Call to speak with us!
(201) 627-0117
Wide-bodied trans-atlantic jets.
Your bags will be put on buses and taken up to your room for you.
Ride aboard a brand-new, private, air-conditioned motor coach.
Informed of Historical and Biblical Context of Sites Visited.
Get a group photo and tons of photography opportunities!
With plenty of time and opportunity for pictures.
We strive to make your trip special and unique, so this trip offers limited group size.
Walk right past the ticket booth with all your Entrance Fees paid in advance!
Duration: 8 Days
Dates: September 15 - 22, 2025
Departure City: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Price per person in a double room: $
RegisterAllianz Insurance
Day 1 - Monday, September 15: Departure from San Francisco to Athens.
Day 2 - Tuesday, September 16: Arrive in Athens, transfers to hotel Athenian Callirrhoe
Day 3 - Wednesday, September 17: Corinth and Athens tour with lunch
Ancient Corinth Corinth is a city blessed with a superb location, fertile plains and virtually impregnable refuge. Excavations reveal that the ancient city was huge and wealthy; a survivor of the numerous invasions but devastated by earthquakes. St. Paul lived and worked in Corinth for 18 months, making converts where he could. The Bema (platform) where the Roman governor tried him is still visible. See one of Corinth’s most striking ancient buildings – the Temple of Apollo, seven of whose original columns still stand. Walk through the remains of the Market Place, a colonnaded square once surrounded by many small shops. See the celebrated Fountain of Priene, which has produced water from earliest times, and the Lechaion Road, formerly the main thoroughfare to the port of Lechaion. You will then visit the incredible Corinth Canal. The concept of cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth to link the Ionian and Aegean seas was first proposed by the tyrant Periander, founder of Ancient Corinth. The magnitude of the task defeated him, so he opted instead to build a paved slipway across which sailors dragged small ships on rollers, a method used until the 13th century. Nero, Rome’s most infamous emperor, inaugurated one attempt in 67 AD with his golden spade, but it was finally completed in 1893. Lunch in a local restaurant before continuing on to Athens. A half day tour where you will view many significant historical and archaeological monuments that date back to the Golden Age of Pericles, in the 5th century BC. During that time, the wealthy, newly democratic and invigorated city-state decided to rebuild the Temples on top of the Acropolis in great splendor. Visit the Parthenon, dedicated to the Goddess Athena, a unique masterpiece of Greek Architecture. This monument is recognized as the culmination of Greek architecture and sculpture. Examine the Propylea, which blends Doric and Ionic building principles. Continue to the Temple of the Athena Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Erechtheum Temple, which was formerly used for cult worship and consists of three basic parts: the main Temple, the north extension, and the famous Porch of Maidens. Next will be Mars Hill, where St. Paul preached Christianity. You will have a chance to see the Ancient Agora, Tower of the Winds, Herodes Atticus Theater, Theater of Dionysus, Temple of Zeus, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the former Royal Palace which is now the House of Parliament. Continue by bus to the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the National Library and then to the “Panathenian” Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. {You will have the chance to enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant in the center of Athens. Then you will have the chance to stroll at the Plaka which is the historic heart of Athens. Blending with the adjacent Monastiaki district, the Plaka area seems to have a little of everything, from the ancient ruins of a Roman forum, the Greek Agora, and Byzantine-influenced churches, to restored 19th-century neoclassical homes and modern-day stores, boutiques and cafes sprinkled throughout. Fellowship with believers at the Romanian Baptist Church in Athens.
Day 4 - Thursday, September 18: Visit two of the Meteora monasteries
Your tour starts from Kalambaka in Central Greece, famous for its Cathedral with rare medieval pulpit. One of the most remarkable sites in Greece: a group of monasteries perched atop pinnacles of rock up to 600 meters high. A rare geological phenomenon, a quirk of nature as it were, created these looming rocks which thrust skywards from the plain of Thessaly, as if striving to come closer to God. These peculiarly impressive natural sculptures are known as Meteora because they do indeed seem to hang or hover (meteoro in Greek) above the plain. Their summits totally isolated from the rest of the world, were a refuge for many hermits from as early as the 11th century. Three hundred years later the first monasteries were founded. Access to the monasteries and settlements was made by ladder and rope. Once you arrive to the monasteries you will admire the brickwork of the Byzantine workmanship. The Monasteries house the spectacular frescoes, ivory carving, manuscripts and the fine work of art previously supported by the Emperors at the time. Your tour includes the visit of two monasteries, Grand Meteora or Varlaam Monasteries as well as the Monastery of Agios Stefanos (Nunnery). Dinner and overnight Kalambaka.
Day 5 - Friday, September 19: Vergina/Veroia
Drive to Vergina, the first capital of ancient Macedonia. We start off early with a drive to Vergina, first capital of ancient Macedonia and burial place of all Macedonian Kings. We visit the newly completed exhibition bearing the finds of all three tombs, one of them famous as the Royal Tomb (allegedly belonging to Philip the II, father of Alexander the Great). We will visit the unique subterranean structure built to encase and protect the ancient excavated Royal Tombs, as well as the exhibition with all the findings. Continue further south passing from the town of Veroia where we will see the bema where Paul stood and preached to the Greeks. Then continue to Thessaloniki with rest stops along the way.
Day 6 - Saturday, September 20: Philippi/ Kavala
Touring the Ancient town of Filippi and the modern city of Kavala gives you the opportunity to follow St. Paul’s footsteps. On this full-day tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the most important archaeological sites and monuments in North- Eastern Greece such as Lydia’s Baptistry, the great Amphipolis Lion statue, discover landmarks of glorious history and admire Greek nature very distinct from the well- known Aegean islands. You’ll see the Krenides River, the site of Lydia’s baptism and you’ll see the Philippian Jail where Paul and Silas were imprisoned. Continue to the church site of St. Lydia’s Baptistery where the first Christian woman of Europe was baptized and then proceed to the Archaeological site of Philippi, founded by Philip II King of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. It was here where Paul set foot on the European Continent during his second missionary journey, establishing a thriving Christian church. The ruins include the Forum Romano with its Basilica, Paul’s Prison and the Theater. The famous ancient road Egnatia, which once ran from the Adriatic Sea all the way to Constantinople (modern time Istanbul), passed by this city. Kavala will be visited time permitting – it highly depends on how long the pastors speak at Lydia and Philippi. I think it would be best if we completely removed it from the itinerary and have it as an extra. Return to Thessaloniki in the late afternoon.
Day 7 - Sunday, September 21: Thessaloniki
We start our excursion viewing the White Tower, an historical landmark of the city. Next, make your way up to the Acropolis, located in the upper part of the city. It is here, where you will have a superb panoramic view of the entire city with the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus in the background. We’ll visit St. Demetrios Basilica which was erected in the 5th century AD. The five aisled basilicas suffered a tragic fire in the year 1917 but was later restored in 1948. Marvel at the beautiful mosaics, dating back from the 5th to 9th centuries. From here, follow your guide to the area located under the basilica, where you will see the famous crypt, which according to tradition, was once the confinement for an officer by the name of Demetrius who was later executed by the emperor Gallerius. Today, St. Demetrius is the patron Saint of the city. Then view the Arch of Gallerius and St. George Rotunda. The tour will end with a short stop at the well-preserved Byzantine Basilica of St. Sophia, an 8th Century structure, rich in mosaics and frescoes.
Day 8 - Monday, September 22: Departure transfers
Today, we take our flight back home with unforgettable memories.
IN CASE OF UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
RegisterAllianz Insurance