Day 1: Arrive in Athens (Saturday)
Arrival at Athens Airport. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. After check into your hotel. Free time at leisure and dinner on your own. Stay overnight in Athens. (No meals)
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Day 2: Athens Tour (Half Day) (Sunday)
After breakfast, depart for Panathinaikos Stadium cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace (guarded by colorful Evzones) and Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall). Proceed passing by Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus. Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian's Arc, St. Paul's Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann?s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church and finally Acropolis (visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Continue with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater in order to visit the New Acropolis Museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. After tour return to your hotel for stay overnight in Athens. (Breakfast)
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Day 3: Athens / Mykonos (Monday)
After breakfast transfer to the cruise for embarkation. Cruise ship departs at 11am for Mykonos. Between 18.00 & 22.00 visit the island of Mykonos, one of the most beautiful islands known all over the world as the Greek St Tropez. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 4: Kusadasi / Patmos (Tuesday)
At 7.00 arrive in Kusadasi (Turkey) where you will have free time at leisure. At 12:00 the ship sails for Patmos. Between 16:00 & 21:00 enjoy the sacred island of Patmos, an island with an austere physiognomy. This is where St John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 5: Rhodes (Wednesday)
From 7:00 to 18:00 we enjoy our day in Rhodes, the legendary home of the sun god Apollo. Visit Lindos famous for its Acropolis and the old town of Rhodes, the Grand Master s Palace and the Street of the Knights (optional excursion). (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 6: Crete / Santorini (Thursday)
From 7:00 to 11:30 we arrive in the main city of Heraklion on the island of Crete. Here you will be able to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos (optional excursion). At 16:30 we alight in Santorini. Go ashore and take a donkey ride or the cable car up to the town of Fira. Santorini is an exceptionally beautiful island of white washed houses set into the steep cliffs shaped by the volcano. Be sure not to miss the dazzling sunset from one of Santorini s many charming villages. We set sail for Athens at 21:00. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 7: Athens / Izmir (Friday)
Return to Piraeus port around 07.00, disembarkation after breakfast. Then transfer to the airport to take your flight to Izmir. Upon your arrival at Izmir airport our transferman will be ready to meet and transfer you to your hotel in Kusadasi. Time at leisure, stay overnight in Kusadasi. (Dinner)
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Day 8: Hierapolis / Pamukkale (Saturday)
Meet your guide at the hotel reception and take an enjoyable drive along the Meander Valley. Upon your arrival, stroll trough the Ancient City of Hierapolis; a magical natural site, unique in the world, Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. After visits, on the way back from Pamukkale, we may stop the bus to visit local farmers working in the cotton fields. Drop off your hotel late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel, stay overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 9: Ephesus / House of Virgin Mary (Sunday)
This morning you will join Mass held in the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. It has also been accepted by the Vatican as a pilgrimage destination. We then visit Ephesus, which was the most influential capital city of Asia Minor on the Aegean Sea. "Ephesus receives praise for its perseverance, but criticism for forsaking its "first love"" (Rev. 2:1-7). You will explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. Finally visit to the Basilica of St John which stands over the believed burial site of St. John, who is identified as the apostle, evangelist (author of the Fourth Gospel) and prophet (author of Revelation). After tour transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi. Stay overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 10: Smyrna / Pergamon (Monday)
After an early breakfast begin the tour with Smyrna, nowadays a modern Turkish city of Izmir. In ancient times it was in a powerful trading position on the Aegean Sea known for its harbors, commerce, and marketplaces. After visit to the St Polycarp church drive to Pergamon, located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus River in Western Turkey. The city, described as having the throne of Satan, is "praised for its martyrdom and perseverance but those who hold false teachings are criticized" (Rev. 2:12-17). Here you will see the Acropolis famous for Greek & Roman Temples as well as the unique Greek theatre built into the steep hillside. Also visit the Asclepion, the ancient medical center for the Greeks. After visits you will return to Izmir for stay overnight. (Breakfast & Lunch)
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Day 11: Izmir / Istanbul (By Flight) (Tuesday)
Take a morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival meet our host and transfer to your hotel. After check into your hotel, you will join us for an enjoyable cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. Return to hotel late afternoon and stay overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast & Lunch)
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Day 12: Full Day Old City Tour (Wednesday)
Begin the day with visits to the most important sites of once imperial Constantinople; Hagia Sophia, famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Hippodrome was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople. Sultanahmet Mosque, also named "Blue Mosque" by foreign travelers based on the tiles in dominant tones of blue, turquoise and green that cover most of its interior. Have free time in the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world. After lunch, discover the Topkapi Palace was official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans. End the day with a slow paced, relaxing walking tour inside the palace. Stay overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast & Lunch)
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Day 13: Istanbul / Rome (By flight) (Thursday)
Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Rome. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel located in city center. Stay overnight in Rome. (Breakfast)
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Day 14: Rome (Friday)
All day free time at leisure. Explore the city on your own or join our OPTIONAL tour for 3 hours walking tour and experience 2753 years of ancient ruins and intriguing history. Visit the best known monuments of Rome such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, as your professional guide brings the ancient city of Rome alive for you. Stay overnight in Rome. (Breakfast)
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Day 15: Rome (Saturday)
All day free time at leisure. Explore the city on your own or join our OPTIONAL tour for an opportunity to leave the metropolis and immerge yourself in the natural beauty of the small medieval villages outside Rome. Travel through Colli Albani where small villages are becoming towns. Visit Frascati, famous worldwide for its wine, and sample the local product. Stay overnight in Rome. (Breakfast)
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