Tentative Tour Itinerary
The intent of the tour is to visit each of the sites listed below. Sites closed because of weather, renovation or other unforeseen circumstances will not be visited. The tour guide is given the freedom to use their discretion in the order in which sites are visited. At times they may visit sites in a different order/day than listed.
Friday, October 2 Depart the USA
Saturday, October 3 Arrival in Greece
Arrive at Macedonia International Airport in Thessaloniki. Welcome dinner and tour orientation with CMDA Tour Hosts and Greece Tour Guide. Overnight stay at the Grand Palace Hotel or similar (2 nights).
Sunday, October 4 Philippi and Neapolis
Day trip to Philippi and Neapolis (Kavala). In Philippi (Acts 16:12-40; 20:6) Paul preached his evangelistic sermon to women who had gathered at the river. You will visit the river where Paul baptized Lydia, a purple fabric merchant, who became the first Christian woman to be baptized on European soil (Acts 16:14, 15, 40). You will also see a crypt, dating from the Roman period, which according to the Church’s tradition, has been the place where Paul was flogged and imprisoned. Also, at Philippi, you will see the ancient Roman Agora (Forum) built during the time of Augustus and mentioned in the Book of Acts as the place where Paul was publicly punished after he healed the demon-possessed girl (Acts 16:19). You will also see the Basilicas and the Greek Theatre (4th century BC), which was converted into an arena by the Romans and used during the persecutions of the early days of the Church. Paul’s letter to Philippians was addressed to the local Christians, 14 years after his first visit there.
You will also see Neapolis (present-day Kavalla), Greece’s most picturesque mainland port. Paul arrived in this city (Acts 16:11) with his coworkers Timothy (Acts 16:1-3; 17:14-15; 18:5; 20:4, 5) and Silas (Acts 15:22-35, 40, 41; 16:25-40; 17:4, 14, 15) . On the way back to Thessaloniki, you will see the remains of the famous ancient road Via Egnatia. You will pass by the ancient cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia, which are mentioned in the Book of Acts (Acts 17:1).
Monday, October 5 Thessaloniki, Veria, Vergina
Today we continue touring in the city of Thessaloniki (Acts 17:1-13) Paul wrote two epistles to Thessalonians, both in the canon of the NT. Here we will try to visit the Roman Agora (Forum) and the Basilica of Saint Demetrios. The Arch of Galerius and Rotonda was later converted to the Church of Saint George. You will also see the City Walls and the Great Gate, which connects the city with Via Egnatia (Via Egnatia was the trans-continental east-west road of the Roman Empire built on the 2nd century BC).
Following our time in Thessaloniki, we will be traveling to Veria (ancient Berea) where Paul visited and preached to the Jewish synagogue of the city and to the Greek nobility who readily accepted the new faith (Acts 17:10-15). In this city, there is a monument dedicated to the Apostle Paul. You will see the Jewish quarter where the synagogue is still situated today.
We continue our trip to Vergina where we will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Following lunch, we will visit the recently discovered archaeological site of Vergina, the old capital of the Macedonian Kingdom (5th to 2nd centuries BC). There you will visit the museum and grave of Philip the 2nd, the father of Alexander the Great, which was found intact. Dinner and overnight stay at Grand Meteora Hotel or similar (1 night).
Tuesday, October 6 Meteora Monasteries
Visit the Meteora monasteries located atop exotic rocks. This is a tremendous introduction to the Eastern Orthodox Church. We will continue our journey toward Delphi and have dinner overnight in Kammena Vourla at the Galini Hotel.
Wednesday, October 7 Delphi
Following breakfast, we will travel to and visit the famous exotic Delphi. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi This famed city is the location of the Gallio Inscription, 9 fragments that enable scholars to date the events in the Book of Acts. Delphi was also the home of the Pythian oracle, a prophetic phenomenon that deeply influenced the practices in the nearby Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 13-14). Climb to the top of the city’s ancient footprint, and you’ll find one of the best-preserved stadiums of ancient Greece, illustrating the imagery used in Hebrews 12. Enjoy lunch at the beautiful Arahova and travel to Athens for dinner and overnight at the Wyndham Grand Athens or similar (3 nights).
Thursday, October 8 Athens (Acts 17:15-34)
The architectural splendors of this ancient city are majestic. You will visit the world-renown hill of Acropolis. Particular emphasis will be on the visit to the Areopagus (Mars Hill) where Paul gave his famous speech to the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:18-34). You will also be visiting in the same area, the Ancient Agora (Forum), where Paul met the Philosophers, the Stoa of Attalus, and the Temple of Hephaestus. Athens is related to the meanings of Democracy, City Assembly (Ecclesia), and Reasoning (Logos) were first conceived and practiced in this part of the world. Many of the terms used by the Athenian Democracy were incorporated in the Church’s terminology. (Ecclesia, Logos). You will enjoy lunch and time for shopping in the famous Plaka area of the Market of Athens. Dinner and overnight at Grand Wyndham Athens.
Friday, October 9 Corinth (Acts 18:1-18)
Corinth is the city where Paul stayed for one and a half years, during his first visit, the longest he stayed in any of the cities he visited except Ephesos. Paul wrote at least four letters addressed to the Church of Corinth, two of which are found in the NT. From Corinth, he wrote three, and possibly four epistles addressed to the first Christians in Rome, Thessaloniki, and Galatia. You will be visiting the Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Agora (Forum), and the Bema where Paul stood in front of Gallio (Acts 18:12-17), the Roman Pro-Consul of Achaea. You will be seeing the inscription of Erastus, the treasurer of the city, mentioned in the epistle to Romans (Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20). You will also enjoy seeing the Temple of Apollo and the hill of Acrocorinth, where during the time of Classical Greece used to be the famous Temple of Aphrodite. Special home style Greek dinner at CosmoVision Center with presentation of the ministry of the Gospel in Greece and the region. Overnight at yours hotel. Grand Wyndham Athens.
Saturday, October 10 (Departure hotel at 7:00 am)
Today is a special one day cruise with visits to three majestic Greek islands. You will be boarding your cruise boat and have breakfast on the boat as we start your cruise to three majestic Greek islands of Poros Hydra and Aegina. Enjoy the beautiful Greek sun, fresh air from Saronic Golf, feed the seagulls, enjoy a rich lunch, dance with international and folkloric sounds, be the first dancer next to the boat professional dancers. On the Island of Aigina there is a special excursion visiting the Temple of Afaia which is the best preserved temple in Greece and one of the three temples forming the famous “Sacred Triangle” of Greek antiquity. Built on top of a pine tree covered hill, it offers the most magnificent view over the island, the Saronic Gulf, Piraeus and Salamina Island. Return back to Grand Wyndham Athens around 8pm for dinner and overnight.
Sunday, October 11
Depart for the U.S. from Athens International Airport. If you plan to extend your stay, we are happy to assist with making additional hotel accommodation at the Grand Wyndham Athens.
