The day has arrived and we board our motorcoach which will take us from Calvary Port St. Lucie to the airport in Miami (MIA). Once at the airport, we begin our overnight air journey to Greece.
Today we arrive in Greece at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). We will be met by guide and/or driver, and will transfer to our hotel. Whatever remains of the day will be spent at leisure. Overnight Thessaloniki. Grand Palace Hotel or similar. D.
Today we visit Kavala, where the Apostle Paul first made landfall on European soil. We will see the harbor and a mural dedicated to his arrival. We proceed to Philippi, including the spring where Paul baptized Lydia, the remains of the agora including the ancient bema, and the prison where it is believed Paul was once held. We return to Thessaloniki (biblical Thessalonica), where we will see both the Upper Town, including the traditional House of Jason, as well as the Lower Town including the harbor and the city’s famous White Tower. Overnight Thessaloniki. Grand Palace Hotel or similar. B, D.
We will visit Veria, which is biblical Berea – where Paul went after causing a riot in Thessalonica, and where the people searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul was saying was true. We will visit a platform dedicated to Paul’s preaching to the Bereans, as well as the city’s synagogue – the most ancient in Northern Greece. We return to Thessaloniki and board our flight for Athens. Overnight Athens. Titania Hotel or similar. B, D.
Today we tour Athens. We will begin at the Panathenaic Stadium, which in antiquity was used for the celebration of Panathenea, which was held in honor of the goddess Athena. We see Zappeion Hall, the We enjoy a city tour of Athens, starting from the Panathenaic Stadium, which in antiquity was used for the celebration of Panathenea in honour of Athena. From our motorcoach we will see Zappeion Hall, the Greek Parliament and Greece’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We drive along Panepistimiou Street, one of the most central streets of Athens, we will see the triad of neoclassical buildings: The Library, the Academy and the University. We will visit Mars Hill, where Paul famously preached in Acts 17. We will ascend the Acropolis seeing 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 the chance to walk around the Parthenon Monument, which was built during the 5 th century BC. We will have free time in the Plaka District. Overnight Athens. Titania Hotel or similar. B, D
After breakfast, we will depart for 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 Peloponnese. We will have free time to take photos. Then we will come to Ancient Corinth, which was an important city-state in Ancient. Here we will visit one of the most important museums in Greece, in terms of the wealth and quality of its artifacts. We will also see the bema of Gallio and the Erastus inscription. We visit Cenchreae, where Paul had his hair cut off in accordance with a vow before departing for Syria. We return to Athens and board our flight for Izmir, Turkey. Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma DeLuxe or similar. B, D.
After breakfast we travel to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities, and a city which was once home to the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John. Begin with a visit to the House of the Mary, then explore the ancient ruins, including the Great Theater, where the Ephesians rioted against Paul’s preaching. Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma DeLuxe or similar. B, D
After breakfast, we start the day exploring Izmir (Ancient Smyrna), visiting the Roman Agora and the Church of St. Polycarp. Smyrna’s message in Revelation encourages perseverance in the face of persecution. In the afternoon, travel to Pergamum (modern Bergama), where you will explore the Acropolis, the famous Altar of Zeus, and the Asclepion. Pergamum is mentioned in Revelation 2:12-17, where the church is praised for holding fast to the name of Christ, even in difficult circumstances: “I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name.” Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma DeLuxe or similar. B, D.
Today we will make our way to the airport in Izmir (ADB) and travel to Rome (FCO). Overnight Rome. Hotel Michelangelo or similar. B, D.
Today we explore Ancient Rome, beginning with a visit at the Colosseum, the largest of the ancient amphitheaters which was completed in 80 AD. It served as the site for the torture and martyrdom of early Christians, among them Ignatius of Antioch and Telemachus. We continue our tour with a walk 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 held. We stop at Circus Maximus, another site of ancient Christian martyrdoms. We will visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, where it is believed that the Apostle Paul is buried. Overnight Rome. Hotel Michelangelo or similar. B, D.
Today we visit iconic Roman sites like the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon. In the afternoon we will have time at leisure. Overnight Rome. Hotel Michelangelo or similar. B, D.
Today we will travel to the airport (FCO) and begin our journey back to Miami. Upon arrival we will board our motorcoach which will bring us back to Calvary Port Saint Lucie.
