PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEY IN GREECE

Led by Pastor John Barber

Dates: May 17 – 25, 2024

Flights

Turkish Airlines Flight #DepartArrive
TK 32ATL on May 17 at 9:50 PMIST on May 18 at 3:45 PM
TK 1893IST on May 18 at 6:50 PMSKG on May 18 at 8:10 PM
TK 1844ATH on May 25 at 10:35 AMIST on May 25 at 12:05 PM
TK 31IST on May 25 at 3:10 PMATL on May 25 at 8:05 PM

Hotels

DatesCityHotel
May 18-20ThessalonikiMEDITERRANEAN PALACE
May 20-21
Kalambaka DIVANI KALAMBAKA
May 21-22
ArachovaELLINON THEA
May 22-25AthensBROWN ACROPOL

General Itinerary

Note: Itinerary has been updated to reflect new dates: May. 17-25, 2024

Day 1 – May 17, 2024 – Fri- DEPART FROM US

Departure flight from Atlanta to Thessalonica.

Day 2 – May 18, 2024 – Sat – ARRIVE IN GREECE – Thessaloniki

Arrive in Thessalonica, the second largest city of Greece. Meet and assist upon landing. transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 – May 19, 2024 – Sun- Thessaloniki

Depart for Philippi, passing by the Lion statue of Amphipolis (short stop for photos). We visit the archaeological site of Philippi, where Paul established a strong church and sent his letter (Acts 16:9-33). We see the river where Lydia is said to have been baptized, the ruins of a prison where the Apostle Paul and Sylas had been kept, the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica and the theater. After the visit, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where we enjoy a panoramic tour before returning to Thessalonica for an overnight stay.

Day 4 – May 20, 2024 – Mon- Kalambaka

This morning we drive to the upper part of the old city walls that offer excellent views of the city. After our sightseeing drive, we make our way to Berea (Acts 17:10-15) where Paul arrived and according to his custom, went to the synagogue and discovered that these Jews were “more noble” than those he had encountered in Thessalonica (Acts 17:10-11). Continue to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight

Day 5 – May 21, 2024 – Tue- Arachova

Enjoy a spectacular drive up to Meteora to visit two Monasteries built on the top of colossal symmetrical gray and reddish boulders. They are perched precariously high above the ground and were first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation. View the superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes. In the afternoon, start the drive back to Athens passing by historical Thermopylae, where we visit King Leonidas of Sparta’s commemoratory monument. Overnight in Delphi

Day 6 – May 22, 2024 – Wed – Athens

Check-out from the hotel. We start our drive to the Oracle of Delphi, considered to be the center of the ancient world, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. At Delphi archaeologists found a stone which was probably once attached to the outer wall of the Temple of Apollo. Inscribed in it, is a copy of a letter from the Roman emperor Claudius to the city of Delphi. Historians date the inscription to 52 AD, which corresponds almost precisely to the time of St. Paul’s stay in 51. We visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the archaeological museum, containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture, such as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Continue to Athens. Overnight.

Day 7 – May 23, 2024, Thu- Athens

In the morning, we climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis Hill and visit the famous Parthenon and Erechtheion Temples. Then walk to nearby Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where Paul delivered his soul-stirring sermon to the giants of philosophy, logic and learning and spoke about the inscription: “to an unknown god”. We continue our tour with a panoramic sightseeing of the city highlights. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure in Plaka, the oldest and most picturesque district of Athens.

Day 8 – May 24, 2024 – Fri- Athens

Today we depart for our morning tour out of Athens. Driving along the Saronic Gulf, we enjoy a quick photo stop at the historic Corinth Canal. Continue to Corinth archaeological site (Acts 18:1-18) where the Apostle Paul lived and worked, establishing 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 local archaeological museum is an absolute must! Return to Athens in the afternoon. Evening will be free to explore the historical and modern center of the city.

