Greece
In the footsteps of St Paul in Greece
Following the footsteps of Saint Paul. ”we walk by faith, not by sight,” wrote the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians
Athens, Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kavala, Veria, Vergina(Aiges) , Kalambaka, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Corinth
Itinerary
Itinerary
DAY 1- Arrival in Athens
Upon arrival at Athens Airport, transfer to the hotel and check-in. In the evening, enjoy a tour of Athens and the famous Plaka area, located around the base of the Acropolis. Dinner at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2- Athens city /Korinthos ( Corinth )
After a nice breakfast at the hotel we will start with a tour of the oldest city in the world, Athens!. The tour starts by visiting the "Areos Pagos",at the foot of the Acropolis,where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the "Unknown God". At this site, Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God (Acts 17:22).On the sacred rock of the Acropolis the monuments date from the prehistoric period to the end of antiquity. Sights include the Propylaea, the Temple of Apteros Niki, the Erectheum and the architectural triumph of the Parthenon (optional visit at the top of the Acropolis). Visit the rock that has dominated the panorama of Athens for twenty-five centuries, the Acropolis. While in this city, you will be able to view the ancient Agora, the former public center of Athenian life. It held the focus of a political, commercial, social, religious, and cultural centre. As you are in the former political centre, proceed for a drive through the city to view the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square. Also, you will have the opportunity to view the University of Athens, the oldest higher education institute in Greece, as well as, the National Library of Greece that holds 4,500 Greek manuscripts. Then, visit Panathenaic Stadium. It was built on the site of a simple racecourse by the Athenian statesman Lykourgos (Lycurgus) c. 330 BC, primarily for the Panathenaic Games. It was rebuilt in marble by Herodes Atticus, an Athenian Roman senator, by 144 AD and had a capacity of 50,000 seats. After the rise of Christianity in the 4th century it was largely abandoned. The stadium was excavated in 1869 and hosted the Zappas Olympics in 1870 and 1875. Following your visit in Athens, you will proceed to the ancient Corinth. Under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, Saint Paul lived in Corinth for two years. While here, Saint Paul felt great grief over the way that the Gentile Church in Corinth has become. As a result, he was prompted to write four letters, all with the overarching theme of love. In Corinth, you will have the opportunity to view the remains of the first century shops, the site of Saint Paul's trial by Gallio, the Fountain of Peirene, and the Temple of Apollo. Following your visit to Corinth, return to Athens for a delicious meal and overnight. Return to the Hotel. Dinner and Overnight.
DAY 3- Athens- Delphi- Kalambaka
After breakfast we depart for the Meteora Monasteries UNESCO heritages.
Living the Athens: " Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription " to an unknown God". What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you...". Athens, is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today .On the way to Kalambaka will pass from Delphi. Delphi is the centre of the ancient world (navel) of the earth, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. The place is famous as the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. Moreover, the Greeks considered Delphi the navel (or centre) of the world, as represented by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Phthios. Visit the site and the museum and continue to Kalambaka. We will stop to Thermopylae to admire the statue of Leonidas, as a memorial to the battle of the 300. Arrival in Kalambaka area . Dinner and overnight.DAY 4- Kalambaka- Meteora- Veroia.
After breakfast we will depart for the Meteora Monasteries. Investigations leads to a number of theories about the creation of this unique place. The prevailing theory about the town is that one of the German geologist Philipson, who came to Greece in the late 19th century. According to his theory, a large river had his estuary in this area which for million of years was covered by a narrow and deep part of the sea.The river waters place matter, stones and generally several materials that were transferred by its waters at the estuary from Northern parts of primordial central Europe. From the accumulation of these materials deltaic cones were formed. 25-30 million years ago, after some geological changes took place during the centuries, the central part of today's Europe was lifted. That's how the opening of Tempi was created ,having as a result the pouring of the waters in today's Aegean sea. Today, the tradition of Orthodoxy is continued uninterrupted for over 600 years by the Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoro (or the Transfiguration of Jesus), the Varlaam Monastery, the Saint Stephen Monastery, the Holy Trinity Monastery, the Saint Nicholas Anapafsas Monastery and the Rousanou Monastery. All these monasteries are on the top of Meteora rocks.During your visit, you will be able to view stunning Byzantine art, as well as the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the Monastery.Continue to the beautiful town of Veroia in northwestern Greece. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 5- Veroia-Aigai Vergina-Kavala
After breakfast , We will visit the Church of the Apostle Paul and the "Vima of the Apostle Paul", the place where Paul preached to the people of one of his beloved villages for many days. We continue to the ancient city of Vergina ( Aegai , that means Goat , a name that sounds familiar to us because this is the name given to the new city of Macedonians when they are arriving as Colonials from the city of Argos .)
