BIBLICAL LANDS TOURS
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Do we know that after Israel, Turkey is a land that has more biblical sites than any other country in the Middle East?
The three major apostles Peter, Paul, and John either ministered or lived in Turkey and Greece and on Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea. Many of us Christians don't realize that geographically Minor Asia and Anatolia is in nowadays Turkey!
St. Paul was born here, almost two- thirds of the New Testament actually takes place in this part of the world that we will travel through. It was very important to plant the seed of Christian religion, to plant the seed of The Word of the Good in the cradle, as very often it is called, of the civilization.
On this tour we will also visit Egypt and for Christians throughout the world holy places. Of Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery. Chance to celebrate holy mass at the sun rise will have only those who come and join us!
MT. SINAI WITH THE MONASTERY AND MYKONOS TOWN AND ISLAND
PROPOSAL ITINERARY
Day 1 Departure
Depart U.S.A. for Athens aboard your transatlantic flight. Complimentary meals served in-flight.
Day 2 - Athens
Arrival to Athens the cradle of democracy and the Western Civilization. Meeting with the guide and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 - Piareus and Mykonos
Around 11 a.m. we will sail into the Aegean Sea. Our first island is one of the islands belonging to the Cyclades group of islands. This mountainous island of Mykonos has about 400 churches. City of a picturesque white houses, and island's trademark the charming windmills. Place has a unique architecture of Byzantine and Western characteristics. To visit are Church of the Virgin Paraportiani, on the main square Cathedral and an old Catholic Church and many boutiques and taverns along tiny paved streets. Returning on board before 10 p.m. when we over the night sail for Rhodes.
Day 4 - Rhodes
Today our group will enjoy a full day at the island of Rhodes. The shore excursion includes a comprehensive tour of the medieval city of Rhodes built by the crusading knights of St. John. Here you will have Mass at St. Francis church before continuing on to Lindos with its majestic acropolis perched high above the Bay of St. Paul, where it is believed St. Paul was shipwrecked during his voyages.
Day 5 - Ephesus and Patmos
This morning you will arrive at the Turkish port city of Kusadasi. From here the will travel to Ephesus, where the Blessed Virgin Mary lived with St. John in a small house on the hill behind the city. Here you will have Mass before traveling down to the ancient city where you can walk the marble roads rutted by wheels of countless chariots and pass the ruins of architectural masterpieces. It is here that St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and where he was arrested and cast out of the city. In the afternoon you will visit the island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the apocalyptic Book of Revelations. On our excursion wewill visit the cave where he lived, now the site of a monastery housing priceless icons and manuscripts.
Day 6 - Athens
Return to Piraeus, after breakfast on board we will have full day in Athens (Acts 17: 16-34) exploring the city. Acropolis with Parthenon the greatest monument of antiquity, dedicated to the goddess Athena, Erechtheum with the beautiful six Caryatidsand thanto Areopagus (Areios Pagos = Hill of Ares) visited by Pope John Paul ll same hill where St. Paul gave his famous sermon of "Unknown God". We will also visit the ancient Agora that was the commercial and religious center of the life of the ancient Athens. For the end of the day one can explore Plaka, the old quarter of the city for our last minute shopping and tonight our dinner will be in one of the taverns with the Greek cuisine and “bouzuoki” music.
Day 7 - Corinth
We will leave for Corinth, one of the oldest towns of Greece, where St. Paul came after he left Athens and where he remained for one and a half year. We will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place and famous temples. After a stop at the Corinth (18: 1-18;Cor.) we again meet with the St. Paul, we see marketplace where the Apostle preached to the Corinthians, the Temple of Apolo and the Corinth Museum. On our schedule is the port of Cenchreae as well, and group will have time to celebrate a Holy Mass while on this full day excursion. Along the Corinthian Canal, started by Nero and finished in the 19th century, we continue on to Athens. Dinner and overnight is in our hotel in Athens.
Day 8 - Cairo
Arrival at Cairo Airport, meeting with the guide and transfer to hotel for our leisure time and overnight.
Day 9 - Cairo
Breakfast, then start your sightseeing by visiting the Pyramids of Giza. Cheops (Khufu) Pyramid, largest of the three, was built in the 3rd Dynasty about 2690 BC, and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In front of the Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre), we find the Sphinx carved from a single piece of stone. It is a lion with a Pharaoh's head thought to be a portrait of the pharaoh Chephren (Khafre). Enjoy a camel ride by the Pyramids area, then continue your tour visiting the Egyptian Museum, famous for its antiquities from Egypt's Pharaonic period, which dates back some 50 centuries and includes the treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Dinner and overnight. Oct. 28th 2004
Day 10 Cairo, St. Catherine Monastery
We are leaving our hotel and for a 7 hours long bus ride before reaching St. Catherine Monastery. Overnight in the Monastery deep in Egypt.
St. Catherine Monastery
Day 11 - Mt. Sinai & St. Catherine
Early morning climb to see and meet the down from the summit of Mount Sinai, Gebal Mousa. After a Holy Mass on the Mountain and some time in solitude on the mountain we will return to the Monastery.
Jesus the Teacher
Day 12 - St. Catherine Monastery
In the morning after breakfast we will have a holy mass and visit inside the centuries old and sacred basilica of St. Catherine, after sightseeing we leave for Cairo for dinner and overnight.
Day 13 Cairo departure home
Transfer to Cairo airport for flight back home!
RATE PER PERSON IN DOUBLE ROOM:
INCLUDED:
+ GREECE SERVICES
+ First class 4* hotel - diner and buffet breakfast daily
+ 1 dinner in Plaka quarter,
restaurant with Greek folk dances/music
+ Private coach for transfers
airport – hotel - port – hotel – airport
+ English speaking guide/escort
+ Entrance fees to sites/museums
+ Assistance at the airport
and port
+ Porterage of one piece of
luggage
+ CRUISE SERVICES
+ Accommodation
in inside or outside cabins
+ All meals while on board
+ Min 2 shore excursions - Ephesus and Patmos
+ EGYPT SERVICES
+ 5* star hotel
in Cairo - dinner and buffet breakfast
+4*
St. Catherine Plaza by Monastery - dinner and buffet breakfast
+ English speaking guide, escort for Egypt
+ All Transfers by deluxe air-conditioned
coaches
+ Entrance Fees
NOT INCLUDED
+ extra meals,
drinks, extra visits, personal expenses ,
+ port tax on cruise
+ tips for guides on land portion
of tour
+ tips for cruise staff
+ visa for Egypt at the border/airport