Introduction to Greece and Journeys of Paul

with Pastor Ben Graham

March 19-28, 2024

Package Rates Include

  • Roundtrip, international airfare (select airports)
  • Deluxe motor coaches
  • Entrance fees to all sites visited Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Three-day cruise
  • Five-star hotel accommodations
  • Professionally guided sightseeing Tips and Port Fees Included! ($270 value)

The trip of a lifetime! After visiting the inspiring sites in Athens and Corinth, embark on your cruise sailing to the “Jerusalem of Aegean”–Patmos Island–and visit the first Christian Church of Ephesus in Turkey. Continue your journey to northern Greece as you follow the steps of the Apostle Paul.

Not Included

  • 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

DEPART FROM THE USA

Day 2

ATHENS ARRIVAL

Arrive in Athens and transfer to the hotel. Travel in time, exploring a city with a history of more than 5,000 years! Dinner at hotel. Overnight stay in Athens

Day 3

ATHENS AND CORINTH

This morning, we depart for our morning tour out of Athens. On the way, we stop at the historic Corinth Canal. It was Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) where Apostle Paul lived and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. After visiting the sites associated with Apostle Paul’s ministry, we return to Athens for an afternoon city tour. Climb up to Acropolis Hill to see the famous Parthenon Temple, Erectheion and Temple of Athena Nike. Then walk to nearby Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where Apostle Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God. Our tour will finish with a panoramic bus tour to see the city highlights. Dinner will be served at hotel. Overnight stay in Athens

Day 4

CRUISE TO MYKONOS

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Piraeus port for embarkation on the Greek Islands cruise. Sail at 11am and enjoy lunch on board. Our first port of call is Mykonos, where we have free time for walking and exploring the town. Stroll on your own through the whitewashed, flower-decked alleyways, climbing to the sculpture church of Paraportiani or along the waterfront of “Little Venice” to the famous windmills. Enjoy dinner on board and at 11pm we sail for Kusadasi, Turkey. Overnight stay on board

Day 5

KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEY, AND PATMOS, GREECE

Arrive at Kusadasi port in Turkey, the starting point for our tour to Ancient Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21). Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians, lived and worked here for a number of years. We tour the spectacular ruins in the city which was founded in the 10th century B.C. After the visit we return to the port at lunch time and sail to Patmos. Arrive Patmos (Rev 1:9) in the afternoon and enjoy a tour to the Monastery of St. John where he was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation (Cave of Apocalypse) before embarking on the cruise ship. Sail to Heraklion, Crete and enjoy dinner on board. Overnight stay on board

Day 6

CRETE TO SANTORINI

At 7am we arrive at Heraklion, Crete (Acts 27:7-13). You can join the optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home of King Minos and the legendary Minotaur (half-bull and half-man). After a few hours, we sail for Santorini, the island with the most magnificent landscape! Ride the cable car up to the white-washed town of Thera, perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano. Set sail back to the port of Piraeus around 9pm. Overnight stay on board

Day 7

ATHENS, METEORA MONASTERIES, KALAMBAKA

Disembark after breakfast on board. Meet the local guide and board the bus for a journey to Central & Northern Greece! Upon arrival in the town of Kalambaka we enjoy a spectacular drive up to visit two Meteora Monasteries which are built on the top of colossal symmetrical gray and reddish boulders. They are perched precariously high above the ground and they were first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation. Overnight in Kalambaka

Day 8

BEREA AND THESSALONICA

We depart from Kalambaka and continue our journey to Thessalonica. On our way we will stop in Berea (Acts 17:10-15) to see the mosaic monument commemorating Apostle Paul’s preaching. Later in the afternoon, check-in at the hotel in Thessalonica. Enjoy the evening at your own leisure. Take a walk by the seaside promenade and explore the beautiful city center. Overnight stay in Thessalonica

Day 9

PHILIPPI AND KAVALA

In the morning, we start for a city tour of Thessalonica. We see the Old City Walls, the White Tower, Galerius Arch and the Rotunda. Continue with a drive to Philippi, the site where Apostle Paul established a strong church. To this congregation he 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 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 overnight. Overnight stay in Thessalonica

Day 10

THESSALONICA DEPARTURE

Today we commence our trip back home with tired legs and full hearts!