Operated by Collette

Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle

From

CAD 6,364

Duration

11 days

Countries

Greece

Activity

active

Rating

4.0 · 110 reviewsvia Collette

The adventure

Retrace the missionary journey of the Apostle Paul, prolific writer of the New Testament letters. Travel through ancient cities and pastoral landscapes. Enjoy a 3-night cruise of the magical Greek Islands of Mykonos, Patmos and Santorini. Visit the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, Turkey. Discover archaeological treasures like the Acropolis in Athens and seek ancient wisdom at the ruins of Delphi. Investigate the dramatic Meteora Monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the biblical town of Corinth on a guided tour featuring the Agora and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal. Stop in Philippi, where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe and baptized Lydia, the first Christian. Even see the dungeon where he was held prisoner. Find inspiration throughout as you visit the places where the great apostle lived and preached.

At a glance

Duration

11 days

Route

→

Countries

Greece

Activity level

active

Style

Beach & Islands, Culture & History

Group size

Ask

Flights

Not included

Solo travellers

Ask an agent

Day by day

Charming coastal town with hills and sea under a cloudy sky.

Your journey through

Greece

Day 1Overnight FlightPaul the Apostle, the prolific writer of the New Testament letters, was one of the first Christian missionaries. Trace his journey through the ancient cities and pastoral countrysides of Greece and Türkiye.

Capture of cityscape from airplane with FlySafair wing visible.

Overnight Flight

Paul the Apostle, the prolific writer of the New Testament letters, was one of the first Christian missionaries. Trace his journey through the ancient cities and pastoral countrysides of Greece and Türkiye.

Day 2Athens, GreeceArrive in Athens. As there are no included features, today is yours to explore Greece's vibrant capital city.

Arrive in Athens. As there are no included features, today is yours to explore Greece's vibrant capital city.

Day 3Athens - Corinth - AthensThis morning, travel to Corinth where Paul lived and preached for two years and also wrote 2 epistles. Explore ancient Corinth on a guided tour featuring the Agora, where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Back in Athens, see the hill of Areopagus (Mars Hill) – where Paul delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech – and visit the incomparable Acropolis. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner in the Plaka, Athens’ historic district nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Celebrate the beginning of a marvellous trip while feasting on local cuisine and fine wine in a traditional <i>taverna</i> while Greek entertainment creates a wonderful ambiance around you.

Athens

This morning, travel to Corinth where Paul lived and preached for two years and also wrote 2 epistles. Explore ancient Corinth on a guided tour featuring the Agora, where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Back in Athens, see the hill of Areopagus (Mars Hill) – where Paul delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech – and visit the incomparable Acropolis. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner in the Plaka, Athens’ historic district nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Celebrate the beginning of a marvellous trip while feasting on local cuisine and fine wine in a traditional <i>taverna</i> while Greek entertainment creates a wonderful ambiance around you.

Day 4Athens - Piraeus* (Embarkation) - MykonosEmbark on a 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Türkiye. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily while on board. The island of Mykonos is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, whitewashed buildings, and beautiful windmills that dot its landscape. Don’t miss Mykonos Town, following the mazes of narrow streets full of bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this island paradise.

Athens

Embark on a 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Türkiye. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily while on board. The island of Mykonos is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, whitewashed buildings, and beautiful windmills that dot its landscape. Don’t miss Mykonos Town, following the mazes of narrow streets full of bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this island paradise.

Day 5Kusadasi, Türkiye - Patmos, GreeceVisit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an excursion to the ruins of Ephesus (UNESCO), where Paul the Apostle lived for 3 years during his ministry. You’ll also visit the Agora, the great theatre, and the stadium where chariot races and gladiatorial combats took place. Legend claims that Paul fought here against wild beasts. Visit the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mother spent her last days. Continue your cruise to Patmos. Visit the Monastery of John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile.

Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an excursion to the ruins of Ephesus (UNESCO), where Paul the Apostle lived for 3 years during his ministry. You’ll also visit the Agora, the great theatre, and the stadium where chariot races and gladiatorial combats took place. Legend claims that Paul fought here against wild beasts. Visit the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mother spent her last days. Continue your cruise to Patmos. Visit the Monastery of John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile.

