Dr. Daryle Hawthorne 04.01.2025

Day 1 – TUESDAY: DEPARTURE – Depart USA to Athens

Day 2 – WEDNESDAY: ARRIVE ATHENS / DINNER / OVERNIGHT ATHENS – Today you begin an unforgettable Biblical journey! Upon arrival in Athens, you will be met by DCT’s local representative and escorted to your hotel to drop off your bags and enjoy some free time before dinner and overnight.

Day 3 – THURSDAY: ATHENS AND CORINTH TOUR / OVERNIGHT ATHENS – The Apostle Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by boat in 51 AD. His boat anchored at Faliron, one of the main ports of Ancient Athens. Paul walked to the city of Athens and while waiting for Silas & Timothy to arrive from Macedonia, Greece, he spent most of his time talking with citizens at the Synagogue and the Agora. The Athenians took an interest in his teachings and invited him to present on the Areopagus, a hill west of the Acropolis (Mars Hill), where Paul gave his famous Areopagus Sermon emphasizing the need to worship “a known God” rather than the “unknown” as described in Acts 17:16-34. You’ll then visit the Acropolis and see the Propylaea, Parthenon, Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Your tour continues through modern Athens where you’ll visit the Olympic Stadium where the games began and returned in 2004. The next stop is Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired one of St. Paul’s most famous letters. You’ll visit the Archeological Museum, marketplace, and temples. You’ll walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. You’ll read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, addressing his message to the Gentiles as he began the task of establishing his church in Corinth. Acts 18:9-11 says, “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.’ He continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” You’ll return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – FRIDAY: BOARD CRUISE SHIP DISCOVERY FOR 3-NIGHT CRUISE / ISLAND OF MYKONOS – You begin your 3-day cruise this morning from the port of Athens, Piraeus. The first port of call is the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the Island of the Windmills, where the waterfront is lined with shops and cafes. You’ll stroll the charming walkways through a maze of quaint whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and entertainment.

Day 5 – SATURDAY: TOUR KUSADASI / ISLAND OF PATMOS – This morning you will dock in Kusadasi, Turkey, and begin your excursion to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world and its former glory can still be appreciated today with its well- preserved streets, temples, fountains, public baths, terraced houses, and theatres. Paul went to Ephesus on his third missionary journey, where he stayed and preached for about two to three years. While there, several incidents took place that are documented in Acts chapters 19-20. It was to this community that Paul may have written his epistle to the Ephesians. You will visit the ancient Agora and go back in time where Demetrius, the silversmith, sold his silver shrines to the ancient Greek goddess, Artemis. You’ll see the Library of Celsius and view the Great Theatre mentioned in the Book of Acts. After the morning tour you’ll return to the ship and depart for the Island of Patmos, Greece, where you’ll spend the afternoon visiting the Grotto of the Apocalypse. John was exiled to the island of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Rev. 1:11 says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” You’ll visit St. John’s Monastery before returning to your cruise ship.

Day 6 – SUNDAY: TOUR ISLAND OF CRETE / ISLAND OF SANTORINI – Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Paul landed on Crete at “Kaloi Limenes”, Fair Heavens, on his way to Rome on his last missionary journey. He stayed briefly in Crete and then continued to Rome. He left Titus on the island to establish the churches and appoint the elders. Titus 1:5 says, “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (You may also take an OPTIONAL tour of the Knossos Minoan Palace). You’ll board boats and visit the Island of Santorini, Greece, perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Fira, the capital, features white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and boutiques clinging to steep cliffs that are accessible by foot, cable-car or mule.

Day 7 – MONDAY: EARLY ARRIVAL INTO ATHENS / KALAMBAKA – After breakfast aboard the ship, you’ll depart by motor coach for Kalambaka. The afternoon is free, then dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

 Day 8 – TUESDAY: KALAMBAKA / THESSALONIKI – Today you’ll tour Kalambaka and see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles with varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th Century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff-side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters that were later transformed into monasteries. You’ll also visit the greatest and most important monastery of all, the “Great Meteoron.” You’ll enjoy an afternoon tour of Thessaloniki, then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

 Day 9 – WEDNESDAY: DELPHI / METEORA / THESSALONIKI – Put on your hiking boots!  After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll depart for Delphi where you’ll take a short climb to the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythion, home of the “Oracle.” A little further up is the theatre where town council meetings were conducted, and a little further, the amazingly preserved coliseum where the games were held. You’ll visit the museum, then return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. 

 Day 10 – THURSDAY: THESSALONIKI / AMPHIPOLIS / PHILIPPI / KAVALA – After breakfast, you’ll depart for Amphipolis and the Region of the Lakes Corinia and Volvi. Paul journeyed through Amphipolis on his way to Thessaloniki.  Along the way you’ll see the colossal Lion Monument at Sunphipolis (5th century BC), then proceed to Philippi, site of the famous battle between two Roman Armies (Acts. 16: 12-18) and follow the steps of Paul, Luke, Timothy, and Silas. You’ll then proceed to the city and the harbor of Kavala where you’ll taste fresh fish and a variety of superb delicacies. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. 

 Day 11 – FRIDAY: THESSALONIKI / HOME – Today you return home with unforgettable memories and new friendships that will last a lifetime and beyond!