Study Abroad Semester in ATHENS, GREECE

DAY 1 - TUESDAY: ATHENS ARRIVAL

Arrival at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”. Meet, welcome and assistance from our representative and transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day is free. Orientation.

DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 3 - THURSDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 4 - FRIDAY: ATHENS CITY TOUR

At 08:00 a.m. we start our full day sightseeing tour in Athens. The tour includes visits to the Areopagus (Mars’ Hill) where Paul reasoned with the Athenian philosophers, after which we climb up to the world famous Acropolis, marble-capped with the Parthenon, built of white marble 2,500 years ago. We enjoy our lunch in a typical tavern in Plaka at about 01:30 p.m.
Afterwards our tour continues with the visit to the Acropolis Museum and the highlights of modern Athens: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, the Panathenian Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library. In the afternoon we return to our hotel.

Day 5 - SATURDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 6 – SUNDAY: ANCIENT AGORA OF ATHENS

Pick up at 10:00 a.m. from our hotel and transfer to the Ancient Agora of Athens where Paul preached. The Agora, now in ruins, was formerly the commercial hub of ancient Athens and birthplace of politics and philosophy. Here Paul reasoned with the most sceptical audience he met in the course of his travels.

We see the very well preserved Doric Temple of Hephaestus (or Thesseion) and the Stoa of Attalos, an arcade built by Attalos II, king of Pergamum, used as a retail market. Today it is used as a museum, displaying statutes, pottery and especially coins. We also visit the Roman forum with the Tower of the Winds. Lunch on your own. Afternoon free. Return to hotel for overnight.

DAY 7 - MONDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

THROUGH

DAY 10 – THURSDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 11 – FRIDAY: DELPHI

At 07:00 a.m. we depart from our hotel by coach, driving through the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of king Oedipus. Next are the towns of Livadia and Arachova, famous for their colourful woollen rugs and carpets. Arrive at Delphi, the centre of the Ancient world, the “omphalos” (navel) of the earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world.

On the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, in a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty and majesty, lies the archaeological site of Delphi. We visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the Archaeological Museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. We will have lunch in a nice local restaurant. Late in the afternoon we return to our hotel in Athens.

DAY 12 - SATURDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

THROUGH

DAY 17 - THURSDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 18 - FRIDAY: ATHENS – TEL AVIV - TIBERIAS

At noon transfer from hotel to Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” to fly to Tel Aviv. Arrive at Tel Aviv International Airport “Ben Gurion”. Meet, assistance and transfer by bus to Tiberias for check-in at hotel, followed by dinner and overnight.

DAY 19 - SATURDAY: TIBERIAS – CAPERNAUM – TABGHA - TIBERIAS

Breakfast at hotel. Begin the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Nof Ginossar. View the remains of a town from the time of Jesus. Continue to Capernaum, centre of Jesus’ ministry. Located here are the ruins of an ancient synagogue and the site of Peter’s house. Proceed to Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fish and see fish mosaics from the 5th century Byzantine basilica.
Drive to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the “Sermon on the Mount”. Take some time for personal meditation. Travel through the Upper Galilee to Banias springs (Caesarea Philippi) where Peter made his confession of faith. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Tiberias.

DAY 20 - SUNDAY: TIBERIAS – MT. TABOR – CANA – NAZARETH – MEGGIDO – CAESAREA MARITIMA – JERUSALEM

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and at 07:30 a.m. we depart for Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration. Then we go to Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle. Proceed to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his early years and visit Mary’s Well and the Church of the Annunciation. Lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to Meggido (Armaggedon), one of King Solomon’s chariot cities.

Drive along the coastal road to Caesarea Maritima where Paul was imprisoned and tried, and where Peter converted Cornelius. Continue via Haifa to Mt. Carmel and then drive to Jerusalem. Check-in at hotel in Jerusalem followed by dinner and overnight. We will have our worship in Jerusalem.

DAY 21 - MONDAY: JERUSALEM

Breakfast at hotel. We start from the Mount of Olives for a breathtaking view of the entire city. Walk down to the Garden of Gehsemane on Palm Sunday Route. Visit the Room of the last Supper and David’s Tomb. Continue by foot in the Walled City. In the Jewish Quarter we see the Cardo and Western (wailing) Wall.

