9 DAYS IN THE STEPS OF ST. PAUL with a 3 NIGHT AEGEAN CRUISE

DAY 01: USA / THESSALONIKI. To 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 02: THESSALONIKI. 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 03: PHILLIPPI / 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 04: THESSALONIKI: the places Paul lived and preached / VERIA (Berea-Paul’s Bema) / ATHENS. This morning we tour 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. 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.

Continue to Athens for Dinner and Overnight.

DAY 05: EMBARK CRUISE (should be Friday) / MYKONOS. Transfer to the port and embark on the cruise vessel for your 3-day cruise. Our first port of call is the island of Mykonos; cubic white houses and those world-famous windmills. Free time to explore this lovely island.

DAY 06: KUSADASI / EPHESSOS / PATMOS. Ancient Ephesus. This morning you are docked in Kusadasi, Turkey, and start your excursion to ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world and its former glory can still be appreciated today from its well- preserved streets, temples, fountains, public baths, terraced houses, and theatres. Paul went to Ephesus on his third Missionary journey, staying and preaching for a period of about two to three years, and where several certain incidents took place (Acts 19:120, 20:20). It was to this community that Paul may have written his epistle to the Ephesians. You will visit the ancient Agora and go back in time where Demetrius, the silversmith, sold his silver shrines to the Ancient Greek goddess, Artemis. See the Library of Celsius and view the Great Theatre mentioned in the Book of Acts. After the morning visit, return to the ship. In the afternoon you reach the island of Patmos, Greece. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. John was in exile on the island of Patmos where in the Grotto he wrote the Book of Revelation.

Rev 1:11 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Your tour will continue with a visit to St. John’s Monastery before you go back to your cruise ship.

DAY 07: CRETE / SANTORINI*. Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. On your tour, you will discover Heraklion, the capital, and the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. Paul landed on Crete at “Kaloi Limenes”, Fair Heavens, on his way to Rome on his last missionary journey. He stayed briefly in Crete and then continued his journey to Rome. He left Titus on the island to establish the churches and appoint the elders. Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. Santorini In the afternoon you use tender boats to visit the island of Santorini, Greece. Santorini which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Phira (the capital) where white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, is accessible by footpath, cable-car, or mule.

(*) Several sailings call all day Santorini and not calling Crete.

DAY 08: DISEMBARK / ATHENS / CORINTH / ATHENS. We disembark the cruise this morning and travel into Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include the Agora (ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. We immediately travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. We then travel to the ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul’s most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Marketplace, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period.

DAY 09: ATHENS / NORTH AMERICA. After breakfast transfer to the airport for our flight home - the end of an unforgettable journey!