Footsteps of Paul with Victory Calvary Chapel

The day has arrived and we depart from Los Angeles (LAX) on an overnight journey to Greece.

Today we arrive in Greece at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and driver, who will take you to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure. Overnight Thessaloniki. Capsis or similar 4*. D.

After breakfast we visit Philippi, which was built by Alexander’s father, Philip II, in 356 BC. We visit the stream where Lydia was baptized as the first convert in Europe. We see the ancient theater, the Church of Philippi, which was founded by Paul in 49 AD, and the prison where Paul and Silas were held before earthquake occurred, causing the jailer to famously ask, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”. We enjoy lunch (not included) in the waterfront town of Kavala (biblical Neapolis), where Paul first made landfall in Europe. Overnight Thessaloniki. Capsis or similar 4*. B, D.

This morning we enjoy a tour of Thessaloniki (biblical Thessalonica), where Paul founded a church to which he wrote the epistles of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. We make our way to Veria (biblical Berea). We will visit the place where, according to tradition, Paul preached to the Bereans, along with the Synagogue. Then it’s on to Vergina, where we will see the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. We return to Thessaloniki where we board our flight for Athens. Upon arrival in Athens we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight Athens. Lighthouse or similar 4*. B, D.

Today we see Athens. We will see some of the city’s most important sites, with a focus upon Mars Hill, where Paul preached in Acts 17, and the nearby Parthenon. In the afternoon we will enjoy free time in the Plaka area. Overnight Athens. Lighthouse or similar 4*. B, D.

Today we make our way to the port of Piraeus, where we board a ferry for the island of Aegina. We have free time on this island, the waterfront of which is lined by fish taverns, restaurants, gift shops, and small kiosks selling pistachio nuts (a local delicacy). Later in the day we take the ferry back to Athens. Overnight Athens. Lighthouse or similar. B, D.

This morning we drive to Corinth. We see, among other things, the Fountain of Peirene, the bema of Gallio, and the pavement inscription mentioning Erastus. We also visit Acrocorinth and Cenchreae. After lunch (not included) at a nearby restaurant we drive to the airport in Athens, and board our flight for Izmir. Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma Deluxe or similar 5*. B, D.

Today we visit Ephesus. The ancient city of Ephesus was a bustling port town of approximately 250,000 inhabitants. The church at Ephesus was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, and Paul spent a significant amoung of time here. We drive to Miletus, where Paul met with the Ephesian elders. Overnight Kusadasi. Charisma Deluxe or similar 5*. B, D.

After breakfast we visit Pergamum, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. We see the remains of the ancient library, the theater, the temples, the place of the altar of Zeus, the Sanctuary of Demeter, the Gymnasium, the Ascelpium. We also visit the Red Basilica. We visit ancient Smyrna, the site of another of the Seven Churches of Revelation, before boarding our flight for Rome. Upon arrival in Rome we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight Rome. Hotel Michelangelo or similar 4*. B, D.

Today we visit the Colosseum, the largest of the ancient amphitheaters, which was completed in 80 AD. It served as the site for the torture and martyrdom of early Christians including Ignatius of Antioch and Telemachus. We vist the Roman Forum, which contains the ruins of ancient Roman government buildings. We visit the Mamertine Prison, where Paul was held, along with St. Paul Outside the Walls where, according to tradition, Paul was buried. Overnight Rome. Hotel Michelangelo or similar 4*. B, D.

We spend the day at leisure in Rome. You may wish to visit the city center, with its iconic sites like the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, or to visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Overnight Rome. Hotel Michelangelo or similar 4*. B, D.

Today we transfer to the airport (FCO) and begin our journey home. If time allows, breakfast is included today. Later today we arrive back in Los Angeles (LAX).