Enjoy the panoramic view of the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the Christian Quarter we visit St. Ann’s crusader church, the Lithostatros, Antonia Fortress and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue for service in the Garden Tomb (Gordon’s calvary). Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 22 - TUESDAY: JERUSALEM – MASADA – QUMRAN – DEAD SEA – JERUSALEM

Breakfast at hotel. Depart from Jerusalem and drive through the Judean Wilderness to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. Stop at a scenic view of St. George’s Monastery in Wadi Kelt. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to the base of Masada, the last stronghold of the Jewish zealots against the Romans. Ascend by cable-car and visit the archaeological site including Herod’s palace, an ancient synagogue and a bathhouse. Lunch at a local restaurant.

After descending, drive to a nearby oasis and enjoy the unique opportunity to swim or “float” in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Before returning to Jerusalem, visit Qumran where the Essene community wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 23 - WEDNESDAY: JERUSALEM – TEL AVIV - ATHENS

Breakfast at hotel. Check-out. Tour the New City of Jerusalem beginning at the Holyland Hotel and see the scale model of ancient Jerusalem in the time of the Second Temple. Continue to the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed and to the new Museum of Yad Vashem Memorial to the Holocaust. Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon transfer to Tel Aviv “Ben Gurion” International Airport to take the flight back to Athens. Arrive at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”. Meet, assist and transfer to hotel in Athens.

DAY 24 – THURSDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

THROUGH

DAY 32 - FRIDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 33 - SATURDAY: ATHENS - SOUNION

Classes in the morning.
At 3:00 p.m. Drive to Cape Sounion to visit (without a guide) the Doric white marble Temple of Poseidon that overlooks the blue Aegean Sea and also famous for its radiant sunsets. Return to the hotel for supper.

DAY 34 - SUNDAY: ATHENS

Free day.

THROUGH

DAY 41 – SUNDAY: ATHENS

Free day.

DAY 42 – MONDAY: ATHENS – THERMOPYLAE – KALAMBAKA

At 08:00 a.m. we depart from our hotel by coach, driving through the fertile plain of Beotia, passing by Kammena Vourla. We stop at Thermopylae, to see the statue of Leonidas. It commemorates the historic battle between the 300 Spartans led by Leonidas and the Persian army of Xerxes in 480 BC composed of thousands. We drive through Lamia, Domokos, Karditsa, Trikala. Arrive in Kalambaka. Lunch on your own. Check in at hotel. Supper on your own. Overnight.

DAY 43 - TUESDAY: KALAMBAKA – METEORA – PELLA - THESSALONIKI

After breakfast at our hotel, we enjoy a spectacular drive up to visit Meteora. Colossal symmetrical grey and reddish boulders, as though pushed upwards from the bowels of mother earth by an invisible hand, sustain breathtaking beautiful monasteries perched precariously high above the ground. First built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation, they were accessible only by ropes thrown from above. We will climb through steps built since. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes.

We drive to Pella, the capital of the ancient Macedonian State and birthplace of Alexander the Great. In the 4th century BC the city was laid out in the familiar «Hippodamean» pattern of regular rectangular building blocks with impressive broad streets and a first class water supply network.
The houses were of the typical Greek style, dwelling with a central courtyard surrounded by a colonnade and open galleries.

On the hill to the West stand the remains of the citadel of the Hellenistic period. We visit the excavation sites and especially the museum, which displays sculptures, relief and mosaics of Classical and Hellenistic times. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the highway.

In the afternoon we visit the archaeological museum of Thessaloniki, followed by a panoramic tour of the city. At Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) Paul went immediately to the synagogue where, for three Saturdays he explained the prophecies of the Old Testament to Jews and Greeks. According to the Book of the Acts many Greeks believed and even many «Greek chief women» (Acts 17:1-4). Check in at hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight.

DAY 44 - WEDNESDAY: AMPHIPOLIS – PHILIPPI – KAVALA - THESSALONIKI

We come to the ancient Lion statue of Amphipolis (short stop for photos). Afterwards we proceed to Philippi, the site where the apostle Paul came and worked, establishing a strong church. To this congregation, later he sent his Philippian letter. Of all the churches Paul founded, probably none was so near and dear to him as the church at Philippi (Acts 16:9-33).
We see the river where Lydia is thought to have been baptized, the ruins of a Prison where Paul and Sylas had been kept, the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica and the Theatre.
Philippi was built by Philip II of Macedonia on the Via Egnatia, the Roman road which ran from Rome to Byzantium. Lunch in Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11). Then drive back to Thessaloniki for dinner on your own and overnight at hotel.

DAY 45 - THURSDAY: VERGINA – BEREA - KATERINI

Today our first visit will be to Vergina (ancient Aigai), the first capital of Macedonia, where we visit the most important tomb ever discovered that of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. Here we see the fabulous findings from the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, made by the archaeologist Manolis Andronikos. Lunch in a local restaurant.

