Arrive Athens Airport. Our representative will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “Welton Academy” sign. Meet and transfer to your hotel. Overnight Athens. Dinner at hotel.
Day 2-
Athens
Full day Athens Tour. In the morning, we will visit the new Acropolis Museum and see its modern architecture. We will enjoy excellent findings from Acropolis. Then, we will walk at the famous touristic area called Plaka area, see shops, cafes, and restaurants and also we will visit a local church in Plaka area. In the afternoon, we will visit the St George Church at Lycabettus Hill, and enjoy the panoramic view of Athens. Return to your hotel for diner and overnight.
Day 3-
Corinth Canal, Corinth, Museum, Cenchrae - Athens
On the way to Corinth, we will stop at the famous Corinth Canal to take photos. In Corinth, see the ancient city where Paul met Aquila and Priscilla, the tent makers, and where the apostle spent eighteen months sharing the Gospel (Acts 18: 1-18). Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood before Gallio facing charges brought by the Jews. Visit the ancient port of Cenchrea where Paul departed to return Syria (Acts 18:12-18). Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 4-
Athens Airport – Early morning Flight to Kavala - Phillipi - Thessaloniki
Transfer to Athens Airport. Fly to Kavala, for a short visit. Continue to Philippi, where Paul met and converted Lydia, a woman from Thyatira who sold purple garments (Acts 16:13-15). Lydia was the first Christian to be baptized on European soil. See the theater, agora, latrines and several early Byzantine basilicas of the city. Also visit a cistern, which was thought to have served as a prison for the apostle Paul. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thessaloniki.
Day 5-
Thessaloniki
We continue our journey to Thessaloniki, the city where Paul shared the gospel message and experienced much opposition (Acts 17: 1-9). Here Paul established a church to which he addressed his Thessalonian epistles. Visit St. George’s Basilica, which tradition claims is built over the synagogue where Paul preached. View the Old City Ramparts, and the Galerius Arch that rises over the Via Egnatia. Visit the Archaeological Museum and the ancient Agora. See two of the most beautiful basilicas in the city, St. Sophia and St. Demetrios, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 6-
Thessaloniki Airport - Fly to Athens
Your Athens guide will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “Welton Academy” sign. Meet and transfer to the city center. Follow your guide to the world renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where the apostle Paul stood spoke to the Athenian people and shared the Gospel (Acts 17:15-34). See the Agora, the ancient market place and center of the Athenian public life, where the apostle Paul preached “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18) to the skeptical Athenians. Also see the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Overnight in Athens.
Day 7-
One Day Cruise to Greek Islands of Hydra, Poros & Aegina
07:30 am pick up and transfer to the port and embark on the cruise-boat. At 8:15 am sail for the island of Hydra, the beloved muse of painters, craftsmen and photographers. Its unique architecture, crystal clear waters, splendid craft and jewel shops, folk art and the island’s traditional means of transport – the donkey, make it one of the last examples of “living Mediterranean history”. In Hydra you have time at leisure for strolling, shopping or swimming. In the early afternoon sail for the island of Aegina. Upon arrival in Aegina you can either join the excursion to the majestic 5th century BC Temple of Aphaia (optional tour). Sailing to Poros, the smallest of the three islands. Poros town quietly nestled in the embrace of deep green pine forests and mildly scented lemon groves. Strolling about the town, you will come across the town-hall, the archaeological museum, the municipal library, the cultural hall. A climb to the town’s magnificent bell tower offers an unforgettable view. Buffet lunch on board. Finally, re-embark for the sail back to Athens port at 19:00 and transfer back to your hotel for diner and overnight.
Day 8-
Departure from Athens home.
Athens – Fly Rome Transfer to Athens Airport for 08:00/10:00 flight to Rome. Meet and transfer to city center. Afternoon visit to Colosseum, Roman Forum, Paletine Hill, Mamertine Prison. Overnight Rome.
Day 9-
Full day Rome Full day Guided tour to Vatican City, St Peter’s Church, Pantheon, Ara Pacis. Overnight Rome.
