“From Ancient Myths to the Stories of the Bible”

A Youth Pilgrimage to Greece and Ephesus, Turkey

Led by:

Leigh Konkle
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Del Mar, CA

June 16 - 26, 2018

DAY 1: Saturday, June 16, 2018 - Depart Los Angeles, CA on British Airways to London Heathrow and connect to the final British Airways flight to Athens, Greece. M

DAY 2: Sunday, June 17, 2018 - We arrive at Athens, Greece. Here we meet our tour escort, board our waiting motor coach and transfer to the hotel. After checking in at the hotel we will enjoy a walk through the old quarter of Athens and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Athens. MD

DAY 3: Monday, June 18, 2018 - This morning we travel to the Port of Piraeus where we embark on our Celestyal Cruise on board the Celestyal Olympia (ship is subject to change). Our journey continues to the island of Mykonos, one of the best known of the Aegean Islands. Iconic landmarks include a row of 16th century windmills which sit on a hill above the town. We will be free to explore on our own in small groups with chaperones. Overnight on board Celestyal Olympia. BLD

DAY 4: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - After breakfast we disembark the ship in Kusadasi, Turkey and join the “Ancient Ephesus through the ages – Hellenistic and Roman Shore Excursion”. Ephesus is the best preserved ancient city in the world. Once on the sea, Ephesus is now about 3 miles inland. Paul preached at the Stadium (Acts 19) and the Theater and wrote some of his Epistles here. We return to the ship and continue to our next stop, the island of Patmos, Greece. We join the “Grotto of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John Excursion”, visiting the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where John wrote the Book of Revelation, and the Monastery of St. John, a magnificent structure built over 900 years ago within the walls of a strong fortification. Overnight on board Celestyal Oympia. BLD

DAY 5: Wednesday, June 20, 2018 - Today’s excursion will be the “Medieval Tour – Acropolis of Lindos & the Citadel of the Knights”. Centuries of culture and layer upon layer of extraordinary civilizations awaits us to be discovered during our tour through impressive Lindos and within the awe-inspiring structure of the Acropolis of Lindos. We will follow the footsteps of heroes as we walk along Knight's Street in the heart of historical Rhodes. The seven lodges of the Order, still bearing their original coats of arms, are displayed along the cobblestone street where Rhodes’ history was written for over two centuries. Sitting at the top of Knights Street, the Grand Master’s Palace is well worth its name. You will be awed by its imposing Gothic architecture and the strength displayed throughout its structures as you get a glimpse into the fascinating era of the Knights. Time permitting, we explore on our own in small groups with chaperones before returning to the ship. Overnight on board Celestyal Oympia. BLD

DAY 6: Thursday, June 21, 2018 - This morning’s excursion will be on Crete, the largest and most rugged of the Greek Islands, home of the great Minoan Civilization and the mythological birthplace of Zeus. We visit the Knossos Excavations. The first excavations began here in 1878 by the Heraklian Minos Kalokairinos. The ancient city of Knossos, which has had constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D., is beyond doubt the land that gave birth to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans. Our guide will lead us on a journey of discovery to learn of the sophisticated culture that flourished thousands of years ago on this island. The Palace of Knossos spreads around the large Central Court. We will see the awe inspiring Throne Room, the fresco of the "Prince of the Lilies", the imposing Grand Staircase and the Queen's Megaron. Our journey continues to Santorini, Greece, one of the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea. The island was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC shaping its rugged landscape. We will tender ashore and take the cable car that will take us to the top of the cliffs to the whitewashed town of Fira (to be paid for on the spot at approximately 10 Euro’s per person roundtrip). There will be time to explore on our own in small groups with chaperones seeing the picturesque alleys and some of the most breathtaking views of the Aegean. Overnight on board Celestyal Oympia. BLD

