Introduction to Greece and Journeys of Paul

For Pastors and Ministry Leaders

January 16-24, 2024

Package Rates Include

  • 7 nights in 4-star hotels with daily buffet breakfast (7 nights) and dinner (5 nights).
    • 3 overnights in Athens
    • 1 overnight in Kalambaka
    • 3 overnights in Thessaloniki
  • NEW Hotel City taxes valid as of January 2024
  • All land transportation and tours as outlined in the itinerary by private motor coach including air conditioning
    and Wi-Fi
  • Sightseeing tours and visits with the services of a professional English-speaking, government-licensed,
    Bible-oriented guide throughout
  • All entrance fees to the archaeological, historical sites and museums as outlined in the itinerary (2023 rates)
  • Group arrival and departure transfers with English-speaking assistant
  • Whisper headsets.
  • Two bottles of water per person, per day during tours
  • All VAT and local service charges

Not Included

  • International air tickets
  • All personal expenses
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned above
  • Travel and Medical Health insurance
  • Valid Passport for at least six months and visa fees (it is the responsibility of the passenger to have all necessary documentation in their possession before travelling). Consult the appropriate consulate(s) for information on their passport requirements.
  • Baggage insurance and excess baggage.
  • Any other items not specifically mentioned as being included

Itinerary

Day 1

TUESDAY JANUARY 16: DEPART FROM THE USA

Special note on airfare: As with the Israel Pastor’s Trip, we will all be securing our own airfare. It is important to remember that we are flying into Athens (ATH) on January 17, which means you need to secure a flight that leaves the USA on January 16. Then, we will be flying out on the morning of January 24 from Thessaloniki (SKG). 

Day 2

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 17: ATHENS ARRIVAL

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, meet our local representative who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Enjoy an orientation panoramic tour of the city, before check-in. Your journey to the Biblical land of Greece begins! Overnight at the hotel. (B & D)

Day 3

THURSDAY JANUARY 18: ANCIENT CORINTH TOUR

Today we depart for our morning tour out of Athens. Driving along the Saronic Gulf, we enjoy a quick photo stop at the historic Corinth Canal. Continue to ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) where the Apostle Paul lived and worked, establishing a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles, now part of the New Testament. Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small local archaeological museum is an absolute must! Return to Athens in the afternoon. Evening will be free to explore the historical and modern center of the city. (B & D)

Day 4

FRIDAY JANUARY 19: ATHENS TOUR ACROPOLIS- MARS’ HILL –FREE TIME IN PLAKA

Our day begins with a climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis Hill to visit the famous Parthenon Temple, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion. From above we will see the theater of Dionysus and the Roman Odeon. We continue to nearby Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where Paul delivered his soul-stirring sermon to the giants of philosophy, logic and learning and spoke about the inscription: “to an unknown god”. We then enjoy a panoramic bus tour to the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament House, the Academy, the University of Athens, and the National Library – three buildings of knowledge. We will also view the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Continue to Plaka for free time. Group transfer to the hotel for overnight in Athens. (B& D)

Day 5

SATURDAY JANUARY 20: ATHENS –
KALAMBAKA

Morning drive to Kalambaka. On the way, stop briefly at the site of the Battle of Thermopylae. Upon arrival, check in. Afternoon free or take an optional hike to up the mountain toward one of the cliffside monastaries. Overnight in Kalambaka. (B & D).

Day 6

SUNDAY JANUARY 21: METEORA MONASTERIES – BEREA- THESSALONIKI

Morning visit to the spectacular Meteora monasteries built on the top of huge gray boulders. These are veritable Byzantine monasteries, exhibiting superb icons and manuscripts from the 14th century. After our visit, continue on to Berea (Acts 17:10-15) where the apostle Paul arrived and according to his custom, went to the synagogue and discovered ‘to his pleasant surprise’ that these Jews he had encountered in Thessalonica were “searching the scriptures”. We see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching (Acts 17:10-11). Continue to Thessalonica in late afternoon for overnight stay. (B & D)

Day 7

MONDAY JANUARY 22: THESSALONICA – PELLA-VERGINA-THESSALONICA

Our first stop this morning is the ancient site of Pella, the capital of the glorious kingdom of ancient Macedonia and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. In addition to visiting the ancient site, we tour the museum at Pella, which speaks to the wealth and grandeur of the Macedonian kingdom. From Pella, we travel to Vergina where we visit the royal tombs of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. We return to Thessalonica in the evening for an overnight stay. (B)

Day 8

TUESDAY JANUARY 23 PHILIPPI – KAVALA – THESSALONICA

On our way to Philippi, we drive by the Lion statue of Amphipolis (short stop for photos). We visit Philippi, the site where Paul established a strong church and sent his letter (Acts 16:9-33). We see the river where Lydia is said to have been baptized, the ruins of a prison where the Apostle Paul and Sylas had been kept, the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica and the Theater. After the visit, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where we enjoy a panoramic tour before returning to Thessalonica for an overnight stay. (B)

Day 9

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24: THESSALONIKI DEPARTURE

After witnessing a unique visual and historical experience of the Old and New Testament sites in Greece, this Biblical journey in Greece has come to an end. Group transfer to the Airport in Thessaloniki for your departure flight home. (B)