Your Host
Your Host
The day has arrived, and we depart Grace Community Church by motorcoach to Tampa International Airport (TPA), where we begin our overnight journey to Greece.
Today we arrive in Greece at Athens International Airport (ATH). Upon arrival, we will be met by our guide and driver. This afternoon, we will visit the Acropolis Museum, which houses spectacular findings from the archaeological site of the Acropolis. Afterwards, we transfer to our hotel, where we enjoy our welcome dinner. Overnight Athens. D.
Today, we tour Athens. Making our way toward the Acropolis, we will see the Theater of Dionysus, perhaps the oldest theater in the world, and the impressive Odeon of Herod. At the Acropolis, we see the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, upheld by the famous scultped female figures, the caryatids, and of course, Athens’ most famous site, the Parthenon. As we exit the Acropolis, we will have the chance to climb Mars Hill, where Paul preached his famous sermon in Acts 17 about the “unknown god.” We will also see the Ancient Agora of Athens, including the Temple of Hephestus. Overnight Athens. B, D.
This morning we board our cruise ship, the Gemini, where we will spend the next three nights. Our cruise will bring us first to the picturesque island of Mykonos. We enjoy this picturesque island with its famed windmills, excellent cuisine, and shopping, before returning to our cruise ship. Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.
Today our ship docks at Santorini, where we get to take in some of the greatest views on the planet. We visit Ouia Village, with its iconic white-painted and blue-domed structures. We will have the entire day to explore Santorini before returning to our cruise ship. Overnight aboard ship. B, L, D.
This morning our ship stops in Kusadasi, and we transfer to the site of ancient Ephesus. The Apostle 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 toward the end of her life. In the afternoon, our ship takes us 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.
Today, we arrive back in Athens. We cross the Corinth canal by bus to visit the ancient archaeological site of Corinth, which includes the Temple of Apollo, the Roman agora, the Bema courthouse (where Paul’s enemies brought him before Gallio in Acts 18:12), the pavement inscription of Erastus, the Roman Lechaion Road, and the lower Fountaine of Peirene. Afterwards, we drive to Nafplio, a beautiful coastal city, where we enjoy some free time to take in the views. Overnight Nafplio. B, D.
This morning, we make our way to Mycenae, which according to Greek mythology was the city of King Agammemnon, the leader of the attack on Troy, and the location where the Greek kings met to plan the Trojan war. Next, we stop at Delphi, an ancient site dedicated to the Greek god Apollo that was considered by the Greeks to be the “navel” of the world. First established in the 8th Century BC, Delphi was the home to the Oracle of Delphi, whom the ancient Greeks consulted for insight into the future. We see the Tholos, a circular building which would have been the first structure visitors saw when entering Delphi. We will also see the Temple of Apollo, where the priestess Pythia uttered her prophesies. Time permitting, we will visit the site of the Battle of Thermopylae, fought between the forces of Xerxes and Leonidas, on this day. Overnight Delphi. B, D.
This morning, we visit Thermopylae (if we have not already done so on the previous day). We then make our way to the Meteora Monasteries, perched high on rocky cliffs. We spend the the day visiting these monasteries and taking in the spectacular views. Overnight Kalambaka. B, D.Â
Driving north toward Thessaloniki, we see Mt. Olympus, the home of the gods in ancient Greek mythology. We come to Vergina, where we visit the Tomb of King Phillip, the father of Alexander the Great, and see its impressive artifacts. We then drive to Veria (biblical Berea), where Paul and Silas went after they caused a riot in Thessalonica (Acts 17). We see the location where Paul preached to the Bereans. We conclude the day in 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. Overnight Thessaloniki. B, D.
Today, we get to visit the archaeological site of Philippi, which holds great biblical significance. We explore the expansive ruins of the ancient city and learn about its connection to the Apostle Paul and the early Christian community. We see the stream where Lydia was baptized (Acts 16:14), the Roman Forum, the theater, and the prison where Paul and Silas were held captive. Next, we visit Kavala (biblical Neapolis), where Paul once landed with Timothy and Silas. We see the city’s Roman Aqueduct and Acropolis. Overnight Thessaloniki. B, D.
This morning we transfer to the Thessaloniki airport (SKG) and begin our journey home. Later today, we arrive back at Tampa International Airport (TPA), where our motorcoach will bring us back to Grace Community Church.
