Day 1: Athens
Tour starts in Athens, featuring the Acropolis and Mars Hill, where St Paul delivered his famous sermon. The tour includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Greek Parliament, the Presidential Palace and Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and National Library. Enjoy Monastiraki, Plaka, the Ancient Agora and Lycabettus with its panoramic city views. In the afternoon, visit Kaisariani Monastery, founded in the 11th century A.D. – a place of significant Christian interest, consecrated to the Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple.
Day 2: Athens, Corinth Canal, ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion, Epidaurus, Athens
The tour takes you to Corinth, one of the major stops of St Paul, who spent 18 months there preaching to the locals, Gentiles and Jews. Visit Mycenae with the Cyclopean walls and the Royal Tombs. This exceptional experience is followed by a visit to Nafplion, the first capital of Greece after Greek War of Independence in 1821. Next is Epidaurus, where you will have the chance to see the magnificent Theater of Epidaurus with its remarkable acoustics.
Day 3: Athens, Delphi, Kalmbaka, Kastraki, Meteora
The third day starts out driving towards Delphi, one of the most intriguing sites of ancient Greece. Delphi is the home of the Oracle. In antiquity, people from all over Greece and the world got there to hear the divine consult. You will visit the archaeological site, as well as the Museum. Enjoy your lunch in Delphi or at the nearby picturesque village of Arachova and head towards the imposing Meteora, spending the night in Kastraki.
Day 4: Meteora, Thessaloniki
The sightseeing tour starts early in the morning, with a visit to the unearthly suspended rocks of Meteora. Tour the monasteries on the top of the steep cliffs, the second most important complex of Byzantine monasteries after Athos. After lunch the tour will drive you to Thessaloniki overnight.
Day 5: Thessaloniki
After a hearty breakfast, you will enjoy a city tour in the splendidly mesmerizing Thessaloniki, where St Paul established a church. The tour visits St Sophia and St Demetrios churches, the upper part of the Old City Walls, the famous White Tower of Thessaloniki and the Triumphal Arch of Galerius. Spend overnight in Thessaloniki or Veria.
Day 6: Verroia and Vergina
Visit the reconstructed steps of the rostrum, where St Paul was believed to have preached. Later head towards Vergina, the first capital of Macedonia of Alexander the Great. Return to Thessaloniki for the night.
Day 7: Philippi / Kavala (Neapolis)
The tour will start in Thessaloniki towards Philippi, named after King Philip II. This is the place where St Paul delivered his first sermon ever in Europe and where he baptised a woman named Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. Close to Philippi, you will visit Kavala, the ancient city known as Neapolis, where St Paul arrived to Europe. Overnight in Kavala.
Day 8: Return to Athens
It is time to get back to Athens, but only after having passed by Katerini, Tembi, Larisa, Lamia, Thermopylae, the site of the battle of King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans.
Luxury mini bus or Coach
Accommodation to 3* or 4* hotels with buffet breakfast
Official guide to all monuments and monasteries
Liability insurance
All taxes and entrance fees
Exclusions:
Meals (We can offer an option with meals included)
Hotel overnight tax (1.5€ to 4€ per room per night payable on the spot at the hotel)
