excursions 2022 steps of paul
Why book a Celestyal excursion Although we say it ourselves, the destinations on a Celestyal cruise are rather special. In fact we think they are among the most exciting, historic, iconic and evocative in the world. And they lend themselves to incredible tales, some true, some fable but all an integral part of our storytelling. You can immerse yourself in ancient civilisations, follow in the footsteps of great figures from history, live and breathe the myths and legends of Ancient Greece and the Mediterranean and journey to places where some of the Seven Wonders of the World once stood. One of those names from history is St Paul, one of Apostles and generally regarded as the second most important figure in Christianity after Jesus He was one of the first to spread the word of Christianity far and wide and was born in the year 5 AD in the Roman city of Tarsus in what is now Turkey. On this remarkable and awe-inspiring historical and religious journey across the eastern Mediterranean, we follow in his footsteps from Athens to Corinth and then to Thessaloniki, Kavala, the incomparable Istanbul, Dikili, Kusadasi which is the gateway to historic Ephesus and finally Patmos. Our specially designed excursions are central to your Celestyal experience with our expert guides taking you step by step through your voyage and really bringing history alive. We really mean it when we say ‘every moment is a destination’ and ‘every destination is a wonder’. Included Excursions........................................................................... 04 Thessaloniki................................................................................................ 06 Kavala................................................................................................................. 10 Istanbul............................................................................................................. 12 Dikili..................................................................................................................... 14 Kusadasi.......................................................................................................... 16 Patmos.............................................................................................................. 18 Athens................................................................................................................ 20 Contents
4 Duration: Half day Tour code: THS - 05 Vibrant, colourful and imbued with history, Thessaloniki is the second city of Greece. Our first stop on this stage of our remarkable journey is by air conditioned coach to the Citadel and the impressive Vlatadon Monastery which has magnificent views to the city. It was here that St Paul preached on his Second Missionary in 49 AD. From here we travel through the countryside to Veria (Berroia in the Bible) as did St Paul, where he preached to the city’s ‘noble Jews’. See page 7 for full details VERIA (BERROIA) Your included excursions THESSALONIKI KUSADASI Duration: Full day Tour code: KUS - 08 This is a truly spectacular day. We leave the port city of Kusadasi for Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia. This is a stunning marvel in the hills above the Aegean and one of the world’s largest and important open-air archaeological museums. It was also the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus was also the place where St Paul lived ,preached and was convicted for his teachings. We then head for the ancient coastal city of Miletus, another of the greatest and wealthiest cities in Ancient Greece and one of the first to mint coins. Homer mentioned Miletus in The Iliad and Paul preached here on the way back to Jerusalem. See page 17 for full details ANCIENT EPHESUS & MILETUS
All timings and order of visits are subject to change depending on traffic congestion of the sites and weather conditions. Operation of tours may be subject to the time of the year - please check at time of booking. Excursions require a minimum participation of 30 guests to operate. Please be aware of the dress code in order to enter the monasteries; legs and shoulders should be covered, no shorts, long skirts (below the knee). Terms and conditions are available at: www.celestyalcruises.com/shorex-conditions 5 Guide to symbols Short or no walking involved. Easy walking: General walking over an even surface. Moderate walking: Moderate amount of physical activity such as walking over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs. Might not be recommended for guests with walking difficulties. Hard walking: High amount of physical activity for extended periods of time. Recommended only for sporting guests with good physical health. Includes visits to religious sites, knees and shoulders must be covered. It is recommended to bring your swimming suit and a towel. Shopping with an experienced guide. Meal included on this excursion. Refreshments included on this excursion. Please be advised it is recommended that you take a bottle of water for your journey. Panoramic, nature, landscapes. Cultural experience: This tour will feature art, architecture, history and religion. Folklore: We focus on local habits, traditions, food and tasting. Adventure and fun. Suitable for families travelling with children. Half day up to 5 hours Full day 6 hours and above
