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens : the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion and finally, the
“harmony between matter and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Afterwards pass by the Mars Hill
(Areopagus) where Saint Paul preached Christianism to the Athenians. Time for lunch and in the afternoon visit to the Ancient Corinth.
Drive down the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Canal of Corinth which connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean Sea (short
stop) then continue to the Ancient Corinth. Here Saint Paul spent some 18 months preaching to the Jews and the Gentile. The site is
overlooked by an Acropolis housing the remains of the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. In Corinth Paul worked with Aquilla
and Priscilla. Paul’s trial by Gallio took place in the Agora. The community he founded here caused him much grief and prompted
from him at least 4 letters. It is from Corinth that he wrote to the Thessalians. Return to Athens.
Overnight in Athens.
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Day 3: ATHENS - DELPHI
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning departure for the tour. Drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia, past the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy
of Oedipus – Levadia and Arachova (famous for its colorful rugs and carpets). Arrive at Delphi, the center of the Ancient World – the
“omphalos” (navel) of the Earth – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount
Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the various
Treasure Houses and votive offered by ancient cities, the Castalian Spring and of course the museum which contains the sculpture
of the Athelete Agias and the famous bronze Charioteer.
Overnight in Delphi.
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Day 4: DELPHI - METEORA - KALAMBAKA
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning drive to Kalambaka through villages of Central Greece. Arrival in Kalambaka, small village at the foot of the Meteora.
Visit the monasteries of Meteora lying in as quite impressive scenery. Meteora are gigantic rocks etched by time into a variety of
shapes : grey stalagmites rising towards the sky, they appear as nature’s gift to the pious , who driven by faith have opted for solitude
and a life of worship. The monasteries, with their wooden galleries and corniced rooftops, crown the summits of these formidable
pinnacles. Precariously hanging over the sinister abysses, these unwordly hermitages compose one of the most breathtaking sites
on the earth. The development of the community may be more thoroughly traced from the 14th century when the first monasteries
were established. Then was founded what was to become the most important of all, the “Great Meteora”. Of the 24 monasteries built
through the years only 5 are still inhabited and can be visited : Great Meteora, Varlaam, Aghia Triada, San Stefano and Roussanou
(the last 2 are run by nuns). You will visit 2 monasteries and marvel the priceless historical and religious treasures they contain.
Overnight in Kalambaka.
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Day 5: KALAMBAKA - VERIA - VERGINA - THESSALONIKI
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning departure to Thessaloniki – on the way you will stop in Veria, where Saint Paul passed and visit the famous
archeological site of Vergina excavated in 1970. The incredible wealth of the site’s finds led to the conclusion that Vergina was
actually the first capital of the kingdom of Macedonia ruled by King Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great. Don’t miss the new small
museum which contains now the “treasure of Vergina”. In the afternoon arrival in Thessaloniki.
Overnight in Thessaloniki.
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Day 6: THESSALONIKI
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning city tour of Thessaloniki, capital of Northern Greece. The city was named after the sister of Alexander the Great and
was first settled by her husband Kassandros in 316-315 B.C. Nowadays it possesses all the features of a large and modern coastal
city which respectfully preserves the remains of a noteworthy past. You will visit the archeological museum which contains finds from
Prehistoric to Byzantine times, the Crypt of Aghios Dimitrios preserved underneath the church’s transept (here in 303 A.D. Saint
Dimitrios was confined, suffered martyrdom and was buried) and several churches like the Rotonda and Sainte Sophie. Pass also
the walls and the White Tower. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Thessaloniki.
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Day 7: THESSALONIKI - FILIPPI - KAVALA
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning departure to the ancient Filippi where among other remains to see, are two early Christian basilicas, traces of the
Egnatian Way, the Roman Forum, the citadel, the ancient Greek theater, etc… There is also the dungeon dating from the Roman
times, believed to have been the place where Saint Paul was imprisoned. At the river-side nearby, Saint Paul converted Lydia to
Christianism, thus making her the first Christian in Europe. Afterwards we drive to the attractive seaside city of Kavala which has
a notable historic past. It has been built on the ruins of Ancient Neapolis which occupies the same site. The apostle Paul passed
through the town which is the reason why it has also acquired the name of Christoupolis. Time at leisure for free lunch and walking
around. Return to Thesssaloniki.
Overnight in Thessaloniki.
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Day 8: THESSALONIKI
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport *
* possibility to extend the trip going to Turkey by coach to continue the journey on the Footsteps of Saint Paul.
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For details and prices, please contact us by email: info @ argonautravel.gr
and let us know of the number of participants as well as your requested dates
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