Dubai Pre-Tour 

October 24 - 30, 2023 • $2,298* 

October 24 – DEPART THE USA 

Your journey begins as you depart the USA on your international  overnight flight. 

October 25 – ARRIVE IN DUBAI 

After being picked up at the airport, you will be transported to your  hotel for overnight. (D) 

October 26 – TOUR OLD DUBAI 

After breakfast, journey to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood to  explore Old Dubai. Part of the attraction of the district, which showcases  the traditional way of life in Dubai from the mid 19th century until  the 1970s, is simply wandering through its narrow lanes. Here, you’ll  discover creative art spaces, museums and cafés housed in traditional  L-shaped homes made from gypsum, coral and limestone. Look up  and you can’t miss the buildings topped with distinctive wind towers.  While exploring this neighborhood, you will visit the Textile Souk full  of colorful fabris and kitsch souvenirs. Next, visit the Saruq Al Hadid  museum to see the archaelogical treasures that have been discovers  in and around Dubai. Embark on a water taxi ride at Bur Dubai Abra  Station by Dubai Creek. This waterway continues to reflect Dubai’s  historic roots back when early settlers relied on its waters for their  livelihood. You will queue for a short trip across the creek to Deira on  traditional wooden boats known as abras. Once on the other side visit  the Gold Souk, where you can haggle with shopkeepers for beautiful  jewelry before continuing to the Spice Souk. As you wander through the  stalls, you can savor the aromas of cardamom, tumeric, dried lemons  and rose petals. After touring, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner  and rest. (B, L, D) 

October 27 – ABU DHABI & DINNER CRUISE Embark on this exhilarating tour to the highlight destinations of Abu  Dhabi. As you travel to your first destination along the Gulf coast of  Abu Dhabi, listen to the region’s rich history and culture. Let’s visit  the architectural beauty of the country’s largest mosque, Sheikh  Zayed Grand Mosque, which is known as the acclaimed symbol of  contemporary Islam. The place offers a feast to eyes as it blends the  cultural diversity of Islamic art and contemporary design. You will be  driven to the next destination, Abu Dhabi Corniche. Feel relaxed seeing  the sweeping curve of clean water harbor, pearl white sand beaches and  the beautiful promenade that stretches the Northwest city shore. Next,  stop at Emirates Palace, a highly celebrated destination in the UAE. Get  a chance to pose in front of this eminent destination and take a lot of  photos. Later on, travel to the next photo stop destination, the stunning  five towers of Abu Dhabi, Etihad Towers. The towers shout out the  aggregate story of everything Abu Dhabi is and the futuristic view of the  Emirate. Being the combination of luxury and modern views, the place  is an ideal destination during the Abu Dhabi visit. Enjoy lunch at a local  restaurant. Now that your appetite is full, you will be taken to the next  destination, Qasr Al Watan. The palace is the reflection of Emiratis and their leaders. Absorb the essence of culture, architectural features and  the awe-inspiring history of Emirates. Learn about the amazing journey  of the spurring Arabian design to the present state. Return to Dubai and  freshen up at your hotel before embarking on your dinner cruise on the  Bateaux Dubai. As you sail around Dubai, you will pass the illuminated  Maktoum Bridge, Clock Tower, Twin Towers and Grand Mosque. (B,  L, D) 

October 28 – NEW DUBAI TOUR & DESERT TRIP You begin your tour by driving to the famous man-made island, Palm  Jumeirah. Cross the 800-meter-long underwater tunnel and reach the  12-kilometer-long water-breaker at the luxury resort Atlantis, The  Palm. Make a photo stop and take some special souvenir pictures of the  magnificent Atlantis hotel. You then continue on to the Dubai Marina,  an exclusive residence, leisure, and trade area. Enjoy a short stroll along  the water and admire the new skyline with over 260 skyscrapers from  the Marina’s yacht harbor. As a magnificent finale to your tour, you visit  the Burj Khalifa, which at 828 meters is currently the tallest building in  the world and located next to the Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest  shopping centers with 1,200 shops. Visit the viewing platform at 452  meters above sea level. Ride the building’s express elevator to the 124th  floor at a speed of 10 meters per second. From there, you can enjoy  a breathtaking 360-degree view of all of Dubai and its unique skyline.  This afternoon, zoom into the remote Lahbab desert that lies outside  the city. During the drive, your guide answers any questions and shares  information about the region. Head off road into bright red dunes and  have your camera ready to capture what looks like giant beanbags of  sand. During a break to gather the convoy, make use of optional quad  bikes on site. Then, hold tight as you cruise toward the highest slopes.  Feel the adrenaline race as your vehicle plows up the dunes before  sliding and slipping back down the slopes, churning up billowing clouds  of sand in the process. Reach a high desert dune for a photo stop and  admire 360-degree views of the desert landscape as the sun slowly sets.  Take a camel ride and surf the dunes on a sandboard before you return  to your hotel (Guests not wanting to visit the desert can be dropped off  at the Dubai Mall for shopping and can stay to see the fountain show  before returning on their own to the hotel). (B, L, D) 

