The day has arrived, and we depart West Palm Beach (PBI) on an overnight journey to Greece.
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. The remainder of the evening will be spent at leisure in Thessaloniki.
Overnight Thessaloniki. Mediterranean Palace or similar. D.
This morning we enjoy breakfast together before travelling to Kavala. Kavala (biblical Neapolis) is the place where Paul first set foot upon European soil. We will experience the port and a mural dedicated to Paul’s arrival. When Paul left Kavala he went to Philippi, and we, too, will make the journey across the Macedonian countryside to the site of ancient Philippi. We will see the stream where Lydia came to faith in Christ and was baptized. We will also see the agora and the bema seat where Paul was judged and beaten, along with the prison where he and Silas prayed and sang until late in the night, when the prison doors were flung open by an earthquake. We return to Thessaloniki, where we enjoy a tour of the city. Paul ministered in Thessaloniki (biblical Thessalonica) until he cause a riot.
Overnight Thessaloniki. Mediterranean or similar. B, D.
Paul fled Thessaloniki for Veria (biblical Berea), where he preached to the locals who searched the Scriptures to see if what he was saying was true. We will make our way to Berea, seeing a monument that stands in the place where Paul, according to tradition, preached to the Bereans. We move on to nearby Vergina, where we see the tomb of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. We drive back to Thessaloniki and board our fly for Athens. Later tonight we will arrive in Athens and transfer to our hotel.
Overnight Athens. Royal Olympic 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 Greek Parliament, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Driving along Panepistimiou Street we will see the Library, Academy, and University. We ascend Mars Hill, where Paul preached his sermon about the “unknown God” who had made himself known in Jesus, in Acts 17. We will also experience the Acropolis and its magnificent monuments, including the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, the theatre of Dionysius, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and, of course, the Parthenon. In the afternoon we drive to the Peloponnese region. We will stop at the isthmus of Corinth, a narrow strip of land joining central Greece with the Peloponnese. We come to ancient Corinth, where we will see the pavement inscription of Erastus and the ruins of the city, including the bema of Gallio where Paul was accused. Time permitting, we will visit Acrocorinth, a rock overlooking the city which was the site of an ancient fortress, and Cenchreae, where Paul had his hair cut off as he left Corinth.
Overnight Athens. Royal Olympic or similar. B, D.
Today we board our cruise ship and depart. Our first port of call will be Mykonos, where we will have the opportunity to explore this picturesque island at leisure. Mykonos is famous for its coastline, its sandy beaches, rugged rocky landscape, and 16th century windmills.
Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.
Today our ship brings us to the Turkish port of Kusadasi, where we will transfer to the site of ancient Ephesus. Ephesus is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. Paul spent an extended period of time here, and his preaching caused a riot. We will tour the ruins of the city, including the theater where the rioters gathered. We will sail to Patmos, where the Apostle John was exiled, and where he received the visions that now constitute the book of Revelation.
Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.
Today we visit Crete at leisure. Crete is mentioned in the biblical narrative of Paul’s journey to Rome (Acts 27). In the afternoon, we will visit Santorini, arguably Greece’s most beautiful island, where we will spend time at leisure and enjoy some of the best views on the planet.
Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.
Today we will leave our cruise ship and fly from Athens to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome we will enjoy a tour of some of the city’s most iconic sites, including the Spanish Steps, the Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.
Overnight Rome. Hotel Michelangelo or similar. B, D.
Today we will tour ancient Rome, beginning with 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 early Christians, among them Ignatius of Antioch and Telemachus. We will experience the nearby Roman Forum, which contains ruins of ancient Roman government buildings. We will also visit the Mamertine Prison, where Paul was held towards the end of his life, and will see the Circus Maximus, another site of early Christian martydroms.
Overnight Rome. Hotel Michelangelo or similar. B, D.
Today will be spent at leisure in Rome. You may wish to revisit one or more of the sites that we have already experienced, to stroll through the Trastevere, or to visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Your flight home may depart either late tonight or the following day. If the following day and an overnight is required, overnight Rome.
Hotel Michelangelo or similar. B, D.
Your flight may depart either the previous night or today. If today and time allows, breakfast is included today. Later today, we will arrive back home at PBI.
