In the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece. Day 1 13 April 2015 Monday – UK –Thessaloniki Flights from the Heathrow to Thessaloniki, via Athens. (Own arrangements for dinner at Athens airport because of late arrival at Thessaloniki.) Meet our guide and transfer to your hotel. Day 2 14 April 2015 Tuesday Thessaloniki We visit St. Demetrios (admission charge €4 per person), a Greek Orthodox church of the 11th century, explore the church and crypt. According to tradition this church was built on the place of Martyrdom Synagogue, where Paul had preached while in Salonica. By coach, we tour the city of Thessaloniki, the second largest in Greece, famous for its beautiful old and modern quarters and Byzantine churches. From the coach, we will have a short walk to visit the church of Osios David, known for its frescos before returning to the hotel for lunch (included). We will visit also the Archaeological Museum (admission charge €8/€4). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thessaloniki. Day 3 – 15 April 2015 Wednesday Kavala and Philippi After an early breakfast, we cross the plains of Macedonia following the route of the ancient Roman Road, "Via Egnatia". driving to the nearby small village of Lydia. It was here that Paul baptised a woman called Lydia. Here, we will hold a service at the riverside and visit the beautiful new church. From there, we arrive in Philippi, where St. Paul first preached the Gospel on European soil. In the 5th century, the first vast Basilica was built and was one of the most important early Christian architectural monuments in Greece. The ruins stand at a height of 6.50m. It was destroyed in the 6th century and never rebuilt. A second three-aisle basilica was then built, but was abandoned unfinished, because the dome collapsed. Excavations have revealed two more basilicas. Here is also a crypt of the Roman times known to be the prison of Paul. (Admission €4/€2) After the visit we drive to Kavala and, arriving here, we can enjoy the beautiful view of the town and port. This corresponds to the ancient port of Neapolis, where Paul landed after he sailed from Troas (Asia Minor) to Macedonia. Going back in the direction of Thessaloniki, next to the Strymon River is an imposing monument called the Lion of Amphipolis. Further out is the ancient Amphipolis, through which Paul had passed on his way to Thessalonica. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Day 4 – 16 April 2015 Thursday Kalambaka After breakfast we depart the Hotel in Thessaloniki for Berea, to visit the modern Monument, which corresponds to the Bema from which Paul had preached. This was Paul's last stop in Macedonia before continuing on to Athens. Travelling south we will stop, if people wish, at the stall of a fruit seller before arriving at the royal tombs of Vergina (Admission €8/€4) containing the famous treasures from the recently excavated tomb of King Philippos, father of Alexander the Great, and the tomb of Alexander, son of Alexander the Great and Roxane, then continue to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight. Day 5 – 17 April 2015 Friday Meteora. After breakfast we visit the Monasteries of Meteora (Admission €2 each monastery). From the 12th century onwards, monks and hermits began to retire to the recesses in these immense grey rocks of Meteora and in the 14th century a large monastic state began to develop, which in the 16th century numbered 24 monasteries. Only five of these are still occupied. Two of these monasteries are visited. We depart for Delphi and will arrive at approximately 18.00. Dinner and overnight in the Itea Nafiska Palace. Day 6 – 18 April 2015 Saturday Delphi Breakfast at hotel. Departure for the visit in Delphi archeological site and the renovated museum with the treasures from the Temple of Apollo (Admission €9/€5); and a stop for lunch in one of the traditional restaurants on Mount Parnassos - then we will depart for the Monastery of Osios Lucas with the famous mosaics – better than those in Ravenna in Italy (Admission €6). After the visit we will depart for Athens, arriving at about 18:00 hours Day 7 – 19 April 2015 Sunday Athens. After breakfast, we will begin the visit to Athens. We will drive through the main streets, where the most important Monuments can be seen: the University, Library, Academy and the Parliament building, the 6th century B.C. Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. Visit the Acropolis (Admission €12/€6) and the famous Parthenon. Then the rocky Hill of Mars, the well-known Areopagus located on the northwest slope of the Acropolis. This Hill gave name to a Council of Nobles, which became the Senate and the Supreme Court of Ancient Athens. In 61 A.D. Paul delivered the Sermon on the unknown God. It was here that Senator Dionysius was converted to Christianity and later became the patron Saint of Athens. We will visit the area of Plaka, the old quarter of Athens. In the afternoon, the coach will take us to a point where we can take taxis (small charge) to the foot of Lycabetus Hill where we ascend by funicular railway (tickets €8 return) From the funicular station, we will walk to the coach. Dinner in hotel Day 8 – 20 April 2015 Monday Corinth. We have an early departure for our excursion to Corinth. The drive offers a variety of landscapes, viewing the Saronic Gulf and its islands. This is the Gulf which Paul had sailed going from Athens to Corinth. Stop to see the Corinth Canal which connects the Aegean with the Ionian Sea. Ancient Corinth is located inland on the foot of Mt. Acrocorinth. The city's "Long Wall" began from the summit of the mountain, encompassed the city and ended at the port of Lechaio, which was the artificial harbour built on the shore of the Gulf of Corinth. In the area of the city itself, the ruins are those of its Agora (Forum) as it was in the days of the Romans in the 1st century A.D. On the northern side of the Agora, 7 of the 38 columns of the Ancient Temple of Apollo (6th century B.C.) still stand. To the northwest of the Agora are the remains of the Theatre and the Roman Odeon. Among the ruins of the Roman Forum we can see the Bema, a single structure from where Paul preached to the Corinthians (Admission €6/€3). Visit also the Museum containing finds from the Agora. We will hold a service in the shade, among the ruins. Visit the small port of Cenchreae where St. Paul disembarked to visit Corinth. Return to Athens for dinner in hotel Day 9 - 21 April 2015 Tuesday Athens – UK Mid morning departure transfer for flight home Prices relate to full price/concessions over 65 years, evidence needed Cost per person sharing a twin bedded room £1,627.00 Single room supplement: £239.00 Included: Scheduled flights to Athens from London Heathrow, return plus a domestic flight to Thessalonki* hotel capsis thessaloniki www.capsishotels.gr 3 nights hotel divani meteora www.divanis.com 1 night hotel nafsika palace itea www.nafsikapalace.gr 1night hotel divani palace acropolis athens www.divanis.com 3 nights All transfers as per itinerary Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure. Porterage at the hotels and airports Touring in a private air- conditioned coaches with English speaking licensed guide. Not included: Gratuities to guides/drivers and hotel staff Lunches, drinks at meals and items of a personal nature Airport and departure taxes Entrance fees to archaeological sites – reductions apply for senior citizens Fuel surcharges – airport taxes approx. £200.00 Visa fees (for non UK passport holders, border and entry taxes) Travel insurance – premiums: Age range Premium 19 - 65 £28.38 66 - 69 £42.04 70 - 74 £52.30 75 - 80 £77.39 81+ £101.65