11-Day Greece Itinerary with Aegean Sea Cruise

DAY 8

PATMOS / EPHESUS (KUSADASI)

This morning, our ship docks in Patmos, which was considered sacred and is often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the Aegean”. It was here that the Evangelist St. John received the inspiration for the Apocalypse. Our optional excursion visits the Monastery of St. John, a huge fortress-like building dating from the 11th century.  We also visit the grotto, where tradition says that St. John wrote the Book of Revelation.  Independent pilgrims can wander the quaint streets of the seaside village. We return to our ship for lunch as we continue our journey. This afternoon, we dock at Kusadasi, where our excursion takes us to Ephesus, where Paul spent two years during his ministry. Our optional excursion takes us first to the Temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Some of the most spectacular ruins of the world are to be found in Ephesus, the city to whom St. Paul wrote his famous epistle. Early Christian tradition also believes that Mary, the Mother of Our Lord also lived here with St. John. We visit the Chapel of Panaya Kapulu, which tradition tells us is the house of the Blessed Mother. Those on the excursion then join the independent travelers to walk the streets of the modern Turkish resort city of Kusadasi before returning to the ship at dockside port.