Saturday, September 21 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 PalaceHotel or similar (2 nights).

 

Sunday, September 22   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, September 23   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. You will also see the White Tower, the statue of Alexander the Great, and the remains of the Palace complex of Galerius (Late 3rd century AD). 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). (You may visit the St. Luke’s hospital in Thessaloniki, but I doubt if you have time)

After lunch, 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 the recently discovered archaeological site of Vergina, the old capital of the Macedonian Kingdom (5th to 2nd centuries BC). There you will visit the grave of Philip the 2nd, the father of Alexander the Great, which was found intact. Dinner and overnight stay at Grand Meteora Palace or similar (1 night).

 

Tuesday, September 24   Meteora Monasteries

Visit the Meteora monasteries located atop exotic rocks. This is a tremendous introduction to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Next, travel to Athens for dinner and overnight stay at the Wyndham Grand Athens or similar (3 nights).

 

Wednesday, September 25   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 a little free time for shopping in the famous Plaka area of the Market of Athens.

 

Thursday, September 26 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. Dinner at CosmoVision Center.

 

Friday, September 27

For those not staying for the extension, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the Athens International Airport for your return flight home.

Optional Extension:

Those continuing on the extension will transfer to Piraeus or Laurio port to board the three-day cruise in the Greek islands and Ephesus Asia Minor (tentative schedule):

Friday, September 27

11 AM – Depart from Piraeus

6 PM – Arrive at Mykonos Island

11 PM – Depart Mykonos Island

Saturday, September 28

7 AM – Arrive at Kusadasi Shore excursion to Ancient Ephesus (included)

1 PM – Depart Kusadasi

5:45 PM – Arrive at Patmos Shore excursion visiting St. John’s Monastery and the Grotto of the Apocalypse (included)

8:30 PM – Depart Patmos

Sunday, September 29

7 AM – Arrive at Heraklion-Crete Shore. Walk the streets and shop or purchase optional excursion to Knossos.

12 NOON – Depart Heraklion-Crete

4:30 PM Arrive at Santorini to shop and watch the most amazing sunset in Mediterranean Sea.

9:30 PM Depart Santorini

Monday, September 30

9:00 AM Return to Piraeus and depart for the U.S. from Athens International Airport. Return flights should be scheduled after 12:00 noon.