ARISTOTLE SQUARE IN THESSALONIKI
Days 1 - 2 (June 7 & 8) – Arrival
Depart US, arrive Thessaloniki, Greece
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our international flight. We will meet in Thessaloniki at our hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening. (D)
*please schedule your flight into Thessaloniki (SKG) to arrive by 3pm so you can make it in time for dinner together.
VISION FROM THE MACEDONIAN MAN
Day 3 (June 9) – Veria and Vergina
Today begins with an orientation to Greek culture and our first day of touring. When Paul arrived in Veria (Berea), he went immediately to the Jewish synagogue and shared the message of the Messiah with them, proving that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. We visit the traditional rostrum where Paul delivered his sermon, and the remnants of the Jewish quarter housing the synagogue.
Then we are off to Vergina, one of the most fascinating sites of recent discovery. In the mid-seventies, the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, was discovered containing silver vessels and golden crowns. The Royal tombs also house one of the few remaining paintings from the Macedonian period. (B,L,D)
PORT OF KAVALA
Day 4 (June 10) – Philippi and Neapolis (modern day Kavala)
Today we continue our journey in the footsteps of Paul and his companions, Silas, Timothy, and Luke. In Philippi, we make our way to the riverside and spend time recalling Paul’s words to Lydia whose heart was opened to the Gospel. It was in this stream that Paul baptized her and welcomed her into the Christian community. In the baptistery dedicated to Lydia we join in singing praises as we are thrilled by the marvelous acoustics of the shrine.
ANCIENT PHILIPPI
Following lunch, we make our way to the ancient city of Philippi, walking through the forum, seeing two major basilicas and a Roman theater. We pause at the prison cell of Paul and Silas and recall their words of salvation. Then we travel to the port city of Neapolis (Kavala), Greece's most picturesque mainland port. Paul arrived at this port when landing in Greece. Here we see a modern mosaic depicting Paul's vision and his arrival at Neapolis before returning to our hotel and dinner. (B,L,D)
THESSALONIKI
Day 5 (June 11) – Thessaloniki
The New Testament books to the Thessalonians are Paul's letters to this community of first century Christians. In Thessaloniki we see the old city ramparts, the landmark White Tower proudly adorning the harbor, and the Arch of Galerius that rises over the Via Egnatia. We visit the most beautiful basilica in the city, the 1,400 year old church of St. Demetrius, dedicated to a Roman military officer who was martyred for his faith in Christ by Emperor Galerius. As part of our appreciation of modern Greece, we visit the bustling open air market with its wide variety of Greek olives and feta cheese. (B,L,D).
VIEW OF PARTHENON FROM OUR HOTEL
Day 6 (June 12) – Athens and Acropolis Museum
In the morning, we board our short flight to Athens and check in at our hotel at the foot of the Acropolis. In the evening we visit the Acropolis Museum as we begin exploring this wonderous city. (B,D)
odeon of herodes atticus
Day 7 (June 13) – Athens
The architectural splendors of this ancient city are magnificent. In the morning, we visit the Areopagus (Mars Hill) where Paul gave his sermon of “the unknown God.” Then we strill through the Plaka. We break for lunch and shopping. Late afternoon, we make our way to the world-renown Acropolis with its Propylaea entrance. As we stand before the Parthenon we can still hear the hammers striking stones of marble as reconstruction continues to maintain the wonder of this monument to man’s achievement. Then we are off to dinner at a local taverna. (B,L,D)
Changing of the guards at syntagma square
Day 8 (June 14) – Athens Free Day
Enjoy this free day by ambling through the historical district of the Plaka, noted for its shops, cafes, taverns, and colorful people. Explore one of the many museums of Athens. Relax and soak up the sites and sounds. Remember that today is the only day you need to buy your own lunch and dinner. (B)
Ancient corinth
Day 9 (June 15) – Corinth and Canal
On our way to Corinth, we visit the isthmus that boasted two major ports and controlled the flow of goods in ancient times, one reason that Corinth became the leading commercial city of the Greek mainland. Paul spent a year and half in this community and later wrote letters to them, the first of which contains his chapter on love. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the marketplace, the Bema and Temples. We celebrate communion among the ruins of this great city. In the afternoon, we return to Athens for a celebratory dinner of our last night on the mainland. (B,L,D)
4 DAY CRUISE
This cruise provides a perfect introduction to the Aegean Sea. In the days following the land tour, we cruise through the most beautiful waters in the world to enchanting destinations. Stroll along the marble streets of Ephesus; visit the grotto of St. John on the isle of Patmos where he wrote his apocalyptic book of Revelation; wander the whitewashed alleyways of Mykonos; travel the Crusader streets of Rhodes; explore the Venetian city of Heraklion of Crete; and marvel at the breathtaking view of Santorini. The history of each of our ports-of-call is rivaled only by their natural beauty.
LITTLE VENICE in mykonos
Day 10 (June 16) – Mykonos
On Mykonos we 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 iconic windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over its picturesque harbor. (B,L,D)
the Library of Celsius in EPHESUS
Day 11 (June 17) – Ephesus, Turkey and Patmos, Greece
Ephesus, Turkey
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, we pass architectural masterpieces such as the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheater where the Ephesians shouted their praises to Artemis in reaction to the Gospel proclamation of Paul.
Patmos
Rhodes
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. We sing songs of worship as we remember the great words of the heavenly chorus, "Hallelujah!" (B,L,D)
Day 12 (June 18) – Rhodes
The beautiful "Island of Roses" has a rich and varied history. On a hill above the charming town of Lindos rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Below lies the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages. The crusading Knights of St. John left the medieval city of Rhodes behind when they were defeated by the Sultan. Stroll through the Palace of the Grand Masters and recall the days of the Crusades. (B,L,D)
heraklion
Day 13 (June 19) – Heraklion (Crete) and Santorini
Heraklion, Crete
Paul ministered on this island with his traveling companion, Titus, who became the first overseer of the Christian community founded here. We visit the Church of Titus as we begin to wrap up our journey in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.
santorini
Santorini
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. (B,L,D)
Day 14 (June 20) – Lavrio (to Athens airport)
Board our bus for transfer to airport and return trip to USA filled with wonderful memories of Greece! (B)
*Please schedule your flights to depart after 10:30am to allow time to transfer from the port to the airport.