In the Footsteps of Paul

Turkey & Greece with Greek Isle Cruise

St. Paul, the great minister with a tongue that cut like a sword, traveled extensively through Turkey, Greece and Italy, always writing letters to the churches he visited encouraging them to live a more Christian life.  Travel with us as we walk in his footsteps through Turkey and Northern Greece..Pilgrimage includes a Greek Island Cruise visiting Mykonos, Patmos and Santorini..

DAY 1 – Friday – April 19, 2024 – Rio Grande Valley to Thessalonia, Greece.  Transportation from the Rio Grande Valley connecting to our intercontinental flight to Thessalonia,  Greece.                     Meals in flight

DAY 2 – Saturday, April 20, 2024 – Arrive Thessalonia – Upon landing, we will meet our guide and driver to be transferred to our hotel.          Overnight at the Holiday Inn in Thessalonia.                                              D

DAY 3- Sunday – April 21, 2024 – Thessalonia, Philippi, Kavala, Thessalonia after an included breakfast in the hotel, visit the basilica of St. Demetrius and the Agia Sophia.  Then travel to Philippi, where Saint Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe and where he established his first church and baptized Lydia, the first Lydia, the first convert convert to Christianity on European soil.  Visit the Roman Forum where Saint Paul cast a spirit out of a fortune-telling woman.  We will view the prison – now in ruins – where Saint Paul and Silas were held prisoners.  Later, continue to the port of Kavala where Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy first landed when they sailed into Europe.  Overnight at the Holiday Inn in Thessalonia.                                       B, D

DAY 4 –  Monday, April 22, 2024 – Thessalonia – Kalambaka – After breakfast, we take a walking tour of Thessalonia to the iconic Aristotelous Square, stopping at Ladadika, Kapani, Agora Modiano, the Roman Forum, the Church of Agios Dimitrios and Judge Square.  Then continue to Kalambaka.  Overnight at the Hotel Astontonsadis in Kalambaka.                          B, D

DAY 5 –  Tuesday – April 23, 2024 – Kalambaka – Delphi – After breakfast in the hotel, we continue our journey with a visit to the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora.  Enjoy the view as our charter coach take us south to Delphi.  Overnight at the Hotel Anemolia in Delphi.                                            B, D

DAY 6 – Wednesday – April 24, 2024 – Delphi – Athens – Enjoy breakfast before we visit the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain and the museum.  After our visit in Delphi we continue in our charter coach to the City of Athens.  Overnight at the Hotel Stanley in Athens.                                            B, D

DAY 7 – Thursday – April 25, 2024 – Athens – According to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul visited Athens as he waited for his companion, Sila and Timothy to arrie.  Paul was distressed to see Athens full of idols.  His sermon at the Areopagus, the high court in Athens, is the most dramatic and fullest reported speech of his missionary career.  We will also visit the famed Aeropolis (the ancient citadel) located on a rocky outcrop above the city.  We will include visits to the Parthenon, Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Zeus.  The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the city and its museums. Overnight at the Hotel Stanley in Athens.                          B, D

DAY 8 – Friday – April 26, 2024 Athens — Isle of Mykonos – We transfer after breakfast to the Port of Lavrio to embark on the Celestial Olympia ship for our cruise of the Greek Isles.  Our first port of call is Mykonos, one of the world’s best loved destinations.  Stroll along the narrow cobbled streets lined with boutiques, whitewashed houses and elegant cafes until we come to the famously beautiful Paraportiani church.  Visit the Folklore Museum exhibiting traditional costumes, furniture, texiles and jewelry from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Our tour continues with a walk to Alefkhandra and the ubiquitous windmills, the symbol of Mykonos.  This part of the town is known as Little Venice due to the houses with balconies over the water reminding one of the canals in Venice.  You may want to preregister for a guided tour that will include visit to a local tavern where you can enjoy traditional food and drink and savour the tastes, aromas and essence of genuine Greek spirit.  Overnight on the cruise ship.   B, L, D

DAY 9 – Saturday – April 27, 2024 – Kusadasi – Ephesus – Patmos – Enjoy breakfast on board in the Turkish port of Kusadasi.  Then transfer to the small village of Mt. Koressos.  Visit a stone chapel where it is believed the Virgin Mary spent her last days after the crucifixion of Christ.  Then walk through the Magnesian Gate to ancient Ephesus, a true open air archacological museum.  Saint Paul lived, preached and wrote extensively here including this Letter to the Corinthians.  You will have time for shopping for carpets, jewelry, leather and other souvenirs at the end of our tour.    Overnight on the cruise ship.                                                  B, L, D

DAY 10 – Sunday – April 28, 2024 – Santoriani and Akrotiri Village Excavations.  Regularly described as one of the most beautiful places on this planet, Santorini will take your breath away.  The whitewashed houses with their blue roofs seem to cling to the hillsides.  Modern day Sntorini has been shaped quite literally by an event in ancient history – the eruption in 1650BC of Thira, a huge volcano. Santorini sits on the rim of this volcano.  The settlement of Akrotiri was destroyed in the eruption and buried in volcanic ash which preserved many of its buldings, structures and fine frescoes.  After Akrotiri, we head for the capital, Fira, the island’s largest town, to visit the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, famed for its elegance and beautiful frescos painted by a famous Santorini artist.  You will  have time for shopping or relaxing.  Overnight on the cruise ship.                                  B, L, D

DAY 11 – Monday – April 29, 2024 – Pireaus – Corinth – Athens – Our ship docks this morning around 6:00am.  Enjoy breakfast on board before transferring to our charter coach for our last day in Greece.  It was in this area that Paul spent eighteen months preaching to both Jews and Gentiles.  He worked with Aguila and Priscilla and wrote at least four letters.  Visit Corinth before arriving in Athens, currently the largest city in Greece.  Overnight at the Hotel Stanley in Athens.                                       B, D

DAY 12 – Monday – April 30 – Athens to the USA
Transfer to the Athens airport for your flight back to the United States arriving there on the same date. What memories we will have of this unforgettable trip and what a deeper and richer understanding of the teachings of Saint Paul.                                                                           B