Your Host
The day has arrived and we depart Indianapolis (IND) on an overnight journey to Greece.
Today we arrive in Greece at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). We will be met by our driver and/or guide, and we will make our way to our hotel. Overnight Thessaloniki. Holiday Inn or similar. D.
This morning, after breakfast, we will drive to Kavala, which is biblical Neapolis. Paul first set foot on European soil at Neapolis. We will see the port and a monument dedicated to his arrival. Paul left Neapolis for Philippi, and we too will travel through the Macedonian countryside to Philippi. In Philippi we will see Lydia’s Spring, where Lydia’s heart was opened to the Gospel, and where she was baptized. We will visit the ruins of ancient Philippi, where we will see the agora and the bema seat where Paul was judged, as well as the prison where it is believed that he was kept. We return to Thessaloniki (biblical Thessalonica), where Paul preached until he caused a riot. We will enjoy a tour of the city. Overnight Thessaloniki. Holiday Inn or similar. B, D.
Today we visit Berea. After causing a riot in Thessalonica Paul moved on to Berea, where the people listened to his message and searched the Scriptures to see if what he was saying was true. We will visit the traditional place where Paul preached to the Bereans before moving on to Vergina, the location of the tomb of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. We will then drive to the Meteora region. Overnight Kalambaka area. Amalia or similar. B, D.
This morning we will visit one or more of the stunning Meteora Monasteries, which are perched precipitously on high, rocky cliffs. Then, we drive to Athens. Overnight Athens. Athens Avenue or similar. B, D.
We drive to Corinth, where Paul labored for the Gospel and met Aquila and Priscila. It was to the church in Corinth that Paul wrote 1st and 2nd Corinthians. We see the Temple of Apollo, the Roman agora, and the bema where Paul stood trial before Gallio. We will also see an inscription bearing the name of Erastus, who Paul mentions at Romans 16:23. We will return to Athens and visit some of the city’s most iconic sites, including the Parthenon and Mars Hill, where Paul preached in Acts 17. Overnight Athens. Athens Avenue or similar. B, D.
Today we head to the airport (ATH) and fly to Izmir, Turkey (ADB). Once in Turkey we will meet our Turkish guide and driver and make our way to our hotel. Overnight Izmir/Kusadasi area. Charisma DeLuxe or similar. B, D.
This morning we drive to Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world. We will experience the ruins of this city, where Paul lived for an extended period of time, including the theater where a riot occurred as a result of Paul’s preaching. We move on to Miletus, where Paul met with the Ephesian elders. Overnight Izmir/Kusadasi area. Charisma DeLuxe or similar. B, D.
We will visit Pergamum, the site of one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. We will see the Red Basilica, the Asclepeion Temple which was dedicated to the Greek god of healing. We will see why Jesus referred to Pergamum as the home of “Satan’s seat.” We will then visit the site of ancient Smyrna, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Your flight home may depart late tonight or the following day. If the following day and an overnight is required, overnight Izmir/Kusadasi area. Charisma DeLuxe or similar. B, D.
Your flight home may depart either the previous night or today. If today and time allows, breakfast is included today. Either way, later today we will arrive back in Indianapolis (IND).