Land & Air
Land Only
Greece Fam Trip 2025
March 14-22, 2025
Join me for this brief introductory tour of the Biblical sites in Greece. We will travel to all of the ancient sites that were associated with St. Paul’s journeys in Greece. Additionally, we will visit other important historical sites along the way, such as the famous Delphic Oracle and the monastic community at Meteora. A discounted Familiarization Trip, such as this, is intended to acquaint professors and pastors with the many ways that Biblical tours can enrich students’ and parishoners’ understanding of the scriptures and enhance their spiritual development. I invite you to accompany us on this odyssey to the birthplace of western civilization.
March 14 Fri Depart from New York
March 15 Sat Arrive at Thessaloniki Airport
Our
representative will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “FAM
TRIP-TUTKU” sign. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (D)
March 16 Sun Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Thessaloniki
We 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, named after Philip II, the father of Alexander
the Great. We follow the Via Egnatia which 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.” The Philippian church became one of Paul’s favorite congregations and
many years later, while under house arrest in Rome, he wrote them a letter
(Philippians) expressing his gratitude for their faithful support of his
missionary activity. Extensive Roman and Byzantine ruins have been uncovered
and there is a crypt where it is believed Paul and Silas were imprisoned. We
leave Philippi and continue to follow the Via Egnatia to Amphipolis (Acts 17:1)
to view the Lion Monument that Paul would have seen as he traveled by this
city. We pass by Apollonia (Acts 17:1) and return to our hotel in Thessaloniki
(B, D)
March 17 Mon Thessaloniki, Berea, Preveza
Paul spent a
number of weeks in Thessalonica during his 2nd 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 Agora
(marketplace), where a mob was formed against Paul and an ensuing riot started
(Acts 17:5) as well as the Archaeological
Museum. Other impressive sites include the triumphal Arch of Galerius (AD
305-311), remnants of two beautiful Byzantine churches (Hagia Sophia &
Saint Dimitrius), the ancient city walls, and the White Tower—the symbol of the
city. We leave Thessaloniki for a brief visit to Berea (modern Veria), where
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—where traditionally Paul taught the Bereans—and the beautiful
monument dedicated to the apostle, we drive southwest to pass the impressive
aqueducts of Nicopolis on the way to Preveza (B, D)
March 18 Tue Actium, Nicopolis, Delphi
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 (B, D)
March 19 Wed Delphi, Athens
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, a
well-preserved theatre that seats 5000 people, an athletic stadium seating
7000, a gymnasium for physical training, various stoas, and treasuries. 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. We end the day with a drive to Athens (B, D)
March 20 Thu Athens
Paul visited
Athens during his 2nd 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) and also at 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. Equally impressive buildings on the Acropolis include the
Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens, and the Temple of Athena Nike, the
goddess of “Victory.” The area surrounding the Acropolis houses a number of
other striking archeological sights: the Stoa of Attalos, the Theatre of
Dionysus, the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of Hephaestus, the Arch of
Hadrian and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (B, D).
March 21 Fri Corinth, Cenchrea, Athens
After briefly
stopping at the Corinthian Canal, we proceed to nearby Cenchrea, one of the two
harbors of ancient Corinth from where Paul sailed on more than one occasion
(Acts 18:18) and which was also the home of another early church and an
influential Christian woman, Phoebe (Rom. 16:1). We then visit Corinth, the
place where Paul ministered for 1½ years (Acts 18:1-18) and would later write
at least four letters, two of which have survived (1 & 2 Corinthians). The
city is located on the slopes of the Acrocorinth, a towering mountain rising
1,886 feet above the sea and crowned in ancient times by the temple of
Aphrodite. 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 (B, D).
March 22 Sat Transfer to Athens Airport for flight to
New York
Including
- International flights from New York to Athens based on Turkish Airlines Economy Class. FAM trip group flights depart from NEWYORK. For all other departure city requests, please ask for the specific flight rate at an extra cost.
- 2 nights at Capsis Hotel in Thessaloniki o similar
- 1 night at Margarona Royal Hotel in Preveza or similar
- 1 night at Amalia Hotel in Delphi or similar
- 3 nights at Electra Palace in Athens or similar
- Daily breakfast and 7 dinners
- Entrance fees to all sightseeing as per itinerary
- English–speaking licensed tour guide throughout the itinerary
- Transfers & transportation by private A/C motorcoach
- Portage for one piece of luggage at the hotels
Excluding
- Lunches and drinks
- Tips to tour guide and driver
- Personal Expenses and, any other item which is not included above