Day 6Heraklion (Crete)** - SantoriniThis morning, enjoy free time in the historic centre of Heraklion, Crete’s largest city. Choose from a variety of museums, shopping, or sit back at a local cafe for some people watching. Later, arrive on the island of Santorini, known as the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Today’s included ship excursion begins with a visit to Megalochori, an authentic village preserving the character of Santorini. Continue your drive through small island communities before arriving in Oia for an incredible caldera view and time to stroll the alleyways of small shops and cafes before returning to the ship.

Scenic view of Heraklion marina with yachts and city buildings under a clear blue sky.

Heraklion (Crete)**

This morning, enjoy free time in the historic centre of Heraklion, Crete’s largest city. Choose from a variety of museums, shopping, or sit back at a local cafe for some people watching. Later, arrive on the island of Santorini, known as the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Today’s included ship excursion begins with a visit to Megalochori, an authentic village preserving the character of Santorini. Continue your drive through small island communities before arriving in Oia for an incredible caldera view and time to stroll the alleyways of small shops and cafes before returning to the ship.

Day 7Piraeus* (Disembarkation) - KalambakaAfter an early morning disembarkation, travel north. Pause at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defence by Leonidas against the Persian army. This afternoon, visit an icon-painting workshop and discover the ancient traditions behind the sacred images used in Orthodox Byzantine devotional tradition. Overnight in Kalambaka.

A large passenger ferry docked at a port with people boarding under a clear blue sky.

Piraeus* (Disembarkation)

After an early morning disembarkation, travel north. Pause at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defence by Leonidas against the Persian army. This afternoon, visit an icon-painting workshop and discover the ancient traditions behind the sacred images used in Orthodox Byzantine devotional tradition. Overnight in Kalambaka.

Day 8Kalambaka - Metéora - ThessalonikiMarvel at the hanging monasteries of Metéora (UNESCO). These dark, sandstone pinnacles rise abruptly from the plain of Thessaly, with 6 historic monasteries perched upon their peaks. Beginning in the 10th century, hermits, monks, and ascetics sought solitude and spiritual solace in these dramatic crags. Visit two amazing Metéora monasteries*** which are renowned for their intricate construction and exquisite Byzantine art. Your day ends in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. Founded in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki was an early centre for Christianity. Paul visited and preached here during the winters of A.D. 49-50 and wrote 2 epistles to the ancient Thessalonians.

Stunning aerial shot of Meteora monasteries perched on rocky cliffs in Greece's landscape.

Kalambaka

Marvel at the hanging monasteries of Metéora (UNESCO). These dark, sandstone pinnacles rise abruptly from the plain of Thessaly, with 6 historic monasteries perched upon their peaks. Beginning in the 10th century, hermits, monks, and ascetics sought solitude and spiritual solace in these dramatic crags. Visit two amazing Metéora monasteries*** which are renowned for their intricate construction and exquisite Byzantine art. Your day ends in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. Founded in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki was an early centre for Christianity. Paul visited and preached here during the winters of A.D. 49-50 and wrote 2 epistles to the ancient Thessalonians.

Day 9Thessaloniki - Kavala - Philippi - ThessalonikiTravel to the coastal town of Kavala where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke, and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site and monuments spanning the Ancient Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe.

Thessaloniki

Travel to the coastal town of Kavala where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke, and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site and monuments spanning the Ancient Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe.

Day 10Thessaloniki - AthensProceed through the fertile Thessalian Valley and the plains of Central Greece to Athens, arriving in the late afternoon. This evening, celebrate the end of your spiritual journey during a farewell dinner.

Thessaloniki

Proceed through the fertile Thessalian Valley and the plains of Central Greece to Athens, arriving in the late afternoon. This evening, celebrate the end of your spiritual journey during a farewell dinner.

Day 11Athens - Tour EndsReturn home inspired by the incredible, soothing landscapes and the words and deeds of Paul the Apostle.

Athens

Return home inspired by the incredible, soothing landscapes and the words and deeds of Paul the Apostle.