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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAINT PAUL – OPTION 3
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Day 1: THESSALONIKI
Arrival in Thessaloniki – assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Balance of day at leisure.
Overnight in Thessaloniki.
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Day 2: THESSALONIKI
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning city tour of Thessaloniki, the 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 Saint 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 3: 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 historical 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 Thessaloniki. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
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Day 4: THESSALONIKI - VERGINA - VERIA - ATHENS
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning departure to the small town of 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. Visit also the little museum which contains the famous “treasure of Vergina”. Return to Thessaloniki and transfer to the airport for the flight to Athens. Arrival in Athens – assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Athens.
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Day 5: 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 as 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. Free time for lunch and in the afternoon departure for a visit to 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 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 6: ATHENS - PIRAEUS - MYKONOS
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the port of Piraeus.
Embarkation for the 3-day cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey. At 11h00 sailing to Myconos, the jewel of the Cyclades. Lunch on board. In the afternoon arrival in Myconos. Free time for shopping and strolling through the narrow white washed streets of the picturesque town. In the evening sailing to Rhodes.
Dinner and overnight on board.
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Day 7: RHODES
Breakfast on board.
Early morning arrival in Rhodes, the capital of the Dodecanese islands. Free time or optional excursion to Lindos and the Medieval town. Drive along the picturesque Eastern coastline, scattered with white-washed villages, to Lindos. The most important of the three great cities of ancient times is guarded by the Medieval walls constructed by the Knights of Saint John in the 13th century. Within, stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis there are breathtaking views to the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and Saint Paul’s Bay where the apostle coast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. You will proceed on foot uphill to the Great Staircase leading from the Hellenistic portico to the temple of Athena. Return to Rhodes city. Enjoy a stroll through the Medieval town and view the Palace of the Grand Master, Medieval Houses and the Hospital of the Knights of Saint John housing now the archeological museum. In the evening sailing to Patmos.
Lunch / dinner and overnight on board.
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Day 8: PATMOS - KUSADASI
Breakfast on board.
Early morning arrival in Patmos. This serene island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of Saint John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he is said to have lived is now the site of the monastery of the Apocalypse founded in the 11th century by the abbot Christodoulos. It houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury. At noon sailing to Kusadasi. Lunch on board. In the afternoon arrival in Kusadasi *. This seaside resort has undergone vigorous development in recent years and is an excellent place to shop for Turkish goods. The optional tour to the nearby Ephesus is not to be missed, for here the history truly comes to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass such architectural masterpieces as the Magnesian Gate & the Library of Celsus before arriving at the great amphitheater where Saint Paul was arrested and cast out of the city. In the evening sailing to Piraeus.
Dinner and overnight on board.
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Day 9: PIRAEUS - ATHENS
Early morning arrival in Piraeus. After breakfast disembarkation and transfer to the airport.
* possibility in Kusadasi to disembark and continue the tour in Turkey.
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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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