AMAWaterways Danube River Cruise

Danube River Cruise, a set on Flickr.

Our President, James Ridgway has been sailing down the Danube River on AMAWaterways. It has been a beautiful journey, and these are just some of the photos taken on the cruise.

Paul's Fourth Missionary Journey

1. Day 1 ~ May 4 - Depart USA

   Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

2. Day 2 ~ May 5 - Arrive in Rome

   Arrive in Rome and time permitting take a panoramic tour of the city before boarding the Brand New Award Winning Celebrity Silhouette.
3. 

   Day 3 ~ May 6 - Naples and Pompeii

   In the early morning, your ship will dock in Naples, a dazzling city perched on a beautiful rock coast. OPTIONAL TOUR: Journey inland to ancient Pompeii , dating almost to the time of Paul, where you will visit the spectacular ruins that were covered by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Paul also landed in the Bay of Naples on his way to Rome! (Lunch on ship.)

4. Day 4 ~ May 7 - Catania, Sicily (Syracuse)

   Paul spent three days in Syracuse on his way to Rome (Acts 28:12).  Here you will enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Etna, once known as the "most beautiful of all cities". (Lunch on own)
5. 

   Day 5 ~ May 8 - Malta

   St. John’s Co-Cathedral is the highlight of Valletta. Covered in paintings and frescoes and topped with amazing Caravaggio paintings of the “Beheading of John the Baptist”. According to the book of Acts, St. Paul was shipwrecked on this island. (Lunch on ship.)

6. Day 6 ~ May 9 - Day at Sea- Lecture by Dr. John Huffman

   Today will be a full day at sea. Biblical lectures and plenty of other on board activities aboard your first class ship.

7. Day 7 ~ May 10 - Mykonos

   Arrive at the world-famous Greek Island of Mykonos, where gleaming whitewashed buildings seem to climb atop each other to reach the azure sky. (Lunch on ship.)
8. 

   Day 8 ~ May 11 - Athens and Corinth

   Travel to Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired St. Paul’s most familiar letter. You will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and visualize his address to the Gentiles as he began the task of building Corinth’s church. The architectural splendors of the ancient city of Athens are as magical as ever. View the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, and the Parthenon. Time permitting view Mars Hill where Paul debated with the intellectual community of his day. Walk among the ruins of the Agora, the ancient market place and center of Athenian public life. You will view the Olympic Stadium, home of the Olympics. (Lunch on Own.)
9. 

   Day 9 ~ May 12 - Ephesus, Turkey

   Journey to Ephesus, the marble city where Paul spent three years of his ministry. The ruins of Ephesus have been restored much like the city was in Paul’s time. You will visit the ancient Agora and view the Great Theater. (Lunch Included.)
10. 

    Day 10 ~ May 13 - Rhodes

    Paul visited Rhodes briefly on his way to Jerusalem at the end of his 3rd missionary journey (Acts 21:1). Centuries later the crusaders known as the Knights of St. John fled Jerusalem and settled on the Island of Rhodes. You will see the castles and the old city they built which still impress visitors. Over 4,000 years ago, the Minoans were among the greatest civilizations in Europe. (Lunch on ship.)
11. 

    Day 11 ~ May 14 - Santorini

    Visit the spectacular circular archipelago formed by a volcanic explosion that destroyed this center of Minoan civilization 3,600 years ago, which some sources identify as the lost city of Atlantis. (Lunch on ship.)
12. 

    Day 12 ~ May 15 - Chania, Crete (Knossos)

    Dock in Crete today. Paul set sail from Crete on his voyage which ended in shipwreck. One of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the western world is Knossos. (Lunch on Own.)

13. Day 13 ~ May 16 - Day At Sea- Lectures by Dr. John Huffman

    Enjoy a day at sea to rest and socialize.
14. 

    Day 14 ~ May 17 - Venice, Italy

    Travel by boat to the magical city of Venice. Rising between sea and sky, this fascinating city boasts waterways and boats instead of roads and cars, encompassing 118 islands separated by more than 150 canals. You will stand in the Piazza San Marco, bordered on three sides by palatial arcades in two tiers and faced on the other by the Basilica of St. Mark, one of the world’s most magnificent churches. (Lunch on Own.)

15. Day 15 ~ May 18 - Disembark and Begin Post Tour or Return Home

    Return home with new images and new appreciation for the life and teachings of Paul or begin an exciting post-tour.

