Join Dr. Luis Tejera and Hickory Grove Baptist Church as we walk where Paul walked. See the ruins of the Philippi, Ephesus, and Corinth. Renew your baptism at the river where Lydia, the first Gentile Woman was baptized by Paul. We will climb Mars Hill where Paul defended the faith as he overlooked the Roman city of Athens. Then we will board a boat to see the island of Patmos where the book of Revelation was written. While we are there, of course we will see a few of the other Greek Islands to reflect and absorb all we have seen and done. This pilgrimage will shape how the church was formed and help us cast a vision of what Jesus is doing in our church now.
DETAILS:
-
Trip departs on May 18, 2025 and returns on May 27, 2025
-
Departure Airport: Charlotte, NC
PRICING:
-
$5,490 per person based on double occupancy - book now as space is limited!
-
Single room supplement
-
Land only (if booking your own flights) - $1150 (airfare credit)
PAYMENT PLAN:
-
$500.00 deposit per person with registration to secure space
-
Balance due on or before
REGISTRATION:
-
Registering online? Click the "BOOK NOW" button and fill out the online form; you can pay by check or with a credit card (a 4% platform fee applies)
-
Registering by mail? Please download and complete the registration form (both the personal information page and the terms and conditions page signed at the bottom) with a copy of your passport and a deposit of $500.00 per person made payable to Elias Tours and mail to: 4941 Chalden Ln NE, Marietta, GA 30066
-
Download the Registration Form
FLIGHT SCHEDULE:
* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.
What is included in the tour
- Airfare from Charlotte, NC - Other cities available
- 8 nights in 4-star (double occupancy)
- 3-day cruise extension
- Patmos and Ephesus Excursion
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Lunch on the boat
- Entrance fee to all sites
- All ground transportation in a private tour bus
What is NOT included in the tour
- Gratuities, For guide and driver
- Lunch (Except on the Boat)
- Personal Expenses
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through *Travelex Insurance Services. For questions, quotes, or to purchase travel insurance, visit Travelex Insurance or call (800) 228-9792 and use the code 26-0057 for Elias Tours.
Explore the land of Greece, as the history of the New Testament comes alive. Retrace the voyages of Paul as you learn about the early church and the spread of the Gospel. Start your journey in Athens and Corinth, then into Ephesus, as you make your way to Patmos.
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1 (MAY 18): BEGINNING OF YOUR TOUR: Depart from USA for an overnight flight to Thessaloniki, Greece.
DAY 2 (MAY 19): INTO THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL: Arrive in Thessaloniki. Meet with the guide and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 3 (MAY 20): THESSALONIKI/KAVALA/PHILIPPI: Begin the day traveling near the port of Kavala, where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. This port was also a destination for Luke the evangelist when he sailed from Troas. See a Byzantine castle, the Roman Aqueduct, and the ruins of an acropolis. Follow the Via Egnatia, a remnant of Rome’s highway system, viewing Roman and Greek tombs. Next, stop in Philippi, where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and sowed the seeds of Christianity. Among the ruins located on the rocky ledge above the town’s main road is the prison into which Paul and Silas were thrown. Meander down to the riverbank to the site of Lydia's baptism, the first baptism on European soil. Return to Thessaloniki, where Paul planted a church that would later receive two New Testament epistles. Visit one of the most beautiful basilicas in the city, St. Demetrius. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 4 (MAY 21): THESSALONIKI/BEREA/KALAMBAKA: In the morning, spend time in the ancient city of Thessaloniki. Explore the ruins of the Roman forum and see the Rotunda. View the triumphal Arch of Galerius and continue along the waterfront to the massive White Tower. Next, travel to Berea (Veria) to see the ancient bema where Paul spent many hours sharing the Gospel. Head south to view the awe-inspiring rock formations of Meteora. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
DAY 5 (MAY 22): METEORA/THERMOPYLAE/ATHENS: Take in the striking monasteries of Meteora that seem to hang in the air, crowning the summits of these pinnacles with their wooden galleries and corniced rooftops. Dangerously hanging over the stunning abysses, these primitive dwellings compose one of the most fascinating sites on earth. A special treat awaits with a visit to one of these timeless monasteries to see the exquisite specimens of Byzantine art on display. Journey through the amazing countryside taking in the beauty of Greece. Stop at the mountain pass of Thermopylae, the location where the Greeks victoriously fought for their freedom during the Greco-Persian wars in 480 BC. See the statue of Leonidas, king of the Greek city-state Sparta. Continue to Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 (MAY 23): ATHENS/LAVRIO/MYKONOS: Begin the day with a drive to the Port of Lavrio and step aboard The Olympia, to start a 4-day Greek Islands cruise. Spend the afternoon exploring the Island of Mykonos, world-renowned for its lovely windmills, small cobblestone streets, and countryside. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. Lunch included onboard.
DAY 7 (MAY 24): EPHESUS, TURKEY/PATMOS, GREECE: Step off the ship at Kusadasi and into nearby Ephesus, Turkey, Asia Minor’s greatest archeological site. This Greek and Roman city has been remarkably preserved. Step along the broad marble where Paul walked. Gaze at the Temple of Artemis (Diana), the Temple of Hadrian, and The Celsus Library. Marvel at the massive theater where Paul was opposed for speaking boldly about Christ. In the afternoon, enjoy cruising aboard The Olympia to the island of Patmos, built on a mass of volcanic rock. The island marks the site where the apostle John was exiled. Visit the Monastery of St. John and the cave where he received the vision he recorded in the book of Revelation. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. Lunch included onboard.
DAY 8 (MAY 25): CRETE/SANTORINI: Arrive in Heraklion, Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands and the cradle of the Ancient Minoan Civilization. This island is where the Apostle Paul spent time as he was being transported to Rome as a prisoner and where Titus remained to help the churches. Take a walking tour through town and stop at the Church of St. Titus, Paul’s true son in the faith and the first Bishop of Crete. Board The Olympia for an afternoon cruise to the famous island of Santorini, formed by the half-submerged crescent of a volcanic caldera. Perched atop high cliffs, savor the island’s breathtaking views from Oia. Dinner and overnight on the ship. Lunch included onboard.
DAY 9 (MAY 26): ATHENS/CORINTH: Early morning arrival in Athens to begin the day’s excursion. Proceed to Corinth through the Bay of Salamis and the Saronic Gulf. This city was home to the apostle Paul for over a year and inspired two of his most familiar letters. Spend time at the Corinthian Canal then tour the ruins of this ancient city. Return to Athens to view the world-renowned Acropolis and marvel at the ancient glory of the Parthenon, built 2400 years ago. Gather at Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the intellectual men of the most informed city of the time, pleading the cause of Christianity. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
DAY 10 (MAY 27): ATHENS/USA: Transfer to Athens airport for your return flight to the USA with your heart full of memories from spectacular views and unforgettable experiences.
NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and the tour guide’s discretion.
