Teacher & Tour Hosts
The day has arrived and we depart the United States on an overnight air journey to Greece.
Overnight: In flight.
Today we arrive in Greece at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). We will be met by our guide and driver, who will bring us to our hotel in Kavala.
Meals: Dinner. Overnight: Kavala. Hotel Egnatia or similar.
We awake this morning in the place where Paul first made landfall on European soil. Like Paul, we travel from Kavala to Philippi, where Paul baptized Lydia, Europe’s first Christian convert. Walk among the ruins of the agora, the basilica, and the prison where Paul and Silas sang hymns at midnight. We return to Thessaloniki for an orientation tour. Paul preached the Gospel here until he caused a riot. We fly from Thessaloniki to Athens.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: Athens. Zeus Essence Athens Central or similar.
Today we will experience Athens. We will climb Mars Hill, where Paul famously preached to the Areopagus (Acts 17). Mars Hill sits in the shadow of the Acropolis, which we will also ascend. We will see the Parthenon, along with the Acropolis’ other ancient structures. We enjoy some time in Athens’ historic and renowned Plaka District.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: Athens. Zeus Essence Athens Central or similar.
Transfer to the port of Piraeus and embark on your Aegean Cruise. This evening we arrive in Mykonos, where narrow whitewashed streets and seaside chapels reflect timeless Greek charm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Aboard Celestyal Cruise.
Arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey, and enjoy your included excursion to Ancient Ephesus, where Paul stayed for nearly three years (Acts 19). Walk the marble streets to the theater where a crowd once gathered in opposition to Paul. We sail onward to Patmos, where John received the visions that now constitute the book of Revelation. We visit the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Aboard Celestyal Cruise.
Today’s stop is Rhodes, an island famed for its medieval walls, cobblestone lanes, and the legacy of the Knights of St. John. Explore the Palace of the Grand Masters or stroll the Old Town, where East meets West in stone and faith. The island’s fortitude mirrors the courage of the early church amid opposition.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Aboard Celestyal Cruise.
Sail first to Crete, where Paul left Titus to “set in order what was left unfinished” (Titus 1:5). Continue to breathtaking Santorini, whose volcanic cliffs and blue-domed churches rise dramatically from the sea.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight: Aboard Celestyal Cruise.
We make our way to Corinth, where Paul spent an extended amount of time. We will see the ruins of the ancient city including the bema where Paul appeared before Gallio. We will also see the pavement inscription mentioning Erastus, who was mentioned by Paul at Romans 16:23 and 2 Timothy 4:20.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: Athens. Zeus Essence Athens Central or similar.
We head to the airport, where we board our flight back home, or on to Rome.
Meals: Breakfast (if time permits).
This morning we fly from Athens to Rome. We will visit the Vatican, to include the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Continue to the Abbey of the Three Fountains, recognized as the traditional site of Paul’s beheading and an important reminder of the cost of early Christian witness. Walk the grounds and visit the chapel marking the apostle’s final moments. Next, tour the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over Paul’s tomb and one of Rome’s four major basilicas.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: Rome. Starhotel Michelangelo or similar.
We visit the Colosseum; completed in 80 AD, it was the site of early Christian martyrdoms including those of Ignatius of Antioch and Telemachus. We will explore the Roman Forum, which contains the ruins of ancient Roman government buildings. Then it’s on to the Mamertine Prison, where Paul was once held. In the afternoon, we visit iconic Roman sites including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: Rome. Starhotel Michelangelo or similar.
If time permits, breakfast is included today. We make our way to the airport and begin our journey back home, where we will arrive later in the day.
Meals: Breakfast (if time permits).
