Pastor Kenny Dean, 04.21.2025

MONDAY – TUESDAY – DAYS 1 & 2: We depart U.S today for our flight to Thessaloniki, Greece. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki you will be met by your guide and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy your first dinner as a group at the hotel. (D)

 WEDNESDAY – DAY 3: PHILIPPI / KAVALA – 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 was used to be Ancient Neapolis that Paul, Timothy, and Silas landed. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. (B, D)

THURSDAY – DAY 4: THESSALONIKI / VERIA / VERGINA – 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. We continue to VERGINA to visit the museum with the tombs of Macedonian Kings. 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! You will also 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. (B, D)

 FRIDAY – DAY 5: SAIL ON CRUISE / MYKONOS ‑ Morning take a short flight to Athens and transfer to Lavrion port. You sail this morning from the port of Athens, Piraeus starting your 3 Day Cruise. The first port of call the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of the Windmills. Experience the waterfront lined up with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment. (B at hotel, all other meals on cruise)

 SATURDAY – DAY 6: 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 Patmos 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 on 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. (All meals on cruise)

SUNDAY – DAY 7: CRETE / SANTORINI – Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands.. 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” You may follow your guide for an walking tour or stay on board to relax, study… 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. Join your guide for the scenic ride on the cable car up to the capital town of Fira where white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs. 

MONDAY – DAY 8: ATHENS – This morning, we disembark and start our Athens tour. 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, emphasizing the need to “a known God” rather 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 in Athens. (B, D)

 TUESDAY, – DAY 9: ANCIENT CORINTH ‑ Today we drive to Corinth. Corinth Visit Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired one of St. Paul’s most famous letter. 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. (B, D) 

 WEDNESDAY, – DAY 10: DAY AT LEISURE IN ATHENS – This is the day to enjoy Athens on your own, enjoy shopping, walk in the old town Plaka with all tavernas and souvenirs or visit one of the interesting museums of the town. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

 THURSDAY, – DAY 11: DEPARTURE / HOME – This morning we depart early and fly to U.S. We will return with new friends and memories to last a lifetime! (B)