The day has arrived and we depart RDU on an overnight journey to Greece!

Today we arrive in Greece at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). Upon arrival we will be greeted by our guide and/or driver, who will bring us to our hotel. Overnight Thessaloniki. Capsis or similar. D.

We will visit the port city of Kavala, which in the Bible is called Neapolis, where Paul first made landfall on the European continent after receiving his vision of the Macedonian man. We will see the port and a mural dedicated to Paul’s arrival here. Paul left Neapolis and went to Philippi; we will follow in his footsteps to Philippi, where we will see the spring where Lydia was baptized after she trusted in Christ as a result of Paul’s preaching. We will also see the ruins of the ancient city, where Paul exorcised a demon-possessed girl, stood trial at the city’s bema, and was imprisoned until an earthquake broke the prison open. We will see the city’s agora, bema, and the prison where it is believed that Paul was held. Overnight Thessaloniki. Capsis or similar. B, D.

We will experience Thessaloniki, which in biblical times was called Thessalonica. Paul came here after leaving Philippi. He planted a church here and caused a riot. We will experience the waterfront area, seeing the White Tower (external views only) and Aristotle Square, Thessaloniki’s cultural hub. We will also visit the Upper Town, including the traditional site of the House of Jason. We move on to Berea, where Paul went after leaving Thessaloniki. We will visit a platform dedicated to Paul’s preaching to the Bereans. Time permitting, we visit Vergina, where we will see the well-preserved tomb of Phillip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. Overnight Kalambaka. Divani Meteora Hotel or similar. B, D.

Today we visit Meteora, where we see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched on summits of gray rock peaks of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff-side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, which were later transformed into today’s monasteries. Overnight Athens. Airotel Alexandros Hotel or similar. B, D.

Today we will board our cruise ship and sail to Mykonos. We will have time to experience this island’s waterfront, lined with shops and cafes, at leisure. Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.

In the morning, we arrive in Kusadasi. We will transfer to the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus. Paul preached, taught, and lived in Ephesus for an extended period of time. We will see the Library of Celsus, the agora, and the theater where rioters once gathered in protest of Paul. We sail on to the island of Patmos, where we visit the Monastery of St. John and the cave where it is believed that John received the visions that now constitute the book of Revelation. Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.

In the morning, we arrive in Crete and disembark. Crete was once home to the Minoan Civilization, which flourished between approximately 2700 and 1420 BC. Later on, Crete would play a role in the story of the early church. Titus 1:5 says that Paul left Titus in Crete to set things in order and to appoint elders. Acts 27 recounts that Paul’s ship stopped at Crete en route to Rome. We will enjoy this island at leisure before moving on to Santorini. Santorini is often considered the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands, famous for its white-washed and blue-domed structures built on dramatic cliffs. You can access the town of Fira from the cruise port via cable car at an additional cost. Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.

We disembark our ship and make our way to Corinth. This is the once-glorious city near the Corinthian Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples, and the famous bema, where Paul stood before Gallio. Then we drive to Cenchreae, the little harbor town where Paul had his hair cut off because of a vow he had taken, and from which he sailed back to Asia. Back in Athens we will visit Mars Hill, where Paul famously preached in Acts 17. We will also visit the nearby Acropolis, where we will see, among other things, Athens’ iconic Parthenon. In the afternoon we will have time to enjoy Athens’ Plaka District at leisure. The Plaka is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in the world and lies in the shadow of the Acropolis. Your flight home may depart either late tonight or the folowing day. If the following day and an overnight is required, overnight Athens. Airotel Alexandros Hotel or similar. 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 we will arrive back at RDU.

Today we depart Athens and fly to Rome, Italy. We will make our way to the hotel, and enjoy whatever remains of the day at leisure. Overnight Rome. Carpegna Palace or similar. B, D.

Today with our guide we will explore the Ancient Rome, beginning with a visit of the Colosseum. The Colosseum is the largest of the ancient amphitheaters and was completed in 80 AD. It served as the site for the torture and martyrdom of countless early Christians, among them Ignatius of Antioch and Telemachus. We continue our tour with a walking inside the Roman Forum, which contains the ruins of ancient Roman government buildings. We visit the Mamertine Prison, where it is believed that the Apostle Paul was once imprisoned. We will enjoy panoramic view of the Circus Maximus, another site of ancient Christian martyrdoms, and conclude our day with a visit of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where it is believed that the Apostle Paul is buried. Overnight Rome. Carpegna Palace or similar. B, D.

Today we will enjoy a half-day tour of Baroque Rome, including the Spanish Steps, the Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon. The afternoon will be spent at leisure. Overnight Rome. Carpegna Palace or similar. B, D.

Today we make our way to the airport (FCO) and begin our journey home. If time permits, breakfast is included today. Later today we arrive back at RDU.