ParkwayHills Journey to Greece and Turkey
August 31-September 11, 2011

Tour Itinerary

August 31 - Dallas-Ft. Worth – Athens
The group will depart Dallas in the late afternoon on our flight to Athens.

   

September 1 - Athens

Once we arrive in Athens, we will be met by our hosts and transfer to our hotel, the Hotel Titania (www.titania.gr).  The rest of the day is free to explore the famous area of Plaka (the main shopping district in Athens), visit some sites or museums of the city (the National Archaeological or the Benaki Museum) or take the cable-car to the top of Lycabetus Hill (the tallest in Greece) and enjoy the great view.  Dinner and overnight in Athens.


  

September 2 – Athens - Cruise

In the morning, admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens, as we follow our guide to the world famous Acropolis to see the Propylea, the Erectheum and the Parthenon.  We will also visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his speech on the “Unknown God”, as well as view the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians.  During the bus tour, we will see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the Neoclassical buildings of Athens.  In the afternoon, we will drive to the port of Piraeus, board our cruise ship and depart for Istanbul.

September 3 – Istanbul

The ship will arrive in Istanbul in the morning and you will spend the rest of the day touring one of the most fascinating cities in the world – Istanbul.  Many of the major sites of Istanbul will be visited during this day long tour – the “Blue Mosque”, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Byzantine Hippodrome, Byzantine Aqueduct of Valens, Süleymaniye Mosque and many more sites.  Lunch is included this day at the Konyali Restaurant where you will experience typical Turkish cuisine.  Overnight on the cruise ship.


 

September 4 – Istanbul

Today is a free day for you to explore the sites of Istanbul on your own, such as taking a cruise on the Bosphorus, visiting the 11th century church of St. Savior, the ancient church of St. Sergius and Bachus, the famous Underground Cistern, consisting of a network of waterways built as far back as the third century B.C., to protect the city against long sieges and many other fascinating sites.  There are many optional excursions offered by the cruise ship that you may want to take or just explore the city on your own.  The ship will depart in the evening.


  

September 5 – Cruise - Mykonos

Arrive in the afternoon at the island of Mykonos.   It is the most cosmopolitan of the Greek Islands and attracts many visitors from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals.  You will be free to spend the afternoon and evening exploring this island of white sugar-cube houses, narrow cobbled streets, windmills, beautiful beaches and over 300 Elfin chapels or you may choose to purchase an optional excursion offered by the cruise ship.  We will return to the ship and depart in the evening.

  

September 6 - Kusadasi (Ephesus)/ Patmos

In the morning, we will arrive in Turkey and drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his 3rd missionary journey.  This is the city where both Paul and John preached and lived (Acts 19) and the city to which Paul wrote the book of Ephesians.  Ephesus is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world and we will explore the site, entering through the Magnesian Gate and continuing to visit the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, the largest one in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats where St. Paul preached.  We will walk back to the bus along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.  While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus, we will see the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by Emperor Justinian.  Before returning to the ship, we will have time to enjoy some free time in Kusadasi or get a cultural taste of Turkey by enjoying an exhibition of oriental carpets, jewelry or leather goods.  We will return to the ship and sail to the island of Patmos where John was in exile.  We will visit the Monastery of St. John, situated on one of the island’s highest points, and then walk down to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, the site where John wrote the Book of Revelation.  We will return to the ship and continue our cruise.


  

September 7 - Rhodes

We will spend the day visiting the sites on the island of Rhodes.  We will begin by driving  along the picturesque south-eastern coastline, dotted with white-washed villages, to Lindos, one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. See how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13th century.  Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s Bay, where the apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. We will then return to Rhodes city and enjoy a panoramic drive through the new part of the city before continuing to Mount Smith to see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium. Afterwards your motor coach will drop you off at Porte d’Amboise, the start of the walking tour through the medieval city of Rhodes, the Palace of the Knights, Chevaliers Road and the Marine Gate.  Return to the ship and depart.


  

September 8 - Crete – Santorini

Today, we wake up to discover that we have arrived at the island of Crete and this morning’s port of call, Heraklion.  Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and is known, in legend, as the birthplace of Zeus, father of the gods.  You may choose to explore the island on your own or purchase one of the many optional excursions offered by the cruise ship, such as a tour of site of Knossos with its restored Palace of King Minos (legendary home of the Minotaur) and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.  We will depart later in the day for our final and probably most scenic port, Santorini. You may take a donkey or cable car up to the whitewashed village of Fira and spend the rest of the day exploring this fascinating town perched on the edge of the cliff, or purchase an excursion to one of the other towns on the island. In the evening, we sail back to Athens.

   

September 9 – Arrive Athens/ Corinth SS / Overnight in Athens

We will arrive in Athens in the morning and proceed to visit the site of ancient Corinth.  This is the once glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Gospel.  We will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema, where Paul stood before Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth.  The group will then return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Sat Sep 10 – Delphi SS / Overnight in Athens

We will spend the day visiting the incredible ancient site of Delphi.  While there, we will visit the site of the Sanctuary of Apollo, the most important religious centre in the Classical Greek world. Situated on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, it was the home of the famous oracle whose pronouncements carried enormous weight both in Greece and abroad.  In addition, we will visit a number of important buildings—the Temple of Apollo, the Stadium, Theatre and numerous treasuries built by individual cities to house their offerings to the god.  We will return to Athens in the afternoon and overnight.

Sun Sep 11 – Depart Athens

The group will depart Athens in the morning and arrive back in Dallas in the afternoon.


COST OF THE TOUR