6 St Paul Orthodox Church THESSALONIKI EXCURSIONS
7 Duration: Half day Tour code: THS - 05 Vibrant, colourful and imbued with history, Thessaloniki is the second city of Greece. Our first stop on this stage of our remarkable journey is by air conditioned coach to the Citadel and the impressive Vlatadon Monastery which has magnificent views to the city. It was here that St Paul preached on his Second Missionary in 49 AD. From here we travel through the countryside to Veria (Berroia in the Bible) as did St Paul, where he preached to the city’s ‘noble Jews’. At the traditional Tribune we will be able to see the recently completed mosaic of St Paul that commemorates this sermon. Veria may have been inhabited as early as 1000 BC and St Paul is its patron saint. The city was named for one of the daughters of the mythological King Veris. Established in the foothills of Mt. Vermion, fortified Veria flourished behind its massive walls. It was one of the first cities to surrender to the Romans in 168 BC and became the area’s second most important city after Thessaloniki. VERIA (BERROIA) During the Byzantine era many small, delicate, frescoed churches were built in the city, which came to be known as “Small Jerusalem.” We visit one of these immaculate churches, the Church of Christ, built in the early 14th century and is home to masterworks by the most famous painter of the era, Kalliergis. Under the Ottomans, Veria was an important commercial and cultural centre. Many mosques, mansions and the old market were constructed in this period. We have time to wander, explore and shop in this marvellous ancient city. Vlatadon Monastery THESSALONIKI EXCURSIONS St Paul INCLUDED IN YOUR FARE
8 Duration: Half day Tour code: THS - 03 This is a fascinating half-day excursion to Thessaloniki’s most popular landmarks. Our first stop is for photos at the White Tower on the seafront promenade, the paralia. The tower is the city’s most famous monument, was built in 1430 and houses Byzantine icons and historical displays on its several floors. It is a majestic symbol of Thessaloniki. We then have an hour to explore the Byzantine Museum, an incredible collection of artifacts from the early Christian period onwards, including sculpture, mosaics, painted tombs, embroidered fabrics and religious icons. Our itinerary then takes us past the International Trade Fair grounds and the Aristotelion University toward the Citadel, where we have a superb panoramic view of the city, Mt. Olympus and Thermaic Gulf beyond. From here we drive to the 5th century Basilica of St. Demetrius, the largest church in Greece, which houses an impressive display of mosaics and the crypt where Demetrius was confined. On our return to the ship we drive past the Arch of Galerius and St. George’s Rotonda. The arch was built in 303 to commemorate the victory of Galerius over the Persians in 297 A.C., and it is chiseled with scenes of the battle. Just north of the arch stands the massive Rotonda, which historians believe was constructed as a mausoleum for Galerius. St Paul arrived in Thessaloniki to preach on his Second Missionary in 49 AD. And his letter to Thessalonians was addressed to a church here the following year. HIGHLIGHTS OF THESSALONIKI The White Tower Rotunda of Galerius THESSALONIKI EXCURSIONS CHILD US$40 ADULT US$66
9 THESSALONIKI EXCURSIONS The White Tower
10 Philippi KAVALA EXCURSIONS
11 Duration: Half day Tour code: KAV - 05 The northern city of Kavala (then called Neapolis, meaning new city) was visited by Saint Paul on his first journey to Europe. Kavala with its beautiful beaches and modern urban spaces is blessed with a number of monuments dating from 1000 and 2000 AD and some are places of pilgrimage. At ancient Philippi, Paul met Lydia was the first Christian convert in Europe. A Church-Baptistery and an open-air Baptistery by the riverside are located where her holy baptism took place, similar to the ones preserved in the early Christian basilicas in Philippi. The archaeological site will feature a guided tour through the excavations, allowing us to marvel at the upper and lower parts as well as the Forum, the Walls, the two Basilicas and Theatre. Your guide will also point out the traditional prison, which once held St. Paul and St. Sylas. St Paul’s Monument celebrates the location where St. Paul first set foot on the European Continent during his second missionary journey, establishing a thriving Christian church in the nearby city of Philippi According to the New Testament Paul visited on two other occasions. NEAPOLIS & PHILIPPI Philippi KAVALA EXCURSIONS Philippi Kavala CHILD US$51 ADULT US$78
ISTANBUL EXCURSIONS Topkapi palace 12
