Day One. Sunday, August 31, 2025: Departure Day.

Depart the USA for Thessaloniki, Greece. If you are able during the journey, look over your notebook materials and take the time to read Dr. Smith’s digital “Following Paul in Greece” that will be provided for you. Overnight: In flight.

Day Two. Monday, September 1, 2025: Arrival Day.

Our hotel is about half an hour from the airport, and we’ll be met by our teacher and our local guide, along with our tour bus. Dinner and overnight at hotel: Thessaloniki. (1 of 3) D.

Day Three. Tuesday, September 2, 2025: The Gospel’s Arrival.

After a good breakfast, we will drive eastward to the entry point of the Gospel into Europe at ancient Philippi and its nearby port at modern Kavalla (Neapolis of Acts 16:11). Our drive will give us time to introduce Paul, his life and his journeys, as well as probe important topics like “being a Greek in the first century.” Sites include: View of Apollonia, View of Amphipolis, visit to Kavalla and Philippi. When we return to Thessaloniki, our group will have dinner at our hotel. Overnight: Thessaloniki. (2 of 3). B, D.

Day Four. Wednesday, September 3, 2025: Paul and the Thessalonians.

After the beating and jailing in Philippi, the perils of the Second Mission Journey continued in what is now modern Greece, as detailed in Acts 16-18. Paul’s visit in Thessalonica was interrupted by a crowd opposed to his teachings about salvation through Jesus alone. Jason (who scholars suggest may have been the cousin of Paul) was arrested in order to press Paul to leave the city after only a few weeks' stay. Today we will visit the archaeological remains of an ancient shopping district uncovered in the heart of the modern city, as well as some of the chief attractions of modern Thessaloniki, with a view toward the seven basic practices Paul pressed the early believers to emulate (1,2 Thessalonians). Sites include: Christian-Byzantine Museum, the ancient basilica Church of St. Demetrius, a walking tour in the city beginning at the Agora excavation, and a visit to the upper city. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Thessaloniki (3 of 3). B, D.

Day Five. Thursday, September 4, 2025: Paul’s Outreach to Macedonia.

We will depart early this morning, for there is much to see! No visit to Greece would be complete without some look at the contributions of King Philip and Alexander the Great in spreading Hellenism to the whole Mediterranean region. Today we will both be stunned by the beauty of the finds in some ancient tombs, and also visit a quiet cemetery with faces on the graves of people who may have met Paul, Silas, Timothy and Dr. Luke at Berea. We may journey on to a brief visit to the cultic centers of Dion, the nearby port city from which Paul may have ventured to Athens via ship, or even trek a bit on Mt. Olympus. Sites include: Berea (Veria), Vergina (Tombs of Macedonian Kings), Dion or Olympus (as time permits). Dinner and overnight: Pieria or Thessaly area Hotel, Central Greece. (1 of 1). B, D. Overnight: Volos.

Day Six. Friday, September 5, 2025: The Trek to Athens. Paul in Athens.

Departing Volos, we have a drive to get to Athens. The Second Mission Journey was an emotional low point for Paul, so we will follow the story of his struggle to Athens. Arriving late morning in the city, we will visit some important sites from the “Golden Age” of Athens: Acropolis (with Parthenon and Erechtheion), a view of Herod Atticus Odeon and Theatre of Dionysius, Plaka and the Agora. Overnight: Athens (1 of 3) B.

Day Seven. Saturday, September 6, 2025: Full Day Athens.

Greeks of every class engaged the Gospel at the time of Paul and just after him under the ministry of the Pastoral leadership of Dionysius (led to Jesus by Paul). Today we will take time to look at Paul’s ministry here, focusing on those he reached with the Gospel. Sites include: Kereimakos and an exciting walk in the ancient Agora Paul was stirred in so long ago, as well as a close up look at the Haephestus Temple, the Stoa of Attalos and other excavated monuments in the ancient city. We will have some time for shopping, lunch in Plaka, and some free time in the afternoon to explore the Acropolis Museum, or the Archaeological Museum of Athens, as you choose. Overnight: Athens (2 of 3) B.

Day Eight: Sunday, September 7, 2025. Paul in Corinth.

Paul both ministered in Corinth for eighteen months, and wrote several letters to them (two of which are included in the New Testament canon). Today we will journey out of Athens to encounter the place where Paul spent the second longest voluntary stay to build ministry partners (not including his incarcerations). Sites include: Elefsina (ancient Eleusis), Isthmia (time permitting), Corinth and nearby Cenchrea. Don’t miss another exciting night at a local restaurant of your choice! Overnight: Athens (3 of 3) B.

Day Nine. Monday, September 8, 2025: AEGEAN CRUISE! Fun at Mykonos!

Depart from Athens (Lavrion) for our voyage to Mykonos. If you have never been there, this is a treat. It is a walkable island with shops, restaurants (taverna) and lovely views of the crystal blue Aegean Sea. We find it to be one of the truly relaxing islands of the region! Overnight: Cruise Ship. (1 of 4) B,L,D.

Day Ten. Tuesday, September 9, 2025: The Apostle John at Ephesus and Patmos.

Today the ports of call include Kusadasi (near Ephesus) in Turkey, as well as the Island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. Celestyal offers an included shore excursion with their own guide and transportation in Ephesus. If you have never seen it - DON’T MISS IT! Ephesus is filled with monumental buildings excavated and restored from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. As for Patmos, the little island is an “on your own” trip, but it is easy to see what this little gem holds! Overnight: Cruise Ship. (2 of 4) B,L,D

Day Eleven. Wednesday, September 10, 2025: Rhodos.

Today we harbor in at Rhodos, and have opportunities to do a wonderful walk around the city that is near to the place where we our ship is tied. This island once displayed the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the world. Today, the Latin Kingdom walls remind us of the knights of old. This is a really fun destination and the ship is there all day! (3 of 4) B,L,D.

Day Twelve. Thursday, September 11, 2025: Heraklion and Santorini.

The ship’s ports of call are Heraklion, Crete and the Island of Santorini. (Your shore excursion to Heraklion with Celestyal’s guide and transportation is included) and SHOULD NOT BE MISSED! It is an archaeological treasure! As for Santorini, you HAVE to experience this place! Overnight: Cruise Ship. (4 of 4) B,L,D

Day Thirteen. Friday, September 12, 2025: Arrive (7:00 AM) in port back in Lavrion.

Transfer from Lavrion to Athens. Free Day in Athens. Overnight: Athens (1 of 1). B. Some may elect to depart on that day, but you have a hotel for that evening as part of the package, should you elect to fly tomorrow.

Day Fourteen: Saturday, September 13, 2025 Return Day to USA.

Departure for the Athens airport for flight home arriving the same day back in the USA.