E-mail a friendShip: Corinthian II
Itinerary: The Classical World in the Time of St. Paul: A Voyage to the Ancient Shores of Greece & Turkey
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Athens, Greece
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Embark in Athens |
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| Day 2 : | HERAKLION | KNOSSOS | GORTYN | HERAKLION, CRETE |
| Day 3 : | RHODES | LINDOS | RHODES |
| Day 4 : | Patmos |
| Day 5 : | KUSADASI | EPHESUS | KUSADASI |
| Day 6 : | KAVALLA | PHILIPPI | KAVALLA |
| Day 7 : | THESSALONIKI |
| Day 8 : | PIRAEUS | DISEMBARK | OLD CORINTH | ATHENS |
| Day 9 : | Athens |
| Day 10 : | Return Home |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type |
| Destinations : Europe, Greece, Mediterranean, Turkey Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Photography |
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At the height of Pax Romana, between the reigns of Augustus and Trajan, the Roman Empire stood at the pinnacle of its glory. From the misty lowlands of Scotland to the farthest reaches of Persia, Roman law and Roman culture, to a great extent based on the culture of ancient Greece, knew no rival. During this tranquil period, Christianity was born and might have remained an obscure cult had not a man named Paul carried the new faith to the greatest cities of the Empire. Mirroring St. Paul’s journeys, this stimulating voyage includes many of the actual sites visited by Paul. It ventures to lands where civilizations emerged, prospered, disappeared, and were replaced by new communities, based on new beliefs. In Ephesus, walk down the same street as St. Paul did nearly 2000 years ago and stand in the great amphitheater where the Ephesians rioted against him; in Athens, the center of classical civilization, see the rock where the Apostle preached, facing the majestic temples of the Acropolis; and in Philippi and Thessaloniki, enter the churches and basilicas that are among the earliest existing Christian monuments.
Day 1 : Embark in Athens
Arrive in Athens and transfer to Piraeus to board Corinthian II. Sail in the afternoon.
Day 2 : HERAKLION | KNOSSOS | GORTYN | HERAKLION, CRETE
This morning, arrive in Crete, the island that was home to the Minoans, Europe’s earliest advanced civilization. Tour the famed palace of Knossos in the morning, testament to the brilliance and refinement of the Minoans. After lunch aboard ship, take an excursion to Gortyn, Crete’s most prominent city during the Greco-Roman period, and the capital of the Roman province of Crete and Cyrene (North Africa). Among the ruins is the Basilica of Ayios Titos (St. Titus), the burial place of the saint, and the best-preserved Early Christian church on the island.
Day 3 : RHODES | LINDOS | RHODES
This morning, tour the city of Rhodes, a stopover for St. Paul on his way to Rome. Here, the Crusader Knights of St. John left their indelible architectural mark in the 14th century. On a walking tour of the fortified medieval town, visit the Street of the Knights, overflowing with mosaics, finely carved portals, balconies, and coats of arms. Also see the Palace of the Grand Master and the Archaeological Museum, housed in what was once the Knights’ Great Hospital. In the afternoon, travel to Lindos, where St. Paul was said to have escaped a storm at sea. Set high above the village, with spectacular views of the Aegean, are the remains of the Acropolis and the Doric columns of Athena’s Temple.
Day 4 : Patmos
Arrive at the rugged volcanic island of Patmos, the lonely isle to which St. John the Evangelist was banished during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. It was in Patmos that he wrote the last book of the New Testament. Visit the 11th-century monastery, with its enormous
towers, domed roofs, belfries, and battlements. The adjacent museum displays priceless icons and manuscripts.
Day 5 : KUSADASI | EPHESUS | KUSADASI
Explore the great city of Ephesus, once a center of Anatolian Christianity, addressed by St. Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians and by St. John in the Book of Revelation. Visit the large theater in which the Ephesians rioted against St. Paul, the Library of Celsus with its imposing façade, the Temple of Serapis, and the Byzantine Basilica of St. John, built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian over the Apostle’s tomb.
