Footsteps of Apostle Paul in Greece with Fred Derrick

Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight. Optional upgrades to premium economy and business class seats are available upon request.

We arrive in Thessaloniki, where our Greek-English-speaking guide greets us. The ancient city of Thessaloniki, named after Alexander, the Great’s sister, is over 2300 years old. It was here that Paul wrote his letter to the Thessalonians. Later the city flourished under the Byzantine Empire. We settle into our hotel and have time to explore the city before dinner at the hotel. Overnight Thessaloniki. (D)

Drive to Philippi, where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity (Acts 16:12-18). Here Paul baptized a woman named Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. Visit the Roman Forum and the prison where St. Paul and Silas were thrown. Gather right at the same river where Paul baptized Lydia and at the Roman the-atre for your prayer and teaching. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke, and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. This ancient city was later renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki (B, D)

Our guided city tour of Thessaloniki includes the places Paul lived and preached and an-cient Byzantine monuments and churches. We see the Arch of Galerius, the City Walls, the Chain Tower and Citadel, the White Tower, the Cave and Well of the Apostle Paul, the House of Jason, and the Monastery of Vlattadon. Walk to the Roman Agora where Paul preached. Following lunch, we depart for Vergina (ancient Aigai), the first capital of Macedonia. Here Phillip II was assassinated in 336 B.C. making Alexander the Great the leader of the Macedonian Kingdom. We explore the remarkable underground Museum of the Royal Tombs. Next, we visit Veria (Biblical Beroea), a charming town with a Jewish quarter and dozens of Byzantine churches. Paul visited here twice, and Jews and Greeks eagerly received his message. We visit the “bema” where Paul preached, marked with a monument of mosaics and a nearby statue of Paul. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

We travel through the Greek countryside, past Mount Olympus, the legendary home to the Greek gods, to the Meteora Monasteries. Hiding in caves from the Ottoman invaders in the 11th century, the monks were forced to move their settlements higher upon the rocks until they were unreachable by the invading armies. Meteora means “suspended in the air,” as the beautiful monasteries were established by bringing building materials and food supplies by ladders and baskets. The Byzantine monasteries perched on steep rocks enclose priceless manuscripts, artifacts, and paintings. While visiting the monasteries, we will enjoy the breathtaking scenery surrounding them. (Reaching the monasteries requires walking over uneven terrain and many steps.) In the afternoon, we visit an icon workshop in the area, where we will see how icons are made. We will enjoy a delicious Greek dinner and an overnight stay in Kalambaka. (B.D)

This morning we depart for ancient Delphi, where we see the ancient ruins and the first monument built worshipping one God rather than multiple pagan Deities. We tour the ar-cheological museum and have lunch in the area. Continue to Athens, where we check into the hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure to explore the city and have dinner on our own. Overnight in Athens. (B)

Following Sunday morning service, we depart for Corinth with a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, which separates Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and connects the two seas (Ionian and Aegean). Later visit Ancient Corinth, which was home to Paul for eighteen months. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Bema, the Market Place, and the Temples. Paul spoke to the Corinthians from the Bema at Corinth about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Return to Athens for a city tour which includes the world-renowned Acropolis, with the ruins of the Parthenon, Erechteum, and Propylea. Then, we ascend to Mars Hill, where Paul preached (Acts 17:16, 22). Also, view the Agora (ancient marketplace and former center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Presidential Palace. Enjoy dinner in a typical Greek taverna where we see a folklore performance. Overnight in Athens. (B, Special dinner)

Transfer to the Lavrion (Athens) port for embarkation on our cruise ship. Enjoy the many shipboard activities or just relax while sailing to the Island of Mykonos with its windmills, whitewashed buildings, sidewalk cafes, 360 churches, and chic shops! The approximate time on the island is 6-10 pm. Overnight on the ship ( B, L, D)

This morning we arrive in Ephesus to visit the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”. Here, Paul spent many years - preached, taught, and lived in Ephesus for an extended period (Acts19:1-10). For the Ephesians, Paul wrote his “Letter to the Ephesians.” We sail to the Island of Patmos, where we arrive in the early evening. We see the Monastery of St. John and the cave where it is believed that John received the visions that now constitute the book of Revelation. Overnight on the ship. (B, L, D)

The ship docks in the city of Rhodes, where we enjoy an entire day. Our included shore excursion would take us to the Ancient Acropolis of Lindos and the port of St Paul, where Paul stopped on the way back to Jerusalem. This afternoon walk on your own in the Medieval town! Overnight on the ship. (B, L, D)

This morning we dock at Heraklion in Crete, where Paul and Titus visited in support of the Early Church. You may explore the town of Heraklion or take an optional Shore excursion to Knossos Minoan Palace. This afternoon the ship docks in Santorini, one of the most beau-tiful islands in the Mediterranean. You may take the cable car up to the capital town of Fira, the most beautiful place on the island, to enjoy the views, take a stroll and shop or just enjoy an ice cream in a glorious setting. Optional shore excursions may be purchased on the ship. Overnight on the ship. (B, L, D)

Disembark from the ship and transfer to the airport for your flight home (B)