ITINERARY

Day 1: Athens

Upon arrival at the Athens airport you will be met & transferred by our friendly staff to your hotel in Athens.

Dinner at hotel.

Day 2: Full day Athens & Corinth

“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship I found also an altar with this inscription ‘to an unknown God’. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you …”

Today discover Athens, one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today. For twenty five centuries, the panorama of this city has been dominated by the rock of the Acropolis; see the ruins of the Parthenon, the Erectheum and the Propylae. Afterwards, see Mars Hill where St. Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only God. From here, one has an excellent view of the ancient agora; the former center of Athenian public life – the market place. Drive through the city to see the House of Parliament at Syntagma Square, the soldiers in their picturesque uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We will also see the Library, the University, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympics of the modern era were held, the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Adrian’s Arch. Lunch at a typical Greek tavern.

“Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city. ” (Acts 18:9)

Drive to Corinth, taking the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. We will make a short stop for pictures at the canal before continuing on to the site of ancient Corinth, St. Paul’s beloved city and site of his most extensive ministry. Dominated by the Acro-Corinth rising 1,700 feet above the ruins, the marketplace is laid out exactly as it stood in the days of the great Apostle. See the Bema (the judgment seat) where Paul stood before Galilo and preached (Acts 18). Return to Athens for dinner and an overnight.

Day 3: Athens –Thessaloniki

After breakfast we start our 4-day tour to Northern Greece. Early in the afternoon we reach the beautiful town of Thessaloniki. Dinner at hotel.

“Paul came to Thessaloniki with Silas and following his usual custom, he went to the Synagogue where he used the Jewish scriptures as the source for his preaching.” (Acts 17:2-4)

Day 4: Thessaloniki – Kavala

We become acquainted with this great city where Paul wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. Built by King Cassandros and named after the sister of Alexander the Great, the city flourished under the Byzantine Empire and its most important buildings date from those days. Today it is considered the second capital of Greece, the Queen of the north. Our city tour takes us along the water front to the massive White Tower and nearby Triumphal Arch of Gallerius, built in 303 AD. We also see St. Demetrios Church with its valuable mosaics and frescoes and then drive to the upper town which offers a marvelous view of the city. The site where the monastery of Vlatadon was built is believed to be the location where Jason’s house once stood and where Paul was accommodated during his visit to Thessaloniki.

“Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace and the following day to Neapolis ” (Acts 16:11)

“And from thence to Philippi which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony; and we were in that city abiding certain days.”(Acts 16:12)

Visit the beautiful city of Kavala (ancient Neapolis), and from here we continue on to Philippi a Roman garrison town and the chief city in the province of Macedonia. It was here that Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia, the market place (where Paul and Silas were brought before the rulers), the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St. Paul were imprisoned. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and an overnight.

Day 5: Thessaloniki – Veria

After breakfast, we start out for Veria where we visit the monument dedicated to Paul; we see the Bema where he stood and preached to the people of Veria.

“The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.” (Acts 17:10-14)

Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Thessaloniki-Athens

After breakfast drive back to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Athens

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

ALL TOURS INCLUDE PRIVATE A/C DELUXE MOTORCOACH WITH ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE FOR THE TOURS OR ESCORT FOR THE TRANSFERS AND ENTRANCE FEES