Apostle Paul’s trip to Greece & Turkey – Reversed
DAY 1
Arrive in Athens airport where you will take your connecting flight for Thessaloniki, the city where Paul was received by Jason. Paul was
preaching the Word of God here until he was rushed out of the city. Our representative will meet you at the airport of Thessaloniki and
transfer you to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 2
Follow the route of the Via Egnatia and visit the area of Amphipolis, like Paul and his companion, to see the famous funerary Lion of
Amphipolis and the site of Philippi. There, you visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river, where Paul baptized her. Lydia was the first
convert of Paul on European soil, followed by the jailer. Also visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison
of Paul” and the Theater. Drive to Kavala (Neapolis), a picturesque port, and view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct.
Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3
In the morning, drive in Thessaloniki to see the landmark of the city, the White Tower, as well as the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis,
the Roman Arch of Galerius and the Rotonda. Visit two of the city’s oldest and most admired Christian churches, the Basilicas of St.
Demetrius and Aghia Sophia (Divine Wisdom). Continue to Kalambaka. Here you find scenery of unique and striking beauty: perched on
top of huge granite pinnacles, you see the ageless Meteora Monasteries full of treasures of Christian art. Visit one of the amazing
Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. Dinner and overnight in Meteora.
DAY 4
This morning travel to scenic Delphi, one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth, which in antiquity was believed to be the
“navel” (omphalos) of the world. Walk along the Sacred Way to see the Athenian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo where the priestess
Pythia uttered ambiguous prophecies, and the Theater. Also visit the Museum with its splendid collection of ancient works of art,
including the Sphinx of the Naxians, the Silver Bull, the Column of the Dancers, the “Omphalos” and the pride of the museum, the 5 th
century B.C. bronze “Charioteer”. Continue to Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5
This morning, transfer to the Piraeus port (Athens, Greece) to board ship for 11:30 a.m. departure. Cruise to Mykonos (Greece), and
enjoy an evening on the island from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
DAY 6
Enjoy breakfast on board and the morning at leisure in Kusadasi (Ephesus, Turkey) from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Renowned for its beaches
and attractive view of the Aegean, Kusadasi is near to several historical sites including Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of
the Virgin Mary. Evening at leisure in Patmos (Greece) from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
DAY 7
In the morning arrive in Heraklion, Crete, where you can choose to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home to king Minos and his
legendary beast, the Minotaur. In the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, you can find the unbelievable works of art (pieces of
sculpture and pottery, jewelry, arms, frescoes) that have been found in a number of Minoan sites all over Crete. Then sail north to the
isle of Santorini, the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands. The exquisite whitewashed villages, including the town of Fira, or Thira,
cling to volcanic cliffs accessible only by cable car or mule.
DAY 8
Disembark cruise in Piraeus at 7:00 a.m. and transfer directly to your morning tour of Ancient Corinth . Here under the shadow of the
towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 A.D caused
him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where St. Paul worked with
Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first century shops, the agora where St. Paul 's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene,
Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Continue to Athens where you will admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens, as you follow
your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis to see the Propylea, the Erechteum and the Parthenon. Visit the Mars Hill, where Paul
delivered his ingenious speech on the “Unknown God”. View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city,
where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. During the bus tour, you see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and Neoclassical Buildings of Athens like the National
University, the National Library and the Academy. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
DAY 9
Fly back home with a new insight into Paul’s life and teachings.
DAY 10
Today you disembark from the cruise ship and start your trip to Ancient Corinth. This is the once
glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and
spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. You visit the
Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema,
where Paul stood before Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth. Then, you
drive to Cenchreae, the little harbour Paul sailed back to Asia from, thus
ending his secondary missionary journey. Travel back to Athens for your farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11
Fly back home with a new insight into Paul’s life and teachings.
