12 Days
Specific Tour
30 people
English
Day 1 – DEPARTURE TO GREECE
Depart for your overnight flight to Greece, meals served on board.
Day 2 – ARIVAL THESSALONIKI
Arrive Thessaloniki where you will be met outside baggage claim and escorted to your vehicle for a transfer to the hotel. Later this afternoon, meet your guide for a short Orientation Tour. Enjoy a welcome dinner with fellow travelers this evening. Overnight at hotel Capsis (or similar).
Day 3 – THESSALONIKI
Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city with population of some 1 million and a vital cultural, industrial and commercial city, lies amphitheatrically on the Thermaicos Gulf, on the slopes of Mount Chortiatis. Founded by the Greek Macedonian King Kassander, he named the city Thessaloniki after his wife who was also the half-sister of Alexander the Great. During the Roman period, it was the capital of Macedonia Secunda and during the Middle Ages, it was the second city of the Byzantine Empire. For 400 years it was occupied by the Ottoman Empire, until it was finally freed in 1912. Paul visited and preached the Gospel in Thessaloniki on his second (Acts 17:1-9) and likely on his third missionary journeys and sent two letters to the early Christians there.
We start our excursion of the city viewing the White Tower, an historical landmark before continuing on to visit the Archaeological Museum which houses interesting finds from the Archaic, Classical and Roman periods, with findings of the Sindos area and a stunning exhibition of golden jewels. Stop for a typical Greek lunch. From here, drive by the International Trade Fair grounds and the Aristotelion University, which was established in 1926 and today is the largest of all universities in Greece. Next, make your way up to the once upon a time, Acropolis, located in the upper part of the city. It is here, where you will have a superb panoramic view of the entire city with the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus in the background.
Further visit of St. Demetrios Basilica which was erected in the 5th century AD. The five aisled basilica suffered a tragic fire in the year 1917 but was later restored in 1948. Marvel at the beautiful mosaics, dating back from the 5th to 9th Centuries. From here, follow your guide to the area located under the basilica, where you will see the famous crypt, which according to tradition, was once the confinement for an officer by the name of Demetrius who was later executed by the emperor Gallerius. Today, St. Demetrius is the patron Saint of the city.
Return to your motor coach and drive along the modern street, Egnatia, named after the famous Roman road, Via Egnatia. While driving, view the Arch of Gallerius and St. George’s Rotonda. The tour will end passing by the well-preserved Byzantine Basilica of St. Sophia, an 8th Century structure, rich in mosaics and frescoes. We will share worship and Holy Communion together as we begin our pilgrimage. Overnight hotel Capsis or similar.
Day 4 – THESSALONIKI – KAVAL – PHILIPPI – THESSALONIKI
Kavala, the ancient site of Neapolis, founded in the 7th Century BC, is the very same place where St. Paul set foot on the European Continent during his second missionary journey (Acts 16:11), establishing a thriving Christian church in the nearby city of Philippi. The famous Egnatian road, which once ran from the Adriatic Sea to Constantinople, passed by this city.
On the way to Philippi you will have the opportunity to view the St. Sylas Monastery named after one of St. Paul’s companions. Arrive at the famous city of Philippi, one of the most interesting biblical and historical ancient cities. The city once known as Krinides, was renamed “Philippi” after King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It is this place where Brutus and Cassius were defeated by Mark Antony and Junavian Augustus, granting the City of Philippi a great many privileges. From here, drive a short distance to the Baptistery and the River, where Lydia, the first European convert was baptized by St. Paul (Acts 16:12-18).
Return to the archaeological site for a guided tour through the excavations, marveling at the upper and lower parts as well as the Forum, the Walls, the two Basilicas and the Theatre. Your guide will also point out the traditional site of the prison, which once held St. Paul and St. Silas (Acts 16:16-40). After lunch in Philippi Site, we will do a short orientation tour of Kavala (Ancient Neapolis) and then drive back to Thessaloniki. Overnight hotel Capsis or similar.
Day 5 – THESSALONIKI – VERIA –VERGINA-METEORA-KALAMBAKA
Today you follow the path of Paul when he fled Thessaloniki for the safety of Veria (Berea), where Jews and some honorable Greeks accepted the new faith (Acts 17:10-12). Here we view the synagogue where Paul preached. We stop at the Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the “more noble” church.
