PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEY IN GREECE – 8 days

Athens – Mars Hill – Corinth – Meteora – Berea – Thessalonica  Kavala (Neapolis)

DAY 1 – ATHENS ARRIVAL       

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” meet the local representative who will assist with your transfer to hotel. Orientation panoramic tour of the city of Athens before check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Athens.

DAY 2 – ATHENS CITY TOUR – MARS’ HILL
In the morning we climb up to the marble capped Acropolis Hill  and visit the famous Parthenon and Erechtheion Temples. We then walk to nearby Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where Paul delivered his soul-stirring sermon to the giants of philosophy, logic and learning and spoke about the inscription: “to an unknown god”. We continue our tour with a panoramic sightseeing to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Afternoon at leisure in Plaka. Overnight in Athens.

DAY 3 – ANCIENT CORINTH TOUR
Morning tour out of Athens to ancient Corinth. On the way stop at Corinthian Canal. It was Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) where Paul lived and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament.
Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small local archaeological museum here is an absolute must! In Romans 16:23 Paul mentions his friend Erastus and we will see an inscription to him at the site. After the tour return to Athens. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Athens.

DAY 4 – ATHENS – DELPHI – KALAMBAKA
Depart from Athens towards the Northern Greece. Arrive in Delphi considered to be the center of the ancient world, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. We visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the archaeological museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias.Continue our journey to Kalambaka for overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 5 – METEORA – BEREA – THESSALONICA 
Morning visit to the spectacular Meteora Monasteries built on the top of huge gray boulders. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons and manuscripts from the 14ths century. After the visit continue on to Thessalonica. On our way we stop at Berea, where Paul arrived and according to his custom went to the synagogue where, to his pleasant surprise, he discovered that these Jews were “more noble” than those he had encountered in Thessalonica. We see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching (Acts 17:10-11).
We arrive in Thessalonica in late afternoon for overnight.

DAY 6 – PHILIPPI – KAVALA – THESSALONICA
On our way to Philippi, we drive by the Lion statute of Amphipolis (short stop for photos).
Visit Philippi, the site where Paul establishied a strong church. To this congregation, later he sent his Philippian letter (Acts 16:9-33). We see the river where Lydia is has been baptized, the ruins of a prison where Paul and Sylas had been kept, the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica and the Theatre. After the visit, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where we enjoy a panoramic tour before returning back to Thessalonica for overnight. 

DAY 7 – THESSALONICA – ATHENS
Today we take the return way to Athens. Before departure we enjoy the city tour of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) where Paul went immediately to the synagogue and for three Saturdays he explained the prophecies of the Old Testament to Jews and Greeks. According to the Book of the Acts many Greeks believed and even many «Greek chief women» (Acts 17:1-4). We go to the upper Old City Walls then drive along the Egnatian Way to see the Triumphal Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda. After the visit journey back to Athens where we arrive in the evening for overnight at hotel.

DAY 8 – ATHENS DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer from hotel to Athens International Airport for departure flight back home.