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14-Day Greece Tour with Aegean Sea Cruise Rome Extension

Coral Travel & Tours’ friendly and qualified staff will work closely with you to customize the Greece itinerary that best suits your travel needs. Our customized travel for Christian groups allows participants to view this ancient land from a biblical perspective. Below is a sample itinerary In the Footsteps of St. Paul Tour with an Aegean Sea Cruise and Rome extension.

Greece Footsteps of St. Paul Tour / Aegean Sea Cruise / Rome

Walk in the Footsteps of St Paul during this 14-day tour which includes an Aegean Sea Cruise and a 3-day Rome extension. During this exciting tour visit such extraordinary places as Athens, Philippi, Thessaloniki and Berea. Plus, enjoy a cruise to see the beautiful Greek Islands, including Mykonos, and Santorini. Complete your adventure by visiting Rome, Italy where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the Roman Forum – step inside Mamertine Prison where Paul was imprisoned and see the Arch of Titus. Other amazing sites you’ll experience include the Coliseum, the Pantheon, Circus Maximus, and much more. 

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Rome, Italy

DAY 1

USA / ATHENS
Flight from USA to Athens

DAY 2

ARRIVE IN ATHENS
Welcome to Greece. Arrive in Athens. Meet your host and transfer to your hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the city. In the evening your group will enjoy the first of many delectable European style dinners together.

DAY 3

ATHENS TOUR
Visit the chief jewel of the Acropolis – the Parthenon, the Temple of Winged Victory, the Propylea and the Erechtheum with its peerless Porch of Maidens. Beneath the Acropolis is the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is where St. Paul made his famous “Men of Athens” speech revealing a considerable knowledge of the Greek philosophy and character. After lunch, visit the Ancient Agora located on the foot of Acropolis Rock close to “Theseion” metro station. In antiquity, Agora was not only a commercial center but a political, cultural and religious one as well. This area included administrative buildings, temples, public services and courts. Athenians gathered here to buy and sell products, to get informed on current affairs, criticize the government, exchange ideas or just start a conversation. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 4

CORINTH / MYCENAE / ATHENS

After breakfast, travel to the ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul’s most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. Enjoy a devotional amid the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached and enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period. After the visit to ancient Corinth, travel to Mycenae where the remains of the ancient city date back to the Bronze Age to see the famous Lioness Gate, the Tomb of Agamennon in the shape of a Beehive, and many other sites. Return to Athens for check in at our hotel followed by dinner.

DAY 5

ATHENS / CRUISE / MYKONOS

Transfer to the port where we will set sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. Time at leisure to experience the waterfront lined with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.

DAY 6

EPHESUS & PATMOS CRUISE
 This morning your ship docks in Kusadasi, where your excursion takes you to some of the most spectacular ruins in the world. Ancient Ephesus is the early Christian city to whom St. Paul wrote his famous epistle. Together with your tour guide, you will pass the Magnesian Gate. Traces of the Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian period are scattered everywhere: the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the marble-paved main Street of the Kouretes, the Thermal Baths of Scholastica, Trajan’s Fountain, the Public Latrines, and the Houses of the Patricians, the Prytaneum, Hadrian’s Temple, and the Great Theater. Return to your ship for lunch and continue on to Patmos, which was considered sacred and is often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the Aegean.” It was here that the Evangelist John received the inspiration for the Apocalypse. Your adventure visits the Monastery of St. John, a huge fortress-like building dating from the 11th century. Also visit the grotto, where tradition has it that John wrote the Book of Revelation. We return to our ship and overnight.

DAY 7

CRETE & SANTORINI

This morning, arrive at Crete. Visit the ancient city of Knossos, with constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D. It is beyond a doubt, the land that “gave birth” to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans. We visit the excavations first begun in 1878 by the Heraklian Minos Kalokairinos and later the British Sir Arthur Evans were to complete the scientific research, bringing to light the Minoan palace in its entirety, which was, according to tradition, the residence of the wise King Minos. Return to your ship for lunch while sailing to Santorini. In the afternoon, visit Santorini, the island thought by many to be the lost continent of Atlantis. Here, you will join a visit to Oia Village. Enroute admire the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea and neighboring islands. Built on the Caldera rim, Oia Village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture. Explore by walking along the cobble-stone streets and the whitewashed houses with blue shutters which appear as a beautiful travel brochure. Your excursion ends in Fira where your guide will show you the way to the cable car back to the ship.

