Ancient Pathways
Paul’s journey through Greece and the Lycian Coast
October 10 ‐ 20, 2008 Day 1: Friday, October 10, 2008
USA TO GREECE
Begin your memorable RTS tour with the evening
departure of your international flight from the US to Greece.
Day 2: Saturday, October 11, 2008
ATHENS TO THESSALONIKI
Arrive in Athens this morning with a connecting flight to
modern Salonika (Thessaloniki). Upon arrival in Thessaloniki you will be
welcomed by our local hosts and transferred to the hotel for a two-night
stay. A welcoming reception and dinner will be followed by a brief question
and answer session which will include an overview by Dr. John Currid.
Day 3: Sunday, October 12, 2008 KAVALLA, PHILIPPI and
AMPHIPOLIS
Our morning worship service will be conducted by Dr.
Curried en route to Kavalla, Greece’s prettiest mainland port with a most
elegant harbor. Paul landed here with his disciples, timothy and silas. Luke
came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed
Christoupolis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity.
You will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this
beautifully located city, known since the 15th century as Kavalla. Continue
to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the
first Christians on European soil. A crypt dating from the Roman period is
thought to have served as a prison for St. Paul. You will see the famous
Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica and the Theatre. Travel to Amphipolis
where you’ll see the ruins of many Christian basilicas. Return to
Thessaloniki for overnight.
Day 4: Monday, October 13,2008
THESSALONIKI to
DELPHI
The New Testament books of Thessalonians are his
correspondence with the people of this church. You will visit the old city
ramparts, the Archaeological Museum, St. George church, an ancient Roman
monument which was transformed into a church, and the Galerius Arch
which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. Following lunch, we’ll enjoy the
beautiful Greek countryside as we continue our journey south to Delphi.
Day 5: Tuesday, October 14,2008
DELPHI and
ATHENS
Delphi is an ancient city of fame and wealth considered by
early Greeks to be the center of the world. The exact age of Delphi is not
known, but it is mentioned by Homer. Your visit will take you along the
sacred way to the Athenian Treasury, the Theatre, and the Temple of Apollo,
of which six columns have been restored similar in design to the Parthenon.
You’ll also visit the famous Archaeological Museum where, among other
treasures, you will see the unique 5th century B.C. bronze charioteer.
Continue to Athens where we’ll spend the next three nights.
Day 6: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
CORINTH and
CENCHRAEAE
In Corinth, whose church received two of St. Paul’s letters,
you will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema and
the Temples. After a touching farewell to the people of Corinth, Paul
traveled across the plain to the harbor of Cenchraeae where he embarked
for Ephesus. View the harbor before returning to Athens.
Day 7: Thursday, October 16, 2008
ATHENS
Follow your guide on a journey to the world-renowned
Acropolis with the Propylaea entrance, and the ruins of the Parthenon and
Erectheum. You will view Mars Hill, the Agora (ancient market place and
center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Palace. The afternoon is free to
explore the city on your own.
Day 8: Friday, October 17
PIRAEUS (EMBARK)
Board the ship Aquamarine this morning and depart at
11:00am.
MYKONOS: 6:00PM TO 10:00PM
Stroll at leisure through the white-washed flower decked
alleyways of Mykonos to the sculpture-like church of Paraportiani; or simply
enjoy walking along the waterfront to the famous windmills.
Day 9: Saturday, October 18
RHODES: 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
This old fortified city was built by the Knights of St. John,
and has changed little since medieval days. You may elect to stroll through
the streets, or take an excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos.
Day 10: Sunday, October 19
EPHESUS: 7:00am to 12:00pm
Arrive at the port of Kusadasi, Turkey. Here you begin
your excursion to the ancient Greek city of Ephesus where Paul spent two
years during his ministry. It was to this community that Paul may have
written his Epistle to the Ephesians. Early Christian tradition also suggests
that Mary, mother of Jesus, may have died here. You will visit the ruins of
St. John’s Basilica where, tradition holds, the “disciple whom Jesus loved”
was buried. You will also visit the Temples of Diana (Artemis), one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world.
PATMOS: 4:00PM TO 7:00PM
The beautiful island of Patmos is where St. John wrote the
book of Revelation. Excursions include the Grotto of the Revelation, and the
11th century Monastery of St. John.
Day 11: Monday, October 20
ATHENS to USA
Disembark at the Port of Piraeus, and transfer to the
Athens airport for your Olympic Airways international flight. You will return
home with new images and appreciation of the ministry of Paul.