Itinerary
Friday, August 28
Depart the U.S.
Embark upon your journey with an overnight flight to Thessaloniki.
Saturday, August 29
Welcome to Greece
We arrive in Thessaloniki and transfer to our hotel for check-in, dinner, and a well-deserved rest.
Your Day Includes
- Welcome Dinner - enjoy dinner and fellowship as you rest and prepare for the incredible journey awaiting you!
Accommodations
Porto Palace Hotel – Thessaloniki
Greece
Philippi
Sunday, August 30
Neapolis, Philippi, Thessaloniki
In the morning, we follow the route of the Via Egnatia to Kavala (Neapolis), Paul’s first stop in bringing the Gospel to present day Europe. Next, we travel to Philippi where we visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river where Paul baptized her. Lydia was the first convert of Paul on European soil, followed by the jailer (Acts 16). We also visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the “Prison of Paul,” and the Theater. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Accommodations
Porto Palace Hotel – Thessaloniki
Monday, August 31
Thessaloniki, Berea, Aigai
This morning, we tour ancient Thessaloniki, where we’ll see the modest ruins of the city where the church received two of Paul’s epistles on his second missionary journey. We’ll see highlights from the city, including the Roman Forum, Church of St. Demetrios, the White Tower, and the statue of Alexander the Great. After lunch, we’ll follow Paul’s journey south to biblical Berea (Acts 17:11) where its inhabitants examined the Word to see if Paul’s words were true. Finally, we’ll explore the ruins and museum of the newly re-opened site of Aigai, while discussing the significance of Alexander the Great in history and prophecy. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Accommodations
Porto Palace Hotel – Thessaloniki
White Tower
Plaka
Tuesday, September 1
Athens
Late this morning we board our short flight to Athens, where we’ll walk in the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city. As our bus tour continues, we also see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Old Olympic Stadium, and the Neoclassical Buildings of Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Accommodations
Athens Marriott Hotel – Athens
Wednesday, September 2
Athens, Acropolis, Parthenon, Mars Hill
Today we’ll admire the architectural wonders of ancient Athens as we explore the world-renowned Acropolis and see the Propylea, the Erechtheum, and the Parthenon. We will also visit the newly renovated Acropolis Museum. We visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his message on the “Unknown God.” We’ll walk beneath Hadrian’s Arch and see the ruins of the massive Temple of Zeus. Dinner & overnight are in Athens.
Accommodations
Athens Marriott Hotel – Athens
Athens Acropolis
Corinth
Thursday, September 3
Corinth, Cenchreae
This morning, we drive to ancient Corinth with a stop at the amazing Corinthian Canal, as well as its ancient solution, the Diolkos. Corinth is where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half on his second missionary journey. We will see the Forum, the Temple, the famous Bema (where Paul stood before Gallio), and the breathtaking Acrocorinth. Then we drive to Cenchreae, the harbor from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary journey. Dinner and overnight are in Athens.
Accommodations
Athens Marriott Hotel – Athens
Friday, September 4
Start our 3-Night Mediterranean Cruise, Mykonos
Let’s cruise! After a leisurely morning, we sail this afternoon from Athens to the quaint island of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy some time together as a group in Bible study. After disembarking on Mykonos, we’ll have some free time to experience the waterfront lined with shops and cafes. We stroll the charming walkways through a maze of white-washed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Accommodations
Mykonos
Patmos
Saturday, September 5
Ephesus, Patmos
In the morning, we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey. A short drive takes us to the amazing ruins of ancient Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his ministry. The impressive remains of Ephesus include the Agora, the Theater, the Stadium, the Library of Celsus, the ruins of the Temple of Artemis (one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”) and much more. After seeing where the Apostle John was buried at the Basilica of St. John, we’ll visit the Turkish Rug shop. This afternoon we’ll sail to the island of Patmos, where we visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where tradition says John wrote the book of Revelation. We’ll also see the island’s highest point—from which we’ll see a beach that John may have written about in Revelation 13. Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.
Accommodations
Sunday, September 6
Crete, Santorini
In the morning, we arrive at Heraklion on the island of Crete. We’ll drive south to the Basilica of Titus in Gortyn and read Paul’s words written to Titus in Crete. Then we’ll have a short stop at Fair Havens, where Paul sailed on his way to Rome. In the afternoon, we cruise to the picturesque island of Santorini, where we explore and shop at our leisure on one of the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands. Overnight aboard the ship.
Accommodations
Crete, Greece
Monday, September 7
Homeward Bound
We disembark the cruise this morning in Piraeus. After disembarkation, those not doing the Rome extension will board the return flights back to the U.S.A., arriving home the same day.
*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.