Tour Host, Arlington, TX
Tour Host, Arlington, TX
Day 1 ~ DEPARTURE:
Fly from USA to Athens
Day 2 ~ ATHENS:
Welcome to Athens, Greece! Upon arrival at the airport, you will meet our ground staff and driver, waiting to take you to your hotel for your first overnight in Athens! Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 3 ~ TOUR ATHENS & CRUISE EMBARKATION:
This morning you will begin your day with a tour of Athens. Visit among other masterpieces of the “Golden Age” the Acropolis, the Agora, and the Mars Hill where Paul taught. See Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the University, the Academie, and the National Library. Drive down Herodes Atticus Street and see the Evzones in their picturesque uniforms and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis, you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), the Temple of Olympia Zeus, and Hadrian’s Arch. On the Acropolis mount, you will visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylee, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and finally the Parthenon – the monument that “puts order in the mind” and “is harmony between material and spirit.”Upon completing the city tour, you will have some time for shopping before heading to the port of Piraeus for Embarkation on board the brand new Celestyal Journey.
Day 4 ~ DOCK IN THESSALONIKI / TOUR VERIA & THESSALONIKI:
This morning you drive to Berea, as described in Acts 17:10-15 Paul and Silas went to Berea and preached at the Synagogue. Many of the Jews became believers, but Paul’s ministry was cut short. While in Berea, you will see the Bema of the Apostle Paul, where he preached to the local Jews. Afterward, you will drive back to Thessaloniki. When Paul came to Thessaloniki, he went straight to the Synagogue; as described in the Bible in Acts 17:1-9, Paul preached in the Synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths, and he gained followers. Some of the Jews who were not persuaded created an uproar and attacked Jason’s House, where Paul stayed with during his visit. During your tour, you will view the agora in Thessaloniki, where Paul preached to the local Jews, as well as Jason’s House. You will also have the opportunity to visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyr of Christianity; also, you will see the Arch of Galerius rising over the famous Egnatia Road.
Day 5 ~ DOCK IN KAVALA / TOUR PHILIPPI:
This morning you are docked in Kavala. Upon disembarkation, you will dive to Philippi to begin your touring for the day. Apostle Paul visited Philippi together with Silas during his Second Missionary Journey. Our first Biblical encounter with Philippi is through Act 16:11-40. At the time, Philippi had no synagogue and very few Jews, so Paul decides to wait for the Sabbath and go to the riverbanks outside the city. He began to talk to the women that gathered there, amongst them, Lydia-the first person to be Baptized on European soil-she and her household became believers. During your tour in Philippi, you will have the opportunity to visit and study the Bible where the Baptismal service took place called “Lydia’s Baptistry.” You will also see the prison where Paul & Silas were taken, and where the incident of the violent earthquake took place. After that, you will continue to Kavala, the site known as Ancient Neapolis, where Paul, Timothy, and Silas landed for Paul’s Second Missionary Journey.
Day 6 ~ ISTANBUL:
Welcome to Istanbul. An exciting day lies ahead of you. After breakfast, you will disembark and meet your expert guide to tour the most amazing landmarks of Istanbul, including the Basilica of Hagia Sophia, a beautiful architectural example of the Byzantine era and Christian Faith. Then you continue to the Hippodrome, a venue of events in the Roman Period such as horse races, gladiator fights, and parades. Last but not least, Blue Mosque famous for its blue tiles which cover the walls of the Mosque and the marvellous architecture.
Day 7 ~ DOCK IN DIKILI / TOUR ANCIENT PEGAMUM:
Upon arrival in the port of Dikili, your guide and driver will be waiting for you to take you on a tour of Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia Rev. 1:11; 2:12. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepieion, a famous medical center of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the Book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment. Lastly, We visit the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church)
Day 8 ~ DOCK IN KUSADASI / TOUR ANCIENT EPHESUS & MILETUS:
Upon disembarkation, you will meet your guide and drive and head to Miletus. Miletus is an Ancient Greek city dating back to 1400 BCE. Thanks to its position right on the mouth of the Maeander River it became one of the wealthiest Greek Cities. It was later destroyed by the Persians in 499 and rebuilt and became a model for Roman cities. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to see The Roman baths, the temple of Apollo, the theater that could fit 15000 spectators, and the stadium. Paul visited Miletus during his 3rd Missionary journey. Acts 20:17-36, Paul sent a letter to the leader of the church in Ephesus to join him for a farewell gathering. After Miletus, you drive back to Kusadasi. Here you will visit the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John. Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. You tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Walkthrough history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Theatre. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city.
Day 9 ~ PATMOS & JOHN OF REVELATION:
Today you are in Patmos. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. John was on exile on the island of Patmos where in the Grotto he wrote the Book of Revelation.  Rev 1:11 “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.”  Your tour will continue with a visit to St. John’s Monastery before you go back to your cruise ship.
Day 11 ~ HOME:
We depart for the Athens airport where we fly back to the U.S. We will return with new friends and memories to last a lifetime!
+1=Next Day
(Flight schedule subject to change until tickets are issued)
Departure & Return Location: TBD
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.
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 TBD
00 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
$TBD (actual cost as of 00/00/0000)
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
Infinity Cruise Ship cabin category standard inside cabins
(Other cabin categories may be available at an additional charge)
Prices based upon two persons sharing a two-bed room
Single rooms /cabins are subject to availability for an additional cost of $1550 for outside cabins with porthole and $2,600 for balcony junior suite cabins.
If a traveler doesn’t 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:
$396
MEALS
Breakfast and Dinner
SIGHTSEEING
Local transportation via deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach
The services of an English-speaking Israeli guide
TIPS
$130Â
– Passport costs
– Accident and baggage insurance
– Transporting and handling excess luggage
– Optional tours and excursions not mentioned in this itinerary
*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.
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.
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.
REGISTRATION & DEPOSIT: A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of registration.   The deposit may be charged to your VISA or MasterCard. 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: Final payments should be made payable and received via mail to…
Discovery Cruises and Tours
P.O. BOX 2148
Hurst, TX 76053
Final payments MUST be received 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 heldÂ
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
DATE CALCULATOR
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 Operator’s 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.
