Highlights
FD – Ancient Corinth & Athens
Our Professional Licensed Guide will be at the port of Piraeus early in the morning to start the drive along the Saronic Gulf, passing along historical places like Salamis and Eleusis to reach Ancient Corinth – the ruins of which are spread out at the foot of the huge rock of Acrocorinth.
The Apostle Paul arrived in the city of Corinth and saw that the church needed Christian revival. For three months Paul stayed in Corinth preaching and teaching the gospel. Here He worked with Aquila and Priscilla at the tent-making trade and taught for 18 months (Acts 18 and I and II Corinthians).
You will visit the Doric Temple of Apollo and the Bema (judgment seat) before which Paul testified. I and II Corinthians were written in this area: “And he argued in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles”. Acts 18:4-6.
After this interesting visit, we leave and make a short stop at the famous Corinth Canal (opportunity for pictures).
Lunch can be taken either in Ancient Corinth or at the Canal.
Then drive back to Athens
Arriving in Athens we will do an orientating tour of the city. This tour takes you along the main-streets of Athens and the National Garden to Syntagma Square and the House of Parliament (former Royal Palace) with in front the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the ‘evzones’ dressed in their traditional costume. The drive continues by the Library – the Academy – the University, three buildings representing 19th century architecture blended with the classical influence. It will take along the Presidential Palace and a stop will be made at the Panathinaikon Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern times were held in 1896. The entire stadium is built of pure white marble. Then along the Temple of Olympic Zeus and the Hadrian’s Arch, the Acropolis will be reached.
The Acropolis on which the symbol of classical architecture stands: the Parthenon – the main temple, built in honour of Goddess Athena. Her statue decorated the centre of the temple and it was made of ivory and gold. Next to the Parthenon is the smaller Temple of Erechthion with lovely sculptured young maidens supporting the roof of the porch. From the top of the Acropolis you can admire the ancient theatre of Herodes Atticus with its remarkable acoustics.
A stop will be made at the Areopague or Mars Hill, a bare marble Hill next to the Acropolis.
In classical times, the Areopagus functioned as the chief homicide court of Athens.
The Areopagus, like most city-state institutions, continued to function in Roman times, and it was then that the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of “the Unknown God.”
Then descend on foot to the Plaka – the old part of Athens, lying on the slopes of the Acropolis. Some time at leisure will be given in this historical part of the city before returning by coach to the port for re-embarkation.
End of our services.
PRACTICAL REMARKS regarding the program:
* Handicapped passengers may join the tour but as the visit to the Acropolis involves approximately 80 steep steps: either have to remain at the base of the Acropolis, or they can make use the special elevator – for which an accompanying passenger is required.
* Passengers may not be allowed to enter the Acropolis-site with big bags/rucksacks.
* Depending on the number of visitors at the Acropolis, the site may close for a little while for security reasons which can cause some waiting time.These safety precautions are beyond our control.
* Program order: The order in which visits are mentioned might be changed and/or adjusted, according to circumstances
INCLUDING
Private Professional Licensed Guide;
Transportation in comfortable A/C vehicles;
Private Professional Driver;
Entrance fee to Ancient Corinth & Acropolis;
All parking and taxes.
EXCLUDING
Any gratuities for Guide & Driver;
Any meals and/or drinks (unless specifically mentioned);
Any kind of other personal expenses.
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2-3 PAX 4-5 PAX 6-10 PAX 11+ PAX 215 $ 199$ 175 $ 116 $