October 29 – DUBAI to ATHENS 

Fly across the Mediterranean to Athens this morning and enjoy the  best of Athens on a panoramic drive designed for those who prefer a more  leisurely tour of the city. Board a comfortable coach for a narrated tour  covering modern and ancient attractions, including the Academy, Hadrian’s  Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the National Gardens, and a stop at  the pedestrian zone below the majestic Acropolis. Conclude with free time  to shop in the picturesque Plaka, the city’s most ancient neighborhood.  Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B) 

October 30 – EMBARKATION 

Greece Pre-Tour 

October 25 - 30, 2023 • $1,198*

October 25 & 26 – USA to GREECE

Your journey begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight. Arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

October 27 – THESSALONIKI and VERIA (BEREA)

Discover Thessaloniki, where Paul was accused of turning the world upside down (Acts 17: 3-6). Explore St. George’s Basilica, believed to be built over the synagogue where Paul preached, and reflect on the two epistles written to the Thessalonian church. Stroll through the Archaeological Museum and the beautiful basilicas of St. Sophia and St. Demetrios, dedicated to a distinguished Roman proconsul martyred for his Christian faith. You can look out over the second-largest city in Greece from the Old City Ramparts. Follow the path of Paul when he fled for the safety of Veria (Berea), where some accepted the new faith (Act 17: 10-12). Continue on to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.

October 28 – METEORA and DELPHI

As you visit the rock forest of Meteora, imagine the Apostle Paul walking that treacherous terrain. Gaze up at the breathtaking Byzantine monasteries perched on soaring, sheer-sided sandstone pillars. In the 13th century, monks built the original wooden shelters that later became these monasteries. After a monastery tour, travel to Delphi, the religious center of the ancient Greek world and marked by the conical stone called the omphalos or “navel”. Walk the Sacra Via to the Athenian Treasury, theatre, and the Temple of Apollo, where the oracle performed her prophetic rituals. As you consider the pagan influence in Delphi alone, you will gain a new appreciation for the spiritual opposition the Apostle Paul faced. In the Museum are many ancient treasures, including the 5th-century, bronzed charioteer so detailed you can see his eyelashes. Continue to Athens for overnight.

October 29 – ATHENS

See the best of Athens on a panoramic drive designed for those who prefer a more leisurely tour of the city. Board a comfortable coach for a narrated tour covering modern and ancient attractions, including the Academy, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the National Gardens, and a stop at the pedestrian zone below the majestic Acropolis. Conclude with free time to shop in the picturesque Plaka, the city’s most ancient neighborhood. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

October 30 – CORINTH & EMBARKATION

Wander the streets of ancient Corinth, home to the tent makers, Aquilla and Priscilla. Here, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, saying “I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city” (Acts 18:10). Many believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8). This was the beginning of the church at Corinth, to whom Paul would write two epistles. Stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Walk the marketplace and Temple of Apollo. Visit the Archaeological Museum then transfer to Pireaus to board the Azamara Onward.

Istanbul & Cappadocia Pre-Tour

October 23 - 30, 2023 • $2,398*

October 23 & 24 - USA to ISTANBUL

Your journey begins as you depart the USA on your international flight. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.

October 25 - ISTANBUL

Enjoy a panoramic tour of Istanbul: Walls of Constantinople, the Golden Horn, Patriarchate and a Bosphorus cruise before continuing to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Arrive and overnight in Cappadocia at the hotel.

October 26 – CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a full day tour of Cappadocia including visits to Goreme open air museum, Zelve Valley, Avcilar and Uchisar. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cappadocia.

October 27 - CAPPADOCIA & ISTANBUL

Enjoy a morning Optional Hot Air Balloon ride. After breakfast, depart for a tour of Ozkonak underground city and Avanos. Fly to Istanbul in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

October 28 – ISTANBUL

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a full day tour of Istanbul City including visits to Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

October 29 - ATHENS

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Athens. Enjoy a panoramic drive designed for those who prefer a more leisurely tour of the city. Board a comfortable coach for a narrated tour covering modern and ancient attractions, including the Academy, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the National Gardens, and a stop at the pedestrian zone below the majestic Acropolis. Conclude with free time to shop in the picturesque Plaka, the city’s most ancient neighborhood. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

October 30 - Embarkation