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15 Days / 14 Nights
Based on minimum 18 persons
Tour Leader Free of charge
Price per person:
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Bed & Breakfast
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Half Board
(breakfast + dinner)
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1/1/2010 - 15/6/2010 &
1/10/2010 - 31/10/2010
€1.082,00
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1/1/2010 - 15/6/2010 &
1/10/2010 - 31/10/2010
€1.246,00
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16/6/2010 - 30/9/2010
€1.140,00
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16/6/2010 - 30/9/2010
€1.296,00
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Single use: Add + € 396
We provide: Tour leader
14 nights accommodation / double occupancy ( 13 nights hotel accommodation
on bed & breakfast basis + 1 night on board – night ferry trip PIRAEUS – HERAKLION)
13 days exclusive / chartered A/C bus for all transportation – excursions – tours,
starting from the airport by arrival , ending at the airport of Athens
of Athens for the return flight
Road taxes
Ferry tickets PIRAEUS / HERAKLION at AB4 cabins (4 berth inside cabins
with shower & WC), HERAKLION / MYKONOS and MYKONOS / PIRAEUS
MEALS: DUE TO THE OPTION GUESTS CHOOSE:
(rich / healthy according the Greek Mediterranean nutrition)
Exclusive tour guide at the sites of : KABALA/PHILIPPI, THESSALONICA city tour,
VERGINA, DELPHI, OLYMPIA, MYSTRAS, MYCENAE & EPIDAVROS, KNOSSOS
We do not provide:
Entrance fees at the archaeological / historical sites
Tips
Anything not mentioned above
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Day
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S C H E D U L E
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1
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Athens Arrival. Reception at the airport. Transportation and check into our hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavour of the city. Accommodation Athens.
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2
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Arrival Thessalonica Direction north to Thessalonica. On our way a visit to Pelion “the centaurs mountain”. Early afternoon arrival at Thessalonica. Dinner at local “Tsipouradiko” with many Greek specialties and the local spirit “Tsipouro”. Accommodation Thessalonica. breakfast - Dinner)
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3
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Philippi/Kavala Philippi/Kavala Kavala is Greece's prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbour. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Chiristoupoli because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of the Bible! We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th century as Kavala. Continue on to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. We will view the baptismal site where Lydia surrendered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre. We return to Thessalonica for the night. Accommodation Thessalonica.. (breakfast - Dinner)
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4
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Mount Athos We travel to Chalkidiki and the port Ouranoupolis. By boat sail around the holly land of mount Athos and view the famous monasteries. As for over 1.000 years no woman have step this land and is not allowed, a monk will come to the boat and bless all passengers. Back to Ouranoupolis and a tour around Chalkidiki. Accommodation Thessalonica (breakfast - Lunch)
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5
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Thessalonica/Veria Thessalonica/Veria The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today. Visit the old city ramparts; the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church; and the Galerios Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. We will see two of the beautiful basilicas in the city of St. Demetrius, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert, and St. Sophia. Our next stop the ancient site of Pela [Alexander’s capital] and its famous mosaics. Go on direction Veria to view the Bema surrounded by newly placed mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church. We also visit King Phillips tomb in Vergina. Accommodation Veria (breakfast – dinner)
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6
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Meteora Monastery/Delphi Direction south west to Meteora where we step and see the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of grey rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the Cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Break for lunch and direction south to Delphi where we overnight.
Meteora where the fantastic and breathtaking Byzantine monasteries are perched on top of huge grey and reddish pillars. Monks seeking isolation and spiritual salvation first built those monasteries in the 14th century. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes.
