BIBLE TOUR 2015 - GREECE
Oct. 4 - 12, 2015
8 DAY GREECE BIBLE TOUR WITH JULIE EDENSOR
Join us as we have 8 days of fellowship, prayer, worship and studying the WORD on location in the ancient sites of Athens, Corinth, Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kavala, Neapolis, Berea, Samos, Patmos! The price is £1290 however we now have limited availability if you are interested please email hello@zarephath.co.uk or call 0844 357 7574 for more information.
Sun, Oct 4: ATHENS ARRIVAL – CITY TOUR
Upon arrival to Athens International Airport meet and depart for a half day city tour. We will climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Then, we go to nearby Mars' Hill (or Areopagus) where Paul delivered his well-known sermon and spoke about the inscription: “to an unknown god”. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, the Academy, the University of Athens and the National Library, the Panathenian Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch. After the tour, check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Mon, Oct 5: ANCIENT CORINTH - KALAMBAKA
Breakfast at the hotel. Our morning excursion takes us out of Athens by the Saronic Gulf, where in 480 BC history’s root was changed! The small Grecian fleet managed to defeat the enormously powerful armada of the Persians. From here, via the historic Corinthian Canal (photo stop) we arrive at Ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was Corinth where Apostle Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an absolute must! After the tour we drive to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight stay.
Tue, Oct 6: VERGINA - THESSALONIKI
Breakfast at the hotel and then departure towards Thessaloniki. On our way we stop in Vergina (ancient Aigai), the first capital of Macedonia, where we visit the most important tomb ever discovered that of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. Lunch on your own. Then on to Thessaloniki to enjoy a panoramic tour of the city viewing the White Tower, the Triumphal Arch of Galerius standing on the Egnatian Way and the Rotunda, St. Demetrius' Church and also St. Sophia, the first Christian church in Thessaloniki. At Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) Paul went immediately to the synagogue where, for three Saturdays he explained the prophecies of the Old Testament to Jews and Greeks. According to the Book of the Acts many Greeks believed and even many «Greek chief women» (Acts 17:1-4). We check-in at hotel, followed by dinner and overnight.
Wed, Oct 7: AMPHIPOLIS – PHILIPPI – KAVALA - THESSALONIKI
Breakfast at the hotel then morning visit to Philippi passing by Amphipolis (short stop). In Philippi Apostle Paul came and worked, establishing a strong church. To this congregation, later he sent his Philippian letter. Of all the churches Paul founded, probably none was as near and dear to him as the church at Philippi (Acts 16:9-33). We see the river where Lydia is thought to have been baptized, the ruins of a prison where traditionally is said that Paul and Sylas had been kept: the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica and the Theater. Philippi was named after Philip II, king of Macedonia father of Alexander the Great. The Roman road Via Egnatia crossed this city and ran from Rome to Byzantium. Lunch on your own. After the visit, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) for a brief orientation tour of the city. Late that afternoon we return to Thessaloniki. Dinner & overnight in Thessaloniki.
Thu, Oct 8: BEREA – ATHENS
Breakfast at the hotel and then we start the drive back to Athens with a brief stop in Berea where we see the Byzantine mosaic monument commemorating the preaching of Apostle Paul. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Athens.
Fri, Oct 9: FLIGHT TO SAMOS – FERRY TO PATMOS
Early morning transfer to the Airport for the flight to Samos island then transfer to the port of Pythagorio. We then take the ferry to Patmos, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant.
Sat, Oct 10: PATMOS
In the morning we drive up to Chora old town of Patmos and we walk up to visit the Byzantine Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, followed by the Cave of the Apocalypse. Dinner at local restaurant.
Sun, Oct 11: FERRY TO SAMOS – FLIGHT TO ATHENS
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the port for the ferry to Samos then flight to Athens. Dinner & overnight in Athens.
Mon, Oct 12: DEPARTURE
Transfer to the Airport for your flight back home.