And forget the stressful details of figuring out how to get around in unfamiliar lands. The cabin is your hotel room and it moves with you to each port of call. We loved the idea of traveling to two continents in just over a week but without packing and unpacking. But the tour doesn’t forget the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Our seven-day voyage (with two nights in Athens before and a night after) took us through the Golden Age of Greek civilization and into the height of the Roman Empire, when Christianity began to grow. That eagerness may have been a combination of our friendship but also the extensive experiences that the cruise company provides.Ĭelestyal offers a wide variety of 7– to 14–day trips with options to include Egypt and Israel. Left to right: Dwight and Anita Widaman, Renee and Stephen, and Christine and Philip. When they learned we were taking the trip, they joined us without hesitation! It was a blessing to share the exploration, memories and laughs with Renee and Stephen. For us, the experience was made even more special by the addition of a dear friend and her son who decided to join us. Fall means fewer cruise ships, so ports and biblical sites were less crowded, more relaxing. Gone are the sweltering summer days, replaced by mild sunny days with gentle ocean breezes and pleasant evenings.Īlso, gone are the hordes of summer tourists. This is the perfect time to enjoy Greece’s idyllic climate and balmy seas. Thankfully, Celestyal’s Steps of Paul cruises set sail exclusively in October. We marveled at the juxtaposition of sites of antiquity amid modern icons! And of course, our focus was finding the treasures of the burgeoning Christian world.
Cruising through Greece and Turkey, we saw the cradle of Western civilization like the seafarers once did. Truly, if you want to explore Paul’s missionary journey, a cruise is the easiest and most comfortable way to enjoy a diverse itinerary featuring so many varied testaments of time. Beneath the sunny surface, it and its neighbor, Turkey, offer a rich spiritual heritage and new perspectives of this popular destination.Īlmost half of the New Testament was written by the Apostle Paul and much of that was addressed to people he’d taken the gospel to in cities across the Roman Empire: Philippi, Pergamon, Ephesus, Thessolaniki, cities included in the Celestyal Steps of Paul cruise.
Grecian echoes series#
Its winding, cobblestone streets and friendly residents sets it apart.īut Greece is so much more than a series of travel posters. Those with a cosmopolitan mindset might picture the rich and royal soaking the sun while lounging on languid beaches.Īt the foot of the Acropolis in Athens is the Plaka neighborhood. Others will describe the Parthenon standing proudly atop sun-bleached ruins. If you ask people to describe their ideal image of Greece, some will inevitably conjure Instagram images of white-domed churches and colorful cottages nestled against rugged hillsides.
Grecian echoes full#
Tonight’s entrée options included Seafood Risotto with Champagne Sauce, Lemon-braised Lamb, Irish Angus Tomahawk Ribeye, Phyllo Pie, Stuffed Pork Loin Glazed with Pomegranate Balsamic, as well as appealing appetizers, scintillating side dishes, and delectable desserts-including a sampling of those Grecian fruits reflected in the sunset.Īfter a full evening of vibrant entertainment and crisp conversation, we would eventually rest in our comfortable cabin, refreshing our bodies and souls for another exciting day of pacing through Paul’s steps. Master chefs would offer us delights created by Diane Kochilas of My Greek Table, as well as European and American favorites. Now we enjoyed our colorful respite and anticipated the gourmet meal ahead. My wife, Anita, and I had enjoyed meandering through the quiet streets lined with tiny cars, modest homes, and villas with their showcase gardens overlooking the bay. We thoroughly enjoyed its ambiance and styling.
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