Ganymedes

7 CHURCHES AND THE AEGEAN SEA - PATMOS

 

FIRST DAY

ATHENS ARRIVAL CITY TOUR (Lunch, Dinner)

Parthenon                                                                                                                          Areopagus

Meet in the Arrival’s Hall at Athens airport and walk to the bus. Transfer to the city of Athens for Athens tour. See Syntagma Square (Constitution Square), the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in their traditional costume. See the Athens Academy and the University. Visit the Pan Athenaic Olympic stadium, where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. See the archaeological site of the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Visit the world famous site of the Acropolis and see the Propylaea, the Parthenon. Down from the Acropolis is Areopagos, where St. Paul preached the gospel to the Athenians. Overnight in Athens hotel.

Eyzones

SECOND DAY

ATHENS – AEGEAN SEA CRUISE – MYKONOS (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Mykonos

After breakfast, transfer to Athens and to the port of Athens (Piraeus). Embark on the 3 day cruise www.louiscruisers.com to the Greek islands and Turkey.  Depart sailing at 1100 and arrive 1800 on the Jet Set island of Mykonos. Enjoy one of the most popular hot spots in the Mediterranean. This windswept isle is the gem of the Cyclades Islands, world renowned for its striking white homes, churches and windmills, pristine beaches and azure waters. There is ample time to sample local delicacies and exotic cocktails while enjoying the most beautiful sunsets in the world and to party to the island rhythm.

THIRD DAY

AEGEAN SEA CRUISE - KUSADASI - IZMIR (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Kusadasi

Your vessel arrives early morning in the Turkish port of Kusadasi. Disembark and drive to Ephesus, the ancient Roman city which was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. We will visit the Ephesus ruins, Odeon, Celcus Library and the Theatre which is still in use today for concerts and has an amazing capacity of 25,000. As we walk through this ancient site notice the streets paved with marble which gives a hint to this city's great wealth many years ago. Visit  the House of the Virgin Mary. We also visit the Church of St. John the Theologian.  In the afternoon, drive north to Izmir, Dinner and overnight at Izmir hotel.

FOURTH DAY

IZMIR - PERGAMUM (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Izmir

After breakfast drive to see the site of the Church of Izmir (Symrna), the second of the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor to which St. John the Divine wrote (Revelation l-11). Depart Izmir and drive to Pergamum. Upon arrival, visit Aesculapium, the ancient medical centre built in the name of Aeusculapis, the God of medicine. We continue to the Pergamum Acropolis and visit Athena and Trojan Temples, the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Dionysus, the Gymnasium of Youth , the Odeon, the Library, Agora, Great Theatre and Roman Bath. Overnight in Pergamum.

 

FIFTH DAY

PERGAMUM - THYATIRA - SARDIS - PAMUKKALE (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Thyatira                                                                                                                   Sardis

After breakfast drive to Thyatira for a short stop and then to Sardis, one of the most picturesque areas of these seven cities. It is here St. John expressed his concern for pushing further with the progress of the city's faith. Then continue to Philadelphia (Alasehir), a favorite city of Paul and John. After the visit of Philadelphia drive to Pamukkale for overnight.

 

SIXTH DAY

PAMUKKALE - KUSADASI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Leodicea

After breakfast drive to visit Hierapolis city and St. Philip's Martyrium. Then  tour  the spectacular natural site of Pamukkale. It’s hot thermal springs of calcium spill over the plateau's edge creating dazzling white formations now called Cotton Castles. Visit the ruins of Hierapolis which also was the home of Papias and Epicitus, early Christian writers and Philip the Evangelist. The Martyrium of St. Philip, an octagonal chamber has recently been discovered. Free time to enjoy the hot waters in the thermal pool.  Visit also  Leodicea, another prosperous city in the chain, where Christianity first spread. Once visited Leodicia drive to Kusadasi for overnight.

 

SEVENTH DAY

KUSADASI - AEGEAN LEGENDS CRUISE - PATMOS (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Patmos                                                                                                                      Entry to the cave of the Apocalypse

After breakfast transfer to the port of Kusadasi where your Cruise vessel awaits you for a midday departure. Sail for Patmos. This island is known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of St. John the Divine, written during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is now the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. The Monastery of St. John (visited on the optional tour) built on one of the island’s highest points, houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its Treasury.

 

EIGHTH DAY

AEGEAN LEGENDS CRUISE CRETE - SANTORINI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Santorini island

Heraklion, the capital of Crete and its principal port is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 by Sir Arthur Evans and partly reconstructed ,  the elaborate palace that is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of the Minoan culture, when it flourished almost 2000 years BC. The sight of the island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all Greek islands. The town of Thira’s white washed houses, narrow cobbled streets and glittering boutiques cling to a steep cliff, accessible by cable car or donkey. In the bay formed by the eruption of the volcano in 1600 BC, there  are three volcanic islands. The  third is the “youngest” island in the Mediterranean as it emerged and was formed around 1952 A.D.

 

NINTH DAY

AEGEAN LEGENDS CRUISE - ATHENS - DEPARTURE (Breakfast)

Arrive early morning in Piraeus port. After breakfast disembark and transfer to the airport.