Footsteps of Paul and the Seven Churches of Revelation

1. Day01

   Sunday, February 28

   Depart the U.S.

   The day has arrived and we depart the U.S. on an overnight journey to Greece.

   Meals in flight. Overnight in flight.

   

2. Day02

   Monday, March 1

   Arrive in Greece

   Today we arrive in Greece at Thessaloniki Airport. Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece, founded by Cassander, a successor of Alexander the Great. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner.

   Dinner included. Overnight Thessaloniki. Capsis Thessaloniki Hotel or similar.

   

3. Day03

   Tuesday, March 2

   Kavala, Philippi & Thessaloniki

   This morning we make our way to Kavala, where Paul first set foot on European soil. We see the harbor and a monument dedicated to his arrival. We depart to visit the ancient city of Philippi, founded in 356 BC by Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. We will see the ancient theatre, the prison where it is believed Paul was held, and the site of the Church of Philippi, established by Paul around 49 AD, the first Christian church on European soil. We will also visit the Baptistery of Saint Lydia. Afterwards, we return to Thessaloniki for a city tour, beginning at the Church of Saint Demetrius, where we will see the place of Demetrius’ martyrdom. We then continue to the White Tower and the Upper Town for a panoramic view of the city.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Thessaloniki. Capsis Thessaloniki Hotel or similar.

   

4. Day04

   Wednesday, March 3

   Veria & Vergina

   We drive to Veria (biblical Berea), the capital of Imathia, built at the foot of Mount Vermio. Upon arrival, you will have free time to visit the Bema of the Apostle Paul and the Synagogue, located next to the Barbouta district, the old Jewish Quarter. The stone-built synagogue is the oldest in northern Greece. We then continue to Vergina, where we will visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs, featuring four tombs. The most important tombs are those of King Philip II and Alexander IV. After the visit, we depart for Athens.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Athens. The Stanley Athens Hotel or similar.

   

5. Day05

   Thursday, March 4

   Athens

   After breakfast, we enjoy a city tour starting from the Panathenaic Stadium, known as Kallimarmaro, which in antiquity was used for the celebration of the Panathenaea in honour of the goddess Athena. There will be free time for photos. Boarding the coach, we continue to see the Zappeion Hall, the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a symbolic monument in memory of the soldiers who died for their country. Then, driving along Panepistimiou Street, one of the main avenues of Athens, we will see the neoclassical trilogy: the Library, the Academy and the University. We will visit Mars Hill 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 (Acts 17:16-34). We will also have the opportunity to walk around the Parthenon, built in the 5th century BC by the architects Ictinus and Kallikrates. Free time follows in the traditional district of Plaka, located just beneath the Acropolis.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Athens. The Stanley Athens Hotel or similar.

   

6. Day06

   Friday, March 5

   Corinth

   This morning we depart for the Peloponnese. Our first stop will be the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow strip of land about 6 kilometers long that connects mainland Greece with the Peloponnese. There will be free time for photos. We then continue to Ancient Corinth, an important city-state of antiquity dating back to the Neolithic period (5000 to 3000 BC). We will visit its archaeological site and museum, known for the richness and quality of its findings (Acts 18:1-18, 19:22), and see the Bema of Gallio and the Erastus inscription. We will also visit Cenchreae (Acts 18:18). Later, we depart for Athens Airport for our flight to Izmir.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Izmir. Hilton Canopy Bomonti Hotel or similar.

   

7. Day07

   Saturday, March 6

   Smyrna & Pergamum

   After breakfast, we begin the day exploring Izmir (ancient Smyrna), visiting the Roman Agora and the Church of Saint Polycarp. The message to Smyrna in Revelation encourages perseverance in the face of persecution. In the afternoon, we travel to Pergamum (modern Bergama), where we 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.”

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Izmir. Hilton Canopy Bomonti Hotel or similar.