DAY 7: Friday, June 22, 2018 - This morning we disembark the ship, meet our driver and guide and journey to Meteora. We explore the Hanging Monasteries of Meteora, built 1356-1372, on strangely shaped pinnacles that rise out of the Peneus Valley. We tour two of the Hanging Monasteries of Meteora. In the 9th c. ascetic hermits were living in the rock crevice eventually forming religious communities. In 1336, the monk Athanasios built a monastery here which eventually attracted many devotees. By the 16th century, these were embellished with frescoes and icons by great artists of the times. Today 6 monasteries are open to the public. (Men should wear long pants and ladies should wear skirts to the knees and both sexes should have their shoulders covered to visit these monasteries.) Dinner and overnight Kalambaka. BD

DAY 8: Saturday, June 23, 2018 - Today we drive south enjoying one of the most scenic drives of Central Greece. This afternoon we explore Delphi, considered to be the most important sanctuary of the ancients Greeks. We visit the museum, filled with architectural masterpieces. We continue to the Temple of Apollo, the Greek God of sun, music, prophesy and poetry; the Athenian Treasury; the Theater; and the Stadium. Dinner and overnight in Delphi. BLD

DAY 9: Sunday, June 24, 2018 - After breakfast we enjoy a drive around the Gulf of Corinth and visit Ancient Corinth where we explore the site and Museum. We visit the Port of Cenchrea, where, according to Acts 18:18, Paul had his hair cut to fulfill a vow before he sailed to Syria. We continue to Athens for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 10: Sunday, June 25, 2018 -A morning walk through the Plaka to the Acropolis area. We climb to the top of Mars Hill where Paul preached to the Court of Areopagus (Acts 17:22-34) and then visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. The afternoon will be free to explore on our own in small groups with chaperones. While exploring on your own you will want to see the changing of the guards at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, a very important site for the Hellenic people representing all those known and unknown who gave their lives for the freedom of their nation. This evening we enjoy a “farewell to Greece” dinner. Overnight Athens. BD

Day 11: Monday, June 26, 2018 - We transfer to the Athens Airport and board our British Airways flight to London Heathrow where we transfer to the final British Airways flight back into the Los Angeles. BM

Price:  $3,399.00*.  Air from Los Angeles, CA Airport.

* Price per pilgrim based on double, triple and quad occupancy and a minimum of 15 pilgrims:
Double occupancy: 15 pilgrims $3,399.00.
Triple/Quad occupancy: 15 pilgrims $3,349.00.

* Excludes airline taxes & fuel surcharges that will be added to your final payment invoice and tips for the driver and guide that are payable upon completion of services. The estimated taxes & fuel surcharges are $470.41 per pilgrim. The price is not guaranteed and may change due to the fluctuation of the Euro and the US dollar. We make every effort to avoid any increase and will only do so if the value of the dollar falls against the Euro. Your pricing was based on the exchange rate of $1.17 to the Euro. Optional activities and sites visited during your free time are not included in the cost of the pilgrimage and are to be paid for at the time of your visit.

A deposit of $500.00 per person due with application and copy of passport.

Final payment due March 1, 2018.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until February 28, 2018:  $300.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 1, 2018 or later:  NO REFUND

Terms and Conditions:
◊ 1. PRICES ARE CASH.  AMERICAN EXPRESS ACCEPTED FOR FINAL PAYMENT ONLY ADD'L 4.0%.
◊ 2. Names as on passport.  If name is incorrect and tickets reissued, $50 fee plus change fees from airline.
◊ 3. $100 deviation fee plus any additional airfare, hotel, tour or admission charges.

Price includes the following travel insurance:
◊ Trip Cancellation for covered reasons - 100% of Insured Trip Cost
◊ Trip Interruption - 150% of Insured Trip Cost
◊ ◊ ◊ Trip Delay - $1,000
◊ Baggage & Personal Effects - $500
◊ Baggage Delay - $250
◊ Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses - $15,000
◊ Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation - $50,000
◊ Travel Assistance & Concierge Services are provided By Travelex's designated providers.

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, M Meals on Aircraft

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.