Days 1 & 2 – Arrival
Depart US, arrive Athens, Napflio

Greeted by Footstep Ministries staff, we drive to the Peloponnese for our overnight in the Venetian built town of Nafplio. Introduction to Greece and its culture. Basic language skills and overview of our time of travel in the land of Greece, both ancient and modern.

Day 4 – Corinth

Crossing the Isthmian Canal we visit ancient Corinth where we see the Temple of Apollo, agora, bema, Peirene Fountain, and Stoa. While in the agora we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11) and spend time in worship. We also examine Paul’s cultural context of life in the urban centers of the Roman world. We then climb the Acrocorinth, an abandoned Venitian Castle and the city's highest peak. On our return to Tolo we explore picturesque Nafplion and its wonderful shops and cafes.

Day 6 – Cruise: Ephesus (Turkey) and Patmos

A tour to nearby Ephesus should not be missed, for here history truly comes to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass architectural masterpieces like the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheater where the Ephesians shout the praise to Artemis in reaction to the Gospel proclamation of Paul. Discussion of the Acts of the Apostles and Paul's epistle to the Ephesians. We then continue to Patmos, Greece. This island is known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelation of John, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is now an Orthodox chapel that captures a glimpse of the vision of the heavens. Discussion of John's writings.

Day 8 – Athens: Acropolis

Our tour of Athens includes a visit to the Acropolis, Parthenon, Erectheion, Temple of Athena Nike, Propylia, and Acropolis Museum. We will visit the Theatre of Dionysus, where the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were first performed in the 5th c. B.C. We also visit the Areopagus (Mar’s Hill) and look at the sermon of Paul to the Athenians of his day. The afternoon brings us into the Plaka of a walking orientation to the modern historical district. Discussion of Greek theatre. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Day 10 – Romantic and Modern Rome

This morning we fly to Rome and begin to explore its many sites. We start our tour at the Piazza del Popolo, then we stroll down the Corso filled with shops before visiting the Pantheon which also contains the tomb of Renaissance artist Raphael. The Trevi fountain is our next stop with time to toss our coins into it. We wrap up our walking tour at the famed Spanish Steps, where Romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley lived and where Keats spent his final days. 

Day 12 – Excursion to Florence

Today we take a day's excursion to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. We will begin by visiting the Ponte Vecchio and the Plaza before walking through Florence's picturesque streets to the Church of Santa Croce. Next we head to the Accademia, the museum that holds Michelangelo’s greatest work, the sculpture of David. After visiting the grand Duomo cathedral, the day is free to explore Florence's wonderful shops, cafes, and art collections. Discussion of E. M. Forster's A Room with a View.

Day 14 – Flight to USA 

We journey home with wonderful memories.

Day 3 – Mycenae, Epidaurus 

Today we explore the Peloponnesus, the region of southern Greece. We will visit the ruins of Agamemnon, where we will discuss the roots of the Trojan War and Homer's epic The Iliad. We will also visit Epidaurus, the site of the most perfectly preserved of all ancient Greek Theatres. Overnight in Nafplio.

3 DAY CRUISE

Day 5 – Cruise: Mykonos

On Mykonos you will find beautiful beaches, chic boutiques, and elegant nightclubs. Beneath its sophisticated surface, lies a quite essential Greek island. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and white-washed island with its beautiful windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over its picturesque harbor. Begin discussion of Homer's epic, The Odyssey.

Day 7 – Cruise: Crete and Santorini

Paul ministered on Crete with his traveling companion, Titus, who became the first overseer of the Christian community founded here. We also visit the Minoan Museum with its amazing artifacts of the Minoan Civilization with its labyrinth and minotaur.  

The island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Fira boasts beautiful white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques clinging to steep cliffs. Lying on the upper rim of a dormant volcano, Fira is only accessible by either cable-car or mule ride. 

Day 9 – Athens: Museums

We continue our tour of Athens with a visit to the Pan Athenian Stadium, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens. Discussion of Sophocles' tragedies Oedipus the King and Antigone.

Day 11 – Ancient Rome

On our way to the ancient Roman Forum, we visit Rome's most outstanding landmark, the Coliseum. Its monumental size gives tribute to the Romans and their harsh forms of entertainment. Then we explore the Roman Forum and the site where Antony gave his funeral oration memorializing Julius Caesar. We see the rostrum, the mile marker (all roads lead to Rome) and the many temples that litter the landscape. Discussion of Shakespeare's tragedy, Julius Caesar. 

Day 13 – Rome: Catacombs and Vatican

We start our day with a visit to the Catacombs and recount the days of the early Christians in Rome. Then we make our way to the Vatican for a tour of its overwhelming museum of art throughout the ages. Our attention focuses on the art of the Renaissance and the magnificent Sistine Chapel. We end our tour with a visit to St. Peter’s to view the Pieta, the Baldacchino, and Altar commemorating Peter’s martyrdom.