Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - October 09: Flight to Thessaloniki
Today, we take our international flight to Thessaloniki, Greece.

Day 2 October 10:  Arrival to Thessaloniki
Today, we will take our flight to Thessaloniki, Greece. Short orientation tour of Thessaloniki viewing the major landmarks of the city. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 3 - October 11: 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. Then arrive to the resort area of Asprovalta for a coffee stop.  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 St. 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, St. 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. The next stop is in Kavala (ancient site of Neapolis) for free time for lunch and a city tour giving you the opportunity to view the Sylas Monastery named after one of St. Paul’s companions. 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 4 - October 12: Vergina Drive from Thessaloniki 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 St. Paul stood and preached to the Greeks. Then continue to Kalambaka with rest stops along the way.

Day 5 - October 13: 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). Then continue to Athens.

Day 6 - October 14: Athens
A full 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. 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. Enjoy some free time in the Plaka district. Dinner tonight will be at a traditional restaurant with Greek cuisine and an interactive dance show!

Day 7 - October 15: 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. Then return to Athens.

Day 8 - October 16: Return home with unforgettable memories to cherish forever.

IN CASE OF UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

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