Pre-Conference: Corinth-Athens-Islands
Wednesday, March 30
Arrival in Athens and transfer on your own via Metro or taxi to the Oscar Hotel in Athens for dinner and overnight. Instructions for the transfer can be found here.
Thursday, March 31
Hydra/Poros/Aegina
Depart from your hotel around 7 am to the Port of Piraeus for "Greek Islands Experience” day cruise. Enjoy beautiful scenery, Greek music & dancing, Greek food and swimming in crystal clear waters. You will visit the following islands.
Hydra - this Mediterranean island is an unspoiled jewel of traditional Mediterranean allure, offering its visitors a unique glimpse of the living past.
Poros - a lush, tranquil island separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strait. Often referred to as the “Venice of the Saronic Gulf” the two towns of Poros and Galatas are connected only by boat, giving them a special charm and feeling of living on water.
Aegina - located in the center of the Argo-Saronic Gulf, this island is a favorite weekend destinations for Athenians. Visitors usually return home with a bag of its famous and tasty pistachios after enjoying the scenic view of pine forests and olive groves.
Return approximately 8 pm for dinner and overnight at Oscar Hotel.
More information: http://www.onedaycruise.gr
Friday, April 1
Athens
The architectural splendors of this ancient city are majestic. You will visit the world-renown Acropolis. Special emphasis will be on the visit to the Areopagus (Mars Hill) where Paul's gave his famous speech to the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:18-34). You will be visiting also, in the same area, the Ancient Agora (Forum), where Paul met the Philosophers, the Stoa of Attalus and the Temple of Hephaestus. You will explore the meaning of democracy and its connection with biblical concepts of Assembly (Ecclesia) and Reasoning (Logos). Enjoy free time for shopping in the famous Plaka area of Athens. Return to the Oscar Hotel in Athens for dinner and over night.
Saturday, April 2
Corinth
Depart after breakfast for a trip to Corinth, a city where Paul stayed for one and a half years during his second missionary journey. Paul wrote at least four letters addressed to the Church of Corinth, two of which are found in the NT. Many other letters were written to other churches while he was living in Corinth, including Romans and 1 & 2 Thessalonians. You will visit the Archaeological museum, the Ancient Agora (Forum) and the Bema where Paul stood in front of Gallio (Acts 18:12-17). You will also see the inscription of Erastus (treasurer of the city), mentioned in the epistle to Romans (Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20). The Temple of Apollo and the hill of Acrocorinth where the famous Temple of Aphrodite was in ancient times. Return to the Oscar Hotel in Athens for dinner and over night.
Sunday, April 3
Athens
Free morning in Athens with option to visit a local church or tour on your own. Transfer to Eretria Village Conference Center venue will be provided in the afternoon.