|
In
the Steps of St. Paul
A Grand Private Adventure in Greece and Turkey
Having it all
in a Grand 17-Day tour of Turkey & Greece - Weekly : Apr- Oct
What's
your preferred destination around Anatolia Istanbul and the Aegean Sea?
The Classic sites beckon with the glories of empires past. Thriving
bazaars exude the mystery of the Orient. Hidden coves, sun, beaches
and sails seduce you to a legendary island removed from the everyday
world. Which will you choose?
Fortunately,
you can do it all! On this 17-day adventure, Travel in Style weaves
the great travel adventures of Greece and Turkey into a seamless classic
of its own. You'll gaze in awe at the treasures of Istanbul, and venture
to the cradle of classical civilization in Pergamon, Izmir , Pamukkale
, Ephesus, and Kusadasi. You'll ascend to the Acropolis in Athens, and
plumb the pleasures of the Plaka. We have even managed to include a
Greek cruise to Rhodes and Santorini !
In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul
Day 1 - Athens- Thursday- Weekly arrival - ( April - Oct )
Arrival Athens,
where our representative, will be waiting for you after you clear customs
and immigration, and escort you to your hotel in the bustling city center.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Stroll, browse for
curios and treasures, and perhaps dine at a cafe in the old Plaka district
and take in a folklore show
Day
2 - Delphi-
Friday (BL)
Depart for Delphi, via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of
Arachova. Visit the sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the museum. Lunch
is included enroute , overnight : Delphi .
Day
3 - Kalambaka - Saturday (BL)
Depart for Meteores. A particularly impressive scenery: ageless monasteries
containing priceless historical and religious treasures stand, suspended
between earth and sky, atop huge granite rocks. Lunch is included enroute
, overnight in Kalambaka.
Day
4 - Veria, Vergina, Thessaloniki- Sunday (BL)
Drive to Vergina through the beautiful countryside of Northern Greece,
going through Veria (Beroea). Visit the Royal Macedonian tombs in Vergina.
Continue drive to Thessaloniki. Paul preached in Thessaloniki during
the winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians.
See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting
the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire , lunch
once again is included enroute , overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day
5 - Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kavala
- Monday (BLD)
Breakfast is always included daily . Lunch today is included enroute
in a local restaurant.
Visit Philippi where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing
the seeds of Christianity. Here Paul baptized a “certain woman
named Lydia» the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman
forum, completely excavated, is from after Paul’s time. Among
the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town’s main road
is the prison where Paul and Sills were thrown. Continue into the modern
port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul accompanied by Sills,
Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Dinner is included tonight
and overnight in Kavala or Alexandroupolis.
Day
6 - Greek/Turkish borders, Istanbul- Tuesday (B)
Continue on to the Greek/Turkish borders with Istanbul as our final
destination. Istanbul is Turkey's largest city, which lies on two continents.
Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul and overnight . where a fruit basket
awaits. You'll have time to rest up from your drive , and stretch your
legs as you make your initial discoveries of this capital of Byzantine
emperors and Ottoman sultans, where East and West have long clashed,
met, and blended.
DAY
7 - ISTANBUL- Wednesday (BLD)
We'll visit historic and modern Istanbul today. High points will include
the Hippodrome, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and the stunning
Blue Mosque. Then it's on to Aya Sophia, whose heritage as both a basilica
and emblem of Islamic architecture neatly sums up the strains that have
created modern Turkey. We'll fit in the fabled Topkapi palace, with
its formal gardens, salons of state and stately boudoirs of the sultan's
harem; as well as the Treasury, whose collection includes priceless
Chinese porcelain. At the Grand Bazaar, there will be occasion to assemble
your own treasure from over 5000 stands, kiosks, and shops, filled with
carpets, leatherwork, and treasures and trinkets from all points eastward.
After a short rest, we'll gather for dinner, accompanied by live music,
and the extraordinary Oriental art form that we know as the belly dance.
DAY
8 - ISTANBUL - Thursday (BL)
This morning, we'll stretch our legs as we take in the sights, sounds,
and aromas of Istanbul up-close. We'll start off with our guide to re-discover
the Belle Epoque, when Constantinople was the Paris of the East. From
the traditional Karaköy district, where overseas bankers and shipping
companies had their headquarters, we'll ascend via the Tünel-an
antique subway line-up to Istiklal Caddesi, a sedate nineteenth-century
thoroughfare lined with former embassies. We'll stop in at the tekke
of the renowned whirling dervishes. And in keeping with the traditional
surroundings, we'll be hosted to tea at the landmark Pera Palace Hotel.
We'll continue on foot, at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and lunch
in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then it's on to busy Taksim
Square to rendezvous with our coach. We'll venture farther a field in
the afternoon, to Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a refined
little palace south of Yildiz, and the Military History Museum in Harbiye,
arriving in time for the strains of Mehter, the traditional Ottoman
military band.
After
a late-afternoon lunch at a charming local restaurant , we'll venture
into the legendary bazaar and a walking tour of this ancient district
with scenes from " Raiders of the lost Arch".
Day
9 - Dardanelles, Çanakkale - Friday (B,L)
In the morning depart Istanbul by coach to Çanakkale (Gallipoli),
situated at the narrowest part of the Dardanelles Straits. Lunch is
included enroute , overnight in Çanakkale.