Saint Basil's Cathedral 450th Anniversary

Today, Russia is celebrating the 450th Anniversary of Saint Basil's Cathedral. This symbol of Russian architecture and history has stood the test of time and combines traditions of Russian wooden construction with Byzantine and Islamic influences into a unique structure.

This famous cathedral is also one of the destinations on our 2012 River Cruises from AMAWaterways! Take the Russian Waterways River Cruise departing on July 14th 2012 and visit sites such as Moscow, Goritsy, Uglich and St. Petersburg. On Day 3 of your tour, you'll see Saint Basil's Cathedral first hand. Click here for more trip information:

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/find_trip/detail.aspx?id=1479

Paul's Journeys Cruises

EO offers several cruises we label as "Paul's Journeys." These unique cruise itineraries take travelers to countries like Italy, Turkey and Greece and visit cities such as Rome, Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, Naples and more! Visit sites where the Apostle Paul ministered and evangelized on his journeys. Here are some itinerary descriptions for the Paul's Journeys cruises:

Istanbul, Turkey
The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. You will also visit the Topkapi Palace, once home to royal Sultans. Inside, you will see the fabled jewels of the Treasury, delicate displays of Chinese porcelain in the Kitchen Quarters, and the provocative Harem Quarters. Walk through St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), which was the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years. Built by Justinian (532-537 A.D.), the church has 107 columns; fossil imbedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Today, it is the Museum of Byzantine Art. On your second day in Istanbul you will enjoy the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. Make your way to the renowned Spice Market.

Ephesus, Turkey
Journey to Ephesus, the marble city where Paul spent three years of his ministry. It was to this community that Paul may have written his Epistle to the Ephesians. The ruins of Ephesus have been restored much like the city was in Paul’s time. You will visit the ancient Agora and imagine where Demetrius, the silversmith, sold his silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. You will view the Great Theater and see the place where Paul witnessed faithfully for Christ.

Athens & Corinth, Greece
The architectural splendors of the ancient city of Athens are as magical as ever. Follow your guide on a journey to the ancient Acropolis where you will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where Paul preached the gospel to the intellectual Athenian community of his day (Acts 17: 15-34). You will view the Olympic Stadium, where the modern Olympics began. Travel to Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired St. Paul’s most familiar letter. You will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and visualize his address to the Gentiles as he began the task of building Corinth’s church.

Naples, Italy
In the early morning, your ship will dock in Naples, a dazzling city perched on a beautiful rock coast. Paul landed in the Bay of Naples on his way to Rome! Journey inland to ancient Pompeii , dating almost to the time of Paul, where you will visit the spectacular ruins that were covered by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Holy Land: Jesus in the Galilee 2012

For those returning to the Holy Land, why not spend an extended amount of time in the Galilee area visiting unique sites not on the classic tour? By taking the Jesus in the Galilee journey, you'll visit places like Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, the Golan Heights, Mt. Arbel, the Mount of Precipice and many more! And you'll still be able to visit the Holy City of Jerusalem, along with Nazareth, Bethlehem and the Old City!

Here is some itinerary unique to Jesus in the Galilee:

1. Day 3 - Mt. Arbel, Nazareth, Mount of Precipice, Nazareth Village, Sepphoris

   Travel to Mount Arbel and walk along its peak for a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee and the area in which Jesus ministered, with extended views of Mt. Hermon in the north and Mt. Tabor in the south. It is a magnificent photo opportunity. Visit Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus (Matthew 2: 23) and the Mount of Precipice where Luke describes how Jesus was rejected by those in the synagogue after He taught them. Filled with anger they “led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong” (Luke 4: 29). Explore the Nazareth Village, a living presentation of the life, times, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Visit Sepphoris, the cosmopolitan Roman capital of Galilee until Herod Antipas built Tiberias. It is heralded as the traditional birthplace of Mary.

2. Day 4 - Hazor, Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Mt. Hermon and the Golan Heights

   Explore Hazor, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Israel. The 3000 year old city was the inspiration for The Source, James Michener’s epic history of the region. Here, Joshua fought against Jabin (Josh. 11: 1-11). Hazor was later fortified by Solomon. At nearby Tel Dan, see the mud brick arch constructed in pre-Israelite (Canaanites) times and where The House of David fragment-from the First Temple Period-was discovered. Visit Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus traveled with His disciples and where nearby Peter made his great confession to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16: 16). Continue on to Mount Hermon, probably the site of the Lord’s Transfiguration (Matt. 17: 1-9). Travel on through the strategic tableland known as the Golan Heights.

