Tour Itinerary
Day 01 ARRIVE ATHENS
Upon arrival at the Athens Airport, our representatives will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a sign. Transfer to your hotel in Athens for dinner and overnight. (D)
Day 02 ATHENS
We have a full day for the magnificent sights in Athens, which Paul visited during his Second Missionary Journey (Acts 17:15-34). Before ascending the Acropolis, stop at the Agora (marketplace) of ancient Athens where the apostle dialogued with the Athenian citizens and philosophers (Acts 17:17) and also at the Areopagus (“Mars Hill”) where he addressed city leaders (Acts 17:19-33). Then we will climb the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheum. In the afternoon we plan to visit the New Acropolis Museum, which helpfully explains the rich history of this famous place. Dinner & overnight stay in Athens (B,D)
Day 03 CORINTH, CENCHREA, ATHENS
Our morning excursion out of Athens takes us by the Saronic Gulf to have a short stop at the famous Corinthian canal and the Doilkos. From there we drive to ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was to this huge city that the apostle Paul came and worked. Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Erastus Inscription, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an absolute must! Then proceed to nearby Cenchrea, one of the two harbors of ancient Corinth. Cenchrea is not only the place from which Paul sailed on more than one occasion (Acts 18:18), but it was also the home of both another early church and an influential Christian woman briefly mentioned by the apostle (Rom. 16:1). Return to Athens for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Day 04 DELPHI, METEORA, KALAMBAKA
Travel to the scenic and historic Delphi today, the center of the ancient world. Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassos in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, Delphi is the home of the Sanctuary of Apollo and the world-renowned “Delphic oracle.” Other impressive ruins include the Temple of Athena, an athletic stadium, a gymnasium for physical training, various stoas, and treasuries. Also visit the Delphi Museum, whose collection includes the life-size bronze Charioteer of Delphi (470 BC), one of the prizes of the transitional period of Greek art. The museum also contains an inscription concerning the governor Gallio (Acts 18:12), which plays a crucial role in establishing the chronology of Paul’s life and ministry.
Then drive to Meteora to visit one of the famous "hanging monastaries". It was in the 11th century that the first hermits sought refuge in the caves of Metéora, since the solitude and spectacular vistas enhanced the mystic way of life. Eventually the hermits began to group together in monasteries whose buildings were decorated with frescoes and icons by the great artists of the day. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. (B,D)
Day 05 THESSALONIKI
We continue our journey to Thessaloniki, the city where Paul shared the gospel message and experienced much opposition (Acts 17: 1-9). The apostle spent a number of weeks here during his Second Missionary Journey, establishing a church (Acts 17:1-9) to whom he would, a short time later, write two letters (1 & 2 Thessalonians). Visit the Roman Agora (marketplace), where a mob was formed against Paul and an ensuing riot started in the city (Acts 17:5). Other impressive sights include the triumphal Arch of Galerius (AD 305-311), remnants of two beautiful Byzantine churches (Hagia Sophia and Saint Demetrius), the ancient ramparts of the city, and the White Tower—the symbol of the city. In the afternoon we will also visit the Archaeological Museum and the ancient agora. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. (B,D)
Day 06 AMPHIPOLIS, PHILIPPI, KAVÁLA (NEAPOLIS)
Early morning we start with a scenic bus drive to Kavála (ancient Neapolis), the port city of Philippi, where Paul landed by boat and thus first brought the gospel to Europe. First on the way, we drive to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1), a city that Paul visited on his second mission. From here we travel inland a short distance to Philippi, named after Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. Here, Paul established the first church in Europe. We see the river where Lydia and possibly the jailer were baptized and the ancient forum where Paul and Silas appeared before the magistrates. After a full morning visiting this beautiful biblical site, we enjoy a late lunch in the picturesque Old Town of Kavála. Dinner and overnight in Kavala. (B,D)
Day 07 AMPHIPOLIS, PHILIPPI, KAVÁLA (NEAPOLIS)
Depart Kavala. Walk a portion of the Via Egnatia, the great Roman road traversed by Paul and Silas as they traveled from Neapolis to Philippi,Thessalonica and onward. Drive to the Greece-Turkey border and pass the borders to the Turkish customs. End of our services.