Day 9 – May 25, 2024 – Sat- RETURN FLIGHT BACK TO THE US

After witnessing a unique visual and historical experience of the Old and New Testament sites in Greece, this Biblical journey in Greece has come to an end. You will be transferred to Athens International Airport for your departure flight home.

We return home full of rich and unforgettable memories. A common refrain is heard — is the trip really over?  Can we start planning for our return visit?

Schedules and/or local conditions may change while touring. Changes might be made in the order of the sites.

Passport

Required:  Scan or take a picture (without flash) of the ID page of your passport (full page, all corners visible), then please send it to Michael at [email protected]

Note: Passport must be valid at least six months following end of tour.

Payment Details

Package price per person sharing double rooms: $4,395

Single Supplement: $941

Terms of Payment (for new registrations only)

First Payment (1/2): $400 (non-refundable deposit) – Due by January 17, 2024

Second Payment (2/2):  $3,995 – Due by March 17, 2024

Single Supplement: $941 – Only for those who wish to reserve single rooms – due by March 17, 2024

Methods of Payment:

1) Credit Card, charged by Yael Adventures – Israel

2) PayPal (+2.1% PayPal fee)

Payments can be made at the bottom of this webpage.

Included in Package Price

  • International Flights Atlanta Thessalonica – Athens Atlanta
  • Airconditioned Luxury Bus with English speaking professional driver for the mentioned program. Day use (12hours in total – 8 hours driving).
  • 7 overnights to the mentioned hotels including breakfast.
  • 7 Dinners Hotels / Taverns
  • Professional English-speaking guide for Thessaloniki, Filippoi – Kavala, Meteora, Delphi, Acropolis – Athens city tour
  • Entrance fees in archaeological sites of Filippoi, Amphipolis, Delphi, Acropolis
  • Entrance ticket for 2 Meteora Monasteries
  • Hotel Porterage
  • English speaking assistant for the arrival and departure flights.
  • City tax
  • Whisper sets for the tour days
  • Drivers porterage
  • 2 bottles 0,50 lt of mineral water per person per day
  • VAT 13% & 24% according to the type of supplier (any VAT change occurs prices will be adjusted accordingly)
  • Arrival Welcome at the airport
  • Help Desk Assistance

Excluded from Package Price

  • Civil liability Insurance according to Greek law. It is recommended for travelers to have their own insurance. Our agency does not provide any insurance except it is requested and contracted.
  • Entrance tickets and guiding tours to any archaeological site, museum, castle etc.  that it is not mentioned as included.
  • Personal expenses like drinks, more meals, tips and anything else is not mentioned as included.
  • Flight changes might be made depending on the airlines changes in flight
  • Covid-19 testing
  • Tips to guide and Driver per person per day for Guide  & Driver

Tips Guidelines:

  • Guide – $8-10 per person per day
  • Driver – $3-4 per person per day

Travel Insurance 

We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen events that may impact your travel plans, health, personal items, etc.

We recommend Travelex Travel Insurance.  For more information, please visit their website: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/

COVID-19 – Information / Requirements

All the necessary information about Israel’s travel requirements regarding Covid-19 can be found here:

https://corona.health.gov.il/en/abroad/arriving-foreign-nationals/

As the situation is subject to change, we suggest checking back often.

Cancellation by Yael Adventures

In case of lack of participants or any other reason, Yael Adventures may cancel the tour. In such a case, Yael Adventures will be responsible to provide a full refund. Yael Adventures will not be responsible for and will not refund any purchases not made through Yael Adventures, e.g., airline tickets. Cancellation according to state travel advisors and/or warnings, acts of war, acts of God, natural disasters or other reasons that are out of Yael Adventures’ control, will not be eligible for any form of refund.

Cancellation Fees (apply for new registrations only)

  • $400 non-refundable registration fee
  • 61-75 days before the departure day: 50% of total cost
  • 31-60 days before the departure day: 75% of total cost
  • 0-30 days before the departure day: 100% of total cost

Tour Registration

To register for the tour, a deposit of $400 is required.  Online payments are available below.

$400.00$3,995.00