DETAILS OF THE TRIP ARE:

Deposit Required: $500 per person with reserve your place. 
Final Payment: February 15, 2024

PAYMENTS:  ALIYAH TOURS
                     PO Box 74111
                     Richmond, VA 23236

INCLUSIONS:  

Inclusions:

• 3 overnights in Athens at Royal Olympic Hotel or similar - breakfast and dinners included.
• 3-day cruise on All Inclusive basis, with
  Shore excursion to Kusadasi
  Shore excursion to Patmos
• Flight to Athens to Rome on Day 8
• 3 overnights in Rome at Cicerone Hotel or similar, breakfast and dinnder included
• English speaking licensed guide for sightseeing & touring as per itinerary.
• Private walking tours of Mykonos, Heraklion and Santorini.
• Entrance fees to archaeological sites & museums as per itinerary.
• Porterage at the hotels.
• Headsets during tours throughout the trip. 
• Tips to guides, managers and drivers.
• Our personalized services throughout the trip. 

Does NOT include:

• Passport and visa fees.
• Lunches (except cruise portion).
• Drinks during meals (except cruise portion).
• Cable-car tickets in Santorini are paid on site. 
• Travel Insurance

PRICE:   $6,269.00 pp/double occupancy
 

Rates in USD

Based in Double room & IA cabin 

• Port taxes & Cruise Tips $ Included
• 2 Shore excursions package $ Included
• Single Supplement-private room throughout. $1,230

Day 1: Depart USA

Overnight flight to Greece. 

Day 2: Arrive Athens

We arrive in Athens and check into our hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the city. This evening our group will enjoy the first of many delectable European style dinners. (B)

Day 3: Athens 

Following breakfast this morning we tour Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erechtheion before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. From atop Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. Additional sites viewed during our panoramic bus tour are the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. An option later this afternoon is a visit to the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes.

Day 4: Cruising Mykonos

We will sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. Experience the waterfront lined with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment. 

Day 5: Ephesus and Patmos

Docking in Turkey, enjoy a tour of Ephesus, the city of the Bible and one of the largest restorations still in progress withmiles of ancient treasures. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city including the Agora, the Odeon, the Library, the marble- paved main Street, the Baths, Trajan’s Fountain, the

Residences of the Patricians, the Prytaneum, and Temple of Hadrian. The Great Theatre, built in the 4th century B.C., could accommodate 24,000 spectators and it is famous even nowadays for its acoustics. This afternoon we visit the Isle of Patmos, under statutory protection as a historic monument. Here we have a tour to see the fortified monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where John received the Revelation. Back on the ship, enjoy the Captain's dinner before settling in to your cabin for the night. (B, D)

Day 6: Crete and Santorini

Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. Take a tour to Heraklion and the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. This afternoon visit the island of Santorini which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. You may choose to take an optional panoramic bus tour viewing some of the most spectacular scenery of the Aegean. Travel through villages and settlements with delicate architecture and beauties eventually arriving in Oia. During your time in Oia, visit the many narrow streets,
open-air cafes and glittering boutiques. Upon returning to the ship, we view the lace-like caldera, the little islands of Thirasia, Palea, & Nea Kameni. We arrive at the ship for dinner and evening entertainment. 

Day 7: Disembark Cruise –Ancient Corinth & Cenchreae

We disembark the cruise this morning and travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. Next, we visit ancient Corinth, the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters and is a highlight for the New Testament scholar. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love for the Bible. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period. We travel on to the top of the nearby Acropolis where our guide will speak on the worship practices and point out the bird’s eye view of what was a bustling city of around 800,000 during Paul’s stay. Another important stop is a visit to Diolkos where we view the paved trackway which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth and served as a life line for Corinth. This shortcut allowed ancient vessels to avoid the long and dangerous circumnavigation of the Peloponnese peninsula. Before returning to Athens, we will visit Cenchreae, the ancient port region of Corinth. Acts 18:18 states the Apostle Paul
stopped at Cenchreae during his second missionary journey, where he had his hair cut to fulfill a vow.

