Click on the day number to see photos etc. of each experience.
| Day 01 | Flight from Chicago O'Hare to Frankfurt, Germany. Layover for about four hours, then off to Thessaloniki, Greece. Arrived in Thessaloniki late afternoon. After a short nap we walked along the bay shore to view of White Castle and visit with Aristotle. | |
| Day 02 | We ate a hearty breakfast after a good nights sleep in a real bed. Adventure commnences with a bus tour of Thessaloniki. See the White Castle, the old city walls, Osio David, and the Moni Vlatadahon monastery. | |
| Day 02 | Continued with tours of St. Demetrius, Aghia Sofia, Galerius Arch and parts of the Via Egnatia. In addition we saw the Rotunda which was converted to the Church of St. George.
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| Day 03 | Left town early heading north to Philippi. We saw lots of farmland and sea shore along the way. Arrived at the ruins of the Town of Philippi. Saw remains of several basilicas that had been constructed over the years. Also viewed the Jail where Paul was thrown after casting the evil spirit from a small girl. | |
| Day 03 | Left Philippi and traveled a short distance to Lydia, the area where Paul went to find Jews because there was no synagogue in Philippi. Celebrated mass in the stream Where Lydia was baptised, then visited with Father Eleutherios at the St. John's church. | |
| Day 04 | We packed our bags and left Thessaloniki heading south. Followed the path of Paul to Veria, where Paul had some success in his preaching. We visited the site believed to be where he did this preaching from. Leaving there we visited the tombs of the kings. | |
| Day 04 | Entering Thessaly, we passed along side the Mount Olympus, home of the gods. At the river Pinios we celebrated Mass, then continued on to Pefkis Icon "factory" where we learned how Icons are made and had a chance to purchase some very nice artwork. Talk about budget busters. | |
| Day 05 | Monday we visited some monasteries built on top of rocky icicles that project up out of the valley. The area is called Meteora from the word metamorphosis or transformation. During the 10th century organized monastic communities grew out of what started as hermits seeking refuge and solitude. | |
| Day 06 | Tuesday - Delphi - We woke up early and could see cruise ships below in the bay taking shape as the light intensified and burned off the fog. After breakfast we toured the ruins of the Athena and of the temple of Apollo. Visited the area where the oracle presented the opportunity for discernment of the future of the leaders of Greece. Robert won the race in the stadium at the apex. | |
| Day 07 | Wednesday - Athens - Up early and on the Acropolis where we got close ups of the Parthenon, the Areopagus, Theatre of Dionysius, Caryatid Porch, Temple of Athena Nike, etc. | |
| Day 07 | Wednesday - Afternoon quick tour of the town and on to Corinth, where we saw the ruin of the old town. First we visited Cenchreae, a new museum and the Corinth Canal. Afterwards we visited a nearby shop for pottery and other souvenirs. Back to Athens in time to eat and shop in the Plaka. | |
| Day 08 | Thursday - This was our free day. I accompanied Father Bob up the Hill of Philopappos where we were able to look down on the Parthenon. Then for a walk through the Agora and later back to the Plaka. | |
| Day 09 | Friday - We boarded the Olympic Princess at Piraeus Harbor and sailed to Mykonos, arriving there just at sunset due to the rough weather en route. We were back on the ship in time for the last dinner and it sailed through out the night to Lindos. | |
| Day 10 | Saturday - After breakfast, we departed the ship and shared a taxi ride with Robert and Julie Frazier to Lindos in George Sialadakis' car. Robert and George carried on a lively conversation about What he would do if he money was no obstacle. | |
| Day 10 | After lunch back on the boat we set out on a walking tour of the town of Rhodes. We were fortunate in that due to some historical holiday or something the entrance to the Archaeological Museum was free. Remy couldn't get up the steps so she waited in the ice cream parlor while I toured the rooms upstairs. Excellent mosaics in the floors. The museum is the converted hospital from the time of the Knights of St. John | |
| Day 11 | After breakfast we departed the boat to Patmos and took a taxi to the top of the hill overlooking the town where the Monastery of St. John the Divine is located. After a tour of the Monastery with its paintings and views of the bay, we visited the Cave of the Divine Revelation, where the Apostalic writer penned the Book of the Revelations. | |
| Day 11 | Back to boat for lunch and on to Ephesus. En route to the ancient town of Ephesus we visited the "House of Mary". Then a lot of ruins from the ancient city. | |
| Day 11 | On the way back to the boat from Ephesus we stopped for a carpet demonstration/education. | |
| Day 12 | Early arrival at Piraeus, then on plane back to Turkey. Quick bus tour of town, then visit to Mosque of Suleyman | |
| Day 12 | Next we toured the Topkapi Palace. Saw the china collection and silver collection. Next a tour of the Consul Hall. | |
| Day 12 | Back at our room we watched the sun go down. | |
| Day 13 | Chora Museum. This place has the best Mosaics of all of Istanbul trip. | |
| Day 13 | Blue Mosque - Knock out stained glass windows and Iznik Tiles. | |
| Day 13 | Hippodrome | |
| Day 13 | Hagia Sophia | |
| Day 13 | KapaliCarsi. Shop until you drop. | |
| Day 14 | Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait | |
| Day 14 | Last Dinner at a Fish Restaurant |