The Philippi Pilgrimage Tour

Arrive Athens in Greece and connect by air to Thessaloniki. Transfer to hotel and overnight.

Today we begin a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki, the largest city of Northern Greece and an important city for Christianity as The Apostle preached here in 49-50 AD. We visit the triumphal Arch of the Roman Emperor, Galerius, the Via Egnatia, the Cathedral of St Demetrius and a most interesting Archaeological museum. We then drive and visit Philippi where The Apostle preached for the first time in Europe and baptized Lydia the first European Christian convert. Then we visit the Roman forum where we see the prison where Paul and Silas were thrown in. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Return to Thessaloniki and overnight.

From Thessaloniki we drive to Veria to visit the monument built on the exact location of The Bema where Paul The Apostle preached and then on to Dion, the famous and sacred Macedonian town. We continue to Kalambaka and overnight.

From Kalambaka we visit Meteora, the ageless Byzantine Monasteries, part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List with priceless historical and religious treasures. Built in the 15th century by Christian Monks to evade the Ottoman Turks, they stand, suspended like, between earth and sky on top of huge granite rocks. After visiting Meteora, we depart and overnight in Delphi.

Today we visit Delphi, the ‘’Omphalos’’ (Navel) of the Earth, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. We visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Delphi Museum, containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. After the Delphi visit, we return to Athens passing via Thermopylae, famous for the ancient battle that took place there. Overnight in Athens.

Departure for a half day guided tour of Athens. We see the Constitution square, the Parliament, the Presidential Palace, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the marble Olympic Stadium; we arrive at the Acropolis (visit of the museum and the site). We leave Athens afterwards and drive South West to the Corinth Canal which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea (short stop). Drive on and visit the Ancient Town of Corinth where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the city, which include the Agora (market place) and Apollo’s Temple (6th century B.C.) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in Ancient Times. A short stop at the Site of the Ancient Port of Cehries, where St. Paul disembarked, will conclude the visit. Return to Athens and overnight.

Transfer Athens airport for departure.