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For 11 nights, join us on Paul’s Journeys aboard Celebrity Infinity starting at $3399 on March 3, 2024. You will see Athens, Thessaloniki, St. George’s Basilica, the archaeological museum, the Basilicas of St. Sophia, St. Demetrios, the Galerius Arch, the Old City Ramparts, Philippi, the famous Acropolis, the marketplace, the Basilica, the theater, Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, the Museum of Ephesus, the Phassouri citrus groves, Aphrodite, Pafos, the house of Dionysos, House of Aeon, St. Paul’s Pillar, Yeroskipou, St. Paraskevi, Rhode, Crete, Corinth, and more!
Proposed Itinerary :
DAY 1
Your journey of a lifetime begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight.
DAY 2
You will arrive in Athens, Greece where you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Port of Piraeus to board the Celebrity Infinity.
DAY 3
Daily Itinerary At the northwest edge of the Plain of Thessaly, between the mountain of Pindos and Antichasia and near Peneios River, the stone giants of Meteora stand still and silent. Their proud and imposing aspect discontinues the monotony of the vast Thessalic plain. The rocks stand right above Kalambaka and the picturesque Kastraki, full of awe and beauty. A daily excursion combines the unique experience that Meteora, also known as “The Stone Forest” offers with the religious sentiment created by their Monasteries. The journey to Meteora starts from Volos and other resorts in Pelion. We pass by the cities of Larisa, Trikala, and Kalambaka. After arriving in Kalambaka, we shortly after reaching the massively impressive rocks of Meteora that take one’s breath away. We learn about the monarchy of the 11th century and have also the chance to visit one of the historical monasteries. Meteora is a World Heritage Site that fascinates every visitor regardless of their religion and cultural background. Uncover the secrets of the unique geological phenomenon of the Meteora rocks, experience the serenity of the surreal landscape that has been home to Christian hermits and monks since the 12th century AD, and feel the spirituality of one of Christianity’s holiest places. Afterward, drive back to the city of Volos and enjoy some free time in this beautiful town before returning to your cruise ship.
DAY 4
Daily Itinerary Visit Philippi, where Paul, intending to find a place to pray by the riverside, spoke to women who had gathered there, among whom was Lydia, the seller of purple and whose heart the Lord opened to hear the words that he spoke. Lydia was the first Christian to be baptized on European soil. Visit the place where this event is remembered and see a crypt dating from the Roman period, which is thought to have served as a prison for the Apostle Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the marketplace, the basilica, and the theater.
DAY 5
At Sea
DAY 6
Get the real authentic Rhodes experience by exploring it on foot. Your walking tour will begin in the picturesque Old Town, where you will pass through and learn all about the agora and Collachium, where the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem lived and worked. Marvel at the stunning churches, exquisite Jewish quarter, the Inns of Knights, and the Palace of Grand Masters. You will then tour the palace interior and down the Street of Knights — its path paved with impressive marble and mosaics. Then, it’s on to the Hospital of Knights Museum, where you’ll learn all about the ins and outs of this majestic town. Afterward, stop for a refreshment in a local café. Exploring Rhodes on foot will inevitably leave a lasting impression on you.
DAY 7
Take the coastal route through the Phassouri citrus groves and vineyards to the ancient city-kingdom of Curium with its well-preserved mosaics in the house of Eustolios, its theatre, and basilica. Continue to the legendary birthplace Aphrodite, where the goddess rose from the waves. In Pafos visit the beautiful mosaics in the house of Dionysos as well as the shortly excavated House of Aeon which are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. See St. Paul’s Pillar where according to tradition the Saint was tied and whipped by the Romans and the fishing harbour near the medieval fort. Wander around the old fishing harbor. On the way back there will be a stop at Yeroskipou for a visit to the church of St. Paraskevi, a basilica surmounted by five domes forming a cross and has beautiful mural paintings dated mainly to the 15th century.
DAY 8
At Sea
DAY 9
Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and was once a bustling port town graced with wide, colonnade-bordered streets and a population of 250,000. Although spectacular excavations have revealed much of the glory of ancient Ephesus, including the huge agora and library, 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 the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at ancient artifacts. You will have time to explore on your own and recreate some of the footsteps of Paul.
DAY 10
Santorini is one of the world’s most popular islands, known best for its dramatic scenery, whitewashed villages, and fiery volcanic activity. Here adventure bubbles above the Aegean Sea in the most bold and breathtaking ways. A cable car takes you to the capital of Fira, a bustling cliff-top town awash with old cathedrals, enthralling museum collections, and cozy tavernas. Venture to the coast for a swim in the deep blue waters that lap red and black pebbled beaches. And peel back layers of lava and history among excavated Akrotiri. Whether it’s by bicycle, ATV, or on your own two feet, exploring this Cyclades isle never fails to impress. Shore excursions today can be booked directly through Celebrity and are not included.
DAY 11
Daily Itinerary 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 cycle 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. Join us on Super Paradise’s shimmering sands, or watch the sun burn out beyond an Aegean horizon from an open-air seaside taverna. Shore excursions today can be booked directly through Celebrity and are not included.
DAY 12
The Apostle Paul met fellow tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth 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 much people in this city” (Acts 18:10). As Paul spoke, Crispus (chief ruler of the Synagogue) and many others believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8), establishing the church at Corinth to whom Paul later wrote his two epistles. Tour the city of Corinth and the Museum of Corinth. Then enjoy the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as your guide introduces you to 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 the inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23). As you stroll the agora (ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life), recall that this was where the Apostle Paul preached “Jesus and the resurrection” to the skeptical Athenians. Enjoy the afternoon and evening on your own to shop, dine, or experience the Acropolis by night. Return to the ship at your leisure.
DAY 13
Disembark the Celebrity Infinity and transfer to the airport to return home with a new understanding of the Apostle Paul's life and ministry.
*The trip will take place in case of a group of 16 people
* * The route, as well as the order of visiting places, may be changed due to quarantine restrictions, as well as for safety reasons or due to the weather, road repair work etc.