3. Day 5 - Nof Ginnosar, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Kursi, Bethsaida, Chorazim

   Watch the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee where fishermen work the waters with nets much as in the time of Jesus. Ride across the waters to explore Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt.4:13, 23). Visit the peaceful Mount of Beatitudes which overlooks the Sea of Galilee. On this hill, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Not far away is Bethsaida where Jesus chose five of his disciples (Matt. 4: 18-21; John 1: 39-51). Visit Chorazim, the town cursed by Jesus because He did mighty works there and they “repented not” (Matt. 11: 21). On the far shore of the sea is Kursi where Jesus cast out evil spirits from a demon-possessed man and cast them into a group of swine which ran violently down a steep hill and drowned in the sea (Mark 5: 1-13). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you will learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed.

Alaskan Spring Festival Cruise 2012

Coming May 18th, 2012 you have the opportunity to take a 9-day Alaskan cruise starting at just $598 with Educational Opportunities! You'll visit beautiful locations such as Juneau and Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska; Victoria, British Columbia and you will depart from Seattle Washington.

During your trip there will also be faith-based lectures from Dr. Bob Tuttle; Professor at Asbury University (Orlando) and author of over a dozen books including Shortening the Leap, From Honest Doubt to Enduring Faith. Here are some highlights of the cruise itinerary:

Juneau: The capital of Alaska, was founded during a gold rush in 1880. Today, the former gold-mining town counts among its riches some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Juneau in the Alaska Panhandle, it faces the water from the mainland side of Gastineau Channel. Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast, and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, a favorite of visitors, is nearby.

Tracy Arm Fjord: Nestled between 3,000-foot high granite walls, the narrow, twisting slice of ocean called Tracy Arm Fjord weaves through the Tongass National Forest for roughly 35 miles. The shoreline is spotted with waterfalls created by melting snowcaps and trees sprouting at odd angles from rocky outcroppings. You will have ample time to admire the landscape and perhaps catch sight of a few native animals as you cruise through this port.

Victoria, British Columbia: Located on the southern tip on the island of Vancouver in British Columbia, the city of Victoria is probably best known for its mild climate and active outdoor lifestyle. (In fact, the city has been named the "fittest city" in Canada more than once.) As the capital of British Columbia, the city is very tourist-friendly. Among the many attractions are world-famous gardens, its 150 years of British history, gourmet dining and fantastic shopping.

EO Now Offering AmaWaterways River Cruises!

Coming in 2012, EO is offering various river cruise destinations such as Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia through a premier cruising line, AmaWaterways. AmaWaterways has been offering unique river cruises for over 10 years. While sailing on one of their vessels, you'll receive complimentary internet, Wifi, bottled water, English speaking TV channels, free movies and three meals a day - all included!

There are many benefits to taking a river cruise, such as an intimate on-board atmosphere, sailing into the historic part of each town along the river, pass by mountaintop castles and beautiful scenery viewable right from the deck, dock in the center of town overnight, and you'll only need to unpack once during your vacation! Most shore excursions are already included, and every ship has complimentary bicycles for passengers to use for a special tour!

Some of the exciting cruises are the "Enchanting Rhine," the "Blue Danube," "Russian Waterways," "The Mekong River," and more! For more information, visit www.EOT.travel. You can also watch an AmaWaterways video presention on our YouTube or Facebook channels. Click here to watch.

Educational Opportunities on YouTube

We've added lots of new video content to our official homepage as well as our new YouTube Channel! Any uploaded video can be seen in one place at: http://www.youtube.com/eotours

And don't forget to visit our official Facebook Page for links, photos and more video at:
http://www.facebook.com/eotours

Cruise on the Largest Ships in the World!

Coming in 2012, Educational Opportunities will be offering special "Family Values" cruises on the Royal Caribbean Oasis and Allure. These brand new floating cities are the largest cruise ships in the world! You will enjoy eight beautiful days sailing the Eastern or Western Caribbean on June 16th or 17th 2012. Click here for more information.

EO Facebook Page

As you may have noticed, Educational Opportunities will be utilizing its Facebook Fan page more often, updating it with new media, links and more! You can see recent photos of passengers to the Holy Land, view our promotional videos for various destinations, or find more information on upcoming trips.

We encourage you to come back and visit often as new material will be posted daily. You can also write on the wall with questions or comments so we can help! We look forward to interacting with you on Facebook; visit www.facebook.com/EOTours

Day 17: Memphis, Sakkar

Day 16: Coptic Church, St. George's Church, Cairo Square

Day 15: Nile Cruise: Karnak Temple, Nile Cruise Ship