Greece

Depart via scheduled air service. The destination is Thessaloniki, Greece.

Arrive in Thessaloniki. Meet your Faith Journeys Tour Manager who will assist the group to awaiting chartered motorcoach for a panoramic tour of the city. Thessaloniki is a treasure trove of architecture as we’ll see the ramparts of the city, the Triumphant Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda (oldest of Thessaloniki’s churches), the Via Egnatia, Aristotelous Square, and the Monastery of Vlattadon. Late-afternoon hotel check-in. Evening Welcome Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will visit Kavala, known anciently as Neapolis, where Paul landed on his first voyage to Europe as we make our way to nearby Philippi. See magnificent places such as Lydia’s Baptistery and the great Amphipolis Lion statue. We will also marvel in the beauty of the Forum Romanum. Lunch, on own. We will visit Krinides (or Crenides), an area that includes the archaeological site of Philippi in the Kavala Prefecture. The area of Krinides was well known from the era of the early Macedonian Kings for its fertile soil and thermal water. It was also in Philippi that Paul met with a woman named Lydia, a purple-dye merchant who became the first Christian convert. Return to Thessaloniki for evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will visit beautiful Berea (Veria) to see Paul’s Bema where both he and Silas preached to a Jewish settlement after leaving the Thessalonians. Lunch, on own. We will then continue to Kalambaka, home of the Meteora Monasteries. The Meteora which means “suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above,” is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. We will start at the Meteora Monastery, then the Grand Meteoron Monastery which is built upon the highest rock and considered one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries. Return to Kalambaka for evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Athens via Delphi. Labeled the omphalos (navel) of the earth, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world. Today, in a most beautiful and ruggedly majestic landscape, we’ll explore the ruins of the Temple of Apollo and museum. Lunch, on own. Continue to Athens. Evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin our day in a place aptly called the “divine city”! Our sightseeing tour begins with the Acropolis where we will explore the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess, Athena. We will also visit the Aeropagus which in classical times functioned as the high court of Appeal and from which the Apostle Paul gave his famous sermon about The Unknown God. Lunch, on own. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city to see the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square, Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern-day Olympics were held, and the Olympieion (constructed in the 6th century B.C.). The Olympieion is a colossal ruined temple that was dedicated to Zeus. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure for additional sightseeing, shopping, or other activities. Evening dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will take an excursion to Corinth, one of the oldest towns in Greece, which, in classical times rivaled Athens and Thebes in wealth. Paul lived in Corinth establishing the church, but as we know, the Corinthians caused Paul much grief. Lunch, on own. Visit the ruins of this ancient city including remnants of the first-century shops, the agora (where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place), the Fountain of Peirene, and the Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest stone temples in Greece overlooking the remains of the Roman marketplace (where Paul preached to the Corinthians). Return to Athens for Farewell Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Athens airport for return flight.