Accommodation Delphi.. (breakfast- Dinner)
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7
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Delphi/Ancient Olympia Delphi-the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. We will gain a greater understanding of the Greek religious heritage and their influence on the early Christian church. We visit the museum where we will marvel at the site of the Charioteer, a bronze statue so delicate we will see his eyelashes. We will see the Temple of Apollo and the Castalia Springs. We leave Delphi and through Galaxidi / Nafpaktos / Antirion – Rio we pass to Peloponese and ancient Olympia. Olympia is situated in a fertile valley full of splendour surrounded by hills and light green forests. The incense and the holy atmosphere of the surroundings along with the classical architecture of the ancient buildings make this place unique in the world. Accommodation Olympia (breakfast- Dinner)
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8
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Byzantine city of Mystras/SpartaMorning, The stadium of Olympia, the temple of Zeus, the statues of heroes and athletes all embrace and speak in favour of the true Olympic Spirit flourished here... in Olympia and in the hearts of... get to know more. We go south east to Mystras, the Byzantine acropolis, the monasteries of Lakonia the bare and wild slopes of Mani, and Sparta, where we overnight. Accommodation Sparta. Mystras The one time capital of Byzantium, the medieval town of Mystras is mounted on Taigetos' slope. It is protected by an impregnable fortress (the Kastro), which was built in 1249 by the Frankish prince Guillaume de Villehardouin. Sparta the pride, simplicity, duty, courage, strength of the Spartan led to the legendary Thermopiles, the most heroic battle of all seasons. Native soil of the brave Sparta has fought against many invaders and is considered the cornerstone of resistance throughout the centuries. (breakfast – Lunch)
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9
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Mycenae/Epidavros/Corinth/Night ferry trip to Crete Today we travel to Mycenae where the remains of the ancient city date back to the Bronze Age to see the famous Lioness Gate, the Tomb of Agamemnon in the shape of a Beehive Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural centre are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Continue our journey direction Piraeus the port of Athens where we take the ferry to Crete. Embarkation. Night ferry trip to Heraklion – Crete. Accommodation on board. (breakfast - Lunch)
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10
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Crete-The palace of Knossos/Museum of Heraklion Arrival. Reception at the port, a tour of Heraklion city and the archaeological museum of Heraklion. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and the Palace of Knossos. Join the ancient word, the Minoan civilization. Stand in a corner, close your eyes and leave yourself be part of it. Feel the atmosphere of that period. Drive to the near village of Archanes and lunch at traditional restaurant. Next step the hill of Giouchtas. When you view this mountain from a distance you see a mans face. Local people say it’s the face of Zeus, the god’s king lying. From the top of the hill we view the bay of Heraklion. Continue south and visit the monk monastery of Saint George Apanossifis. Old and famous monastery. Through the countryside and the vineyards way back to Heraklion and then home. (breakfast – dinner)
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11
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Crete. Kali Limenes (St. Paul foot step)/Gortys/Zaros Travelling to Italy, Saint Paul as prisoner, got wrecked and landed at Kali Limenes / South central Crete. After Rome where justice let him free, he first gone to Spain and then came back to Crete at the Roman capital city Gortys where the first Christian church started. First episcope St Titus. We step both points and the mountain site of Zaros. Back to Heraklion. Rest of the day free. Accommodation Heraklion. (breakfast – lunch)
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12
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Crete (Mountain tour) / night ferry trip to Piraeus Today our first contact with locals. Clime up direction Anogia and the plateau of Ida. Break at the mountain small church of Saint Iakinthos (the Orthodox Saint of love / St Valentine) and the stoned small shepherd buildings called mitata. Go on direction the village of Drossia where we lunch at Giannis Petoussis tavern. Everything natural & fresh from his own land cooked by the farm house lady. Excellent quality and taste. Way back to Heraklion and break at the point Doxa for a mountain tea, a tasty memory from the island of Crete. Back to the city Accommodation Heraklion. (breakfast – lunch)
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13
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Heraklion / Mykonos By high speed ferry a nice ferry trip to Mykonos. Arrival. Transportation to the hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the island. Join the night life of Mykonos. Accommodation Mykonos.Mykonos. Words cannot express the beauty of this island, claimed to be the prettiest of all the Cycladic island group. White washed houses and windmills overlook the town and port. There are hundreds of narrow streets where one can easily wander and find stores selling folk art items, fine jewellery and end up at “Little Venice”. Large numbers of tourist from all over the world including well-known artists and actors visit this cosmopolitan island every day all year round. (breakfast)
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14
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Mykonos / Delos / Piraeus Morning tour the sacred island of Delos. According to mythology, Delos is the birth place of the God Apollo. This uninhabited island is one of vast archaeological site with remarkable monuments. Some magnificent mosaic floors depicting Dionysus, dolphins and tridents are displayed in some of the houses. It is a tiny island with remains of a great civilization. Rest of the day free for shopping. Afternoon ferry trip to Piraeus. Transportation to the hotel. Accommodation Athens. (breakfast)
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15
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Flight back home
Transportation hotel / airport for the flight back home. End of tour.(breakfast)
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PORTO CLUB Travel services: 28, Efodou street, 71303 HERAKLION – CRETE – GREECE.
Contact: Tel: 0030 2815 002754 – 0030 2810 317358 Fax: 0030 2815 002754
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