Classical and Biblical Greece May 23- June 09, 2017; 18 Days GR180523 Greece and Greek Islands At the very roots of Western Civilization lies the culture of ancient Greece. Democracy, politics, philosophy, science, theater, and law: many of our fundamental institutions and practices have their origins in this fascinating land and its innovative, competitive and spiritual peoples. Apostle Paul visited Neopolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth in Greece. His epistles addressing Corinthians, Thessalonians, and Philippians are foundational testimonies of early Christians and pivotal for comprehending the context of their religious, social, political, and moral worlds. A trip to Greece provides an unforgettable opportunity to discover and enjoy some of the most important cities, religious and Biblical sites, and cultural treasures of the ancient Mediterranean world. We designed this fabulous trip across mainland Greece to spoil you for a lifetime. After exploring the historical and cultural treasures of Athens, we travel south to the Peloponnesus, land of the mighty Spartans and home to some of the most famous cities and sites of antiquity: Corinth, where the Apostle Paul lived for 18 months and formed one of the first churches in Greece; Mycenae, fabled home of the great king Agamemnon, leader of the Trojan expedition; and Epidaurus, the great healing center of the god Asclepius. Entering the Peloponnesian heartland, we travel on to ancient Sparta, home of Greece’s most famous warriors, to Mystras, monastic settlements of Byzantine Empire, and to Olympia, where athletic competitions took place for over a thousand years. As we journey again northward, we will explore not only ancient sanctuaries like Delphi, oracular center for Pythian Apollo, but some of the most beautiful monasteries and churches of the Byzantine world, including the frescoes at Mystras and the pillar churches at Meteora. Heading into northern Greece we will tour beautiful Thessalonica and neighboring Philippi, also visit one of the richest archaeological finds of the 20th century: the tombs at Vergina, burial place of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The world famous Greek cuisine will nourish us along the way with her diverse and surprising flavors; including some of the local wines of Northern Greece. We extend this spiritual journey into a cruise and sail expedition to Biblical Island of Patmos where the Book of Revelation was revealed to John. We explore the islands of Rhodes, Simi, Nisiros, Kos, Leros, Patmos and Kalymnos in our private hand-crafted traditional wooden yachts by following the sailing routes of ancient sailors and pirates in our Aegean Odyssey. We explore eleven sites enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage List in this travel program; Acropolis of Athens, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Vergina, Byzantine monuments and churches of Thessalonica, Philippi, Rhodes, and Patmos. Join us for an unforgettable journey in the footsteps of Apostle Paul in Greece and an amazing private boat cruise in Greek Islands!
Eon Tours, Turkey & Greece Toros Mah. 824 Sok. No: 13-1, 07070 Antalya Phone: +90 242 230 3720 Fax: +90 242 229 5651 info@eontours.com - www.eontours.com
Day 1 – Wednesday, May 23 Flight Day Depart the US on a flight to Athens. Day 2 – Thursday, May 24 Athens Arrive in Athens Airport and transfer to the hotel. Orientation meeting in the hotel and afterwards we discover the first flavors of Greek cuisine during welcome dinner in a tavern. D Royal Olympic Hotel Athens, www.royalolympic.com or Divani Caravel Hotel Athens, http://divanicaravelhotel.com Day 3 – Friday, May 25 Athens After breakfast full day tour of Athens (Acts 17:16-34) visiting Greek Agora, Parthenon, and Acropolis Museum. The guided tour ends around noon after visiting Agora. We enjoy our lunch and free time for your souvenir shopping in the heart of Plaka in the afternoon. Dinner is on your own. B Day 4 – Saturday, May 26 Nafplion After breakfast we visit the National Archeological Museum, one of the best archeological museums of the world, in the morning. After departing from Athens we dedicate the entire day to visit Corinth and explore its Biblical heritage. Visit Corinth Canal, Cenchrae (Acts 18:18), Corinth (Acts 18:1-11; 1 and 2 Corinthians; Romans), and Acro-Corinth on the way to Nafplion, the first capitol of the Greek Nation State. Arrive at picturesque seaside town of Nafplion with two imposing castles in the late afternoon and check in the hotel. After