Hiland Park Baptist Church, Panama City, FL
Hiland Park Baptist Church, Panama City, FL
TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY – DAYS 1 & 2 – We depart U.S. 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.
THURSDAY – DAY 3: TOUR ATHENS OF APOSTLE PAUL / AFTERNOON FREE – In 51 AD, Apostle Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by boat. His boat anchored at Faliron that used to be the main port serving Athens. Apostle Paul traveled from port to Athens. While waiting for Silas & Timothy to come from Macedonia, he spent most of his time talking with citizens at the Synagogues and the Agora. The Athenians took an interest in his teachings and invited him to present it more analytical at the Aeropagus, the hill west of Acropolis. Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and gave his famous Aeropagus Sermon, emphasizing the need to known God rather than worship the unknown as described in Acts 17:16-34. Follow your guide on a journey to the ancient Acropolis where you will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where Paul preached the gospel to the intellectual Athenian community of his day (Acts 17: 15-34). View the ruins of the Agora, ancient market place and center of Athenian public life, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. You will view the Panathinaic Stadium, where the modern Olympics began Dinner and overnight in Athens
FRIDAY – DAY 4: CRUISE EMBARKATION / MYKONOS – This morning after breakfast transfer to the port of Lavrion for your cruise embarkation. We sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. Experience the waterfront lined with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.
SATURDAY – DAY 5: ANCIENT EPHESUS / PATMOS – Docking in Turkey, enjoy an included tour of Ephesus, the city of the Bible and one of the largest restorations still in progress with miles of ancient treasures. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city including the Agora, the Odeon, the Library, the marble-paved main Street, the Baths, Trajan’s Fountain, the Residences of the Patricians, the Prytaneum, and Temple of Hadrian. The Great Theatre, built in the 4th century B.C., could accommodate 24,000 spectators and it is famous even nowadays for its acoustics. This afternoon we visit the Isle of Patmos, under statutory protection as a historic monument. Here we have an included tour to see the fortified monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where John received the Revelation. Back on the ship.
SUNDAY – DAY 6: CRETE / SANTORINI – Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. This afternoon visit the island of Santorini which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Thira where white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, is accessible, cable-car that we take with our guide and enjoy a walking tour.. Again we return to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.
MONDAY – DAY 7: DISEMARKATION / ANCIENT CORINTH – Upon arrival in the port of Athens you continue to Corinth. Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired of St. Paul’s most familiar letter. You will visit the Archeological Museum, the Market Place, and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and visualize his address to the Gentiles as he began the task of building Corinth’s church. Imagine where Aquila and Priscilla lived and where they had their tent making business. Acts 18:9-11 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Return to Athens for Dinner and overnight
TUESDAY – DAY 8: FLY TO THESSALONIKI AND TOUR – This morning you make your way to Athens airpot for your flight to Thessaloniki. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki you begin your tour of the city. Apostle Paul came to Thessaloniki and went straight to the Synagogue. As described in your Bible in Acts 17:1-9, Paul preached in the Synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths, and he gained many followers who believed. A couple of the Jews who were not persuaded created an uproar and attacked the House of Jason, one of the believers Paul was staying with during his visit. During your tour, you will have the Biblical Experience of those verses as you will see the agora in Thessaloniki, where Paul preached to the local Jews, and the House of Jason, where he lived! You will also have the opportunity to visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert, and see the Galerius Arch rising over the famous via Egnatia. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
WEDNESDAY – DAY 9: FULL DAY PHILIPPI / KAVALA – 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 synagogues and very few Jews, so Paul decided to wait for the Sabbath and go to the riverbanks outside the city. There, he began to talk to the women that gathered there; amongst them, Lydia-the first person to be Baptized in European soil-she and her whole household became believers. During your tour in Philippi, you will have the opportunity to visit and study your Bible in the actual place where the Baptism took place, called “Lydia’s Baptistry.” You will also see the place where Paul and Silas were imprisoned and freed by a violent earthquake. From there, you will continue to Kavala; the site used to be Ancient Neapolis where Paul, Timothy, and Silas landed. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
THURSDAY – DAY 10: MORNING TOUR OF BEREA / AFTERNOON FREE IN THESSALONIKI – This morning after breakfast we drive to Berea. Berea, as described in Acts 17:10-15 Paul and Silas go to Berea and preach at the Synagogue. Many of the Jews became believers, but Paul’s ministry was cut short. While you are in Berea, you will see St. Paul’s Bema, where he preached to the local Jews in 54 AD. Return to Thessaloniki. Afternoon free to explore the city on your own. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki
FRIDAY – DAY 11: THESSALONIKI / U.S. – This morning we depart early and fly to 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: 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 sears 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)
Flight from Athens to Thessaloniki is included in the ground cost of the trip for all passengers.
AIRPORT TAXES AND FUEL
$625 (actual cost as of 11/09/2023)
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 hotel accommodations throughout and Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises, on the Celestyal Discovery, cabin category standard outside cabins with porthole.
(Other cabin categories may be available at an additional charge)
Prices are based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room with private bath
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:
$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 Israeli guide
TIPS
$176 for personal tips to guides, drivers and others rendering special services.
– Passport Costs
– Food and beverages (including coffee and tea) not usually included with regular meals
– Accident and baggage insurance
– Transporting and handling excess luggage
– Optional tours and excursions not mentioned in this itinerary
– 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 pastor’s 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 July 10, 2024, 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 – July 9, 2024
$200
July 10, 2024 – July 25, 2024
$500
July 26, 2024 – August 10, 2024
25% of tour cost
August 11, 2024 – September 8, 2024
50% of tour cost
On or after September 9, 2024
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 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.
