GREECE IN THE STEPS
OF PAUL
OBERAMMERGAU
Athens • Corinth • Thessaloniki • Kavala
14 DAYS
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HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TOUR
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This tour is offered only as a suggestion.
You may customize this itinerary and any other aspect of this tour.
DAY 1 – NEW YORK • ATHENS
Depart from the USA on our flight to Athens. Meals and overnight on
board. After dinner relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.
DAY 2 • ATHENS • THESSALONIKI
Arrive in Athens and connect with our domestic flight to Thessaloniki
for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3 • THESSALONIKI • PHILIPPI • KAVALA
We begin with a brief tour of the Biblical Thessaloniki where Paul founded
the Church in 49-50 A.D. “And from there we went to Philippi which
is the leading city of the district of Macedonia...” (Acts 16:
12-18). Drive along the ancient route of Paul, through mountain passes
and plains to Amphipolis for a short stop to view the ancient Lion Statue.
Continue to Ancient Philippi where we find two early Christian basilicas,
traces of the Egnatian Way which Paul followed from the harbor of Neapolis
(ancient port of Philippi) on his first visit on European soil. View
the Roman Forum, the Citadel, the ancient theater, and the Ledia’s
brook. Continue on a short drive to Kavala on the site of ancient Neapolis
where Paul landed on the way to Philippi. Return to Thessaloniki for
dinner and overnight.
DAY 4 • THESSALONIKI • VERIA • DELPHI
This morning we drive through the plains of Thessaly, visit the legendary
home of the Greek Gods, continue on to Veria where Paul remained for
several days and the scriptures say the people were ‘more noble
than in Thessaloniki’. End the day in Delphi for overnight.
DAY 5 • DELPHI • ATHENS
This morning we visit the God Apollo’s sanctuary where the oracle
delivered her famous prophesies in ancient times. Visit the museum housing
the bronze statue of the Charioteer, one of the masterpieces of ancient
Greek art. Then proceed through the sacred way to the archaeological
site visiting the different treasures, the Temple of Apollo, the theater,
the stadium where festivals and games were held in honor of the sun
god and the Spring of Castalia. Return to Athens via Arachova, Levadia
and Thebes for overnight.
DAY 6 • ATHENS CITY TOUR
Today’s tour will touch the highlights of this center of one of
the world’s greatest civilizations and the cradle of Western civilization.
First visit the Acropolis and wander through the ruins of some of the
most architecturally perfect buildings ever constructed. We’ll
see the Propylaea, the Temple of the Wingless Victory, the Erechtheum
with its peerless Porch of Maidens and Mars Hill where Paul was brought
before the council. Finally, we reach the ‘harmony between matter
and spirit’, the monument that ‘puts order in the mind’,
the Parthenon. On a drive through the city we’ll see the National
Library, the University, the Academy, the Presidential Palace, the Stadium,
Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. The afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 7 • CORINTH • ATHENS
Today we tour to Corinth driving through Daphni and Eleusis. After crossing
the Corinthian Canal which connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas, we will
arrive in ancient Corinth. We visit the ruins of Corinth where Paul
worked with Aquila and Priscilla. Included are the First Century shops,
the Agora, Temple of Apollo and the Bema Seat. Still gurgling under
the ruins is the water of the springs of the mighty Acropolis above,
which once fed the Fountain of Pirene. Continue your drive up to Acrocorinth,
in Paul’s time site of the great Temple of Aphrodite. Return to
Athens where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 • ATHENS - CRUISE
This morning we drive to Piraeus and embark on our cruise through the
Aegean to Turkey. Arrive at Mykonos in the afternoon. The afternoon
is at leisure on this small and famous gleaming white Aegean Island,
with its golden beaches, windmills and picturesque narrow roads. All
meals on board our cruise ship.
DAY • 9 RHODES
Early morning arrival in Rhodes. This fortified stronghold was built
by a Crusading Order which originated from Palestine. After your stroll,
enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere from one of the elegant cafes on the
yacht harbor, or take an optional excursion to visit the Temple of Athena
on the majestic, rocky Acropolis of Lindos, with the blue Aegean beneath
it and the sophisticated, whitewashed artists’ colony at its foot.
Overnight onboard.
DAY 10 • EPHESUS • PATMOS
This morning we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey. Kusadasi is a colorful harbor
town and the starting point for an optional excursion to the ancient
Greek city of Ephesus, site of one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
Excavation still continues in this once great and important city, which
was founded in the 10th century B.C. and was subdued by both Croesus
and Alexander the Great. Walk through history along streets lined with
magnificent public buildings, among them the Baths of Skolasticia, the
Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the theatre. Ephesus also
played an important part in the life of the Apostle Paul, who wrote
an epistle to its inhabitants. This afternoon we spend our time cruising
the beautiful, blue Aegean arriving after lunch in Patmos. Patmos is
the beautiful, rocky island where the exiled St. John the Divine received
the mystical Revelation which forms the last book of the New Testament.
Optional excursion to the Grotto of the Revelation and then on to the
11th Century Monastery of St. John, which houses an original manuscript
of the Gospel. Enjoy the panoramic view from this superb, fortress-like
complex, high on a hill.
DAY 11 • PIRAEUS • ATHENS • MUNICH •
OBERAMMERGAU
Depart on our flight to Munich where we are met and transfered to Oberammergau,
site of the Passion Play for dinner and overnight.
DAY 12 • OBERAMMERGAU
Full day in Oberammergau for the Passion Play. A village in the Bavarian
Alps, famous for its woodcarving industry. In the year 1633, the town
was stricken by the plague. In desperation the people of the village
took an oath that they would stage a performance of the Passion of Jesus
every 10 years if the plague would vanish and save their town. The town
was saved and the first performance took place in 1634. From 1690 on,
the play has been performed regularly every 10 years. The play takes
almost eight hours to perform and the 124 speaking parts are performed
by inhabitants of the village. The audience is seated in a roofed auditorium
while the stage is open-air. Lunch and dinner are included.
DAY 13 • OBERAMMERGAU • MUNICH
This morning we depart Oberammergau for Munich. En route we visit the
quaint Alp and Olympic Games Resort of Garmish Parten Kirchen and on
to visit King Ludwig II’s magnificent creation, Linderhof Castle
with its cascades and gardens. Upon arrival in Munich we enjoy a guided
panoramic city tour by bus focusing on the main sights of this cultural
center: Marienplatz, the Palace, the City Hall with its famous Glockenspiel
Clock, and the Olympic Village. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 14 • MUNICH • NEW YORK
Transfer to the airport in Munich where our guide will assist us with
check in procedures. Board our hometown flight and arrive home the same
day.
Have A Very Pleasant Journey!
The experts in the planning and delivery of
high quality,
worldwide, custom Christian group tours.
Please email your group request to us tours@friendshiptours.com
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