13 Duration: Full day Tour code: IST - 08 Istanbul is unique and unforgettable. Our full day excursion will immerse you in this vibrant, colourful and fascinating city at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Many empires have held power in the place once called Constantinople including the Greeks, Romans, Venetians and the Ottomans. The historic heart of old Istanbul is the Sultanahmet district and our starting point is the Byzantine Hippodrome where horse and chariot racing once drew crowds of 100,000 or more. Nearby is the Kaiser’s German fountain, the bronze Serpent Column of Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk and the Walled Obelisk of Constantine VII. Recognised across the globe is the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, more popularly known as the Blue Mosque because of the stunning hand painted blue tiles inside. It is well worth taking a few minutes just to gaze and let the amazing beauty sink in whether you are inside or outside. ISTANBUL Across the square sits the imposing Church of the Holy Wisdom of God or Hagia Sophia, once a church, then an Ottoman imperial mosque and now a museum. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. We then visit the incomparable Topkapi Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where we have lunch at the Konyali Restaurant enjoying a view over the Bosphorus. If all this still leaves you with a thirst for more discovery you can do no better than explore the sights, sounds and colours of Istanbul’s incredible Grand Bazaar, with 4000 shops and stalls, 58 streets under one roof, 400,000 visitors daily and millions of things for sale. Hagia Sophia ISTANBUL EXCURSIONS The Blue Mosque CHILD US$88 ADULT US$142
14 Pergamon DIKILI EXCURSIONS
15 Duration: Full day Tour code: DKL - 04 Turkey’s port city of Dikili is where we stop off for the ancient city of Pergamon. This was the location of the northernmost of the seven churches of Asia Minor according to the book of Revelation in the New Testament. Pergamon means fortress or acropolis. The city was at the heart of a powerful kingdom and held the reputation as a political and cultural centre in the Byzantine era. We drive to the remains of the Asklepion, one of the world’s first hospitals. It’s a complex of mostly openair buildings connected by porticoes dedicated to the god of Healing, Asclepius. Excavations date the construction of the temple to the 4th century BC, but it mainly flourished during the Roman period, thanks to the efforts of Hadrian. As well as facilities for the care of patients, the Asklepion also included a theatre for up to 3,500 spectators, lecture halls and a library. After our tour of the Asklepion, we return the port of Dikili and to the ship. ANCIENT PERGAMON Pergamon DIKILI EXCURSIONS Asklepion Asklepion CHILD US$54 ADULT US$96
16 Kusadasi KUSADASI EXCURSIONS
17 Duration: Full day Tour code: KUS - 08 This is a truly spectacular day. We leave the port city of Kusadasi for Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia. This is a stunning marvel in the hills above the Aegean and one of the world’s largest and important open-air archaeological museums. It was also the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus was founded by the Ancient Greeks around 2000 BC. It was the wealthiest of the Ionian cities and became one of the key cultural centres in the Mediterranean. The city was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The temple built in her honour took 120 years to complete. Ephesus later became the second largest city in the Roman Empire and is rivalled only by the Forum and the Acropolis as one of the most complete classical cities in Europe. Even so, only 13 per cent of Ephesus has been uncovered. We wander through the Odeon and the Prytaneion, stroll the marble colonnades of Curetes Street to visit Trajan’s Fountain, Hadrian’s Temple, Scholastica Baths and the astonishing Terrace Houses. Nearby is the spectacular Library of Celsus, almost entirely reconstructed, and the Agora. The Great Theatre of Ephesus where St Paul once preached, held crowds of up to 24,000. Today it still hosts concerts and other performances. Our tour takes us to the Rug Village for lunch and a demonstration of traditional Turkish carpet weaving. We then head for the ancient coastal city of Miletus, another of the greatest and wealthiest cities in Ancient Greece and one of the first to mint coins. Homer mentioned Miletus in The Iliad and Paul preached here on the way back to Jerusalem. There are many well preserved ruins here, including the Temple of Apollo and a Byzantine church. ANCIENT EPHESUS & MILETUS The Great Theatre of Ephesus Temple of Artemis KUSADASI EXCURSIONS INCLUDED IN YOUR FARE
St John’s Monastery PATMOS EXCURSIONS 18
Duration: Half day Tour code: PAT - 01 This excursion takes us to a small but fascinating island with connections to the Bible and to the Gods. Patmos in the Aegean is among the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese. It is has a long been a place of pilgrimage because Patmos is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Christian Bible. It records that St John the Evangelist received a vision from Jesus here. Visitors can see the location where John is said to have had the revelation, the Cave or Grotto of the Apocalypse. Meanwhile a number of churches are named after the apostle and we are able to call at the Monastery of St John. The picturesque alleyways wind up to the Monastery which was founded by St. Christodoulos in 1088. We are able to enter the yard, where the monks take their meals and the old bakery. Of exquisite