Teaching Pastor – Calvary Chapel Palm City
Faculty – Calvary Chapel University
The day has arrived, and we depart the United States on an overnight journey to Greece. Flights from the NYC-area are included, but Christian Expedition can arrange flights for you from your local airport, subject to an additional cost.
Today we arrive in Greece at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and was founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander, a successor to Alexander the Great. Depending upon your flight’s arrival time, you may enjoy this beautiful, sea-side city at leisure. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner together. Overnight Thessaloniki. D.
This morning we visit Kavala, which in biblical times was known as Neapolis. Neapolis is the place where Paul first set foot on European soil, as he responded to the plea of the Macedonian Man. We will see the port and a mural dedicated to Paul’s arrival. Following Paul’s route, we move on to Philippi, which was built in 356 B.C. by Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II. We will see the stream where Paul baptized Lydia, as well as the ruins of the ancient city including the prison where Paul and Silas were once held. Back in Thessaloniki (biblical Thessalonica) we enjoy a city tour, starting from Saint Demetrius Church. We will visit the White Tower and the Upper Town, where we will have a panoramic view of the city. Paul came to Thessaloniki from Philippi, and he planted a church here to which he wrote his first and second letters to the Thessalonians. Overnight Thessaloniki. B, D.
After breakfast, we will depart for Veria, the capital of the Imathia region of Greece. Veria is the modern name for the biblical city of Berea, where Paul came after causing a riot in Thessalonica. We will have free time to visit the “Step of Apostle Paul” and the Synagogue. We will then drive to Athens. Overnight Athens. B, D.
This morning we drive toward the Peloponnese Region. Our first stop will be the Isthmus of Corinth. It is a narrow strip of land 6 kilometers in length joining Central Greece with the Peloponnese. We will have free time to take photos. We visit Ancient Corinth, which was an important city -state in Ancient Greece, and an important city to the life and ministry of Paul. We will visit the archaeological museum, the bema of Gallio, before which Paul was tried, and a pavement inscription mentioning the biblical figure Erastus. We return to Athens and enjoy a tour of the city starting from the Panathenaic Stadium. In antiquity this stadium was used for the celebration of Panathenea in honor of Athena. From the motorcoach we will see Zappeion Hall, the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then, we drive along Panepistimiou Street, one of the most central streets of Athens, and will see the triad of neoclassical buildings: The Library, the Academy and the University. We will visit Mars Hill, where Paul preached in Acts 17, and the Acropolis with its magnificent monuments such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, the theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. We will have free time in the Plaka district before returning to our hotel. Overnight Athens. B, D.
Today we travel from Athens to Izmir, Turkey. Upon arrival at Izmir Airport (ADB), we transfer to our hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight Kusadasi. B, D.
Today we visit Ephesus. Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1:11). In biblical times, Ephesus was a bustling port town of about 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade-bordered streets. Paul visited Ephesus for a short time during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19-21). His second visit, which took place on his third missionary journey, lasted about three years. We will visit the Basilica of St. John, which may have been built over the grave of John the Apostle. We will also see the Library of Celsus, the agora, the Theater mentioned in Acts 19:29-31. We will drive to Miletus, which was one of Paul’s stops on his third missionary journey. Among the remains of the city is an impressive theater. Overnight Kusadasi. B, D.
Today we visit Sardis, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told the church at Sardis, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead” (Rev. 3:1-6). Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated in Sardis. You will be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, by the Gymnasium, and by the Synagogue. Your flight home may depart either tonight or the following day. If the following day and an overnight is required, overnight Kusadasi. B, D.
Your flight home may depart either the previous night or today. If today and time allows, breakfast is included today. Either way, later today you will arrive back in the United States. Flights to the NYC-area are included, but Christian Expedition can arrange flights for you all the way back to your local, non-NYC area airport, subject to an additional cost.
