Day
1: On arrival in Thessaloniki, departure for Kavala. Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight in Kavala.
Day
2: Visit to Philippi where St. Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe,
sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here Paul baptized a woman called Lydia, the
first Christian convert in Europe. Visit the Forum, the theatre and the prison
where Paul and Silas were thrown. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala,
ancient Neapolis where Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timonthy, first set
foot in Europe. On the way back to Thessaloniki, visit of Amphipolis. Dinner and
overnight in Thessaloniki (Salonica).
Day 3: Explore Thessaloniki.
Paul
preached in Thessaloniki during the Winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles
to the ancient Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch
of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman
Empire and other Roman ruins. Visits to St Demetrius Basilica, the Rotonda along
with the Kamares and the Byzantine museum. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 4: Depart for Kalambaka visiting en route Veria, the Royal Tombs at Vergina where Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, is buried, the ancient theatre of Aigai, and Dion, one of the most interesting sites with early Christian basilicas. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
Day
5: Visit the Meteora Monasteries (Varlaam, and Agios Stephanos and its
museum), perched on top of huge rocks that seem to be suspending in the air.
Here you will see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Continue to Delphi for
dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Visit Delphi
,
the centre of the ancient world, the prestige of which extended far beyond the
boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a
landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of
Apollo Pithios. Visit the site and the museum. Continue to Athens for dinner and
overnight.
Day 7: Explore Athens. See the Acropolis and its museum. Ascend the
Aeropagus (Mars Hill) and view the Agora
(ancient market place where St. Paul spoke). See the House of Parliament, the
tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Palace, Hadrian's Arch and the
Olympic Stadium where the first modern games were held in 1896. If time allows
it, we also suggest a visit at the National Archaeological museum or the
Byzantine museum, both renovated in 2004. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 8: Visit Ancient Corinth
.
Here under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for
2 years. The Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and
prompted him to write, at least, four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the
ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of the
first century shops, the agora where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the
Fountain of Pierene, Temple of Apollo and the Berna. We continue on to the
ancient port of Cechreae nearby. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
