Greece and Turkey by land
Twelve days from Neapolis, where Paul landed in Europe, through Philippi, Berea, Athens and Corinth, then a boat to Patmos and all seven churches of Revelation.
Churches traveling with us now. Each group travels on its own dates and its own version of the route.
Philippi and Berea from Thessaloniki, a flight to Athens, a flight to Izmir, a boat to Patmos, then the circuit of the seven churches ending at Hierapolis.
Through Macedonia, and round the seven churches of Asia.
Flights from Thessaloniki to Athens and Athens to Izmir, and a boat from Kusadasi to Patmos.
One night in Kavala, two in Thessaloniki, two in Athens, two in Kusadasi, two in Izmir and one in Pamukkale.
Days 2 to 4
Neapolis, Philippi, Thessaloniki and Berea.
Kavala, Philippi, Veria
Days 5 & 6
Mars Hill and Corinth.
Athens, Corinth
Days 8 & 9
The Revelation, and Paul’s three years in Ephesus.
Patmos, Ephesus, Smyrna
Days 10 & 11
Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
Pergamum to Laodicea
The sites on this twelve-day route.
Twelve 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. Greece and Italy are in the Schengen area and require three months’ passport validity after you leave; Turkey requires six months. U.S. citizens do not need a visa.
Days 1 to 4
Day 1
Our journey begins as we depart the United States for our overnight flight to Thessaloniki.
Day 2
We land in Thessaloniki, meet our Christian Expedition tour director and drive east to Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul first set foot in Europe after the vision of the man of Macedonia (Acts 16:9). First dinner together.
Dinner and overnight in Kavala.
Day 3
We walk the Kavala waterfront where Paul landed, then a stretch of the Via Egnatia he walked. At Philippi, Lydia’s baptism by the river and the prison where Paul and Silas sang at midnight (Acts 16). We drive on to Thessaloniki.
Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki for two nights.
Day 4
In Thessaloniki, the site linked with Jason’s house (Acts 17). In Veria, ancient Berea, the Bema of Paul, where the Bereans “searched the scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11), then the royal tombs at Vergina.
Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Days 5 to 7
Day 5
We fly to Athens. The Panathenaic Stadium, then the Acropolis and Mars Hill, where Paul preached about the Unknown God (Acts 17:22).
Dinner and overnight in Athens for two nights.
Day 6
At the Corinth Canal, then Ancient Corinth, where Paul stood before Gallio at the Bema (Acts 18), and the port of Cenchreae.
Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 7
A free morning in Athens, then the flight across the Aegean to Izmir and on to Kusadasi.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi for two nights.
Days 8 to 12
Day 8
A charter boat to Patmos, where John was exiled and received the Revelation (Revelation 1:9). We climb to the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 9
Ephesus, where Paul lived for three years: the marble streets, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater of Acts 19. In the afternoon, Smyrna, the church that was told “be thou faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10).
Dinner and overnight in Izmir for two nights.
Day 10
Pergamum’s acropolis and the Altar of Zeus, “where Satan’s seat is” (Revelation 2:13), and the Asclepion. Then Thyatira and Sardis, with its Temple of Artemis and synagogue.
Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
Day 11
Philadelphia, the church given an open door (Revelation 3:8), and Laodicea, neither cold nor hot. We end at Hierapolis, where Philip is buried, above the white terraces of Pamukkale. Farewell dinner.
Farewell dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 12
We transfer to Denizli airport for the flight 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 not listed in the itinerary, drinks at dinner, 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 this route, cruise the Aegean instead of flying, or finish in Rome, and we shape the days, the pace and the sites around your people.
“Our church has absolutely enjoyed every aspect of planning travel with Christian Expedition! Their team makes the process of taking our church to see incredible locations from the Bible easy and stress free!”
Pastor Josh LuechtCalvary Chapel Palm City
“Trey and his team have done a fabulous job organizing, managing and overseeing our trips to Israel and Greece.”
Pastor Jim GallagherSenior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Vero Beach
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for Greece or Italy for tourist stays of up to 90 days; passports must be valid for at least three months after you leave Europe. Turkey also admits U.S. citizens without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, with at least six months’ passport validity. Passport and entry requirements remain the responsibility of each traveler.
Our standard In the Footsteps of Paul route sails the Aegean between Greece and Turkey. This one stays on land, flies between the two, and adds all seven churches of Revelation and Hierapolis.
Yes. Every expedition is built for one group, on that group’s dates. The twelve-day route on this page is our standard, and groups often add Rome at the end, or Meteora.
A good deal, over ancient stone at Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus and Laodicea, and up the hill to the cave on Patmos. Comfortable shoes and a hat make each day easier.
Travel insurance, lunches, drinks at dinner, 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.