an orientation walk in the down town you enjoy your dinner at the local restaurant. BD Hotel Nafplia Palace, http://nafpliapalace.gr/page/default.asp?id=4&la=1 Day 5 – Sunday, May 27 Nafplion After leisurely breakfast explore Mycenae, the city of Agamemnon and Epidaurus, the most famous healing center of Ancient Greece, with its spectacular theater. After our return to the hotel take pleasure of the scenic walk through smooth path along the Aegean Coastline before dinner. This path offers a breathtaking vista of Nafplion Bay. Dinner is on your own in many taverns of downtown in which you feel at home away from home with the hospitality of the locals. B Day 6 – Monday, May 28 Kalamata After breakfast depart to Kalamata on the western shore of the Peloponnese Peninsula. Explore Mystras Monasteries and Sparta on the way and drive through the most scenic route on Taygetus Mountain Range. Arrive in our charming hotel overlooking the gulf in Kalamata in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. BD Filoxenia Hotel Kalamata, www.filoxeniakalamata.com Day 7 – Tuesday, May 29 Itea-Delphi After breakfast drive to North and visit Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games and the home of statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This visit helps making Eon Tours, Turkey & Greece Toros Mah. 824 Sok. No: 13-1, 07070 Antalya Phone: +90 242 230 3720 Fax: +90 242 229 5651 info@eontours.com - www.eontours.com
all athletic references intelligible in the early Christian context (1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Tim. 2:5, 7-8; Heb.12:1). Drive over The Rio–Antirrio Bridge at the west end of the Corinthian Gulf and continue to Itea. Check-in the hotel in the afternoon and dinner in the hotel. BD Hotel Amalia Delphi, http://amaliahoteldelphi.gr/ Day 8 – Wednesday, May 30 Meteora After breakfast visit Delphi, the famous oracle center of the entire ancient world and center of the Pythian Games and the museum. After lunch continue to Meteora and enjoy your walk along the rock formations of Meteora, monasteries and churches. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel. BD Hotel Meteora Divani, http://divanimeteorahotel.com/ Day 9 – Thursday, May 31 Thessalonica After breakfast visit Meteora region, monasteries and churches in the morning. Enjoy the free time and lunch break on your own in Kalambaka. Drive north and visit the tombs of Macedonian rulers in Vergina on the way to Thessaloniki and Berea where Paul preached in the synagogue (Acts 17:10-15). Upon our arrival in lively Thessaloniki enjoy our dinner in a local restaurant. BD Hotel Elektra Palace, http://electrahotels.gr/en/thessaloniki/electra-palace-thessaloniki/ Day 10 – Friday, June 01 Thessalonica After breakfast drive along the Via Egnatia, the major Roman road through Greece on the west and east route. Dedicate our day to visit Kavala-Neapolis and Philippi (Acts 16:9-40, Letter to Philippians). After lunch in Kavala drive back to Thessalonica in the late afternoon. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant. BD Day 11 – Saturday, June 02 Thessalonica - Rhodes After breakfast check out the hotel and explore Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-10; 1 and 2 Thessalonians) in the morning. Visit upper city walls where Apostle Paul left the city and Osios David Monastery of Latomou. Continue to church of Saint Demetrius dedicated to the patron saint of the city. Enjoy your free time for lunch in downtown. Transfer to the airport and fly to Rhodes. Upon our arrival transfer to the medieval city of Rhodes and explore the UNESCO site through labyrinth like streets on foot. Embark our boat and enjoy your welcome cocktail followed by a delicious dinner onboard. BD Day 10 – Sunday, June 03 Symi After leisurely breakfast onboard enjoy your free time in the medieval city and cruise to Bozburun. After clearing the custom regulations anchor in one of the bays for lunch and celebrating the Sunday service. Cruise to Simi Island that looks as if it were taken straight from the pages of an old book. Once you've arrived at Symi, you will need to have your camera ready at all times. A very scenic island with its old houses tumbling down the hill to the port, set against an arid hillside. Discover the stately neoclassical buildings at Symi’s port, Gialo, which preserve the color and glamour of its glorious past, on your own. In the afternoon a short ride Eon Tours, Turkey & Greece Toros Mah. 824 Sok. No: 13-1, 07070 Antalya Phone: +90 242 230 3720 Fax: +90 242 229 5651 info@eontours.com - www.eontours.com
