Cherokee Creek Baptist Church, Gaffney, SC
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Cherokee Creek Baptist Church, Gaffney, SC
Day 1 â TUESDAY: DEPARTURE â Depart USA to Athens
Day 2 â WEDNESDAY: ARRIVE ATHENS / DINNER / OVERNIGHT ATHENS â Today you begin an unforgettable Biblical journey! Upon arrival in Athens, you will be met by DCTâs local representative and escorted to your hotel to drop off your bags and enjoy some free time before dinner and overnight.
Day 3 â THURSDAY: ATHENS AND CORINTH TOUR / OVERNIGHT ATHENS â 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 âa known Godâ rather than the âunknownâ as described in Acts 17:16-34. Youâll then visit the Acropolis and see the Propylaea, Parthenon, Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Your tour continues through modern Athens where youâll 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. Paulâs most famous letters. Youâll visit the Archeological Museum, marketplace, and temples. Youâll walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Youâll read Paulâs 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, âNow the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, âDo 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.â He continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.â Youâll return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 â FRIDAY: BOARD CRUISE SHIP DISCOVERY FOR 3-NIGHT CRUISE / ISLAND OF MYKONOS â 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. Youâll stroll the charming walkways through a maze of quaint whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and entertainment.
Day 5 â SATURDAY: TOUR KUSADASI / ISLAND OF PATMOS â 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. Youâll see the Library of Celsius and view the Great Theatre mentioned in the Book of Acts. After the morning tour youâll return to the ship and depart for the Island of Patmos, Greece, where youâll 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, âI am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,â and, âWhat 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.â Youâll visit St. Johnâs Monastery before returning to your cruise ship.
Day 6 â SUNDAY: TOUR ISLAND OF CRETE / ISLAND OF SANTORINI â Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Paul landed on Crete at âKaloi Limenesâ, 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, âThe 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.â (You may also take an OPTIONAL tour of the Knossos Minoan Palace). Youâll 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 â MONDAY: EARLY ARRIVAL INTO ATHENS / KALAMBAKA â After breakfast aboard the ship, youâll depart by motor coach for Kalambaka. The afternoon is free, then dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 8 â TUESDAY: KALAMBAKA / THESSALONIKI â Today youâll 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. Youâll also visit the greatest and most important monastery of all, the âGreat Meteoron.â Youâll enjoy an afternoon tour of Thessaloniki, then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 9 â WEDNESDAY: DELPHI / METEORA / THESSALONIKI â Put on your hiking boots! After breakfast at the hotel, youâll depart for Delphi where youâll take a short climb to the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythion, home of the âOracle.â 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. Youâll visit the museum, then return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Day 10 â THURSDAY: THESSALONIKI / AMPHIPOLIS / PHILIPPI / KAVALA â After breakfast, youâll depart for Amphipolis and the Region of the Lakes Corinia and Volvi. Paul journeyed through Amphipolis on his way to Thessaloniki. Along the way youâll 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. Youâll then proceed to the city and the harbor of Kavala where youâll taste fresh fish and a variety of superb delicacies. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Day 11 â FRIDAY: THESSALONIKI / HOME â Today you return home with unforgettable memories and new friendships that will last a lifetime and beyond!
+1=Next Day
(Flight schedule subject to change until tickets are issued)
Departure & Return Location: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Departure Time: 3 hours before flight time
Group Travel and Seat Assignment Information
All group seating is assigned by the airline and are under airport control. Group seats assigned by the airline cannot be changed through Discovery Cruises and Tours. However, you may address your seating at the airport on check-in. (Please note that if you contact the airline prior to your departure date, they will refer you back to DCT. As previously stated, we cannot make any changes to the group seats assigned by the airline.)
Your airline ticket receipt will be issued electronically by the airline and then emailed to you by DCT. When you arrive to the airport, please be prepared to present a passport to an airline representative to receive your boarding pass.
Celestyal Cruises Discovery
Prices quoted are per person and in US dollars and are based upon fares and costs in effect at the time of publication
Whenever possible, DCT obtains price guarantees from suppliers; however, depending upon the strength of the US dollar and price fluctuations of oil, gas and other costs, published rates are subject to change without notice
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Jet economy class on Turkish Airlines
25 seats confirmed (additional seats may be at a higher airfare)
Tickets must be finalized 45 days prior to departure
Tickets cannot be changed once issued
Travelers may arrange their own air and pay the ground only price
(*Travelers doing their own air MUST meet the group at the airport or hotel)
AIRPORT TAXES AND FUEL
$610 (actual cost as of 05/22/2024)
Taxes/fuel surcharges may change without notice; any increase will be billed to the traveler and must be paid prior to departure
HOTELS/CRUISE SHIP
Deluxe hotels accommodations throughout
Celestyal Cruises, on the Celestyal Discovery, cabin category standard outside cabins with picture window.
