Tour Itinerary
Tue, Sept 21 - Athens, Greece
Hotel Night & Dinner Included
Our tour begins upon our arrival in Athens. We recommend you fly into Athens International Airport (ATH). After a short drive from the airport, you will arrive at Hotel Grande Bretagne where we will spend 2 nights. You can spend the afternoon relaxing, recovering and exploring the shops and tavernas in the city center known as the Plaka, which sits at the foot of the Acropolis and surrounds the hotel.
We will share a Welcome Dinner giving you a chance to meet other guests on the tour, our tour leaders and hear an overview of our time together.
Wed, Sept 22 - Athens, Greece
Hotel Night & Group Tour Included
Today, we’ll visit the Acropolis, where Paul delivered his famous sermon from Mars Hill (Areopagus) addressing the worship of an “unknown god.” Next, we’ll go up to the Parthenon and visit the Acropolis Museum followed by a city tour of Athens. After our tour there’ll be a free afternoon to shop or walk around the Plaka, enjoy a Greek gyro or other delicacies for lunch on your own or simply enjoy time together in Athens before we leave the next day.
Dinner on your own.
Thu, Sept 23 - Corinth and Embarkation
Group Tour and Transfer Included
This morning we’ll board a bus for a journey to Ancient Corinth. Corinth is another well-known biblical city where Paul spent much of his time and founded a church. Paul wrote letters to the early church addressing the challenges Christians faced then just as we still do today.
After our tour of Corinth, we will stop to view the acclaimed Corinth Canal and have lunch on our own and then drive to Piraeus where we’ll board the Atlas World Traveller for our cruise.
Fri, Sept 24 - Milos, Greece
Milos, a gem of the Aegean Sea, is where ancient geological wonders and rich cultural heritage blend seamlessly. As you step off the yacht, you’ll be greeted by breathtaking views of turquoise waters framed by colorful cliffs, each telling a story of volcanic origins. Milos boasts over 70 beaches, from the striking white sands of Sarakiniko to the hidden beauty of Kleftiko.
Shore excursions on your own
Sat, Sept 25 - Kusadasi/Ephesus, Turkey
Group Shore Excursions Included
Today, you’ll enjoy a special tour of the ancient city Ephesus where Paul visited multiple times during his missionary journeys and spent over two years preaching and teaching. The city of Ephesus is well-known to us from the Book of Acts, the Epistle to the Ephesians and as one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
Ephesus is one of the best preserved and most well-excavated archaeological sites from the ancient world. It’s Temple to Artemis was one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. You’ll marvel at the wealth and luxuries this ancient city produced and ejoyed.
Our included Shore Excursion will give us an extensive tour of the Ephesus Archaeological Park including its Terrace Houses where the wealthy of the city lived in incredible luxury.
In Kusadasi, at the port where our ship is docked there are some great shopping opportunities for designer “knock-off” purses, scarves, watches and more. Plus lots of gorgeous rugs and fine jewelry shopping right at the port.
Sun, Sept 26 - Patmos, Greece
Group Shore Excursion Included
Patmos is the island where the Apostle John received visions and wrote the Book of Revelation. The island is pastoral with a small village, a monastery and a church dedicated to the traditional site where John lived in exile. We will tour St. John’s Monastery and the Cave of the Apocalypse as a group.
Patmos is still a quiet, secluded and beautiful island. For this reason it is quite famous among celebrities who have homes on the island. After the tour you might want to grab lunch at one of the outdoor cafes in Skala and do some shopping, or spend the afternoon touring the island by e-bike or scooter, enjoy some time relaxing on a beach, or return to enjoy the ship.
Mon, Sept 27 - Hydra, Greece
One of the most sophisticated of the Greek Isles, Hydra, lies in the Argo Saronic Gulf. This island is a popular getaway for celebrities and the elite, making it an exceptional destination for the explorer that wants cultural immersions. Various historical sites and landmarks like the bastions surrounding the port, the Merchant Marine Academy and Monastery of Agia Efpraxia tell the island’s story throughout the years. The three main villages – Hydra Town, Vlichos and Kaminia – each hold a different facet of Greek life. Hydra also offers a surplus of beaches to bask in the sun on the sandy shores and lots more shopping.
Shore excursions not included
Tue, Sept 28 - Ionian Sea Day
Today is a chance to relax and enjoy the ship and the seas. Sailing the Ionian Sea reveals a mesmerizing expanse of blue water that shimmers beneath the Mediterranean sun. As you glide along ancient maritime routes, the horizon gives way to verdant island coastlines and dramatic limestone cliffs plunging into the deep. High above the shoreline, hillside villages and terraced olive groves paint a picture of enduring tranquility, with pale stonework contrasting against the lush green. Traditional fishing boats bob rhythmically in the distance, while seabirds glide effortlessly on the ocean breezes just overhead.
Wed, Sept 29 - Lipari, Italy
Off the coast of Sicily you find the volcanic Aeolian Islands, the largest of which is Lipari. From a place in ancient Greek mythology to UNESCO World Heritage status, the Aeolian Islands and Lipari hold a rich and intriguing history. Seek the ultimate views with an invigorating hike through Monte Rosa or explore the archaeological excavations within the citadel which tell a story dating as far back as the Neolithic era.
Lipari is a charming, small town to walk around or venture up to one its wineries for a wine tasting.
Shore excursions are not included
Thu, Sept 30 - Capri, Italy
Capri is one of the more famous islands off the coast of Italy. Once you reach it’s city center you’ll think you’re on Rodeo Drive with all its designer boutiques.
Here you’ll marvel at the whitewashed homes and villas, fragrant lemon trees and flower-filled courtyards. The Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto), which is only accessible by boat is a popular excursion while on Capri. Once inside the cave, you can marvel at the water’s sapphire color, which is caused by the light refraction from the hidden opening in the rock. Also from the water, see the Arco Naturale on the east coast of the island. Dating from the Paleolithic age, the limestone arch is the remains of a collapsed grotto.
Fri, Oct 1 - Naples & Rome, Italy
Shore Excursion, Hotel & Dinner Included
Today, we bid farewell to the World Traveller as we disembark from the ship in the often overlooked city of Naples. We will transfer our luggage to a bus and journey to Pompeii and tour the eerily preserved city which was frozen in time by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 A.D. that towers above it.
After lunch we will drive to the Westin Excelsior Hotel in Rome. The Excelsior is ideally located on the Via Veneto from where you can easily reach, Rome’s elegant shopping, the Villa Borghese, the Spanish Steps and Central Rome.
We will gather for a Farewell Dinner saying goodbye to our new found friends and recall all that we experienced together from Athens to Rome.
Oct 2 - 3
Optional Rome Tour Extension
Rome Tour & Extra Hotel Night
This option includes an extra night in Rome and a full day of touring the highlights of Rome such as the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum, This Group will transfer to the Rome Airport to depart on Sunday, October 3 to fly home.
Sat, Oct 2 - Depart for Home
Group Transfer to Airport Included
Today we begin our journeys home. Group Transfer is included to Rome Airport for return flights to USA.
Itinerary is subject to change based on availability and other considerations