Embark on your journey with an overnight flight to Athens. Prepare for a life-changing experience and take the opportunity to rest during the flight. Tomorrow, you will follow in the footsteps of the apostle Paul, immersing yourself in the ancient world where his ministry profoundly influenced early Christianity.

We arrive in Athens and meet our representative time permitting we will have a brief bus tour of Athens before we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we journey to Ancient Corinth, where Paul engaged in his missionary work for eighteen months, making significant contributions to early Christian communities (Acts 18:1-18). Our exploration includes visits to the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples, and the renowned Bema, where Paul stood trial before Gallio. Continuing to Cenchreae, where Paul departed for Asia, we return to Athens for a comprehensive sightseeing tour encompassing the Acropolis, Mars Hill, the Agora, and other historical landmarks. Enjoy an afternoon of personal exploration before our farewell dinner and overnight stay in Athens.

Today, we sail from Athens to the charming island of Mykonos, known for its windmills. Upon arrival, we disembark to explore the waterfront lined with shops and cafes. We wander through the charming white-washed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening activities. Today is free for personal exploration on the island. (Mykonos excursion not included)

This morning, we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey. An included excursion takes us to Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his ministry. Ephesus boasts impressive remains such as the Agora, the Theater, the Stadium, the Library of Celsus, and the ruins of the Temple of Diana, one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.” Later, we sail to Patmos where we visit the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where St. John wrote the Revelations.

In the morning, we arrive in Heraklion, Crete, home to Knossos Palace on the outskirts of the city. This site, dating back to the ancient Minoan civilization of 4000 B.C., is steeped in Greek mythology as the location of the Minotaur’s Labyrinth. Crete is later mentioned in Titus 1:5, where Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in every town to strengthen the Christian faith. We’ll enjoy leisure time exploring the town before reembarking in the afternoon. Later, we cruise to Santorini, renowned for its stunning villages perched on volcanic cliffs. Personal exploration is recommended. (Crete & Santorini excursions not included)

This morning we disembark from our cruise, and we begin our journey to Delphi, revered in ancient times as the “omphalos” or navel of the earth, renowned for the Temple of Apollo and the influential Delphic oracle. Delphi also hosted the Pythian Games, drawing athletes from across Greece in a tradition that preceded the modern Olympics. En route, enjoy scenic vistas of mountain villages, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Greece. We make our way to Kalambaka where we Conclude the day with dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we embark on a journey to the mystical region of Meteora, renowned for its Byzantine monasteries perched atop towering rock formations. Dating back to the 14th century, these monasteries offer a glimpse into a history of spiritual refuge and survival against the backdrop of stunning natural landscapes. Following our exploration, we continue our return journey to Thessaloniki, where we enjoy dinner and prepare for the next phase of our adventure.

In the morning, we explore the city’s landmarks: the White Tower, the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the Roman Arch of Galerius, and the Rotonda. We visit two of the city’s oldest Christian churches, the Basilicas of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia. Following the Via Egnatia, we visit the area of Amphipolis, where we see the famous funerary Lion of Amphipolis, just as Paul and his companions did. We continue to Philippi, visiting the Baptistery of Lydia near the river where Paul baptized her (Acts 16:11-15). Lydia was Paul’s first European convert, followed by the jailer. We also explore the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul,” and the Theater. Later, we drive to Kavala (Neapolis), Paul’s first stop in Europe, where we see the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will depart for the capital of Imathia, which name is Veria. It is built at the foot of Mount Vermio. We will have free time to visit the Step of Apostle Paul and the Synagogue. It is located next to the Barbouta area, which over time came to be known as the Jewish District. The stone-built Synagogue is the most ancient synagogue in the Northern Greece. Here we will also visit with Pastor Nikko. He will share how their ministry is reaching and supporting those believers that are on mission for Christ. Then, we will depart for Vergina, where we will visit the museum with the four tombs, two of which are the most significant, and a small shrine, the Heroes Garden. Two of the tombs are the most significant, the one of Philip II and the other of Alexander the fourth. Then we return to Thessaloniki for a farewell dinner together in a local restaurant. Overnight is at our hotel in Thessaloniki.

In the morning, we transfer to Thessaloniki Airport for our return flight to the U.S.A.