Encounter life as it was known to ancient believers of Asia Minor, and view the ruins and landscapes that played a role in their day-to-day lives.
Underlying the Christian history, we’ll also explore layers of empires, emperors, and battles that helped to bring this region andher cities to the world stage.
Fly to Thessaloniki, Greece (SKG), where you'll be greeted by your guide.
Please note that at the conclusion of the tour guests will depart from a different city and airport than arrival.
Return flight should be arranged from Athens (ATH) and not Thessaloniki (SKG).
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Aegean Sea to Kavala (ancient Neapolis), the port city of Philippi, where Paul landed by boat and first brought the gospel to Europe. We’ll travel inland to Philippi, following the Via Egnatia, the road the apostle took into the city. Here at Philippi Paul preached his first sermon in Europe (Acts 16:13-15) and baptized the first Christian convert in the continent, a “certain woman named Lydia.” Extensive Roman and Byzantine ruins have been uncovered including a crypt where it is believed Paul and Silas were imprisoned. Return to Thessaloniki.
Paul spent a number of weeks in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey establishing a church (Acts 17:1-9) to whom he would a short time later write two letters (1 & 2 Thessalonians). Visit the Roman marketplace where a mob formed against Paul and an ensuing riot started in the city (Acts 17:5). Other impressive sites include the remnants of two beautiful Byzantine churches (Hagia Sophia & Saint Dimitrius). We leave Thessaloniki for a brief visit to Berea (modern Veria), the place whose Jewish citizens “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). After viewing the Bema—the spot where tradition has Paul teaching the Bereans—and the beautiful monument dedicated to the apostle, we drive southwest to Preveza.
Take a day to get a better feel for the Roman world of the Apostles. At Actium in 31 BC Octavian (later Augustus) defeated Antony and Cleopatra in the famous battle that changed the course of Roman history. We will visit the monument celebrating Octavian’s victory that was constructed from the prows of the captured ships. Afterwards we will tour Nicopolis, “victory city,” founded in 29 BC by Augustus. Paul probably stopped here after sailing from Illyricum (Rom 15:19) and later spent the winter in Nicopolis (1 Tim 3:12). In the afternoon, we will enjoy the scenic drive to Delphi.
Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, Delphi is the home of the Sanctuary of Apollo and the world-renowned “Delphic oracle.” Other impressive ruins found here include the Temple of Athena. It is with good reason that Delphi is widely acknowledged as the most spectacularly beautiful ancient site in Greece. We also will visit the Delphi Museum, whose impressive collection includes an inscription concerning the governor Gallio (Acts 18:12), which plays a crucial role in establishing the chronology of Paul’s life and ministry.
After a midday drive, enjoy Corinth, the place where Paul ministered for one and a half years (Acts 18:1-18) and would later write at least four letters, two of which have survived (1 & 2 Corinthians). Extensive ruins of Corinth are visible today, including temples, water fountains, shops, various public buildings, the largest Agora (“Marketplace”) in the ancient world and the Bema, where Paul likely met before the governor Gallio (Acts 18:12-17). The Corinthian Museum contains many significant artifacts, several of which have a direct link to events, items and people mentioned in the New Testament.
Overnight in Athens
Paul visited Athens during his second Missionary Journey (Acts 17:15- 34). We’ll see the Agora (“Marketplace”) of ancient Athens where the apostle dialogued with the Athenian citizens and philosophers (Acts 17:17) as well as the Areopagus (“Mars Hill”) where Paul addressed the city leaders (Acts 17:19-33). Before going up to see the Acropolis, we’ll stop at the New Acropolis Museum which helpfully explains the history of this world-famous place. Then we’ll go up to the Acropolis, which towers over the city of Athens and which houses the Parthenon, a building so masterfully created that it has been the subject of architectural study since its creation.
Overnight in Athens
Spend a leisurely morning in The National Archaeological Museum in Athens, which houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece. It is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and contains the richest collection of Greek Antiquity artifacts worldwide.
Depart in the evening from Athens International Airport (ATH)
Enrich your insight. Enjoy your tour.
