In the footsteps of Paul
Ten days from Thessaloniki, Philippi and Berea across the Aegean to Ephesus and Patmos, ending in Athens and Corinth, with the Scripture read where it happened.
Churches traveling with us now. Each group travels on its own dates and its own version of the route.
The expedition follows Paul into Europe: Macedonia, where the Gospel first reached the continent, across the Aegean to Ephesus and Patmos, and south to Athens and Corinth.
From Thessaloniki to Kavala and Philippi and to Berea, and from Athens to Corinth.
A short flight from Thessaloniki to Athens, then three nights at sea to Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete and Santorini.
Two nights in Thessaloniki, three on the ship and three in Athens.
Days 2 to 4
Paul’s first steps in Europe at Kavala, Lydia’s baptism at Philippi, and the Bereans who searched the Scriptures.
Thessaloniki, Kavala, Philippi, Berea
Days 5 to 7
Three nights at sea: Mykonos, Ephesus and Patmos, then Crete and Santorini.
Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Santorini
Day 8
The Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and Mars Hill, where Paul spoke to the Athenians.
Acropolis, Mars Hill, Ancient Agora
Days 9 & 10
Ancient Corinth, the Bema and the port of Cenchreae, then the flight home from Athens.
Corinth, Cenchreae, Acrocorinth
The sites on our standard ten-day route, with the passages your group will read there.
Ten days, day by day. Every group’s version is built around its own dates, its own pace and the places that matter most to its people.
Passports. Each traveler needs a passport valid for at least three months after the date you leave Europe. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for Greece or Turkey.
Days 1 & 2
Day 1
Our journey begins as we depart the United States for our overnight flight to Greece. Dinner and breakfast will be served during the flight.
Day 2
We arrive in Thessaloniki, where our guide meets us and takes us to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Days 3 & 4
Day 3
This morning we drive to Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul first set foot on European soil, and see the port and a mural dedicated to his arrival. We continue to Philippi, where Paul preached, baptized Lydia, and where he and Silas were imprisoned. We see the ruins of the forum, the theater, the prison and the baptismal site along the river.
Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 4
We explore Thessaloniki, biblical Thessalonica, where Paul came after leaving Philippi: the harbor and the White Tower in the Lower Town, and the traditional House of Jason in the Upper Town. We drive to Veria, biblical Berea, where Paul preached to people who searched the Scriptures to see if what he said was true, then return to Thessaloniki and fly to Athens.
Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Days 5 to 7
Day 5
We board our cruise ship and set sail on the Aegean. Our first stop is Mykonos, where we stroll the narrow streets, enjoy the seaside and see the famous windmills.
All meals and overnight aboard ship.
Day 6
We arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey, and visit Ephesus, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. We walk its ancient streets, see the theater where the city’s citizens rallied against Paul, and the Library of Celsus. In the afternoon we sail to Patmos and visit the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John.
All meals and overnight aboard ship.
Day 7
We stop first on Crete, where Paul left Titus to establish the church, then continue to Santorini, with its whitewashed houses on the cliffs above the caldera. The town of Fira can be reached on foot or by cable car.
All meals and overnight aboard ship.
Days 8 to 10
Day 8
We disembark in Athens. In the morning we tour the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, and stand on Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the Athenians. We also see the Ancient Agora. The afternoon is free in Athens.
Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 9
We travel to Corinth, where Paul lived and preached for a year and a half. We see the Agora, the Temple of Apollo and the Bema where Paul stood trial, visit the port of Cenchreae, where Paul cut his hair because of a vow, and go up to Acrocorinth for the view.
Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 10
This morning we transfer to the Athens airport and begin our journey home. Later today we will arrive back home.
Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your people.
Every inclusion can be tailored to your group.
Not included unless added to your package: travel insurance, lunches on land, other shore excursions, Greek port fees charged by the cruise line, personal expenses, and the cost of meeting any national entry requirements.
Our group leader support team guides you every step of the way, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern, at (877) 234-3002 or groups@christianexpedition.com.
Our 24/7 travel emergency team is there for travelers who are abroad and facing a travel-related emergency, at (877) 234-3002 ext. 9.
Start from our standard route or another of our Greece and Turkey itineraries, including the Seven Churches of Revelation, and we shape the days, the pace and the sites around your people.
“The trip itself was well thought out, using a mix of historical sites to see along with modern day environments to experience. The tour guide’s exceptional knowledge of each area and history really rounded out the sites we were seeing with fantastic information.”
Pastors Mike & Holly WehdeFounding Pastors, Lifecoast Church · Greece
“The team at Christian Expedition quickly adapted our itinerary and created an alternative plan that turned out to be just as amazing. Our guide was incredible, and every detail of the trip was thoughtfully organized.”
Christy S.Footsteps of Paul · Google review
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for Greece or Turkey for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Passports must be valid for at least three months after the date you leave Europe. The European Union plans to introduce an online travel authorization called ETIAS; it is not yet in operation, and we will tell your group if it applies before you travel. Passport and entry requirements remain the responsibility of each traveler.
No. The cruise is the easiest way to reach Ephesus, Patmos and the islands on a ten-day trip, but we also run land versions. One adds the Seven Churches of Revelation in Turkey, from Smyrna and Pergamum to Laodicea and Ephesus, with a boat day to Patmos.
Yes. Every expedition is built for one group, on that group’s dates. The ten-day route on this page is our standard, and groups often add Meteora, the Seven Churches of Revelation or a few days in Rome.
Most of our groups travel in spring, between March and June, or in the fall. The cruise sails on a seasonal schedule, so we confirm sailings for your dates.
Travel insurance, lunches on land, shore excursions other than Ephesus and Patmos, Greek port fees that the cruise line adds to your onboard account, personal expenses, and the cost of meeting any national entry requirements. Anything not listed as included can be quoted for your group on request.
Tell us about your group and we will be in touch.