Itinerary
Friday, September 25
Depart the U.S.
Our spiritual adventure begins as we depart from the U.S. for our long-awaited destination!
Saturday, September 26
Welcome to Greece
Your Day Includes
- Arrive in Thessaloniki
- Welcome Dinner - enjoy dinner and fellowship as you rest and prepare for the incredible journey awaiting you!
Accommodations
Makedonia Palace – Thessaloniki
Greece
Philippi
Sunday, September 27
Philippi
Your Day Includes
- Philippi - the city where an earthquake miraculously freed Paul and Silas from prison
- Lydia’s Stream – Communion - a special communion service on the banks of the stream where Lydia was confronted with God’s irresistible grace
Accommodations
Makedonia Palace – Thessaloniki
Monday, September 28
Thessaloniki
Your Day Includes
- Walking Tour of Thessaloniki - an important destination on Paul’s second missionary journey, and to the citizens of which he wrote two of his epistles
- Agora – Thessaloniki - the ancient Roman-era forum of the city
- St. Demetrius Church - the Byzantine church dedicated to the patron saint of Thessaloniki. St. Demetrius was martyred on this site on the orders of Galerius and secretly buried here.
- Arch of Galerius - built in the 3rd century AD to celebrate the victory of the tetrarch Galerius over the Sasanid Persians at the Battle of Satala
Accommodations
Makedonia Palace – Thessaloniki
White Tower
Royal Tomb of Macedonia
Tuesday, September 29
Berea
Your Day Includes
- Berea - the city where Paul, Timothy, and Silas preached after Thessaloniki.
- Bema Seat
- Walking Tour of Jewish Quarter - this Jewish quarter, established not long after Paul and Silas visited, is proof that a Jewish community existed in Berea and “received the word with all eagerness” (Acts 17).
- Royal Tombs of Macedonia (Aigai) - the burial place of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia. One of the tombs is identified as that of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.
- Drive to Kalambaca
Accommodations
Divani Meteora Hotel – Kalambaca
Wednesday, September 30
Meteora Monasteries
Your Day Includes
- Meteora Monasteries - a complex of Eastern Orthodox monasteries precipitously built on a unique rock formation in central Greece
- Drive to Athens
Accommodations
Electra Palace Hotel – Athens
Meteora Monasteries
Corinth
Thursday, October 1
Corinth
Your Day Includes
- Corinth - the decadent city where Paul lived for 18 months and wrote the book of Romans
- Corinth Canal - also known as the Isthmus of Corinth, the canal connects the Ionian and the Aegean Seas making the passage of cargo and passenger ships much quicker
Accommodations
Electra Palace Hotel – Athens
Friday, October 2
Mykonos
Your Day Includes
- Leisurely morning
- Depart hotel for Lavrion Port
- Embark – Celestyal Discovery
- Mykonos, Greece - a fun free day to explore the charming island known for its cobblestone streets and picturesque whitewashed houses
- Depart Mykonos Port
Accommodations
Mykonos
Patmos
Saturday, October 3
Ephesus and Patmos
Your Day Includes
- Kusadasi Port - a resort town on the Aegean coast
- Ephesus - “The Loveless Church” cautioned to remember their first love and repent
- Homes of the Elites - the excavated ruins of the Roman elite’s luxurious homes
- Depart Kusadasi Port
- Patmos – Monastery and Cave - the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia
- Depart Patmos Port
Accommodations
Sunday, October 4
Crete and Santorini
Your Day Includes
- Crete (Heraklion) - the area of Fair Havens where Paul stopped as he was being transported from Caesarea to Rome, and Heraklion, the center of Titus’ ministry
- Depart Crete Port
- Santorini - the world-famous volcanic island in the southern Aegean with romantic views and quintessential Greek Island scenery
- Depart Santorini Port
Accommodations
Crete, Greece
Acropolis
Monday, October 5
Athens
Your Day Includes
- Disembark – Celestyal Discovery
- Acropolis / Parthenon - a high, rocky outcrop rising above the city of Athens which is home to several historic temples, including the Parthenon
- Mars Hill - the location where Paul preached about idolatry and the altar to the “unknown God”
- Agora – Athens - ancient meeting ground or marketplace of Athens, and the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, located to the northwest of the Acropolis
- Plaka – Time at Leisure - a neighborhood built around the ancient Agora and a great place for people watching and souvenir shopping
- Farewell Dinner - our dinner will be the culmination of our journey together, celebrating the making of new friends and deepening relationships with old. With the remembrance of the beauty of God’s creation and the sites where God’s story unfolded, we begin the journey home.
Accommodations
Sofitel Hotel – Athens
Tuesday, October 6
Homeward Bound
With heart-changing memories of our walk in the footsteps of history, we arrive back home. May we never be the same!
*Itinerary is subject to change. To best serve the group, the schedule may be altered or substitutions made at the discretion of your tour leader and guide.