Today was a free day in Rome. However, a group of 14 toured the city by visiting the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps among other sites. I, however, decided I needed a day of rest before starting off on our next part of the adventure and to catch up on the blog.
Upon the arrival of the ship, the driver was waiting for us to transfer to the airport of Athens, We met our guide, Maurizio, and were transported to Hotel Cicerone, After we were settled we started off for an orientation walk and then had dinner at a lovely restaurant
Our ship docked at the port of Heraklion, the capital of the island of Crete, where the Minoan population had blossomed. Met our director and visited the site of the ruins. It always surprised me that they had an advanced plumbing system including running water.
Our next port call was Santorini, the island famous for its volcano, the eruption of which created the famous caldera. We then departed back to Piraeus.
DIFFICULTY LOADING PICS AGAIN.
In the morning, reached Kusadasi. Our shore excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus started from here. It is believed that the Apostle John and Mary, the mother of Jesus lived and died here.
In the afternoon, cruised to Patmos, the tranquil island where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelations. During the Patmos leg of our Christian tour, we participated in our shore excursion to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and to the Holy Grotto of the Revelation.
After your breakfast, you were picked up for transferred to the port of Piraeus for embarkation to the M/V Celestyal Majesty for our 4 Days / 3 Nights Iconic Aegean Cruise. We departed at 11:00am local time. During lunch Harriet and Doron were greatly surprised to see Mike, our bus driver from Israel show up on board with us. Neither Mike nor Doron knew the other would be onboard.
In the afternoon we arrived in Mykonos. The island of Mykonos is a marvelous cosmopolitan holiday hotspot that combines an international jet-set atmosphere and stimulating nightlife. Some of us signed up for a walking tour and others just went for a nonchalant stroll in Mykonos town to admire the whitewashed houses and flowered balconies. We had the opportunity to see Mykonos island’s trademark, the windmills and the charming area of Mykonos Little Venice.
WE WILL ADD PICS AT A LATER DATE – LOW CONNECTION
Today our tour in Athens began with a the city tour to the Olympic Stadium.
and we drove by the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. With our driver we proceeded to the city of Corinth. Our first stop was at the Corinth canal to enjoy the magnificent view and take photos.
On our way we stopped at the Port of Kenchree
and then on to the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, where Paul wrote his most familiar letters and visit the Archaeological Museum, the Bema, the Market place and the Temples.
After lunch and thru a downpour we returned to Athens to visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon and Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached We met up sith Doron and Ida at the entrance.
After a full day we headed to our Hotel the Mediterranean Palace
Today we visited Berea with the famous mosaics of Paul.
We continued with the visit of the city of Thessaloniki, including St. Demetrius Basilica
We were dropped off at the airport of Thessaloniki for check for our flight to Athens. Departured at 2:50 PM. We arrived in Athens at 3:40PM and we went to our hotel for check in, dinner and relaxation.
Enjoy your breakfast at hotel in Thessaloniki.
After a great breakfas this morning we derparted from our hotel for Lydia Springs, Philippi and the beautiful city of Kavala. On our way we stopped to see a recently reconstructed sculpture of the Lion Monument which is a fourth century funery monument to Admiral Lamedon a devoted companion of Alexander the Great .
We then proceeded to Phillipi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and where early Christians were baptized on European soil.
We visited the baptismal site where Lydia converted to Christianity. Our tour continued with a visit to a crypt from the Roman period that is believed to have served as a prison for St. Paul, the Market place, the famous Acropolis and the Theatre.
Lunch was at a local tavern in Kavala.
Then, we drive to Thessaloniki to see the Upper city
and back to the hotel for dinner and overnight, Some of us went for an evening strol to the White tower along the Sea