Continue to visit the Royal Tombs of Vergina (Land of Alexander the Great). The tour includes a visit of the newly completed exhibition displaying discoveries from all 3 Tombs, one of them famous as the Tomb of King Philip the II, Father of Alexander the Great. Make your way inside the subterranean structure, accompanied by your guide and feast your eyes on some of the most important objects, which once belonged to Philip II – the King’s shield adorned with ivory and gold the King’s gold- trimmed iron breast plate, Gold Diadems of unparalleled craftsmanship, the Golden Wreath of oak leaves, the gold-plated collar and the Silver Burial Ums. Listen carefully, as your guide explains how inside the tomb of King Philip, a Golden Chest was discovered, containing the King’s bones, washed with wine and wrapped in purple cloth. Then we visit monasteries of Meteora. One of the most remarkable sites in Greece: a group of monasteries perched atop pinnacles of rock up to 600 meters high. A rare geological phenomenon, a quirk of nature as it were, created these looming rocks which trust skywards from the plain of Thessaly, as if striving to come closer to God. These peculiarly impressive natural sculptures are known as Meteora because they do indeed seem to hang or hover (meteoro in Greek) above the plain. Their summits, totally isolated from the rest of the world, were a refuge for many hermits from as early as the 11th century. Three hundred years later the first monasteries were founded. Access to the monasteries and settlements was made by ladder and rope.
Once we arrive to the monasteries you will admire the brickwork of the Byzantine workmanship. The Churches house the spectacular frescoes, ivory carving, manuscripts and the fine work of art previously supported by the Emperors at the time. Included in the tour is the visit inside the Monastery of Agios Stefanos (Nuns). *You are kindly requested to observe the strict clothing restrictions of the monasteries i.e. long skirts and covered shoulders for the ladies, long trousers for men otherwise entrance will be denied.* Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Kalambaka (hotel Amalia or similar).
Day 6 – KALAMBAKA – DELPHI– ATHENS
After our breakfast today, we drive through the mountains of central Greece to explore Delphi. Delphi is the famous oracle where the priestess of Apollo, Pitia, influenced, with their prophecies the history of cities and states of antiquity. Visit the archaeological site and museum. The museum houses an impressive collection associated with ancient Delphi, including the earliest known notation of a melody, the famous Charioteer, golden treasures discovered beneath the Sacred Way, and fragments of reliefs from the Siphnian Treasury. Close to the exit is the inscription that mentions the Roman proconsul Gallio. The reference to proconsul Gallio in the inscription provides an important marker for developing a chronology of the life of Apostle Paul by relating it to the trial of Paul in Achaea mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (18:12-17). Delphi, this mountainous city which today is both an archaeological site and a modern town. For the ancient Greeks, Delphi was labeled the “omphalos” (navel) of the earth, and it is here that the eternal flame burned in the Temple of Apollo. Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world. It was also here beginning in 586 B.C. that athletes from all over the Greek world competed in the Pythian Games, one of the precursors to the modern Olympics. After our visit, we continue through the village of Arachova to Athens. Dinner and overnight are in Athens (Athens Avenue Hotel or similar).
Day 7 – ATHENS
Today you explore the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as your guide introduces you to the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. Stand on Mars Hill as the Apostle Paul did when he proclaimed, “I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23). As you view the agora from the top of Acropolis , the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life, recall that this was where the Apostle Paul preached “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18) to the skeptical Athenians. Also, see the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Lunch – Athens street food tour! This food tour is excellent if you are a foodie! You will taste renowned and lesser-known Greek foods and visit a lively local market to fill up on spices used by the locals. A once-in-a-lifetime experience! Free afternoon before your exciting 3-night cruise. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Athens (Athens Avenue Hotel or similar).
Day 8 – ATHENS / PIRAEUS (Embarkation for 3-night cruise) / MYKONOS
Embark on a wonderful 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily while on board. Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands, is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, white-washed buildings and beautiful windmills that dot its landscape. Don’t miss taking a stroll down Mykonos Town, where mazes of narrow streets link the whitewashed buildings and traditional life continues amidst the bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this little paradise in the middle of the Aegean Sea.