Then on to Berea where the Apostle Paul arrived, and according to his custom went to the synagogue where, to his pleasant surprise, he discovered that these Jews were “more noble” than those he had encountered in Thessalonica. We see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching. According to the local tradition, it was at this place where he stood and delivered his sermons (Acts 17:10-11). Dinner on your own. Drive to hotel in Katerini for check in and overnight.

DAY 46 - FRIDAY: KATERINI – DION – ATHENS

In the morning after our breakfast we leave Platamon (or Katerini). We drive to Dion, on the lower slopes of Mount Olympus, the home of the ancient Greek gods. Impressive remains demonstrate the importance of Dion to Greek religious life in antiquity: temples and theatres and the museum featuring sculptures, relief and mosaics of the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Then we gaze upon the snow-capped Mount Olympus, the home of the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses of the Greek mythology. Lunch en route on the highway. We arrive at our hotel in Athens in the evening.

DAY 47 - SATURDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

THROUGH

DAY 55 - SUNDAY: ATHENS

Free day.

DAY 56 – MONDAY: ATHENS – ISTANBUL

At 8:00 a.m. transfer to Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” for our flight to Istanbul departing at 10:35 am. Arrive at 12:00 noon at Istanbul International Airport “Kemal Attaturk”. Meet, assist and transfer to hotel. Its original name is Byzantium then Constantinople. It is a most fascinating city, which actually crosses two continents Europe and Asia. It is a city of amalgamation of bazaars, minarets, mosques, churches, palaces, and restaurants catering to every one’s taste, museums, customs and twelve million people.

We will enjoy a panoramic bus drive showing the various highlights of this cosmopolitan city such as the Byzantine Walls of Constantinople, the Sea of Marmara and Bosphorus shorelines, Taksim Square, Galata area and the Topkapi Palace. Check in at hotel. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 57 - TUESDAY: ISTANBUL

Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. We visit St. Sofia, the (church of the sacred wisdom), converted to a mosque from a Christian basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. We see the Hippodrome and the Obelisk brought from Egypt. Then our next visit is the Blue Mosque with its six minarets. Before lunch we will visit the Topkapi Palace which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans, with its fabulous treasure chambers. Buffet lunch. Continue with the Grand Covered Bazaar. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 58 - WEDNESDAY: ISTANBUL – TROY - CANAKKALE

After breakfast we depart for Gallipoli, through the European lands of Turkey. Cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry-boat. Lunch en route. Visit ancient Troy, see the legendary walls and the replica of the wooden horse. Drive to Canakkale, that lends its name to the Straits of the Dardanelles (in antiquity it was called Hellespont). This narrow passage connects the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and further north opens into the Black Sea, on the southern shores of the former USSR. Check in at the hotel followed by dinner and overnight.

DAY 59 - THURSDAY: PERGAMON – THYATIRA - IZMIR

After breakfast at our hotel in Canakkale, we drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepieion, famous medical centre of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment.

We also visit the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church). Buffet lunch is provided at a local restaurant. Then we continue our visit to Thyatira, now called Akhisar, another one of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24; Acts 16:14]. It was a city famous for purple dyes. We visit the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, was from Thyatira.

Before we check in at the hotel in Izmir, we enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 2:12-17]. Smyrnas is a city scarred with a bloody history of trade and warfare. We ascend to Mount Pagus where we visit the Citadel of Lysimachos, commander of Alexander the Great, erected in the 4th century BC. We will also see the Clock Tower. Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 60 – FRIDAY: IZMIR – SARDIS – PHILADELPHIA - HIERAPOLIS

Today we depart early in the morning to one of the most picturesque areas of any of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4], Sardis, presently Sart. This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century BC, portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which became a Byzantine Church. We will also visit some ancient Lydian houses, and the restored gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. We also see the last several meters of the royal Persian Road from Susa to Sardis built by Cyrus the Great and the «golden» river Pactolos. Lunch en route.

