Day 2 • Athens
Day 4 • Philippi
Day 8 • Mykonos
Day 10 • Ephesus
Day 1 • Departure from the USA
This is the day we begin our adventure as we have an overnight flight over the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 2 • Arrival Athens
Upon arrival, we are met by our friendly Signature Tour representatives who assist us. Our classical tour of Athens begins at the ancient Acropolis with its Parthenon. Stopping at the Areopagus, we read St. Paul’s message concerning the “Unknown God.” There are lots more important sights to be seen, including the Agora, Hadrian’s Arch, Syntagma Square and some buildings of the modern era. Dinner and overnight are in Athens.
Day 3 • Salonika
Day 3 • Athens/Salonika
Today we drive to northern Greece. Salonika, the second largest Greek city (the Macedonian city of Thessaloniki in bible Times), was founded circa 316 B.C. It has always been an important commercial seaport, and St. Paul addressed two of his epistles to that Christian community. Overnight is in Salonika.
Day 4 • Salonika/Kavala/Philippi/Salonika
Continuing north to the port city of Kavala, we visit the remains of Philippi, which was founded to commemorate the victory of Octavius over the assassins of Julius Caesar in 42 B.C. Philippi was the first European city in which St. Paul preached the Gospel in 49 A.D. As we visit the remains of two early Christian basilicas, we pause to admire his dedication. We return to Salonika for dinner and the night.
Day 5 • Salonika/Berea/Vergina/Kalabaka
In Salonika, we see the Triumphal Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda of the Palace, the Castle of the Seven Towers, the Aristotelian University, and the Museum of Archeology. We then drive to Veria (Berea), mentioned in Acts as a church founded by St. Paul. Next, we travel to Vergina where three royal tombs were discovered. It is believed that one is the burial place of Phillip II, the father of Alexander the Great. When we arrive in Kalabaka, a small town in Thessaly, we are at the base of the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora, built on the summit of isolated rock column. Overnight is in Kalabaka.
Day 6 • Kalabaka/Delphi
This morning we ascend the Meteora to visit the “Hanging Monasteries”, containing treasures and manuscripts from the Byzantine era. We continue to Delphi, revered in ancient times as the “Navel of the World” and site of the famous Oracle of Delphi. Overnight is in Delphi.
Day 7 • Delphi/Athens
The sanctuary of Apollo lies at the center of Delphi. We tour its fascinating remains including, the “Sacred Way, “ the Athenian Treasury, the Theatre, the Gymnasium, Castalia Spring, the Museum and more. The curving road from Delphi leads through vineyards and olive groves and arrives at the Byzantine monastery of Osios Lukas, containing its famous mosaics and built in the 11th century. We pass through Thebes, founded in 1313 B.C., before arriving back in Athens for dinner and the night.
Day 8 • Piraeus/Greek Island Cruise: Mykonos
Today, we transfer to the port city of Piraeus to board our cruise ship. Our first stop is Mykonos, a vibrant island with its colorful harbor, all-white houses, and windmills silhouetted against the blue sky. We have free time on our own to shop for fine woolens or jewelry, walk down the narrow pathways, or enjoy a delicious crepe.
Day 9 • Rhodes
Day 9 • Cruise: Rhodes
We glide early into the harbor of Rhodes, which in ancient times was straddled by the famed Colossus. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this mammoth statue was completed circa 300 B.C., but destroyed by the Saracens. Reflecting Roman, Saracen, Turkish, Medieval and Italian influences, this old city was built by Crusader Knights of the Order of St. John and has scarcely changed. Its landscape is interspersed with remnants of ancient settlements, the most famous being Lindos and Kameiros.
Day 10 • Cruise: Kusadasi/Ephesus/Patmos
After we dock in Kusadasi, a short ride takes us to the amazing ruins of Ephesus. Once known as one of the richest cities in Asia Minor, it was a popular Roman resort and center of trade, commerce, culture and religion. St. Paul spent three years walking its marble streets. We see the giant theatre where the riot of the silversmiths occurred, the great Temple of Diana of Ephesians and more. We then stop at Patmos where St. John received his vision of the Apocalypse. Time permitting, you may wish to visit the 11th century, mile high, Monastery to inspect the treasury of Byzantine art and religious artifacts.
Day 11 • Corinth
Day 11 • Piraeus/Corinth/Mycenae/Epidauros/Athens
After breakfast we disembark and drive to ancient Corinth, a flourishing port in the 1st century A.D. Following St. Paul’s’ footsteps, we visit the Temple of Apollo and the Agora, where traditionally St. Paul preached. In Mycenae (circa 1350 B.C.), we see ruins of the Lion’s Gate, and the Tombs of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Then, in Epidauros, we see the sanctuary, dedicated to the god Asklepelos, with an open-air theatre, one of the best preserved in all of Greece. Returning to Athens, we stop at the Corinthian Canal, an engineering marvel cut out of solid rock to link the two seas.
Day 12 • Athens/Hometown, U.S.A.
We transfer early to the Athens airport for our return flight to the U.S. Our experience of walking in the footsteps of St. Paul will bring us treasured memories to last a lifetime.