St. Paul Missionery trip

The day is dedicated to the city of Athens. Departing from our hotel, we will take a panoramic tour of Athens, passing by the House of Parliament and the tomb of the Unknown soldier, the Presidential Palace, Panathinaikon stadium, Hadrian's Arch, and other main landmarks of Athens. Soon we will arrive under the sacred rock ofAcropolis. Here we will visit the ruins of Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Propylaea. On our exit we shall stop at Mars Hill where Paul delivered his well-known sermon, and start descending towards the Agora, the ancient market where Paul spoke to the Athenians. Afternoon will be free to explore more of the city of Athens or visit the old part of the city, the so called Plaka.

This day is at leisure. We suggest to follow our optional one day cruise to the Saronic gulf waters and the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Live shows on board the cruise ship and seated lunch will ease our day. In the afternoon we will return to Athens.

After our breakfast, we depart following the coastal road along the Saronic gulf towards the Corinth canal. A short stop at the canal for refreshments and picture taking and we continue on to the site ofAncient Corinth. Here is where Paul lived for at least two years and wrote the first and second letters to the Corinthians. Under the Acropolis of Corinth (Akrocorinthos) we shall visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla, the agora (market) where Paul' s trial by Gallio took place, the temple of Apollo and the fountain of Peirene. After our visit we continue towards Mycenae. Free time for lunch and continue with a visit to the site of Mycenae. Among other things, we will see the famous Lion's Gate, and the tomb of King Agamemnon. We continue our drive to arrive in Olympia for overnight.

We begin our day visiting the birth-place of the Olympic games. In the site of ancient Olympia, we will admire the temple of Zeus, the Heraion, the stadium etc. We continue our visit to the archaeological museum of Olympia where some of the most impressive findings are kept like the statues of Zeus, Apollo and the famous Hermes of Praxiteles. After some free time for lunch we take the road northwards and crossing the Rio-Antirio impressive bridge we drive further drive via Nafpaktos to arrive late in the afternoon in Delphi for overnight.

Today we will visit Delphi, the "omphalos" (navel) of the earth. We will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, and the museum of Delphi. After some free time for lunch we continue our drive norhtwards to arrive in the town of Kalambaka for overnight.

After our breakfast, we begin our day with a visit to the fabulous Meteora. Byzantine monasteries perched high on top of gigantic rocks stand ageless among striking scenery. We shall visit at least two of the monasteries and we will return back to the town of Kalambaka for a lunch break. We continue our drive to arrive late in the afternoon in Thessaloniki for overnight.

The day starts with a panoramic tour of Thessaloniki dominated by the massive walls of Theodossius.Paul preached in Thessaloniki and wrote the letters to Thessalonians. We shall see the famous white tower, the roman market, the Arch of Galerious and we will visit the impressive basilica of St. Dimitrios. We continue our visit to the archaeological museum of Thessaloniki where among other things interesting findings from the excavations of Vergina are kept. Afternoon at leisure.

One of the places that St. Paul passed during his journey to Greece was Pella. Today, we will be visiting Pella's ancient site and its museum with exquisite mosaics. Later we drive towards Vergina for a visit to the Royal tombs of King Philip the father of Alexander the Great. On our return drive we shall not fail to stop by Veria, one of Paul's stops, where a Byzantine mosaic commemorates his preaching. Return to Thessaloniki.

We will drive to Chalkidiki and we will get on a small cruise ship watching the monasteries of the Holy Mountain of Athos which is called the Garden of Virgin Mary. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

After our breakfast, we depart for the drive towards Philippi. On the way we pass by Amphipolis (visited by Paul) where we shall stop for a while and admire the impressive Lion statue. We continue to arrive in Philippi to visit the site. We will see where Paul and Sylas were imprisoned, we will admire the ruins of one of the largest churches ever constructed, we will walk on Egnatia road, and visit the ancient market (Agora). A little further away we will have the chance to walk right next to the creek where Lydia was baptized. Our day continues to Kavala (the biblical Neapolis), the port where Paul, Sylas, Timothy and Luke first set foot in Europe. Return drive to Thessaloniki to arrive in the afternoon.

Should time allows, we shall take our last walks in the streets of Thessaloniki before we board our coach for the transfer to the Athens airport. Departure.