Walk the path of Apostle Paul on his second mission journey, as he travelled throughout Greece and learn about the history of Christianity.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Thessaloniki, Kavala
Arrival in Thessaloniki. Welcome from our tour guide. Continue the journey to the hotel in Kavala. Dinner, overnight.
Day 2: Kavala, Philippi, Lydia
Kavala is a modern commercial city, which adopted many traditions from the past. The city’s attractions include the Byzantine castle, which dominates the city, the city walls, the Assumption Church of the Virgin and the Arches. Continue the journey through Amphipolis, the capital of one of the four Macedonian areas, approx. 60 km southwest of Kavala. Continue to Philippi, a city on the east of Macedonia, which was named by King Philip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. This is where the Apostle Paul first stepped on European soil,during his second mission trip to Naples, so Philippi is the place that founded the first Christian community in Europe. Today you can visit the ruins of the market, the equipment of their then physical needs (toilets), the two basilicas, the citadel, the ancient theater, the prison of Paul and the Baptistery of St. Lydia the Philippian (the first Christian woman in Europe was baptized here). Continue to Thessaloniki.
Day 3: Thessaloniki, Agia Sophia, Agios Dimitrios
Thessaloniki is a vibrant, lively city. Among the most important attractions of Thessaloniki are Kamara (the Arch of Galerius), the Rotunda (Church of St. George) with its mosaics, the church of Agia Sophia, the Church of Acheiropiitos (an image that was not made by human hand), the church of Agios Dimitrios (cathedral). The characteristic monument in the city is the White Tower, once part of the city wall from the Byzantine era castles and towers, which has a twin brother in Trygoniou Square. A must for every visitor is the rich archaeological museum, especially since there are there the most surprising findings of Vergina. Transfer to hotel. Dinner – sleep.
Day 4: Pella, Vergina, Veria, Kalampaka
After breakfast our journey takes us to Pella, once the largest city in Macedonia, then on to Aiges (now Vergina) the capital of the Macedonian Kingdom. Guided tour of Vergina. It became known worldwide from the important discoveries that brought the excavations in the area to daylight. Through these unique findings we can assume that the Vergina, was the first capital of Macedonia. Continue to Veria, a town with agricultural character at the foot of Vermio and capital of Imathia. Visit the famous Apostle Paul forum, the ancient city walls, the church of Christ and the monastery of St. John the Baptist (built in the 14th century). Continue to Kalampaka to our hotel. Dinner, sleep.
Day 5: Meteora
After breakfast we leave for the monasteries of Meteora. In eerie silence, onto the gray rock high above the eagle’s nests, lies the community of Meteora, small Chapels and abandoned hermitages that hover between heaven and earth. Therefore called Meteora, the floating, and this name was then transferred to the rocks. In total there are 6 monasteries: Monastery of Barlaam, Monastery of the Metamorfosis, Monastery St. Stephen Monastery of Ag. Nikolaos, Roussanou Monastery, Monastery of the Holy Trinity. We then journey to Delphi to our hotel.
Day 6: Delphi, Athens
Delphi – the most famous oracle of ancient Greece in honor of Apollo, god of music and art. At Delphi we will visit the archaeological site and the museum where you can admire, among others the famous statue of the bronze Charioteer. A small break at Delphi. In the afternoon on the way to Athens we will make a detour to visit the monastery of Osios Lucas. The monastery of Osios Lucas is located on the slopes of Helicon and is one of the most famous monuments of the Byzantine period. It is worth seeing especially because of the mosaics, frescoes and icons of the famous Cretan illustrator Michael Damaskinos. Continue to the hotel in Athens.
Day 7: Athens, Acropolis, City tour
Morning tour of the city of Athens and visit the famous Acropolis, the characteristic monument of the city. The tour lasts approximately one hour. Next you will visit the ancient market. In arriving at the square of Athens, where the public life of the city took place, Paul began preaching the resurrection of Jesus. Here we have a guided tour of the modern and ancient city of Athens (Temple of Zeus, University, National Library, Royal Palace, the Panathenaic stadium). Shopping in the old town of Athens, Plaka. Then we have an afternoon walk on the east bank of the Attica peninsula to Vravrona with the temple of Artemis. In the evening route to Sounion – the southernmost tip of Attica peninsula and prominent headland in the Aegean. Perhaps we can admire a sunset in the temple of Poseidon, possibly one of the most unforgettable sights in your trip to Greece.
Day 8: Corinth canal, Epidaurus, Mycenae
Morning trip to the Corinth Canal (world renowned artificial link between the Saronic and Corinthian gulf built late 19th century) 15 minutes break for photos. Continue the trip to Ancient Corinth. Here we have a guided tour of the archaeological sites, the Agora, the Temple and Museum. Passing through vineyards and ancient olive trees we arrive at Epidaurus, the place of worship and shrine of Asclepius. Visit the museum and theater, famous for its acoustics. Many summer festivals take place here (Epidaurus Festival). Continue to Mycenae. Visit the well-preserved cyclopean walls, the royal tombs and the great Lion Gate, the oldest record of monumental sculpture in Europe. Here the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann began (in 1874) his excavations and discovered the royal tombs of Atreus and the vast treasures. Return to Athens to our hotel.
Day 9: Free day or optional tour
Today is free day or an optional day cruise to three Sharon islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra. There is a description of this excursion.
Day 10: Return home
Breakfast and moving to Athens airport. Return home.