Day 6 : KAVALLA | PHILIPPI | KAVALLA
In the afternoon, call at Kavalla, formerly Neopolis, where St. Paul landed in 49 A.D. and addressed his epistle to the Philippian Christians. Then, continue to the ancient site of Philippi, named after Phillip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. Our tour includes Philippi’s acropolis, the highest point in the city, the ancient sanctuaries, the theater, and two Byzantine basilicas.
Day 7 : THESSALONIKI
Arrive in Thessaloniki, the biblical Thessalonica. Founded in 316 B.C., the city was visited by St. Paul in 49 - 50 A.D. and again in 56 A.D. His two letters to the church that he founded are known as the “Epistles to the Thessalonians.” Tour Thessaloniki’s principal monuments, including the Arch of Galerius; the Roman Rotunda, now the Church of St. George; the 8th-century Church of St. Sophia; and the 5th-century basilica of St. Dimitrios. Also, visit the Archaeological Museum.
Day 8 : PIRAEUS | DISEMBARK | OLD CORINTH | ATHENS
Disembark in the morning in the port of Piraeus and drive to Old Corinth, one of the wealthiest and most powerful cities of antiquity, whose citizens St. Paul attempted to reform. Visit many of the monuments Paul himself saw, including the Temple of Apollo, the theater, and the agora. Drive to Athens for an afternoon at leisure and spend the next two nights at the Athens Plaza Hotel.
Day 9 : Athens
In the morning, tour the famed Acropolis, crowned by the majestic Parthenon. Also visit the Hill of the Aeropagus, site of the city’s ancient court, where St. Paul addressed the Athenians when he visited the city in 51 A.D. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring Athens.
Day 10 : Return Home
-Please note the following fuel surcharge information:
*$180/person for departures from Sept-Oct 11, 2008
*$250/person for departures from Oct 11-Dec 22, 2008
*$275/person for all Antarctic departures, Dec 2008 - March 2009.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories D - A. Supplement depends on particular voyage; contact us for details. Singles in categories AA - PHS are available at double the per person, double occupancy rates.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Corinthian II
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Corinthian II Ship
The distinguished 114-guest Corinthian II offers a classic yacht-like atmosphere and fine accommodations. Corinthian II is ice-strengthened for voyages into Antarctic waters, and is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore. Originally built in 1992 and refurbished in 2005, Corinthian II accommodates all guests in 57 outside suites, each affording sea views and elegantly appointed with a sitting area, TV, mini-refrigerator, safe, and other amenities as well as a marble bathroom. Several suites include private balconies accessed via sliding glass doors. Spacious and finely decorated public areas include a library stocked with books related to the itinerary and other volumes, and four computer terminals for e-mail access; an elegant lounge; and The Club, a space for convivial relaxation, with picture windows for panoramic views. The restaurant, serving fine cuisine prepared by European chefs, accommodates all guests at a single unassigned seating. The ship also includes a gym, beauty salon, a sun deck with Jacuzzi, and an outdoor café and bar, where meals may be served al fresco. Corinthian II is served by 70 experienced European officers and crew. There is also an elevator offering access to all decks.
Cabin Categories & Descriptions
All accommodations aboard Corinthian II are suites. They face outside, affording sea views, and several have balconies with sliding doors. All suites include a bedroom with twin or queen-size beds, sitting area, ample closet space, mini-refrigerator, TV, marble-appointed bathroom with shower, and other amenities.
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Cat E Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 250 - 252 |
Cat D Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 329-332 |
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Cat C Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 254 - 262 |
Cat B Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 333 - 348 |
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Cat A Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 416 - 428 |
Cat AA Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 265 sq. ft. Suites 414 - 415 |
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Cat VS Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 505 - 512 |
Cat PHS Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 601 - 604 |
