Footsteps of Paul in Greece with a 4-Night Cruise

Today you begin your Biblical journey in Greece following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your journey or explore the city at leisure before dinner. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Apostle Paul visited Philippi together with Silas during his Second Missionary Journey. Our first Biblical encounter with Philippi is described in Acts 16:11-40. At that time Philippi had very few Jews and no synagogue, so Paul waited until the Sabbath and went outside the city to the riverbanks where people gathered for prayer.

Apostle Paul arrived in Thessaloniki and immediately went to the synagogue, as described in Acts 17:1-9. For three consecutive Sabbaths he reasoned with the Jews from the Scriptures, explaining that Jesus was the Messiah. Many believed, including a number of prominent Greeks.

However, some opponents stirred up a mob and attacked the house of Jason, where Paul was staying. During your visit you will see the ancient Agora of Thessaloniki and the traditional site of the House of Jason.

You will also visit the Basilica of St. Demetrius, one of the most important churches in the city, and see the Arch of Galerius along the historic Via Egnatia.

Continue to Berea (modern Veria), where Paul and Silas continued preaching as recorded in Acts 17:10-15. The Bereans were described as more noble because they examined the Scriptures daily. Here you will see St. Paul’s Bema, where the Apostle is believed to have preached.

Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

This morning, you begin your day with a visit to Meteora Monasteries. Meteora, meaning “suspended in the air,” is one of the most impressive monastic complexes in Greece. Built on towering sandstone pillars, the monasteries were established by monks seeking solitude and spiritual devotion.

You will visit one of the historic monasteries and admire the breathtaking scenery before continuing your journey to Athens.

Dinner and overnight in Athens.

In approximately 51 AD, Apostle Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by boat. His ship likely anchored at Phaleron, the ancient port of Athens. While waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive from Macedonia, Paul spent time speaking in the synagogues and debating daily in the Agora.

The Athenians became curious about his teachings and invited him to present them before the council at the Areopagus, the hill just west of the Acropolis. Here Paul delivered his famous sermon about the “Unknown God,” as recorded in Acts 17:16-34.

During your tour you will visit the Acropolis and see the Parthenon, Propylaea and Erechtheion. You will also visit Mars Hill (Areopagus) where Paul preached, and view the ruins of the Ancient Agora, the center of Athenian public life.

You will also see the Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Olympic Games.

Dinner and overnight in Athens.

This morning, sail from Piraeus, the port of Athens, beginning your 4-night Aegean cruise. Your first port of call is Mykonos, known for its windmills and whitewashed streets. Experience the waterfront lined up with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.

Ancient Ephesus This morning you are docked in Kusadasi, Turkey, and start your excursion to ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world and its former glory can still be appreciated today from its well-preserved streets, temples, fountains, public baths, terraced houses, and theatres. Paul went to Ephesus on his third Missionary journey, staying and preaching for a period of about two to three years, and where several certain incidents took place (Acts 19:1–20, 20:20). It was to this community that Paul may have written his epistle to the Ephesians. You will visit the ancient Agora and go back in time where Demetrius, the silversmith, sold his silver shrines to the Ancient Greek goddess, Artemis. See the Library of Celsus and view the Great Theatre mentioned in the Book of Acts. After the morning visit return to the ship Patmos In the afternoon you reach the island of Patmos, Greece. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. John was on exile on the island of Patmos where in the Grotto he wrote the Book of Revelation. Rev 1:11 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Your tour will continue with a visit to St. John’s Monastery before you go back to your cruise ship.

This morning our cruiseship docks in the island of Rhodes where the legend of Colossus meets the glories of the Knights! An Optional shore excursion takes us to Lindos, visit the Acropolis of Lindos, and view the Bay of St Paul where St Paul docked on his way to Jerusalem.

This morning we dock at the legendary island of Crete, land of Minoan civilization, home of Zorba the Greek an optional shore excursion is available to take us to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, where King Minos lived and where the Labyrinth and the Minotaur was located! St Paul arrived in Crete with Titus and established the local church. Afternoon call at the volcano island of Santorini; take the cable car on your own to visit the top of the island and enjoy the panoramic view of the famous Caldera.

Upon disembarkation, meet your guide and driver and begin your journey towards Corinth. Visit Ancient Corinth, where Paul lived and taught for eighteen months and helped establish the early Christian community described in Acts 18:1–18. You will visit the Archeological Museum, the Market Place, and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and visualize his address to the Gentiles as he began the task of building Corinth’s church. Imagine where Aquila and Priscilla lived and where they had their tent making business. Acts 18:9-11 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. During your tour you will also stop at Cenchreae, the port that Paul stopped during his 2nd Missionary Journey on his way to Ephesus. Return to Athens for Dinner and overnight.

End of programme.