   

8. Day08

   Sunday, March 7

   Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia & Pamukkale

   We visit Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Thyatira was known in antiquity for its thriving trade guilds and as the hometown of Lydia, the seller of purple cloth mentioned in Acts 16. In Revelation 2:18-29, the church is commended for its love, faith, service, and perseverance, while also being called to remain faithful to true teaching. We will visit the archaeological remains and reflect on Christ’s message to the church here. We depart for Sardis, the ancient capital of the Lydian Kingdom and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. We will visit the impressive remains of the ancient city, including the Temple of Artemis, the royal road, and the reconstructed gymnasium and synagogue complex. In Revelation 3:1-6, the church at Sardis is called to awaken and strengthen what remains, a timeless reminder to stay spiritually vigilant and faithful. We then continue to Philadelphia (modern Alaşehir), the youngest of the Seven Churches of Revelation. The message to Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13 offers remarkable encouragement to the faithful: “I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” We visit the remains of the ancient city and reflect on its enduring Christian heritage. In the afternoon, we continue to Pamukkale, famous for its stunning white travertine terraces formed by thermal waters, where we take time to enjoy the unique natural landscape.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Pamukkale. Pam Thermal Hotel or similar.

   

9. Day09

   Monday, March 8

   Laodicea, Colossae & Ephesus

   We depart for Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Upon arrival, we visit the archaeological site, including the remains of the churches, theatres, and ancient streets that reflect its former prosperity as an important early Christian center. We then continue to Colossae, known from the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians. Though largely unexcavated, we will view the site and reflect on its significance in early Christianity. Afterwards, we depart for Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. We begin with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, followed by a tour of the ancient ruins, including the Great Theatre, where Paul once preached to the Ephesians. The message to the Church in Ephesus is found in Revelation 2:1-7, where they are commended for their perseverance but also warned to return to their first love: “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma De Luxe Hotel or similar.

   

10. Day10

    Tuesday, March 9

    Patmos

    We have an early breakfast and depart for the port of Kusadasi, where we embark on our charter boat to Patmos. Upon arrival on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9), we will visit the Monastery of Saint John, traditionally associated with his exile and the writing of the Book of Revelation. According to Greek tradition, the island was once called “Letois,” named after Leto, the mother of Artemis, and was believed to have been formed through divine intervention. We will also visit the Grotto of the Revelation (Cave of the Apocalypse). Afterwards, we return to our charter boat and sail back to the port of Kusadasi, followed by transfer to our hotel.

    Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma De Luxe Hotel or similar.

    

11. Day11

    Wednesday, March 10

    Return Home

    Today we depart for Izmir Airport for our return flight home. If time allows, breakfast is included today. Later today we will arrive back home.

    Breakfast included if time allows.

More from our travelers →

• How much walking is there?Expect about 2 to 3 miles of walking on a typical touring day, much of it on uneven ancient paving, with climbs at the Acropolis in Athens, the Acropolis of Pergamum and on Patmos, and time to rest along the way. Arrival, flight and departure days have very little walking, and we travel between cities by motor coach.
• Traveling alone?You can have a room to yourself, with a single supplement of $850, or share a room. If you would like to share, we will do our best to match you with a traveler of the same gender and a similar age. If no match is found, the single supplement applies.
• What will I spend beyond the price?Lunches, drinks beyond water, coffee and tea at breakfast, porterage at airports, travel insurance if you choose it, the EU ETIAS travel authorization (about 20 euros), and your own shopping. A typical lunch costs about $15 to $20. Tips are already included on this trip. We recommend paying for most things by credit card: cards are accepted almost everywhere you will go, and credit card purchases usually come with protection that cash does not. We suggest bringing a couple hundred U.S. dollars in cash for emergencies and small purchases. When a card machine or ATM asks whether to pay in dollars or in the local currency (euros in Greece, lira in Turkey), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
• What if I need to cancel?Cancel in writing. Up to November 30, 2026 (90 days before departure), everything you have paid is returned except $200. After that date, the $450 deposit and any costs we cannot recover are kept. Travel insurance may cover a cancellation, depending on the reason.
• Who is going?This expedition is led by Pastor Bob Monroe, retired pastor of Calvary Chapel Deer Park, Washington.

More answers in our Traveler Support Center, or call us at (877) 234-3002.

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