takes us to Panormitis Monastery at the south end of the island via winding roads cut into bed rocks. After visiting the monastery in its idyllic setting return to the town and enjoy your dinner on your own. BL Day 11 – Monday, June 04 Nisiros Take the anchor off early morning before breakfast and cruise with the gentle breeze to Nisiros. Enjoy your breakfast and swimming in a small bay along the way. Upon our arrival in Nisiros walk through the town of Mandraki. Enjoy your lunch in one of the family run local taverns and ice-cream treat made of goat milk on your own. Drive to the highest village of the island, Nikia which resembles a movie set with its local architecture and breathtaking vista over Mediterranean and the crater. On the way back visit the 4 th century Acropolis with the best preserved classical period fortification of Dodecanese Islands. Dinner is onboard under the stars. BD Day 12 – Tuesday, June 05 Kos - Kalymnos After breakfast we cruise to Kos Island and our local Greek guide takes us to Asclepion, the most renowned healing center of the ancient world where Hippocrates practiced the art of healing and formulated Hippocratic Oath. Afterwards we drive to the mountainous village of the Zia to take pleasure of the view and our local lunch in a local tavern. Return to the boat and cruise to one of the remote bays along Kalymnos Island. BLD Day 13 – Wednesday, June 06 Leros-Lipsi After leisurely breakfast a short cruise takes us to Leros. Walk through the small streets of this charming town with a coffee break. Continue to the only micro winery run by a mid-age couple for our unique wine tasting experience and lunch served by the Greek couple. Please be ready to give them a hand so they could handle our group. Return back to the boat and sail to the remote island of Lipsi. After dinner onboard you discover the port town on your own. BLD Day 14 – Thursday, June 07 Patmos Enjoy your breakfast onboard while we are cruising to Patmos. Our local guide take us to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and the holy Cave of Apocalypse. After this inspirational experience we will read chapters from the Revelation while we are cruising to the next bay along the island. Free afternoon for the reflection. BLD Day 15 – Friday, June 08 Kalymnos – Kos A leisurely day awaits us for reflection, swimming, camaraderie, and sharing of our experience. After breakfast we dedicate our morning for sharing our experience in the mainland of Greece and islands with others. We set the sail to Kalymnos and enjoy our lunch in a local family run tavern. Afterwards we cruise to Kos Island where we enjoy our own time for shopping. Farewell dinner onboard. BLD
Eon Tours, Turkey & Greece Toros Mah. 824 Sok. No: 13-1, 07070 Antalya Phone: +90 242 230 3720 Fax: +90 242 229 5651 info@eontours.com - www.eontours.com
Day 16 – Saturday, June 09 Kos-Athens After breakfast onboard transfer to the airport and fly back to Athens to connect your international flights back to home. B 18
20
22-23
$6,970
$6,570
$6,370
GROUP SIZE PRICE PER PERSON IN DOUBLE ROOM&CABIN SINGLE SUPPLEMENT IN HOTELS ONLY
$800
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT IN HOTEL&BOAT
$1,970
MASTER CABIN UPGRADE PER PERSON
$900
What’s included? Hotel accommodations in the first class hotels or the best available as indicated in the itinerary and accommodation on a private luxury boat Meals with bottled water as indicated in the itinerary: B= Breakfast (all breakfasts), L= Lunch, D=Dinners Professional, English-speaking local guides Air-conditioned vehicle with professional tour bus driver Hotel tips and restaurant tips in the included meals Arrival and departure group flight transfers Complete program of tours as indicated in itinerary. All entrance fees, admissions, and parking fees Baggage handling Unlimited bottle water on the coach during the land program Unlimited bottle water and soft drinks onboard during the yacht program Taxes What’s excluded? International and domestic airfares, airport taxes and fuel surcharges Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages during the meals in the land section Individual arrival and departure airport transfers out of arrival and departure dates Gratuities to yacht crew, guides and drivers Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar expenses Travel and health insurance
Eon Tours, Turkey & Greece Toros Mah. 824 Sok. No: 13-1, 07070 Antalya Phone: +90 242 230 3720 Fax: +90 242 229 5651 info@eontours.com - www.eontours.com