Athens

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The Mediterranean Cruise: Big Ship Energy or Mid-Sized Intimacy?

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Vicki can’t hold it back anymore.

Different ships, different audiences

Cruise ships are not “one-size fits all.” Different sized ships serve different purposes and cater to different audiences.

Large ships like the Celebrity Reflection (pictured above) carry 3,000 passengers or more. They are built for maximum capacity, fun, and variety. Multiple pools, entertainment venues, restaurants, and activities appeal to multi-generational travelers. They are floating cities, and for this reason, often sail the major routes, hopping between big ports.

We used the Celebrity Reflection back in 2018 for our Mediterranean Cruise. That’s Vicki in the picture above!

The Celebrity Infinity. Image from here.

In praise of the mid-sized ship

In October of 2026 we’ll be returning to the water on the Celebrity Infinity, a sibling of the Reflection. Unlike the Reflection, however, the Infinity is a smaller cruiser. It is classed as midsized.

Midsized ships still have plenty of amenities. But they are not as overwhelming and seek to balance comfort with intimacy, relaxation with activity. Midsized ships tend to attract an audience more interested in destinations than on-board entertainment. They also call on smaller ports that supersize liners bypass.

Sign on for our upcoming Apostle Paul Mediterranean Cruise

Bible Land Explorer is excited to partner with the Christian HolyLand Foundation and Educational Opportunities aboard the Celebrity Infinity. We’ll be visiting Mediterranean sites of biblical significance, including Athens, Rhodes, Ephesus, Thessaloniki, Corinth and others. A pre-tour to Rome is also available. Our onboard talks will be focused on the life of the Apostle Paul. Attention will given to biblical and archaeological angles.We’ll also take time to savor the 40th anniversary of the ministry of the Christian HolyLand Foundation (CHLF).

I hope you will join us for this amazing voyage. Click the link here for the trip brochure.

For a tour of the Celebrity Infinity, follow the link here.

Five reasons why you will be pleasantly surprised by a Mediterranean cruise—click here.

And to learn more about the work of the CHLF, follow the link here.

Independence Day is a Double-Barreled party in Greece

In Greece, Independence Day (March 25th) is a double-barreled celebration that turns the entire country into a party. It’s a massive display of national pride marking the 1821 revolution against Ottoman rule, but it’s also the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, making it both a patriotic and religious blowout. Watch the video below.

Solid Leaders dining in Athens

Just returned from a student trip to Greece. Enjoyed the company of these solid leaders: Rick Cherok (Ozark Christian College-Christian Standard), Matthew Sink (Pinedale Christian Church), Michael Stauffer (Johnson University), Jeff Miller (Milligan University), and Jody Owens and Bill Wolf (Johnson University).

O Thanasis: The Heartbeat of Monastiraki Square

Students dining at O Thanasis, Athens.

Perched on the corner of Monastiraki Square, O Thanasis is more than just an eatery—it’s an Athenian institution. While it boasts a focused menu of authentic Greek staples, it carries the grand claim of being the oldest restaurant in Athens. Whether that’s historical fact or local legend, one bite of their food makes it easy to believe they’ve perfected the craft over generations.

It has long been my personal go-to whenever I’m in the city. Judging by the lively, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, I’m certainly not alone in that opinion.

The menu is a "greatest hits" of Greek soul food:

  • Juicy Gyros & Souvlakis: Perfectly seasoned and carved to order.

  • The Signature Kebab: Their claim to fame—tender, spiced, and served over warm pita.

  • Crisp Greek Salads: Bursting with sun-ripened tomatoes and sharp feta.

Everything is served at honest, street-side prices that defy its prime tourist location. A meal here, with the sun setting over the Acropolis just a glance away? Still my beating heart.

The Temple of the Mad Syrian (Seleucid) King

The Temple of the Olympian Zeus in Athens was once a colossal monument dedicated to the king of the gods, featuring 104 massive Corinthian columns. Although only 15 of these towering pillars remain standing today, the ruins still showcase the extraordinary scale of what was once one of the largest temples in the ancient world. Located just a short walk from the Acropolis, it serves as a powerful reminder of the architectural feats of many hands and one Syrian king in particular.

View the video below.

A Message from Iris?: A Morning Rainbow over the Propylaea

Rainbow over the Propylaea monumental gate at the Acropolis of Athens, Greece.

A Portent Perhaps?

There was something odd about this morning in Athens: A rainbow arched directly over the monumental gate of the Acropolis.

I can imagine that for the ancient Greeks, this would have been received as more than just a weather event. The rainbow was the physical manifestation of Iris, the fleet-footed messenger goddess who served as a bridge between the divine and earthly realms. Seeing her “path” touch the Propylaea—the grand ceremonial gateway designed by Mnesikles in the 5th century BCE—would have felt like a momentary restoration of the site’s ancient sanctuary status.

The Propylaea was built to awe visitors, marking the transition from the bustling city of Athens to the sacred ground of the gods. Standing there this morning, with the iridescent colors framing the massive Pentelic marble columns, it was easy to see why it remains one of the world's most iconic architectural marvels.

Photography Tip for Your Athens Trip

If you’re hunting for a similar shot, aim for an early morning visit right as the site opens. Not only is the lighting softer for capturing the golden hues of the marble, but you’ll also beat the peak crowds that typically arrive between 11 AM and 3 PM.

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From Caesar to the Tower of the Winds: Exploring the Roman Forum of Athens

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The Roman Forum of Athens, also known as the Roman Agora, was constructed between 19 and 11 BCE as a new commercial center funded by Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus. This ancient marketplace features a large open-air courtyard once surrounded by colonnades and shops, serving as a more structured and commercial successor to the older Classical Agora. Its most striking preserved structures include the monumental Gate of Athena Archegetis and the Tower of the Winds, which is considered the world's first meteorological station.

Go for a tour in the video below!