9 Days Steps of Paul
DAY 1 – USA / THESSOLONIKI. Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Greece. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!
DAY 2 - THESSOLONIKI. We arrive in Thessaloniki and check into our hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Thessaloniki to enjoy the flavors of the city. This evening our group will enjoy the first of many delectable European style dinners.
DAY 3 - PHILIPPI / KAVALA / THESSALONIKI. Apostle Paul visited Philippi together with Silas during his Second Missionary Journey. Our first Biblical encounter with Philippi is through Act 16:11-40. At the time, Philippi had no synagogues and very few Jews, so Paul decides to wait for the Sabbath and go to the riverbanks outside the city. There he began to talk to the women that gathered there, amongst them, Lydia-the first person to be Baptized in European soil she and her whole household became believers. During your tour in Philippi, you will have the opportunity to visit and study your Bible in the actual place where the Baptism took place called "Lydia's Baptistry." You will also see the place where Paul and Silas were imprisoned and freed by a violent earthquake. From there, you will continue to Kavala; the site used to be Ancient Neapolis where Paul, Timothy, and Silas landed. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 4 – THESSALONIKI: the places Paul lived & preached / VERIA (Berea-Paul’s Bema) / THESSALONIKI. This morning you drive to Berea, as described in Acts 17:10-15 Paul and Silas go to Berea and preach at the Synagogue. Many of the Jews became believers, but Paul's ministry was cut short. While you are in Berea, you will see St. Paul's Bema, where he preached to the local Jews in 54 AD. Afterward, you will drive back to Thessaloniki. Apostle Paul came to Thessaloniki and went straight to the Synagogue. As described in your Bible in Acts 17:1-9, Paul preached in the Synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths, and he gained many followers who believed. A couple of the Jews who were not persuaded created an uproar and attacked the House of Jason, one of the believers Paul was staying with during his visit. During your tour, you will have the Biblical Experience of those verses as you will see the agora in Thessaloniki, where Paul preached to the local Jews, as well as the House of Jason, where he lived! Also, you will have the opportunity to visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert, and see the Galerius Arch rising over the famous via Egnatia. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 5 - METEORA / KALAMBAKA. Following breakfast this morning we drive to Meteora and we begin our tour of the Meteora Monasteries. Here we see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff side caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Overnight in Kalambaka.
DAY 6 – DELPHI / ATHENS. Today we drive to Delphi where the most important oracle of Classical Greek world is situated and a major site for the worship of God Apollo. Although before all that it was a place of worship for Gaea (Mother Earth). Pythia was the sibyl priestess of Delphi, many generals from all over Greece would bring her offerings and seek her prophecies concerning important strategic matters. Overnight in Athens.
DAY 7 – ATHENS / ACROPOLIS / MARS HILL. Athens In 51 AD, Apostle Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by boat. His boat anchored at Faliron that used to be one of the main ancient ports of Ancient Athens. Paul walked from the port to the city of Athens. While waiting for Silas & Timothy to come from Macedonia, Greece, he spent most of his time talking with citizens at the Synagogue and in the Agora. The Athenians took an interest in his teachings and invited him to present it more analytical on the Aeropagus, the hill west of the Acropolis (Mars Hill). Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and gave his famous Aeropagus Sermon, emphasising the need to “a known God” rat her than worship the “unknown” as described in Acts 17:16-34. Follow your guide on a visit to the Acropolis where you will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon, the Erectheum, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Touring through modern Athens You will view the Olympic Stadium, where the modern Olympic games began and where the games returned in 2004. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 - CORINTH / ATHENS. This morning we visit Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired one of St. Paul’s most famous letters. You will visit the Archeological Museum, the Marketplace, and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, addressing his message to the Gentiles as he began the task of establishing his church in Corinth. Acts 18:9-11 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Return to Athens for Dinner and overnight.
DAY 9 - ATHENS / NORTH AMERICA. After breakfast transfer to the airport for our flight home - the end of an unforgettable journey!