We depart IAH today for our flight to Athens, Greece. Upon arrival in Athens, we will be met by DCT’s local representative and tour the city of Athens. We drive past the Academy, the University and the Parliament with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The rest of the afternoon is free. Overnight Athens.
Meals: D
This morning after breakfast, we depart for the Acropolis, where we will visit the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena and the Acropolis Museum. On the slopes of the Acropolis we will visit Mars Hill, site of Paul’s address to “the men of Athens” about their “unknown God” (Acts 17). After lunch we depart for Corinth, taking the road along the Saronic Gulf, fairly the same route that the Apostle Paul took. Corinth was an important place and congregation in Paul’s odyssey (Acts 18 and Letters to the Corinthians) with its temple of Apollo ruins set against the Acrocorinth on which the Temple of Aphrodite was located. Corinth was the largest, richest, and most pleasure-loving city of Greece in the 3rd century BC, so it gave Paul plenty to renounce when he came here in the 1st century AD. Paul worked here three years with Aquilla and Priscilla. Overnight Athens.
Meal: B, D
This morning we transfer to the port of Piraeus for embarkation on our cruise ship. We sail to the Island of Mykonos with its breathtakingly beautiful whitewashed buildings and churches. Wander through the many side streets with homes above the shops and numerous outside, waterfront cafes … a lovely respite. Evening departure for Patmos.
Meal: B, L, D
Early morning arrival at the Turkish port of Kusadasi for a visit to ancient Ephesus. We tour Ephesus, a marvelous archeological site and the base for much of Paul’s missionary work (Acts 19 and Letter to The Ephesians). Paul labored and ministered here for three years. He laid the foundation for the strongest Christian church of the 1st century. This afternoon we sail to the Island of Patmos. We visit the traditional Grotto where John received the revelations while in exile and St. John’s Monastery atop the island. Evening sail for Crete.
Meal: B, L, D
Morning arrival into Crete, this island is 156 miles long and from 7 to 30 miles wide. According to legend it’s the birthplace of Zeus. The apostle Paul spent some time here at Fair Havens on the south side of the island. This afternoon we visit the Island of Santorini, great poets have sung its praises, a 4.000-year-old history. And the eternal rock continues to stand, strong and majestic, rising proudly from the sea and guarding well the secrets of Atlantis… The present-day crescent shape of the island is a consequence of the activity of the volcano in prehistoric times feeding the myth of the lost City of Atlantis. Sail back to Piraeus (Athens) in the evening.
Meal: B, L, D
After breakfast aboard the ship, we depart by motor coach to Kalambaka. Afternoon free. Overnight in Kalambaka.
Meal: B, D
Today we see marvelously preserved monasteries, hidden among cliffs … an amazing sight. We visit the greatest and most important monastery of all, the “Great Meteoron.” Then on to Thessaloniki for an afternoon city tour. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Meal: B, D
Put on your hiking boots! After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Delphi. At Delphi we 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 games were held. We visit the museum then return to Thessaloniki for overnight.
Meal: B, D
After breakfast, we depart for Amphipolis and the Region of the Lakes Corinia and Volvi. Paul journeyed through Amphipolis on his way to Thessaloniki. Along the way we will see the colossal Lion monument at Sunphipolis (5th century BC), then proceed to visit Philippi, site of the famous battle between two Roman Armies, “…from there we went to Philippi…”. (Acts. 16: 12-18) Here we have the opportunity to follow the steps of Paul, Luke, Timothy, and Silas. We then proceed to the city and the harbor of Kavala where we have a chance to taste fresh fish and a variety of superb delicacies. We depart Thessaloniki for Athens and overnight.
Meal: B, D
This morning we depart early and fly to Houston. We will return with new friends and memories to last a lifetime!
Meals: B
+1=Next Day
Flight schedule subject to change until tickets are issued)
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.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
3 Hours Before Flight Time
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 at 1-800-682-3461 and press option 5 or go to https://www.imglobal.com/img-producer-insurance-plans?IMGAC=543365&app_method=&svi=&uservar=signature&productType=trip
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: After you have registered for a tour, you will receive an invoice with final payment amount and date due. Final payments should be made payable to Discovery Cruises and Tours and must be received ninety (90) days prior to departure. Final payments received inside ninety (90) days will be assessed a $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.
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 passenger cancels his/her tour membership for any reason up to 90 days prior to departure, there will be a cancellation fee of two hundred dollars ($200) to cover administrative and communication costs. For cancellations from 90-75 days prior to departure there will be a cancellation fee of $500. Cancellations received 74-59 days prior to departure: penalty is 25% of tour cost; 58-30 days: penalty is 50% of tour cost; NO REFUND for cancellations within twenty-nine (29) days of departure — trip cancellation and interruption insurance is available and is highly recommended. All cancellation requests must be addressed to Discovery Cruises and Tours in writing. Phone calls for cancellations cannot be accepted.
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.
