The day has arrived and we depart Orlando (MCO) on an overnight journey to Thessaloniki.
Toaday we arrive at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). Here we will be met by our guide and driver, who will bring us to our hotel. Overnight Thessaloniki. Holiday Inn or similar. D.
This morning, after breakfast, we visit the archaeological site of Philippi, which holds great biblical significance. Explore the ruins of the ancient city and learn about its connection to the Apostle Paul and the early Christian community. Highlights of the site include the the site where it is believed Lydia’s heart was opened by God to the Gospel (Acts 16:14), the Roman Forum, the theater, and the prison where Paul and Silas were held captive. We move on to Kavala, which is the biblical Neapolis, where Paul once landed with Timothy and Silas. We see the city’s Roman Aqueduct and Acropolis. Overnight Thessaloniki. Holiday Inn or similar. B, D.
After breakfast we tour Thessaloniki (biblical Thessalonica), where Paul preached and founded a church to which he wrote the Epistles of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. We see sites like the old city walls, theater, and Roman market. Then it’s on to Veria (biblical Berea), which Paul and Silas went after they caused a riot in Thessalonica (Acts 17). We see the location where Paul preached to the Bereans. We drive to Kalambaka, where we spend the night. Overnight Kalambaka. Amalia or similar. B, D.
Today we visit the Meteora Monasteries, perched high on rocky cliffs. Then we drive to Athens. Overnight Athens. Athens Avenue or similar. B, D.
Today we board our cruise ship, where we will spend the next three nights. Our cruise’s first port of call will by Mykonos. We enjoy this picturesque island, with its excellent cuisine and shopping, before again boarding our cruise ship. Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.
Today our ship brings us to Kusadasi. From here we transfer to the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus. Paul preached, taught, and lived in Ephesus for an extended period of time (Acts 19:1-10). We see what is believed to be the house where Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived towards the end of her life. We move 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.
We then sail to Santorini, where we disembark and take in some of the greatest views on the planet. In Santorini there will be an optional shore excursion (cost $102 per person), which will bring you to the towns of Oia and Fira. Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.
This morning we arrive back at Athens, where we leave our cruise ship. We head to Corinth, where Paul labored for the Gospel and met Aquila and Priscila. It was to the church in Corinth that Paul wrote 1 and 2 Corinthians. We see the Temple of Apollo, the Roman agora, and the Bema, where Paul stood trial before Gallio. We see an inscription mentioned Erastus, who is mentioned by Paul at Romans 16:23. Then it’s back to Athens, where we take in some of the city’s great sites to include the Parthenon and the Areopagus, where Paul famously preached in Acts 17. Overnight Athens. Athens Avenue or similar. B, D.
Today we fly from Athens to Rome, where we visit the Colosseum and the Mamertine Prison. 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. The Mamertine Prison is believed to be the site of the imprisonments of both Peter and Paul, and the place where they both lived their last days. Overnight Rome. American Palace or similar. B, D.
Today we experience iconic Romans sites including the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the site of the Circus Maximus. We also visit the Roman Forum, which contains the ruins of ancient Roman government buildings. We will visit the St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, to include the Sistine Chapel. Your flight home my depart either tonight or the following day. If the following day, and an overnight is required, overnight Rome. American Palace or similar. B, D.