Then we continue our journey to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alasehir, another church of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 3:7], and the only church not censured. There we see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with a bit of high arch and some 11th century frescoes. We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, actually Pamukkale, the white «cotton fortress» where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. In Hierapolis [Col. 4:13] we visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian.
We visit the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis. Check in at hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 61 - SATURDAY: LAODICEA – APHRODISIAS - KUSADASI

We depart for Laodicea (present name Denizli) yet another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor [Rev. 1:11; 3:14; Col. 2:1; 4:13-16]. We see the ancient theatre, the remains of basilica and ancient stone water pipes. Aphrodisias is our next stop. We visit the best-preserved ancient stadium ever excavated where the seating capacity was 30,000. We see the odeon with its extraordinary blue marble stage, the Temple of Aphrodite that marks the site of ancient veneration, Hadrian’s Bath and the Bishop’s Palace, part of a building christened by the archaeologists. Lunch is provided at a local restaurant.
Drive to Kusadasi where we will have supper and spend the night at the hotel. In the Turkish language, Kusadasi, this lovely and peaceful little port and fashionable resort, means “Island of Birds”. It is built along the shores of a glittering bay, around a tiny islet covered with pine-trees and flowers. The terraced town overlooks the most beautiful bay of the Aegean Sea and seems it has been created purely for the delight of the holidaymaker. Check in at hotel. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 62 - SUNDAY: EPHESUS - KUSADASI

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we enjoy a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John and the Ephesus archaeological museum. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC.

Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city. We visit the Basilica of St. John and the Ephesus archaeological museum. Lunch at a selected restaurant. Then transfer to Izmir Airport to take our domestic flight TK327 from Izmir to Istanbul depating at 04:35 p.m. We arrive in Istanbul at 05:35 p.m. Transfer to hotel for check in, followed by dinner and overnight.

DAY 63 – MONDAY: ISTANBUL – ATHENS

After a light breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Istanbul International Airport for our departure flight to Athens in the morning. We arrive in Athens. Transfer to our hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.

DAY 64 - TUESDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

THROUGH

DAY 69 - SUNDAY: ATHENS

Free day.

DAY 71 - TUESDAY: TOLO – NAFPLION – MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS

After breakfast at hotel, we go to Nafplion, the first capital of the modern State of Greece. We walk around, take pictures and then we go to Mycenae to visit the remains of the prehistoric citadel fortified with the Cyclopean Walls, the Lionesses’ Gate, the remains of the Mycenaean Palace and the Tomb of King Agamemnon in which we will actually enter. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Then we continue on to visit Epidaurus: the Sanctuary of Asclepeios, ancient god of healing. We see the best-preserved ancient theatre in all of Greece, famous for the harmony of its design and the perfection of its remarkable acoustics, easily accommodating 12,000 people. Return to our hotel in Athens.

DAY 72 - WEDNESDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 73 - THURSDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 74 – FRIDAY: 3-DAY CRUISE - PIRAEUS – MYKONOS, GREECE

At 8:30 a.m. we are transferred to the port of Piraeus for the 3-Day Cruise to the Greek Isles and Turkey. Embarkation and sail for Mykonos at 11:00 a.m. In the afternoon (6:00 p.m.), we arrive in Mykonos.This island offers the perfect combination of the dazzling white beauty of a typical Cycladic island with a sophisticated international jet-set atmosphere with a very active nightlife. Stroll at leisure through the whitewashed, flower-decked alleyways to the sculpture church of Paraportiani or along the waterfront of «Little Venice» to the well-known windmills-picture taking at its best! Sail to Kusadasi, Turkey at 11:00 p.m.

DAY 75 - SATURDAY: KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEY – PATMOS, GREECE

At 7:00 a.m. we call at Kusadasi, free time in this seaside town. Sail for Patmos, Greece at noon.

At 4:00 p.m. we arrive at this beautiful mysterious rocky island where the exiled Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation. We have an optional tour up to the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, where we have a wonderful view of the island. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation where the heavenly voice of God revealed to St. John the future of humanity (Rev. 1:12-21). After free time for browsing, return to the ship for and sail to Heraklion at 9:00 p.m.

DAY 76 - SUNDAY: HERAKLION, CRETE - SANTORINI, GREECE

At 7:00 a.m. we call at Heraklion Crete, (Acts 27:7-13) where our optional excursion takes us from the bustling city to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, legendary home of the Minotaur. Sail for Santorini at 11:30 a.m., where we arrive at 4:30 p.m. Disembarkation by tender-boats, weather permitting. Take a mule or the cable car up to the white-washed town of Thera; perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano, the eruption of which (1,600 BC) literally buried a flourishing Bronze Age town which has now been excavated at Akrotiri. Sail for Piraeus at 9:00 p.m.

DAY 77 - MONDAY: PIRAEUS, GREECE

At 7:00 a.m. arrive in Piraeus. We disembark after breakfast. We are met and receive assistance by our representative and we are transferred to the hotel.

DAY 78 – TUESDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

THROUGH

DAY 84 - MONDAY: ATHENS

Classes.

DAY 85 - TUESDAY: ATHENS

Last day to vacate rooms. Transfer from our hotel to Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” for our departure flight back home.