beauty is our tour of the Byzantine Church of St John, adorned with a wood-carved icon screen, important frescoes from several periods of history. Next we stop at a small museum which is home to priceless religious treasures including manuscripts, medieval textiles and vestments. RELIGIOUS VISIT TO ST JOHN’S MONASTERY - GROTTO OF APOCALYPSE Behind the chapel of St Anne lies the entrance to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. We will see the cross engraved by St John and the triple fissure in the wall where John is said to have heard God telling of the Apocalypse. You may feel the historical and religious enormity of this special moment. In Greek mythology Patmos originally existed at the bottom of the sea but Zeus was persuaded to allow it rise from the waters. The sun dried the land and people from the region began inhabiting the island they named Letois after the goddess Artemis. St John’s Monastery St John’s Monastery 19 PATMOS EXCURSIONS CHILD US$51 ADULT US$77
ATHENS EXCURSIONS 20 Corinth Canal
Duration: Full day Tour code: PIR - 10 Athens is the world’s ancient capital. St Paul preached at Mars Hill near the Acropolis and the ancient Agora was one of his many meeting places. We travel further afield as he did, to Corinth where we will first stop for a photo opportunity at this amazing feat of engineering, the Corinth Canal. We’ll enjoy a great view. Built between 1881 and 1893, the fourmile-long waterway cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth and follows much the same line as a canal planned in Roman times. The waterway is 70 feet wide, 26 feet deep and 170 feet high. We head for ancient Corinth where St Paul lived, preached and wrote around 50-52 AD and we will visit a number of the sites associated with his stay. He established a church and wrote two epistles to the Corinthians. During the 6th century BC, it was one of Greece’s richest cities. Located in the northeast corner of the Peloponnese and at the head of the Gulf of Corinth, the city controlled the narrow Isthmus and the two seas on each side. Excavations, begun in 1896 and still ongoing, revealed the Temple of Apollo and Roman ruins. Paul spent 18 months in the city before the Jews of the city charged him with breaking the law and brought him before the proconsul Gallio at the city’s place of judgment (Bema). He dismissed the charges. In Corinth Paul met Aquila and Priscilla, Jews recently expelled by Emperor Claudius from Rome. They became faithful followers. The three of these were tentmakers (or leather workers) and may have had their place of business in the city’s commercial marketplace, the agora. This would have given Paul numerous opportunity to speak with customers and passers-by about the resurrection of Christ. All three later sailed to Ephesus to continue their missionary work. No canal boat crossing. CORINTH CANAL, ANCIENT CORINTH, BEMA OF ST. PAUL Temple of Apollo 21 ATHENS EXCURSIONS CHILD US$87 ADULT US$113
Duration: Full day Tour code: PIR - 08 Our starting point for this truly monumental tour is the Acropolis, which means ‘high city.’ At the end of our journey we hope you will have a full appreciation of the glories of the very heart of Athens. This historic hill is the home of the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, and a number of other monuments. They include the Propylaea, originally part of Pericles’ great rebuilding programme and the Temple of Athena Nike. This once contained a wooden statue of Athena. It was wingless signifying she would never leave Athens. Meanwhile, the Erechtheion and its marble edifice is an Ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis. The eastern part is dedicated to Athena Polias and the western part to Poseidon-Erechtheus. From the hill you can marvel at the glorious stone theatre structure of the Odeon Herodes Atticus on the southwest slope. To bring us up to date, many of the world’s biggest names have performed here including Frank Sinatra, Luciano Pavarotti and of course Nana Mouskouri. The modern, bright and imposing Acropolis Museum is our next stop. Opened in 2009 it houses a whole host of exhibits of classical antiquity and is thematic. THE ACROPOLIS & THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM It’s the perfect way to draw everything together and give context to the wonderful structures you have just seen. We leave the high city and pass the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We make a stop at the site of the first modern Olympiad in 1896, the Panathenaic Stadium and then visit the stylish ‘Trilogy of Athens’, the old building of the University of Athens, the National Library and the Academy of Athens. We end our day with a trip through the epicentre of modern day Athens, the Squares of Omonia and Syntagma. This is a monumental excursion of discovery, literally and figuratively. New Acropolis Museum Odeon Herodes Atticus 22 ATHENS EXCURSIONS CHILD US$80 ADULT US$108
23 ATHENS EXCURSIONS
For more information and bookings please visit celestyal.com or your local travel agent We can’t wait to share the beautiful Blue. All we’re missing is you! YOUR GREEK WELCOME IS WAITING!
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