Day 9 – KUSADASI / EPHESUS / PATMOS
Breakfast and stop at the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an included excursion to the ruins of Ephesus where Paul the Saint spent three years during his ministry and where its inhabitants were the recipients of Paul’s famous epistle. Ancient Ephesus was the Roman capital of Asia Minor and an important center for Christianity from AD 50s. During AD52-54 Saint Paul lived here working with the congregation and organizing his missionary activity and taught the Word of God (Acts 20:31) and this is where he wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Additionally this was one of the seven cities found in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:1-7), indicating a strong church. We will visit the house of Virgin Mary where she lived with John, on the hill behind the city. After this amazing experience we will visit the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Odeon, the Arch of Hercules, the Temple of Hadrian, the Agora and the Greco-Roman theater. We return to the ship for our lunch. Continue your cruise to the island of Patmos, a beautiful and spiritual island where In 95 AD, St. John the Theologian – one of the twelve disciples of Jesus – was sent into exile (Revelation 1:9-11). St. John remained on the island for eighteen months during which time he lived in a cave below the hilltop temple of Diana. In this cave exists a small hole in the rock wall, from which derived a series of oracular messages that Prochoros one of the seven deacons chosen to care for the poor in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5), and later a disciple of St. John is thought to have transcribed the Biblical book of Revelations. During his time in the sacred cave, now known as the Holy Grotto of the Revelation, St. John may have also composed the Fourth Gospel. During our time there we will visit the Monastery of St. John the Theologian UNESCO World Heritage Site where we will see the Holy Grotto as well as priceless icons and manuscripts. Afterwards, drive back to the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque harbor.
Day 10 – HERAKLION (Crete) / SANTORINI
In the morning the ship will dock at the port of Heraklion on the island of Crete. In Heraklion Paul met the owner and captain of the ship, who warned him about continuing his journey to Rome. You can take a tour (optional) to the Palace of Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization. Lunch on board. the ship will travel to the most beautiful island in the Aegean Sea known as the “Black Pearl of the Aegean”, the volcanic Santorini where we will enjoy the breathtaking Panoramic View. Latest excavations have suggested that Santorini might be the lost sight of Atlantis. We will celebrate Holy Communion on board the ship as we reflect on our amazing journey and prepare for our last day in Greece.
Day 11 – PIRAEUS (Disembarkation) / ATHENS / CORINTH / ATHENS
After early morning disembarkation, we will travel to Corinth. Journey outside Athens to walk among the ancients in Corinth, a once rich and powerful city known for luxury and vice, and see the incredible Corinth Canal, cut through miles of solid rock. Follow the sacred way which led to Eleusis, known in antiquity for its sanctuary of Demeter, whose legendary search for her daughter Persephone explained to the ancients the cause of the seasons. A modern highway takes you past olive fields and numerous small villages, including Megara, whose inhabitants colonized Asia Minor under the leadership of Byzas and founded the city of Byzantium – which later gave its name to the Byzantine Empire. Driving along the coast leads to the majestic Corinth Canal, an engineering triumph century in the making. Nero, Rome’s most infamous emperor, inaugurated one attempt in 67 AD with his golden spade, but it was the Greeks who finally conquered the steep rock in 1893. Prior to the canal, ships were dragged from the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea using a wooden road with special grooves greased with wax. Traces of the road can still be seen. Continue to Ancient Corinth, a city blessed with a superb location, fertile plains, and a virtually impregnable refuge It is likely that Paul visited Corinth at least twice on his missionary journeys. Excavations reveal that the ancient city was huge and wealthy; a survivor of numerous invasions but devastated by earthquakes. See the Bema, where St. Paul was tried by the Roman Governor (Acts 18:1-17) , and one of Corinth’s most striking ancient buildings – the Temple of Apollo, seven of who’s original 38 columns still stand. Walk through the remains of the Marketplace, a colonnaded square once surrounded by many small shops. See the celebrated Fountain of Priene, which has produced water from earliest times and Lechaion Road, formerly the main thoroughfare to the port of Lecaion. Our tour of today includes a stop at a nearby Winery and enjoy Organic fine wine tasting. Overnight hotel in Athens (Athens Avenue Hotel or similar).
Day 12 – DEPARTURE ATHENS AIRPORT
According to the schedule of your return flight or optional extension to Istanbul, Turkey you will be taken to the airport of Athens.