Day
10 - Troy ,Pergamon, Izmir - Saturday (BL)
Continue to the ancient city of Troy, with its 4000-year history, which
recalls the epic struggle of the Iliad. Then on to Pergamon (Bergama)
to see the site of the Homonym Church, as well as the Acropolis; the
Asclepion, one of the foremost medical centers of classical times; the
Red Basilica, as well as the site of the Church of Pergamon. Continue
to Izmir the birthplace of Homer and the capital of the Aegean. Lunch
is included enroute .
Day
11 - Pamukkale (Hierapolis) - Sunday (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel . Lunch is included enroute. Dinner
is included at the hotel in Pamukkale.
En route to Pamukkale, visit the sites of the Churches, Theatres, Philadelphia,
Sardis and Laodikia. Pamukkale, whose Turkish name means Cotton Castle,
is so named for the spectacular and unique sight formed by cascades
of white petrified water and Calcerous salts rushing from different
levels of height for thousands of years. It is the ancient Greek city
Hierapolis (Holy City). Dinner and overnight.
Day
12 - Kusadasi (Ephessos)- Monday (BL)
Breakfast is included daily always at the hotel . Lunch is included
enroute.This morning, discover the famous city of Ephessos. First see
the remains of Diana Temple which was one of the Seven Wonders of the
World. It is said that John brought Mary (mother of Jesus) to Ephessos,
after the
crucifixion of Christ, and this is where she spent her last days. Visit
the city of Ephessos, see the town hall, baths, the Grand Theater where
Paul preached.
Day
12 - Board your Greek Cruise - Tuesday ( BLD)
After breakfast , on to the sea-port to board your Mediterranean cruise
. We sail for Patmos, a lovely serene island with an awesome view of
the Aegean, it was here that St. John wrote the Apocalypse while in
exile, and here you can see the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto
of the Apocalypse
Day
13 - Rhodes
- Wednesday (BLD) on board your cruise
The ship enters the port, which was once dominated by the Colossus,
one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Optional tour takes one
to the old town of Rhodes; tour within its high walls and through the
narrow, winding streets. The castle of the Grand Master of the Knights
and many other gothic places are still in remarkably good condition.
Tour also to Lindos where we can see the Acropolis; an exquisite site
with its beautiful Temple of Athena Lindia. St. Paul is believed to
have landed here in a small gulf at one side of the cliff foot. Cruise
shore excursiones are optional tours and maybe purchased if you wish
on board the cruise. .
Day
14 - Heraklion (Crete) / Santorini
Crete is the largest in size of all the Greek Islands, and famous in
legend as the birthplace of Zeus, Father of the Gods. Visit Knossos,
the mythical palace of King Minos and the Minotaur.
Our next stop is the island of Santorini; a sickle-shaped volcanic structure
which the ancients call “calliste” the most beautiful. Cruise
shore excursiones are optional tours and maybe purchased if you wish
on board the cruise. .
Day
15 - Athens / Corinth
End of cruise, return to Piraeus and continue with our tour of Athens.
We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum
and Propylae. We shall also ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora (ancient
market place where Paul spoke to the Athenias. We will also see the
House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential
Palace, Hadrian’s Arch and the Panathenaic Stadium.
We continue our tour to Ancient Corinth. Here under the shadow of the
towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous
and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief
and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins
of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See
the remains of first century shops, the agora where Paul’s trial
by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and
the Bema.
Day
16 - ATHENS MARKETS -Private Tour (BL)
Ride
the new Athens Subway alongside the locals today! We take pride in affording
you this experience, entirely by public transportation, with orientation
by our English-speaking representative. You'll get to tour Athens fascinating
vegetable & fruit markets by subway and/ or taxi. Enjoy lunch at
a charming local restaurant.
The afternoon is a guided walking tour of the local shopping areas in
Athens. Return to your hotel around 4 PM
DAY
17 - DEPARTURE (B)
Do your last-minute shopping this morning, or just linger deliciously
in bed. Then we'll call for you and see you to the airport to begin
your journey home. If you wish to extend your stay , please let's know
in advance.
Bon
Voyage.
RATE
in US $, per person in double occupancy
Minimum 2 guests
|
First Class: $ 7555.00 .
Deluxe : $ 8850.00
|
Please
note that in some small towns in Greece there is no 5 stars deluxe hotels
Deluxe Hotels category apply to major cities
Cruise cabin category " A" . always an outside cabin , two
lower berth
RATE
in US $, per person in double occupancy
Minimum 4 guests
|
First Class: $ 7005.00 .
Deluxe : $8260.00
|
Price includes:
- All
ground transportation
in a private air-conditioned vehicle , with a private chauffeur as
per the itinerary .
- All
airport / hotel / cruise transfers , always on a private basis
.
- Port
taxes
- Private
guided sightseeing as indicated , including entrance fees . Please
note while on board the cruise, the shore excursiones are not included
in our rate, and may be purchased on board the cruise.
- preset
menu meals as indicated , please check each day for the code : "B"
for breakfast, " L" for lunch and dinner as indicated "D",
etc .
- Accommodations
with breakfast (B) as indicated
below, or at comparable properties, according to availability:
Not
Included:
Wedding in Dana Villas in Santorini
|
