In the Footsteps of Paul – Led by Pastor Dr. Tony Crisp

TLC Holyland Tours or its representative reserves the right to change the order of the itinerary based on flight schedules or conditions on the ground.

Upon arrival to Thessaloniki Airport, meet and greet with the guide and transfer to our hotel for check-in. Free time in the city. Dinner and overnight stay Capsis Hotel. (D)

Overnight: Thessaloniki

Drive east to Philippi then visit the Lydia baptismal site at Zigakti river (Acts 16:15).  Then to Kavala for a panoramic view of Port of Neapolis. A short walk along Via Egnatia. Then, we return back and we will have a City Tour of Thessaloniki. Following that, we will visit the White Tower and the Upper Town, where we will have a panoramic view of Thessaloniki. Return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. (B, D)

Overnight: Thessaloniki

Depart for Veria: visit the Step of Apostle Paul and the Synagogue. Then, proceed to Vergina, where we will visit the museum with the four tombs, two of which are the most signicant, and a small shrine, the Heroes Garden. Afterwards, we will depart for Kalambaka. Arrival to our hotel for check in. Dinner and overnight stay Divani Meteora Hotel. (B,D)

Overnight: Meteora

Depart for Meteora. The name Meteora is attributed to the monk of the monastery, Agios Athanasius the Meteorite. We will have the chance to enjoy the panoramic ride and to visit one of the six visited monasteries. Then, we will depart for Delphi. Arrival to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)

Overnight: Meteora

We visit the Holy Monastery of Jerusalem which architecture is inspired by the New Jerusalem (John 21:13). Short nature walks in the cedars forest to a hermit’s cave, panoramic view of Valley of Boeotia. Drive to Arachova, the famous shepherd’s village and enjoy the panoramic view of the Ionian Sea. Proceed to Delphi: visit the archeological museum: the Gallio inscription, on which the dating of the life of Paul is based (Acts 18:12), the Sphinx of Thebes, Temple of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom (the philosophical background of Paul, the hellenised Jew). Departure for Athens. Arrival to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay Amalia Delphi Hotel. (B,D)

Overnight: Delphi

Depart for Ancient Corinth, we will visit one of the largest museums in Greece, in terms of the wealth and quality of the findings (Acts 18:1-17 & Acts 19:22). We will see the bema of Gallio and the Erastus inscription. Also, visit Cenchreae (Acts 18:18). Our next stop for lunch is at a traditional olive oil mill in Corinth area, where we will have the chance to taste the local products and get familiar with the olive oil production, before travelling back to Athens. Also, we will have a short stop to the Isthmus of Corinth. It is a narrow strip of land 6 kilometers in length joining Central Greece with Peloponnese. We will have free time to take photos. Arrival to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay The Stanley Hotel. (B,D)

Overnight: Athens

Depart for a City Tour starting from the Panathenaic Stadium known as Kallimarmaro. You will have free time to take photos. Boarding to the coach and departure to see the Zappeion Hall, the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the symbolic monument in the memory of the Soldiers who died for their country. Then, drive along Panepistimiou Street, we will see the triad of neoclassical buildings: The Library, the Academy and the University. Visit Mars Hill and the Acropolis with magnificent monuments such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, the Ancient Agora, the theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Acts 17:16-34). We will have the chance to walk around the Parthenon Monument and free time in the traditional area of Plaka. It is a district in the center of Athens just beneath the Acropolis. Return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)

Overnight:  Athens

After breakfast, we will have free leisure time. Then, we will depart for the Port of Lavrion. Early in the morning, embarkation and a range of activities are available. Relax and soak up the glorious Mediterranean sun. Then, the ship will arrive in  The evening is ours to enjoy this beautiful iconic Cycladic Island.
(B, L,D) Celestyal Cruises

Overnight: On board

Early morning the ship arrives at the Port of Kusadasi. Our Ancient Ephesus Bus Tour is a journey through the golden ages which shaped a pivotal center of commerce and spirituality. Built 3,000 years ago, Ephesus shaped the history of Greek, Turkish and Christian civilizations from its privileged location.  A site of pilgrimage, due to its proximity to the Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 Wonders of the World) and the presence of major Christian figures (the apostles Paul and John and the Virgin Mary). As we explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will have the opportunity to breathe in the centuries of cultural effervescence, visible in the Ephesus Agora, Odeon, the Houses of the Patricians, the beautiful Temple of Hadrian and the astonishing Library of Celsus. We will also have the opportunity to bargain and shop local merchandise such as carpets, leather goods, souvenirs etc. Return to the ship at noon and we will sail for Patmos. We will explore the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of Revelation. Late evening return to the ship and sail for Heraklion and Santorini. Overnight on board.(B, L,D)

Overnight: On board

In the morning, we arrive at Heraklion, Crete and disembark. Excursion Not Included:During this excursion, we take a short ride through the town of Heraklion and then arrive at the Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete. Paul left Titus in Crete and gave instructions on appointing church leaders in the towns (Titus 1:5 ff ). In the afternoon, we cruise to the isle of Santorini and disembark. Excursion Not included: Santorini is often referred to as the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands. The exquisite, whitewashed villages, including the town of Fira, or Thira, cling to volcanic cliffs, accessible by cable-car, or mule. (B, L,D)

Upon disembarkation, we will depart for the Athens Airport. Return with the best memories. (B)