Sept. 26 - Oct. 1, 2024 • $1,545*

September 26 - Arrive in Athens
Discover the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as you explore the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. Stand on Mars Hill as the apostle Paul did when he proclaimed, “I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Also, view the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Check into your Athens hotel for dinner and overnight rest. (Some of these sites may be included on your return to Athens.)

September 27 - Board the Celestyal Cruise Ship & Mykonos
Nestled in the heart of Greece’s Cyclades archipelago, Mykonos pulses with irrepressible energy. With its powder white houses and sparkling blue waters, the Island of the Winds is as colorful as the people who call the island home. You can walk narrow marble pathways laced with purple bougainvillea blooms or go cycling on two wheels past off-the-path Ano Mera village. Explore Greece’s maritime history at Armenistis Lighthouse and check out the Folklore Museum’s Mykonian ship models. Shore excursions today will be booked directly through the cruise line.

September 28 - Kusadasi & Patmos
Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and was once a bustling port town with wide, colonnade-bordered streets and a population of 250,000. Spectacular excavations have revealed much of the glory of ancient Ephesus, including the huge agora and library, but much has been lost. The ancient world once declared the Temple of Artemis to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World but today, only a single column remains to mark its site. View the terrace houses, also known as “the houses of the rich,” which give a true impression of the ancient lifestyle. Explore Patmos, where the Apostle John was exiled and later received the Revelation of Jesus Christ as he recorded the final book of our New Testament. (Today’s Shore Excursions are included)

September 29 - Crete & Santorini
Delve into a Cretan cultural experience that includes sightseeing at Lake Kournas, the Arkadi Monastery and the bustling town of Rethymnon. See Lake Kournas, where you can savor a delicious treat of traditional cheese pie with honey among white sands and ancient olive trees. Explore the fortress-like monastery, whose history dates to Byzantine times. Finish with a stroll through distinctively ancient yet distinctly modern Rethymnon. Next stop, dock in Santorini, one of the most beautiful of the Greek islands, where picturesque, whitewashed villages topped with brilliant blue domes stand in stark contrast to the sheer drop cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. The island itself perches on the edges of a volcano whose eruption 3,500 years ago is thought to have led to the collapse of the Minoan civilization. Explore the island on your own or join one of the optional excursions available for purchase onboard. Shore excursions today will be booked directly through the cruise line.

September 30 - Athens & Corinth
Today, tour the city of Corinth, where the Apostle Paul met fellow tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla and received a vision from the Lord saying, “I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have many people in this city”. As Paul spoke, Crispus (chief ruler of the synagogue) and many others believed and were baptized, establishing the church at Corinth to whom Paul later wrote his two epistles. Discover the archaeological museum, marketplace, and temples. As you walk among the ruins, stand on the Bema, where the apostle Paul stood before Gallio to face charges brought against him by the Jews. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

October 1 - Return to the USA or Continue with the Italy add-on.

NOTE: Airfare or airport transfers are not included in the selling price.
Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
A minimum number of participants must be reached to operate extensions. Contact us for specifics.
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions

Oct. 1 - 9, 2024 • $3,735*
Extension option 2 includes everything listed in Extension Option 1 PLUS EXTENSION OPTION 2

October 1 – Arrive in Rome
Your assistant will greet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel in Rome. Check into your accommodations. The rest of the day is at leisure. Stay overnight in Rome. Lunch and dinner are not included.

October 2 – Rome
After breakfast at the hotel, a local guide will escort you to Ancient Rome. You can tour two of the most important sites, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Afterward, transfer back to your hotel. You will have free time after lunch. In the afternoon, take a walking tour, which includes Baroque Rome, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and Navona Square. Head back to your hotel after the tour. Lunch and dinner are not included.

October 3 – Rome, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast & Sorrento
After breakfast at your hotel, you will check out. You will take a private minibus to the south of Italy. Here, you will stop in Pompeii and walk through the ancient ruins with your guide. After visiting Pompeii, your tour will continue to Amalfi, with a photo stop in Positano along the way. There will be a stop for lunch on the way to Amalfi. At the end of the day, you will travel to Sorrento, where you will stay overnight at your hotel. Lunch and dinner are not included.

October 4 – Sorrento, Capri & Naples
Have breakfast at your hotel before checking out. Depart on your private mini-bus to the port. Once you arrive, meet your guide, catch the hydrofoil, and head to the island of Capri. During this trip, you’ll have the opportunity to discover Capri and Anacapri. After lunch, return to the port, where you will catch the hydrofoil to Naples. Lunch and dinner are not included. OPTIONAL: If time and weather permit, you can take a boat tour of the famous Blue Grotto.

October 5 – Naples, Palermo & Cefalù
Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Head to the airport in Naples to depart for Palermo. Once you arrive in Palermo, meet your driver and travel to Cefalú. There, you will renew your vows at the Cathedral of Cefalú. This celebration will be organized by your tour host. The rest of the day will be at your leisure. Stay overnight in Cefalú. Lunch and dinner are not included.

October 6 – Cefalù
Breakfast will be at your hotel, followed by a free day to relax, shop, or do other activities of your choice. Stay overnight in Cefalú. Lunch and dinner are not included.

October 7 – Cefalù, Enna & Calascibetta
Check out of the hotel after breakfast. Depart from Cefalú and head to Calascibetta, which is two hours away. After an enjoyable visit at Calascibetta, check into your hotel in Enna. Spend the rest of your day at leisure. Lunch and dinner are not included.

October 8 – Mount Etna, Riposto & Taormina
After breakfast, visit Mount Etna. Afterward, continue to Riposto. In the afternoon, drive to Taormina. At the end of the day, check into your hotel in Taormina/Acireale. Lunch and dinner are not included.

October 9 – Taormina, Catania, Rome, New York
After breakfast and check out, depart for the airport in Catania. You’ll catch your flight to Rome, then fly from Rome to New York City.
 

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
A minimum number of participants must be reached to operate extensions. Contact us for specifics.
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions