United Church of God 2008 Educational Tour

 

History and the Biblical Record in Greece

 

Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17 – U.S. to Athens (D)

From a U.S. gateway we board our flight to Athens.  Europeans or those from other regions of the world may be able to reach Athens via a Thursday departure. 

 

We clear customs and immigration in Athens and check into our hotel.  We have dinner and an orientation meeting to give an overview of the tour itinerary, goals and objectives for the tour, and tips for making this experience as beneficial as possible.  Since the New Testament Scriptures were recorded and preserved in the Greek language, we discuss reasons and advantages for the use of this language.  The world of the first century can be described as Hellenistic, meaning Greek influence had spread far and wide.  We recall, too, the Jewish sect of the Hellenists mentioned in the New Testament.  The word for Greece is Ellada in the modern language which is Ellada in English transliteration.

 

Friday, April 18 – Corinth (B, D)

After breakfast, we have a short session on the geographical overview of biblical and modern Greece, followed by another presentation and discussion about the cultural background of Corinth.  We gather our notebooks and cameras and depart for a tour of Corinth of the classical period.  We visit temple sites and a Roman forum, since Rome supplanted Greece as the major power in the western world and, as a testimony to its admiration of the Greeks, adopted much of Greek art, culture and thought as its own.  We have time to peruse the site individually.  After lunch we visit a fortress or archeological museum but keeping a watchful eye on the clock as we want to return to the hotel by mid afternoon for the preparation for our evening meal and service.

Passover is held this evening in a private room at the hotel.

 

Saturday, April 19 – Discussion, Presentations, and Church Service (B, D)

After breakfast we meet for discussion of lessons learned on yesterday’s visit to Corinth.  We follow with a study of I Corinthians including the setting of this cosmopolitan trading city, the history of the city, and the people found there in the first century.

After lunch and a rest break, we hold services with a theme the spiritual parallels applicable to today found in I Corinthians.  Discussion of the biblical background of the Night to be Much Observed follows, followed by a group dinner in keeping with the observance.

 

Sunday, April 20 – First Day of Unleavened Bread (B,D)

            We meet for church services in both morning and afternoon, focusing on the observance and meaning of these spring holy days.

 

Monday, April 21 – Sparta and Olympia (B,D)

            After breakfast we bring luggage for loading into our motor coach.  We return to the hotel meeting room for a short presentation and discussion on the historical background of the Peloponnesian Peninsula, including the tension with Persia, the rise of Alexander, and the Peloponnesian wars.  We visit sites of ancient Sparta, the chief protagonist of Athens, renowned for its stoic philosophy of life and its emphasis on the martial arts.  Following our visit to Sparta, we depart for Pigros Olympia.  After arriving at our hotel, we meet for further discussion on the history of the Peloponnesian Peninsula and following have dinner with a view of Olympia. 

 

Tuesday, April 22 – Olympia (B,D)

After breakfast we bring our luggage for loading.  Before departing, we convene for presentation and discussion on the historical background of Olympia.  From this city the Olympics are named, and indeed the first Olympic games were held here in 776 BC.  Mount Olympus was thought by the Greeks, in all seriousness, to be the home of the gods, and many, many expressions, concepts, and analogies in the English language and other western languages persist from the extensive set of mythology constructed around the imagined undertakings of these gods and goddesses.  Perhaps some of the myths might be better characterized as legends, since they may preserve ideas and events from the ancient world involving characters who appear at the dawn of recorded history and also appear in the pages of Genesis.   We make a site visit to Olympia in the morning.  After lunch, we depart for Athens making site visits along the way.

                                                                                                                       

Wednesday, April 23 – Athens (B,D)

Today we begin by considering biblical passages associated with Athens, including the well-known visit by Paul to the Acropolis where he observed a monument to an unknown god.  We begin the site visit with a guide, and allow time for exploration.  After lunch, we meet for Scripture readings near Mars Hill and then proceed on a guided walk.  We see the Temple of Hephaistos, the Greek god of fire and metalworking, known to the Romans as Vulcan.  He gives his name to volcanoes and to the progenitors of Mr. Spock.  We visit the ancient Agora and see the Stoa of Attalus, the Roman Forum, Hadrian’s Library and Hadrian’s Arch.  We discuss the role of this prominent Roman emperor in the history of Rome and the interaction with the Jews of Palestine.  We see the Temple of Zeus and Athens Stadium.  We allow personal time for exploration, and later have a discussion period on the sites of the day.  We follow with dinner and then a sound and light show at the Acropolis.  

 

Thursday, April 24 – National Archeological Museum (B,D)

After breakfast we have a discussion about the influence of Greek thought on the language and concepts of the New Testament, as well as the persistence of Greek ideas in Gnostic thought which developed in early centuries A.D., and was subsequently carried into the Roman church.  Indeed, we again note the abundance of words in European languages including English which are derived from Greek roots.  We then depart for the National Archeological Museum, and muse upon the long shadow cast by the Greeks in Western art, politics, and thought. 

Afternoon is free for sights or shopping of your choosing in Athens.  After return to the hotel, we review and discuss things Greek from a biblical perspective, and then have dinner together.

 

Friday, April 25 – Departure (B)

            After breakfast, we bring our luggage for loading.  We meet once again and close with prayer, followed by departure for the airport for flights back to our home areas.  It may be possible to add an extension to another site in the Greek world, where the last day of Unleavened Bread will be observed.

 

Discussion, Bible Studies and Services

David Register as United Church of God Coordinator for Adult Education will arrange for the various discussions, Bible studies and services.   Gary Antion and other elders will also contribute.  Plans are under way to create a suggested reading list to enhance your preparation for this historically rich and important region.

 

Land Package

-  $1889 per person (double occupancy)

-  Add $309 for Single Occupancy

The package will include hotel (based on twin/double occupancy – two in a room), daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel, folk show and dinner in Athens, coach transportation as described in the itinerary, English speaking tour guide, tips for guide and driver, and rooms for services (New Testament Passover service, and Night to be Much Observed).  Airport transfers are included for those on the “group” flights described below.

 

Hotels: The tour will use the following hotels as outlined in the itinerary:

 

Kalamaki Beach Hotel – Corinth  www.kalamakibeach.gr

 

Best Western Hotel Europa – Olympia    www.hoteleuropa.gr

 

Divania Palace Acropolis – Athens          www.divaniacropolis.gr

 

Air Travel - We have held space on two air carriers for trans-Atlantic travel.  The non-stop service on Olympic Airways reduces flying time, while the Air France flights offers a lower price. The rates listed below include airfare, tax, fuel surcharges and booking fee.  Please not that the taxes and fuel surcharges are not guaranteed until ticketed. 

 

Travel from your home city may be more convenient using different flights – we can assist with those reservations and ticketing (booking fee applies).

 

Olympic Airways    $955 per person

16 APR 08 - WEDNESDAY  OLYMPIC       412 COACH CLASS                                

  LV: NYC/KENNEDY        430P     NONSTOP                    

  AR: ATHENS GREECE      900A     ARRIVAL DATE-17 APR                  

 

 25 APR 08 - FRIDAY     OLYMPIC       411 COACH CLASS                                

  LV: ATHENS GREECE     1110A     NONSTOP                    

  AR: NYC/KENNEDY        255P                                         

 

 

Air France  $849 per person

16 APR 08 - WEDNESDAY     AIR FRANCE      9 COACH CLASS                                

  LV: NYC/KENNEDY       1050P     NONSTOP                    

  AR: PARIS/DEGAULLE    1155A     ARRIVAL DATE-17 APR                  

 

 17 APR 08 - THURSDAY     AIR FRANCE   1832 COACH CLASS                                

  LV: PARIS/DEGAULLE     125P     NONSTOP                    

  AR: ATHENS GREECE      540P                                          

 

 25 APR 08 - FRIDAY     AIR FRANCE   2333 COACH CLASS                                

  LV: ATHENS GREECE      650A     NONSTOP                    

  AR: PARIS/DEGAULLE     920A  

 

AIR FRANCE 6 COACH CLASS
LV: PARIS/DEGAULLE 115P NONSTOP
AR: NYC/KENNEDY 315P

 

 Air prices include fuel surcharges and are not guaranteed until ticketed. Schedule subject to change by the airline.

 

 

Extending the Trip - Extra Nights in Athens

Realizing that some may wish to extend the trip and remain for the last day of Unleavened Bread we are providing rates at the Divania Palace Acropolis – Athens for the extra nights.  The rate includes breakfast and dinner at the hotel.  The airlines, including Olympic Airways and Air France may charge for deviating the return dates (typically $75 per person). Please note we are not holding group space for the return until we have responses on the number of individuals who would like to do so.  Given enough interest we will be make sure there is ministry available for the services on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread to continue the Biblical and historical themes of this educational trip.

 

Athens Hotel per person per night is $116 USD

Transfer to the airport per person is $25 USD

An additional charge may be added for room rental for church services on April 26^th.

 

All costs are subject to change based on fluctuation of the Euro.       

 

Example of extending your stay - We had originally thought to put the whole extension option out of Athens on a Greek Island or other site.  However, with it being off-season for islands and the challenges of coordinating ferry schedules to international flights make this option not viable on this tour.

 

Suggestion A:

Thursday, April 24 - Fly to Crete for the day to visit the special sites.

Friday, April 25 - Personal exploration of Athens sites

Saturday, April 26 – Last Day of Unleavened Bread Services

Sunday, April 27 – Flight Home

 

Suggestion B:

Thursday, April 24 - National Archeological Museum (included in basic land tour)

            Friday, April 25 – Personal exploration of Athens sites

Saturday, April 26 – Last Day of Unleavened Bread Services

Sunday, April 27 – Flight Home

 

Suggestion C:  

            Thursday, April 24 - National Archeological Museum and free afternoon

            Friday, April 25 – Greek Island stay

Saturday, April 26 – Personal Time at Greek Isle

Sunday, April 27 – Flight Home if you can return from an island in time for flight

 

Questions – We look forward to making this educational tour an enjoyable experience.   To assist with questions the point person in our office will be John Siston --1-800-858-6999 or email at john@travelgallery.com.   But should you have any other questions I will be glad to assist as well.