Itinerary
Wednesday, May 28
Depart the U.S.
Our journey begins as we depart from the U.S. for our long-awaited sailing of the Aegean Sea and walking in the footsteps of the apostles! Please refer to the FAQ section regarding when to arrive in Athens.
Thursday, May 29
Arrival into Athens
Your Day Includes
- Arrive Athens (ATH)
- Welcome Dinner - enjoy dinner and fellowship as you rest and prepare for the incredible journey awaiting you!
Accommodations
Electra Palace Hotel – Athens
Greece
Acropolis
Friday, May 30
Athens
Your Day Includes
- Mars Hill - the location where Paul preached about idolatry and the altar to an “unknown god”
- Acropolis - a high, rocky outcrop rising above the city of Athens which is home to several historic temples including the Parthenon
- Athens – Time at Leisure - explore the town of Athens with its many shops and cafes
Accommodations
Electra Palace Hotel – Athens
Saturday, May 31
Corinth
Your Day Includes
- Corinth - the decadent city where Paul lived for 18 months and wrote the book of Romans
- Arrive Port of Pireaus – Greece / Board Ship
Accommodations
Star Clipper – Aegean Sea
Corinth
Mykonos
Sunday, June 1
Greek Island
Your Day Includes
- Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the lives of the Apostles as we sail across the Aegean Sea
- Greek Island - This day is at your leisure to enjoy exploring a Greek island by shopping, relaxing on a beach, or partaking at a local restaurant. The island determination will be based upon winds, weather, and sailing conditions for anchoring or docking. (Possible islands could be: Mykonos, Syros, or Paros).
Accommodations
Star Clipper – Aegean Sea
Monday, June 2
Patmos, Greece
Your Day Includes
- Arrive Port of Patmos, Greece/Disembark Ship
- Patmos - the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia
- Cave of St. John - the traditional location of where John received the apocalyptic visions
- Monastery of St. John - a nearly one-thousand-year-old Greek Orthodox monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Patmos – Time at Leisure - explore the town of Patmos with its many shops and cafes or enjoy various activities onboard the ship
Accommodations
Star Clipper – Aegean Sea
Patmos
Ephesus
Tuesday, June 3
Kusadasi, Turkey
Your Day Includes
- Arrive Port of Kusadasi, Turkey/Disembark Ship
- Ephesus - “The Loveless Church” cautioned to remember their first love and repent
- Ephesus Archaeological Museum - a collection of historic treasures from the city’s excavation sites
- Homes of the Elites - the excavated ruins of the Roman elite’s luxurious homes
- Port Kusadasi – Time at Leisure - explore the town of Kusadasi with its many shops and cafes
Accommodations
Star Clipper – Aegean Sea
Wednesday, June 4
Dikili, Turkey
Your Day Includes
- Arrive Port of Dikili, Turkey/Disembark Ship
- Pergamum - “The Compromising Church” warned to repent for including false teachings
- Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the lives of the Apostles as we sail across the Aegean Sea
Accommodations
Star Clipper – Aegean Sea
Pergamum
Philippi
Thursday, June 5
Kavala, Greece
Your Day Includes
- Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the lives of the Apostles as we sail across the Aegean Sea
- Port Kavala, Greece - the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia
- Philippi - the city where an earthquake miraculously freed Paul and Silas from prison
- Lydia’s Stream – Communion - a special communion service on the banks of the stream where Lydia was confronted with God’s irresistible grace
Accommodations
Star Clipper – Aegean Sea
Friday, June 6
Day at Sea
Your Day Includes
- Music and Teaching - time to worship together and learn about the lives of the Apostles as we sail across the Aegean Sea
- Free Time Onboard Ship - free time to relax, enjoy games, and explore the ship
- Deck Party - an opportunity to fellowship as you enjoy the ship’s amenities
Accommodations
Star Clipper – Aegean Sea
Blue Mosque
Saturday, June 7
Istanbul, Turkey
Your Day Includes
- Arrive Istanbul, Turkey/Disembark Ship
- Istanbul, Turkey - a large city that is within Europe and Asia divided by the Bosphorus Strait
- Blue Mosque (external only) - a stunning example of traditional Islamic architecture, known for its six delicate minarets and a striking blue Izanik-tiled interior
- Hagia Sophia - recently re-opened as a mosque, this 1,500 year-old structure has a colorful past as a Byzantine-era basilica, a Roman Catholic Church, an imperial mosque, and museum
- Free Afternoon - enjoy leisure time at the Grand Bazzar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world; explore the famous Spice Market; visit a quaint a cafe; or relax and enjoy the amenities of your luxury hotel.
Accommodations
Swissotel The Bosphorus – Istanbul
Sunday, June 8
Istanbul, Turkey
Your Day Includes
- Underground Cisterns - a cavernous cistern that lies under the city of Istanbul from the time of Constanine and Justinian, which continued to store water until the 1980’s. Inside the cisterns, you will see recycled columns brought in from all over the Roman Empire.
- Topkapi Palace - the royal residence of the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years, this museum houses the largest collection of Ottoman Empire belongings and manuscripts.
- Farewell Dinner - our dinner will be the culmination of our journey together, celebrating the making of new friends and deepening relationships with old. With the remembrance of the wind in the sails, the beauty of God’s creation, and the sites where God’s story unfolded, we begin the journey home.
Accommodations
Swissotel The Bosphorus – Istanbul
Topkapi Palace
Monday, June 9
Homeward Bound
With heart-changing memories of our walk in the footsteps of history, we arrive back home. May we never be the same!
*Itinerary is subject to change. To best serve the group, the schedule may be altered or substitutions made at the discretion of your tour leader and guide.