Greece and the Journeys of Paul with Dave McGarrah

Overview

Detailed Itinerary

Greece and the Journeys of Paul with Dave McGarrah

Day 1 USA/Thessaloniki, Greece

• Begin your adventure as you board your flight to Greece

Full Day Itinerary

Your exciting journey begins this evening as you check in for your overnight flight to Thessaloniki, Greece.

Day 2 Thessaloniki

• Check into your hotel in Thessaloniki
• Welcome dinner with your fellow travelers

Mediterranean Palace Hotel Dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Arrive in Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. You'll be met by our representatives and escorted to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy free time to rest from your overseas flight then gather for an orientation meeting and welcome dinner.

Day 3 Philippi/Kavala/Thessaloniki

• Visit Kavala, where Paul landed with the disciples
• Stop in Phillippi where the first church was established

Mediterranean Palace Hotel Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, visit the important landmarks of Thessaloniki, including the White Tower, the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the Roman Arch of Galerius and the Rotonda. Then drive to Kavala, a beautiful, modern port and the place where Paul landed with his disciples. Continue to Philippi, where Paul first preached the Gospel and where the first church in Europe was established. Marvel at the extensive ruins, including the Agora, the ancient theater and the Acropolis. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Kalambaka & Meteora

• Explore Berea where Paul stayed and preached
• Witness the spectacular 11th Century AD Meteora monasteries

Amalia Hotel Kalambaka Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Drive through the plains of Thessaly, legendary home of the Greek gods, to Kalambaka. En route visit Berea, where Paul stayed, preached and planted an early Christian community on his way to Athens. Continue to the spectacular Meteora monasteries, where monks, in the 11th century AD, constructed inaccessible eagle's nests atop precipitous and isolated rocky pinnacles. Today, four are still occupied. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

Day 5 Meteora/Delphi/Athens

• Visit Delphi, the land of Ancient Greek gods

Athens Marriott Hotel Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning travel to scenic Delphi, which in antiquity are believed to be the "navel" of the world. Walk on the Sacred Way to see the Athenian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo, where the priestess Pythia uttered ambiguous prophecies, and the Theater. Also, visit the Museum with its splendid collection of ancient works of art, including the Sphinx of the Naxians, the Silver Bull, the Column of the Dancers, the "Omphalos" and the pride of the museum, the 5th c. B.C. bronze "Charioteer". Continue to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 Corinth/Athens

• Witness the places where Paul founded the Corinthian church in 50 AD
• Continue to Athens and visit the Acropolis, Erechteum and the Parthenon
• Visit Mars Hill where Paul delivered his speech on the "Unknown God"

Athens Marriott Hotel Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, travel to Corinth. Here, under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, Paul preached and lived for two years. The church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to the Corinthians. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first century shops, the agora where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Continue to Athens and visit the spectacular architecture of ancient Athens, including the Acropolis, the Erechteum and the Parthenon. Then visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his ingenious speech on the "Unknown God". View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. Finish your explorations of Athens with a panoramic tour including Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the Neoclassical Buildings of Athens. 

Day 7 Athens, Piraeus & Mykonos

• Board your cruise ship and set sail
• Evening at leisure on the island of Mykonos

Celestyal Olympia Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast transfer to the port of Piraeus and board your Greek Island cruise ship, setting sail for the beautiful island of Mykonos. Enjoy time to explore the waterfront, the famous windmills and the white-washed alleyways of this lovely island.

Day 8 Kusadasi, Turkey & Patmos, Greece

• Continue on to Kusadasi and tour the ancient city of Ephesus
• Sail to Patmos, where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation

Celestyal Olympia Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Arrive at Kusadasi this morning and visit the ancient city of Ephesus where you will find an archeological site that ranks among the wonders of the world. Tour the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus and other sites and visit the house of the Virgin Mary. Board the ship and continue sailing to the Island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. Visit the cave where St. John lived and the nearby Monastery, built on one of the island's highest points, housing priceless icons and manuscripts in its Treasury.

Day 9 Heraklion & Santorini

• Morning sightseeing tour of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the first European civilization
• Afternoon at leisure in Santorini

Celestyal Olympia Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Arrive in Heraklion early this morning. Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. It is also the home of the great Minoan civilization and the mythological home of Zeus. The palace at Knossos was an intricate collection of over 1,000 interlocking rooms, including the Hall of the Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King's Chamber with the alabaster throne, the Queen's Apartment, as well as beautiful courtyards and shrines. The palace was used as a religious and administrative center, as well as for workshops for artisans and food processing. The ruins have largely been excavated and much of them colorfully painted and restored, decorated with frescoes and shields.

Heraklion's open-air market is a must-see, where a boisterous crowd buys and sells everything from goats and sheep to huge cauldrons of fresh yogurt. Other points of interest here include the Archaeological Museum, one of the finest in Greece, housing exquisite findings from Knossos and other Minoan ruins, numerous Venetian fortresses, fountains and loggias scattered throughout the city and the Historical Museum of Crete, with its Byzantine and folklore collections.

Return to the ship to continue sailing to Santorini. This striking island is a volcanic crater immersed in the sea. The island is famous for its breathtaking and rugged landscapes, whitewashed houses, open-air cafés, and glittering boutiques which cling to steep cliffs, accessible by foot, cable car or mule.

Walking in the archaeological site of Knossos will be on uneven gravel surfaces. Passengers may not be allowed to enter the site with big bags or backpacks.

Day 10 Piraeus & Athens

• Full day at leisure to explore Athens

Athens Marriott Hotel Breakfast & dinner

Day 11 Greece/USA

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight

Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Bid farewell to Athens as you are escorted to the airport to board your return flight to the USA. Arrive in the USA later today.

Hotels & Ship

Hotels

Mediterranean Palace Hotel

Superior First Class

Mediterranean Palace is a 4.5-star hotel in the center of Thessaloniki, with 118 rooms, all meticulously decorated, and finely equipped with en suite bathroom with toiletries, satellite TV and air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available in all rooms and public areas of the hotel.

More information

Amalia Hotel Kalambaka

First Class

Located on a 14-acre property just a few minutes away from the town of Kalambaka, the Amalia Hotel Kalambaka boasts extensive gardens and beautiful views of the Meteora Rocks. 

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Cruise Ship

Celestyal Olympia

If you've taken a few cruises before, you may be accustomed to large, luxurious ships appointed with every possible amenity. Ships (including those of Celestyal Cruises) are generally smaller and more agile, better suited for navigating the shallow waters and small ports of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. These mid-sized ships are practical, comfortable, and equipped with all necessary modern conveniences. But they may offer more basic cabin amenities, less on-board entertainment, and fewer dining options than larger ocean liners. Some meals may feature buffet style service and limited a la carte selections.

More information

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 21 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Greece? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.