Grand Steps of Paul Tour & 7 Days 3 Continents Cruise

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DAY 1: Thessalonica (D)

The trip will start with your arrival in Thessalonica airport where we will meet and explore the city of Thessalonica, where Paul preached the gospel in the second and third missionary journey. For the early Christians of this city he wrote epistles “To the Thessalonians.”. We will visit the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, the Patron Saint of the city, the Agora, the Church of Saint Sofia, the White Tower, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Then will visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki with many collections covering the whole history of Northern Greece. Check in, dinner and overnight in Thessalonica.

DAY 2: Thessalonica / Philippi / Kavala / Thessalonica (B/D)

After breakfast will visit Philippi, the town where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity (Acts 16:11-12). Paul arrived here with Silas and Luke on the winter of AD 49 to AD 50. There the first Christian baptism was performed, of a woman named Lydia. Then, will visit the Roman Theatre, probable site of the prison where Paul and Silas were arrested. We will continue towards the city of Kavala, the ancient city of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. It was later renamed Christoupolis, meaning city of Christ, because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. We will visit the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis. Dinner and overnight in Thessalonica.

DAY 3: Thessalonica / Veria / Kalambaka (B/D)

After breakfast will visit Veria (Berea), another town evangelized by Paul (Acts 17: 10-14). When Saint Paul visited this town in AD 50, he came across a more “noble” Jewish community where he preached. This is where Paul met Sopatros (or Sosipatros), who would later become a valuable comrade who followed him on his return journey to Asia. We will visit the ancient synagogue where we will see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching. Depart for Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: Kalambaka / Meteora / Athens (B/D)

After breakfast the trip continues with a visit the spectacular Meteora, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a mountainous region of stunning scenery. You will see hundred-year-old Byzantine monasteries on top of huge rocks, during the Middle Ages, first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation. We will visit the most famous of them, which is now a popular museum, the Great Meteoron, to admire superb icons, old manuscripts, unique mosaics and frescoes. We will continue to Athens for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: Athens City Tour / Corinth / Cenchrea / Acrocorinth (B/D)

After breakfast we will go on a city tour to explore the city of Athens, including the Agora of Athens (Acts 17:16-34). Athens is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today. We will visit the main points of interest in the city: Τhe Acropolis, the Parthenon and Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) where Paul preached the truth to the Gentile Nation. After that, we will head toward ancient Corinth (Acts 18.1-18). It was in ancient Corinth where Paul came and worked, established a thriving church and writing two of the epistles, which are now part of the New Testament. We will see all the sites that are associated with his ministry: Τhe Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s seat, the pillars, stairs, and the place of public worship, where Paul preached.Then we will drive up to Acrocorinth to visit the Medieval Fortress and the ruins of the Temple of Goddess Venus.   Before ending the tour and return to Athens, we will pass by the ancient Greek port of Cenchrea (Acts 18:18) where Paul was during his second missionary journey. Return to Athens, dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: Athens / Piraeus Port (B/L/D)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Piraeus for embarkation on the Cruise Ship. Day At sea. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 7: At Sea (B/L/D)

Day at Sea. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 8: Alexandria (Egypt) / Port Said Egypt (B/L/D)

Disembark in Alexandria, join your included tour and cross the desert to Cairo to admire the only remaining intact Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. Continue down the valley to gaze at the guardian of this mortuary complex, the mighty Sphinx. After lunch, visit the National Archaeological Museum and acquaint yourself with the treasures of ancient Egypt, spanning a period of over 50 centuries, before re-joining the ship in Port Said. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9: Ashdod (Israel) (B/L/D)

Ashdod is the jumping off point for some of Israel’s most iconic sites. Optional full day tour from the port of Ashdod will take you to the holy city of Jerusalem where you will visit the Mount of Olives, the Church of Gethsemane and in the old city, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Wailing Wall. The tour also includes a visit to Bethlehem, birthplace of Christ. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10: Limassol (Cyprus) (B/L/D)

The busy beach front town of Limassol is the gateway to the once-thriving city-state of Curium, dating to the 2nd century BC, an exquisite Greco-Roman amphitheater at its heart. Alternatively, the UNESCO- protected archeological site of Paphos, famous for its Roman mosaics, is an easy day trip, as are the forested Troodos mountains. Take an optional tour and visit Curium which was an important city-kingdom founded by the Greeks in the 14th century BC. Discover the beautifully preserved Greco-Roman theatre, with spectacular views over the sea and the House of Efstolios, with intricate mosaic floors from the 5th century AD. Next, it’s into the hills to the wine-growing village of Omodos to visit the Monastery of the Holy Cross in the village square, see a medieval wine press and enjoy a tasting at a local winery in Limassol. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 11: Rhodes (Greece) (B/L/D)

Our included tour begins with the Acropolis of Lindos, 55 km (40 miles) from the city of Rhodes, to see the graceful Temple of Athena, built in 300 B.C. Back in the old city of Rhodes, you will walk through D’Amboise Gate and along the perfectly preserved Street of the Knights to discover the medieval residence of each order of the Knights of St John, still bearing the original crests. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 12: Kusadasi (Turkey) (B/L/D)

Visit (included tour) the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus, one of the largest open air museums in the world. See incredible relics of the Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian eras. Discover the Agora, the Odeon, theΒ Β  Library of Celsus and the beautifully preserved marble- paved main Street of Kouretes. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 13: Piraeus Port / Athens Airport (B)

After breakfast and according to the schedule of your return flight you will be taken to the airport of Athens leaving with great memories from your Steps of Paul trip.

The time schedule of the cruise as well as the ports of call are as follows:

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