Welcome! This is an excellent opportunity for continuing education for rostered ministers and church leaders. You will be hosted and learn first hand from Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis and Dr. Michael Chan while visiting the places where apostle Paul preached and taught himself! It would be our great honor to host you on our Footsteps of Paul Tour.
Every year we do one Pastors and Church Leaders tour below costs for three reasons:
1. To thank you for the work you do in the Church and give you time after Christmas and before Easter to bask and be well cared for.
2. It is a deep value of ours, at Elias Tours, to give pastors and Church leaders the opportunity to experience holy sites in person and learn from incredible leaders, the land, and the local people. This enriches you, your teaching, and your congregations while sharing the good news of what God has done and what God continues to do in the world!
3. Our hope is to host you again with your Church or organization. This is your time to sample and choose what your tour could look like and how we can partner with you.
Dr. Karoline M. Lewis
Karoline M. Lewis is the Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, St.Paul, MN, where she has taught since 2007. She is the Program Director for the Festival of Homiletics, a contributing writer for Working Preacher, and co-host of the weekly podcast, Sermon Brainwave. Lewis is the author of a number of books on the Gospel of John, biblical interpretation, preaching, leadership, and women in ministry. You can connect with Karoline on Facebook, Instagram and on www.karolinelewis.com.
Dr. Michael Chan
Dr. Michael Chan joined the Concordia College community in June 2022. Prior to that, he was Associate Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. As the Executive Director for Faith and Learning, Dr. Chan directs the Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work and the Dovre Center for Faith and Learning, guides Concordia’s interfaith relationships, and oversees the work of Campus Ministry
Rev. Chris Enstad
Rev. Chris Enstad is Senior Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities. He has served congregations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He is married and has two daughters.
DETAILS:
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Trip departs on January 6, 2025 and returns on January 15, 2025
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Departure Airport: Chicago (ORD)
PRICING:
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$2,490.00 per person based on double occupancy - space is limited!
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Spouse $2,790, ( Spouse )
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Single room supplement - $790.00
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Land Only $1,740. If you book your own flight
PAYMENT PLAN:
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$300.00 deposit per person with registration to secure space
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Balance due on or before October 1, 2024
REGISTRATION:
info@eliastours.com / 406-261-7791
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This Trip is by invitation. If you are interested please contact us and we will send you the registration form.
FLIGHT SCHEDULE:
TK 186 06JAN ORD - IST 1135A 655A 07JAN TK 1843 07JAN IST - ATH 805A 830A TK 2317 15JAN ADB - IST 1100A 1220P TK 5 15JAN IST - ORD 320P 610P
* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.
For more information, contact us at info@eliastours.com or (406) 261-7791
What is included in the tour
- Airfare from Chicago (ORD) - (Other cities are available)
- 8 nights in 4-star hotels (Double Occupancy)
- Breakfast, and Dinner daily
- Entrance fee to all sites
- All ground transportation in a private tour bus
- Study Tour Booklet
What is NOT included in the tour
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
- Your Demostic flight to and from ORD
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: 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.
Day 1, January 6: Departure from the USA |
Depart from Chicago for an overnight flight to Athens, Greece.
Day 2, January 7: Beginning the Footsteps of Paul - Athens |
With our arrival in Athens, we have entered into the world of the New Testament where St. Paul and his companions established the first Christian communities throughout his four missionary journeys. On arrival, we will be met at the airport for a personal transfer to our hotel, introduction and short walking tour in charming Plaka neighborhood. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 3, January 8: Athens - Mars Hill - Acropolis |
We start the day at Mars Hill. Rising 377 feet above the land below and close to the Acropolis and Agora (marketplace). Mars Hill served as the meeting place for the Areopagus Court, the highest court in Greece. Mars Hill is also the location of one of Paul’s most important gospel presentations while in Athens during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:16–34). It was here where Paul addressed the religious idolatry of the Greeks who had an altar to the “Unknown God." We will visit the ancient roman Agora (marketplace). On the Acropolis, we will visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and finally the Parthenon. Return to the hotel. Free evening in Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 4, January 9: Meteora Monasteries |
We spend time marveling at this unique phenomenon of nature – 24 perpendicular rocks where 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to worship God and build their cave-like Monastic community of Meteora. Take in the striking monasteries that crown 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. Overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 5, January 10: Kalambaka - Athens |
Devotion in the morning, with reflection and prayer before traveling to the small village of Kalambala. We will have a walking tour and free time, then return to Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 6, January 11: Corinth |
Depart for a full-day tour to Ancient Corinth the city, which was the center of trade for many centuries. To begin, we will stop at the famous channel, called the Isthmus in Greek, the place where the Peloponnese and central Greece meet, as well as the Aegean and Ionian seas. The canal was completed at the end of the 19th century by the government of Charilaos Trikoupis and saves ships more than 400 km (the distance to go around the Peloponnese peninsula). We will visit Ancient Corinth with its amazing artifacts, some of which date back to 6000 B.C. The remains of the city, which include the Agora (market) and the temple of Apollo (6th century BC) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in antiquity. The Romans rebuilt the city in 44 B.C. to later make it the provincial capital of Greece. On our way back to Athens, we will make a brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Cehries, where Saint Paul disembarked from Thessaloniki. For Christians, Corinth is mentioned in the New Testament, when Saint Paul addressed the residents of the city in his two epistles, First and Second Corinthians. It is mentioned again in the Acts of the Apostles during the evangelical work of Saint Paul. At the end of the tour, return to Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 7, January 12: Ephesus |
Breakfast at the hotel. Devtion and relfection in the morning and then free time.Transfer to the airport in the afternoon to take our flight to Izmir. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (The flight time is 50 minutes)
Day 8, January 13: Ephesus |
Breakfast at the hotel, then Ephesus, the best preserved ancient city in Asia Minor during the 1st and 2nd centuries had a population of 250,000 inhabitants, monopolizing the wealth of the Middle East. We will visit the Temple of Hadrian, the Roman Baths, the Library, the Odeon, and the Theater. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 9, January 14: Izmir |
Breakfast at the hotel, then we visit Smyrna, located at a strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Free day in the village of Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
Day 10, January 15: Departure to USA |
Following breakfast at our hotel, private transfer to Izmir airport. We fly home and arrive the same day.
NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and the tour guide’s discretion.