DAY 8

DISEMBARK / KALAMBAKA / METEORA

This morning arrive at Lavrio port where you’ll disembark and drive the highway north catching a glimpse of Mt. Olympus and proceeding through the towns of Lamia and Larissa. Arrive in Kalambaka and continue to nearby Meteora whose pillar-like rocks provide an amazing site. The Meteora (meaning “suspended rocks,” “suspended in the air,” “in the heavens above”) is one of the largest and one of the most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in Greece. The six Monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly. After visiting two of the monasteries, continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight. In the afternoon, tour the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. After your guided tour, check in into your hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 9

BEREA / THESSALONIKI

This morning, depart Kalambaka and drive through the plains of Thessaly, the legendary home of the Greek Gods to Veria (Berea of the New Testament) where Paul visited enroute to Athens and the scriptures say the people were “more noble than in Thessaloniki.” Paul and Silas were taken here after the Thessaloniki pagans attacked them. After lunch, continue to Thessaloniki. Drive to the old town to see the place where St. Paul preached the gospel to the Thessalonians. Afterward, visit the St. Demetrius Church, the white tower, the Arch of Gallerius and get in the spirit of this fabulous town. Continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10

THESSALONIKI / PHILIPPI / KAVALA

Begin your day by following the massive battlement Byzantine wall to the citadel for a panoramic view of the city. Next, you’ll visit Philippi and Kavala. Kavala is Greece’s prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbor. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy, and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of
the Bible!  See the Roman Aqueduct and the Ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th century as Kavala. Continue to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. View the baptismal site where Lydia surrendered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is traditionally thought to have served as a prison for Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the MarketPlace, Basilica,
and the Theatre. Return to Thessalonica and visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert. On to your hotel for dinner and final night in Greece.

DAY 11

ROME, ITALY

This morning we fly to Rome, our home for the next three nights. We transfer to our Hotel and we
check in. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 12

ROME, ITALY

Begin your walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where your guide will divulge its secrets. Visit the Arch of Titus which commemorated the sack of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70. Step inside the Mamertine Prison, where tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. The Roman church believes that Peter was imprisoned here as well, but there is no imperial evidence that Peter was ever in Rome. Next, visit the Colosseum where thousands of people and animals perished during gladiatorial games. The Colosseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100 days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughter of both humans and animals continued for three more centuries. Historians believe the Colosseum could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on how close the seating was. The floor has recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessible for people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories of the games that have fascinated people for years. Additional sites include the Arches of Constantine and Titus and Circus Maximum. Take a walk past the famous Spanish Steps, visit the amazing Pantheon and view the Trevi Fountain. Throw in a coin to ensure your return trip to Rome! Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13

ROME, ITALY

This morning, begin at the Abbey of Three Fountains which is the traditional site of Paul’s death. Afterward, visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls, the traditional site of Paul’s tomb. Later in the morning, visit the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museum houses the steps from Pilot’s Judgment Hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. The practice today is to climb the
steps on your knees, stopping to pray on each step. Your last stop of the day will be the Church of San Paolo Alla Regola, where it is said that Paul attended in the house excavated below the church building. It has perfect acoustics for a hymn of the faith and scripture reading from Paul’s writings.  The remainder of your day is free to enjoy exploring Rome on our own. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14

HOMEWARD BOUND

In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to the USA.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Athens
The Acropolis – the Parthenon, Temple of Wingless Victory, Erechtheum; Mars Hill; Temple of Zeus; Adrian’s Arch and more.

Piraeus / Corinth
The Corinth Canal; 1st Century ruins, Agora, Temple of Apollo, and Bema seat; visit the Corinth Acropolis.

Aegean Sea Cruise
Visit Mykonos, Santorini, Ephesus, Crete, and Patmos.

Rome
Visit the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Mamertine Prison, the Basilica of St. Paul, and Scala Santa.

Interested in leading a group tour to Greece? Call us today or complete our Request a Quote form and a Coral Travel & Tours representative will contact you. Learn how you can tour Greece for FREE!

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