Arrival in the Ancient Aiges and the Royal Tombs museum. Follow the informative Video and visit the fascinated exhibition.
The funeral of Philip II in 336 BC was performed, as imposed by tradition, in Aigai. It was the most lavish funeral ceremony of the historic times held in Greece. In a monumental death chamber, laid on an elaborate gold and ivory deathbed wearing his precious golden oak wreath, the king was surrendered, like a new Hercules, to the funeral pyre. Alexander is now the king of Macedon. A "high priest" and a mystis (the initiated one), a hunter and a "symposiast", an army leader and a legislator, Philip, the hero, descends to his eternal residence, which is reached by a ramp and has the form of an underground barrel-vaulted building with two chambers and a monumental façade. The concept of the "Macedonian tomb", like the platonic concept of the leaders' burial in an ideal state, interweaves a palace and a temple. The portraits of the two kings, father and son, are depicted in the hunting scene of the tomb's façade, as well as on the gold and ivory deathbed in the chamber. Continuation to the Aristoteles school. Visit the area where the great teacher tutor for two and a half years Alexander the Great and some of his companions who they followed him in the great Campaign in Asia. We continue to Kavala. We stop in Philippi. Philippi was the city to where Saint Paul the Apostle delivered his first sermon and where he established the first church in Europe. Philippi was an important city in eastern Macedonia which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Periods. Situated between the Strymon and Nestos rivers, the city was valued in antiquity for its nearby gold mines. Site of the famous Battle of Philippi at the end of the Roman Republic, the city prospered in the Roman imperial era and, after a visit from St. Paul, became an important centre of early Christianity. Philippi continued to flourish as a major Byzantine city. Today the archaeological site has substantial remains including a theatre and four basilicas. There Saint Paul baptized a women named Lydia the first convert to Christianity in Europe. He's visited the area on his second missionary journey in AD 49/50. Following the principle set forth by the Messiah, he went out ''two –by-two with Silas and Timothy. After Phillip we continue to the modern port city Kavala, which in the Ancient Greece called Neapolis and from there Saint Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy landed when they sailed into Europe. After the city tour we will return to the hotel to enjoy dinner ,the delicious Macedonians cuisine, relax and to take a taste from the cities' nightlife/ OvernightDAY 6- Kavala- Thessaloniki
After breakfast we will drive to Thessaloniki , St. Paul arrived in Thessalonica in the course of his second missionary journey (49-52 AD), after leaving Philippi (Acts 17:1). Thessalonica was an important port in Macedonia on the Aegean Sea (and still exists today as Salonika). He stayed in the house of Jason and was quite successful in converting many Jews there to Christianity. But jealousy arose, and he had to leave Thessalonica in a hurry (Acts 17:5-9), but later sent Timothy. This occasioned his Letter to the Thessalonians for continued instruction to his new converts to Christianity. Furthermore, there you will have the opportunity to see lots of ancient artifacts , such as the triumphal Arch of Galerius that is found at the start of Via Egnatia. Due to the convenient location, this arch was once a strategic of the Roman Empire. It was originally constructed in order to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius following the Roman victory over the Persians. After city tour, we continue to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: Thessaloniki -Departure day.
After your breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to your destination.
INCLUDES
2 nights in Athens
1 night in Meteora Kalambaka
1 night in Veroia
1 night in Kavala
1 night in Thessaloniki
Meet and assist at the airport.
Private deluxe air-conditioned coach throughout all the program.
Breakfast and Dinner every day as noted in the itinerary.
Professional English-speaking guide with the group all the time
Porterage of one suitcase per person.
Travel Agency Liability Insurance