(Other cabin categories may be available at an additional charge)
Prices based upon two persons sharing a two-bed room in standard outside cabin with picture window.
Single rooms /cabins are subject to availability for an additional cost of $1610 for standard outside cabins.
If a traveler doesnât designate a roommate and Discovery Cruises and Tours is unable to do so, or if a roommate cancels before departure, the passenger will be required to pay the supplemental charge; the traveler may be billed after the final payment date if necessary
PORT TAXES:
$223
MEALS
Breakfast and Dinner plus all meals aboard cruise ship
SIGHTSEEING
Local transportation via deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach
The services of an English-speaking local guide
TIPS
$176 for Greece
â Passport costs
â Accident and baggage insurance
â Transporting and handling excess luggage
â Optional tours and excursions not mentioned in this itinerary
â Cost for Lunches: The tour will stop daily for lunch with most places accepting Mastercard or VISA cards only. Small food places outside of a town might require payment by cash only in euros, same for buying bottled water or a soda en route. We recommend exchanging a few USD to EUROS ($50-$100 per person) and plan on spending about $25 per lunch.
*In the event it becomes necessary to overnight material due to late receipt of registration or final payments, traveler will be billed for these charges.
REGISTRATION & DEPOSIT: A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of registration. The deposit may be charged to your VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. Registrations received inside ninety (90) days must be accompanied by full payment. A late registration may result in an additional fee for airfare depending on the airline and seat availability.
PAYMENTS: All payments after the initial deposit may be made in one of the following two ways:
If you make the payment by check, make your check payable to Discovery Cruises and Tours, and include the pastorâs name in the memo field. Please mail your check to:
Discovery Cruises and Tours
P.O. Box 2148
Hurst, TX 76053
FINAL PAYMENT: The final payment is due January 1, 2025, ninety (90) days prior to departure.
Payments received inside ninety (90) days will be assessed an $80 late payment fee. NOTE: All reservations not fully paid by the ninety-day deadline are subject to cancellation, for which Tour Operator is not to be held responsible.
PASSPORT: A valid passport is required to leave the USA and must be obtained in person by each tour member. No visas are required for Israel. It should be valid for a minimum of six months after your return date or you will be denied boarding.
INSURANCE: Acting only as agents for suppliers, Discovery Cruises and Tours is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of luggage and/or personal belongings, or for personal injury, accident and/or illness. For your own protection, it is important that you have adequate insurance to cover these possibilities. You should carry proof of insurance in the event you need medical attention while in Israel. For optional insurance please contact Mission Safe here to go directly to their website.
AIRLINE SEATS: Seats without a deposit must be released 100 days from departure. If you cancel your seat with DCT in writing within the 100 days there is a penalty of $100 per person.
If a traveler cancels their tour for any reason, the following cancellation frees will apply:
TIMEFRAME
CANCELLATION FEE PER PERSON
Day of Registration â December 31, 2024
$200
January 1, 2025 – January 16, 2025
$500
January 17, 2025 – February 1, 2025
25% of tour cost
February 2, 2025 – March 2, 2025
50% of tour cost
On or after March 3, 2025
NO REFUND
All cancellation requests must be sent in an email to contact@dcttravel.com.
NOTE: Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is available through Misson Safe, and other vendors, and is highly recommended.
Discovery Cruises and Tours (Tour Operator) agrees to arrange for the tour described in this brochure. This represents the entire agreement between the passenger and his agent, the Tour Host, the Tour Operator and its agents. Except as stated herein, no person is authorized to cancel, modify, or vary the tour arrangements or to make any representation of warranty concerning the tour. Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, the Tour Operator assumes no liability or responsibility for any injuries, damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of Tour Operator, or by any person for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited to default or omission of and by any third party providing services or facilities related to or included in this tour or any part thereof, or in arranging for the same, or the acts or omissions of the Tour Host.  Tour Operator reserves the right to refuse or revoke travel to anyone who is deemed incapable of group travel per the sole judgment of Tour Operator.  Due to circumstances beyond the Tour Operatorâs control, the sequence of touring sites may occasionally need to be altered. The airlines or cruise lines are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board planes, ships or conveyances. The passenger contracts, in use by the airlines and cruise lines, and the passenger or purchaser of this tour and/or passage and Tour Operator assume no liability or responsibility in connection therewith. Also, the Tour Operator WILL NOT BE responsible for: (a) flight schedule changes, mechanical breakdowns, government actions, weather, acts of God, acts of war or aggression, whether declared or undeclared, hijackings, or other circumstances beyond its control, including any connecting flights that may be missed as a result thereof (participants should consider the possibility of delays when arranging connecting flights); (b) the failure to follow instructions, including but not limited to check-in and check-out times and baggage handling; and, (c) charges incurred relating to single room/stateroom requirements either by the passengers themselves or their assigned roommates. Payment of the deposit or any partial or full payment for a reservation constitutes consent to all provisions listed in this brochure.