Day 8: Arrive Rome

We fly from Athens to the Rome airport, and transfer to our lodging for the next three nights. This afternoon we will take an afternoon tour of the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries.

Day 9: Forum, Mamertine, Coliseum, Ostia Antica

We begin our walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where our guide will divulge its secrets. We will visit the Arch of Titus which commemorated the sack of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70. We will view the Mamertine Prison exterior, where tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. The Roman church would say that Peter was imprisoned here as well, but there is no empirical evidence that Peter was ever in Rome. Next, we visit the Coliseum, where thousands of people and animals perished during gladiatorial games. The Coliseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100 days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughter of both humans and animals
continued for three more centuries. Historians believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on how close the seating was. The floor has recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessible for people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories of the games that
have fascinated people for hundreds of years. We conclude our day at the ruins of Ostia Antica, which provides an excellent example of city life in classical times and the Ostian Gate, today called the Gate of St. Paul.

Day 10: Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Scala Santa, Abbey of Three Fountains, St. Paul Outside the Wall

After breakfast, you will begin a full day of sightseeing. First visit Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn. After some free time for lunch, you will stop at The Abbey of the Three Fountains, the traditional site of Paul's martyrdom and the ancient street that he walked on. Next, visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the site of Paul’s tomb, and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museum houses the Steps from Pilot's Judgment Hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. Additional sights include the Arches of Constantine and Titus, Circus Maximus and the beautiful marble monument called the Wedding Cake.

Day 11: Home

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

PRICE PER PERSON - $6,269.00 /double occupancy
Round-trip Airfare from Dulles (IAD).
Single Supplement fee $1,230

Deposit Required: $500 per person will reserve your place. Deposit is non-refundable. 
Final Payment: February 15, 2024

Passports must be valid until 12/14/24

PAYMENTS: ALIYAH TOURS P.O. Box 74111, Richmond VA 23236

Inclusions:

• 3 overnights in Athens at Royal Olympic Hotel or similar - breakfast and dinners included.
• 3-day cruise on All Inclusive basis, with
  Shore excursion to Kusadasi
  Shore excursion to Patmos
• Flight to Athens to Rome on Day 8
• 3 overnights in Rome at Cicerone Hotel or similar, breakfast and dinnder included
• English speaking licensed guide for sightseeing & touring as per itinerary.
• Private walking tours of Mykonos, Heraklion and Santorini.
• Entrance fees to archaeological sites & museums as per itinerary.
• Porterage at the hotels.
• Headsets during tours throughout the trip. 
• Tips to guides, managers and drivers.
• Our personalized services throughout the trip. 

Does NOT include:

• Passport and visa fees.
• Lunches (except cruise portion).
• Drinks during meals (except cruise portion).
• Cable-car tickets in Santorini are paid on site. 
• Travel Insurance

Rates in USD

Based in Double room & IA cabin 

• Port taxes & Cruise Tips $ Included
• 2 Shore excursions package $ Included
• Single Supplement-private room throughout. $1,230

Deposits and Payments: A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required from each traveler along with their reservation form to guarantee the booking as soon as possible. The remaining balance is due on February 15, 2024. 

Cancellation Requests: All cancellation requests must be made in writing by email to (aliyahtours@gmail.com) or in writing sent by mail to; P.O. Box 74111, Richmond VA 23236) to Aliyah Tours.

Cancellation Fees:  

• Deposit is non-refundable.

• Up to 4 months prior to departure date, the cancellation fee is the initial deposit plus 50% of other amounts paid.

• Up to 6 weeks prior to departure date, the cancellation fee is the initial deposit plus 75% of other amounts paid.

• Within 6 weeks prior to departure date, the cancellation fee is 100% of all amounts paid. 

• Bank fees assigned by the credit card processing platform are not refundable. 

• The guest agrees not to file a fraud claim with their credit card company if Aliyah abides by the cancellation policy noted in these terms and conditions. 

• The guest agrees to contact an Aliyah representative before initiating a billing dispute with any outside agency. 

