FOLLOWING ST. PAUL’S FOOTSTEPS

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Athens- arrival
Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel

Rest of the day is free

Overnight in Athens

DAY 2- Athens- city tour

Breakfast in the hotel

In the morning start an tour of Athens, starting with a visit of Kaisariani Monastery, located just outside of Athens at the foot of Mt. Hymettos, visit the 11th century Kaisariani Monastery
Then return back in Athens, and visit Acropolis, where you'll see the Parthenon, the Propylea, The Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Aeropagus (Mars Hill) where Apostle Paul preached about the truth to the Gentile nation and then walk to the Ancient Agora, which was the center of political and public life in Ancient Athens. The agora was utilized for commerce, political, religious and military activity and is where Apostle Paul met and spoke the Epicureans and Stoic Philosophers

Return at the hotel

Rest of the day is free- overnight in Athens

DAY 3: Athens-  Ancient Corinth- Mycenae- Nafplion

Breakfast in the hotel

Depart to Ancient Corinth. On the way have a short photo stop at the Corinth Canal and then arrive in the Ancient City. Here under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for 2 years. The Gentile church he founded here in 50 Ad, caused him much grief and prompted him to write, four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with the Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of the first century shops, the agora where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain or Pierene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema, the public platform where St. Paul hat to plead his case when the Corinthians Hauled him up in front of the Roman governor Gallio in 52 AD

Continue with a visit of the Archaeological museum of Ancient Corinth, which contains a number of artifacts of religious interest, including inscriptions of Gallio and Erastus, both mentioned in the book of Acts. Continue to visit Kehries the ancient port, where Apostle Paul had his hair cut to fulfil a vow. Continue to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets. Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal tombs

Then drive to Nafplio, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress (short photo stop)

Overnight in Nafplio

DAY 4: Nafplio-  Epidavros - Delphi

Breakfast in the hotel

In the morning leave for Epidavros, to visit the Theatre (4th century B.C) famous for its astonishing acoustics. Then depart through Rion- Antirion bridge, for Delphi

Overnight in Delphi

DAY 5: Delphi - Kalambaka

Breakfst in the hotel

Today visit the center of the ancient world, the prestige of which, extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pithios. Visit the site and the museum. Then depart towards the town of Kalambaka

Overnight in Kalambaka

DAY 6: - Kalambaka- Veroia- Thessaloniki

Breakfast in the hotel

Morning visit of Meteora Byzantine world famous monasteries, perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art

Then continue to Veroia where St. Paul arrived and preached. See the Bema surrounded by byzantine mosaics, in the monument commemorating Paul's preaching, and see the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church

Continue to Thessaloniki for overnight 

DAY 7: Thessaloniki –Vergina- Olympic Riviera – Thessaloniki

Breakfast in the hotel

Morning departure to Vergina and visit the Royal Tombs where Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great is buried. Then continue driving to Pieria’s coastline, or Olympus Riviera as it is lately called, extends for over 70km, from the village of Methoni till Neoi Poroi. In this area you can find various wide and sandy beaches, where you’ll have plenty of free time, and see picturesque small villages or cosmopolitan towns. Some of the most famous beaches are Plaka, Litohoro, Platamonas, Olympian Bay, Leptokarya and others

Early in the afternoon, return to Thessaloniki for overnight

DAY 8: Thessaloniki - Philippi - Kavala –Thessaloniki

Breakfast in the hotel

Morning departure for a visit to Philippi where St. Paul delivered his first evangelical sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here Paul baptized a woman called Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. Visit the Forum, the theatre and the prison where Paul and Silas where thrown. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis where Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe

Return in Thessaloniki- overnight

DAY 9: Thessaloniki - City Tour

Breakfast in the hotel

Today Explore Thessaloniki, where Paul preached and wrote two epistles during the winters of 49-50 AD to the Ancient Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city: the triumphal Arch of Galerius, built in 303 AD, at the Via Egnatia. Visits to St. Demetrius Basilica, the St. George church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church, the Byzantine wall to the citadel, the Roman excavated Forum, and the Byzantine museum

Rest of the day is free. Overnight at the hotel in Thessaloniki

DAY 10: departure

Breakfast in the hotel 

In the morning have a transfer to Thessaloniki airport for your flight back home