• If the tour is canceled due to circumstances beyond the control of Aliyah Tours or our agents in Europe (including without limitation: acts of nature, terrorist activities, insurrection, explosion, flood, tempest, foreceful wind, fire or accident, war or threat of war declared or undeclared, sabotage, civil disturbance, labor strikes, requisition, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances), then the full tour price will be refunded less the initial deposit of $500. Aliyah may take up to 12 weeks from the date of an official tour cancellation to refund any tour payments as described in the above cancellation policy.  

Tour Arrangements
Air – Air arrangements are included in most group tours. Air is available to individual travelers upon request.
Land – All packages including overnight hotel stays are quoted based upon double occupancy sharing a twin or double room with private facilities. Aliyah Tours. does not arrange sharing for individual travelers. Single rooms are available at additional cost. Aliyah Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels based upon availability when necessary. Sightseeing and entrance fees are included as per itinerary. Individual passengers and passengers arriving independently from a scheduled group are responsible for their own transfers.

Not Included
Airport taxes and transfers (unless specifically included in certain group tours), optional tours, charges for passports, vaccinations and inoculations, excess baggage charges, accident, trip cancellation and baggage insurance, telephone and cable charges, laundry, meals not specified in the itinerary, liquor, items of a personal nature and any items not specifically listed as included.

Passports/Visa
You will be required to provide Aliyah Tours with a copy of your passport with the deposit. Please Note: The State of Israel requires that your passport have an expiration date not less than 6 months after your date of arrival in Israel. There is no visa requirement for citizens of the United States traveling to Israel. Other nationals should contact their consulate for visa information. For other destinations please contact Aliyah Tours Aliyah Tours does NOT process visa applications. No inoculations are currently required for travel to Israel. Please contact public health authorities for further information or other destinations.

Travel Insurance
Trave insurance is an essential part of international travel and Aliyah Tours strongly advises each guest to purchase travel insurance that covers trip interruptions, trip cancellation, lost baggage, and emergency medical expenses for this tour.  There will be no exceptions to the stated cancellation policy listed below.  Click on the following link to see price quotes on several travel insurance options. Get Travel Insurance here. 

Baggage
Suitcases: 1 per person, not to exceed 50 lbs. for 1 bag. Each can measure up to 62 linear inches (length + height + width). Carry On Luggage: 1 per person, not to exceed 11 lbs. Each can measure up to 45 linear inches (length + height + width).

Deviations
Any change in the basic program will result in the charge of $150 per change per person plus any additional charges that may apply for revised air or land arrangements.

Unexpected Airline Challenges
Airlines can and will make unexpected changes to travel itineraries due to weather, mechanical problems and staffing issues. Should your flight be delayed or canceled, it is up to the passenger to work directly with the airline to rebook flights to the intended destination. Aliyah Tours is not responsible for airline changes that cause delays, cancellations, late arrivals, baggage loss, and associated expenses. Group transfers are limited to the original arrival time and will not be available for rescheduled flights. (Air travel ticketing agents affiliated with Aliyah Tours are not responsible for rebooking your canceled or delayed flights.) Travel insurance is highly recommended to address all these challenges and the associated expenses for the traveler. 

Life onboard the Olympia is more than a cruise – it’s an experience that invites you to indulge in our Hellenic heritage. Relax with a refreshing drink in the ambient lounges, indulge in sumptuous authentic cuisine or take advantage of our excellent onboard facilities, you will never be lost for something to do.

With ample facilities combined with distinctive Greek hospitality and personalized service, your time aboard the Celestyal Olympia ensure your timewill be enjoyable, memorable and exciting.

Learn more here: https://celestyal.com/us/our-ships/olympia

Travel Insurance is HIGHLY recommended for international travel to protect your tour investment. Travel insurance also protects you from costly losses due to emergency medical care, evacuation, trip interruption, and baggage loss. For the best coverage options, including "cancel for any reason" coverage, purchase your travel insurance within two weeks of booking your tour. There will be no exceptions to the strict cancellation policy. 

Compare travel insurance options at this website:  

Buy Travel Insurance Here