Study Tour of Biblical Greece
Sponsored by:
Hosted by: Gordon Franz and Robert Sullivan
March 18th to March 29th, 2014
$3,199.00 (price includes tax $462.79)
The Associates for Biblical Research (ABR)
is sponsoring a study tour of Biblical Greece.
The emphasis will be on the cities and places that were visited by the Apostle Paul and
his co-workers, as well as sites that have
an indirect bearing on the Biblical text. The
tour will be lead by ABR staff member Gordon Franz and ABR board president Robert
Sullivan. Gordon has explored and led numerous study trips to Greece and he is well
familiar with the history, archaeology, and
Biblical events that transpired in the ancient
nation of Greece. He and Rob will lead onsite Bible studies as well as give lectures
on the long bus ride between sites.
Our Itinerary – Lord Willing
Day 1, March 18 We meet at JFK airport
on the first day for our afternoon departure
at 1:55 PM on Turkish Air to Istanbul.
Day 2, March 19 We arrive early morning,
5:45 AM, at Istanbul airport and depart for
Thessaloniki at 1:15 PM. Our short flight arrives into Thessaloniki about 2:35 PM. Our
Christian tour guide, James Nikolopoulos,
www.BibleArchaeology.org
and a driver will meet us at the airport and be transferred by bus
to Philippi.
Day 3, March 20 Our first day of touring begins at the Church of
Lydia and Paul and we discuss the meeting of the apostle and
seller of purple in this city. We will spend the rest of the morning in
the modern city of Kavala, built over the ancient city of Neapolis,
where the Apostle Paul and his team first landed in Greece (Acts
16:11-12). We will walk a short segment of the ancient Via Egnatia,
the Roman Road that spanned the length of Macedonia. We will
view the ancient harbor of Neapolis and then walk to the church
dedicated to the landing of Paul in Greece. There will be free time
to change money and have lunch in the city. In the early afternoon
we return to Philippi and visit the excavations, the archaeological
museum, and have an optional hike up the acropolis. Those who
do not want to do the hike can return to the hotel, just a short walk
from the museum. On this day we will discuss Paul’s ministry in
Philippi (Acts 16:11-40); the Book of Philippians; the lives of Lydia:
An Open Heart and an Open Home; Epaphroditus: A Gambling
Veteran; and Silas: A Faithful and Fearless Man; also the Battle of
Philippi: The Battle that Changed the Course of Western Civilization.
Day 4, March 21 In the morning we will follow the modern road
that runs along the ancient Via Egnatia, the route the Apostle Paul
took to Thessaloniki (Acts 17:1). Our first stop will be Amphipolis
to visit the museum and excavations. As we depart, we will visit
the famed lion of Amphipolis. We continue
along the Via Egnatia to Apollonia, the city
dedicated to the god Apollo. This site is very
rarely visited by tourists, mainly because
very little has been done archaeologically. At least we can say, “Been there, done
that, just like the Apostle Paul!” By mid-afternoon we should be in Thessaloniki, the
most important city in northern Greece. At
the end of the day we will visit the Church
of St. Demetrius and the Agora/Forum that
are located close to our hotel. The evening
will be free to explore and have dinner and
taste the local cuisine. Breakfast will be on
our own, but there is a grocery store right
around the corner from the hotel. On this
day, we will discuss: “How Beautiful are the
Feet” on the Via Egnatia; Paul at Amphipolis; Paul at Apollonia: The City of Apollo;
and St. Demetrius.
Day 5, March 22 The day begins with a
tour of the Thessaloniki Museum and see
artifacts that have a bearing on the books
of 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Paul’s ministry in this city (Acts 17:1-9). We will continue our journey to Pella, the ancient capital
of Macedonia and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. We will visit the new archaeological museum and see some of the
recent artifacts that were excavated at the
site, as well as the excavation of this capital
city. Our final stop will be the city of Berea
(Vorea) and visit the “Altar of St. Paul” and
the “modern” synagogue of the city (Acts
17:10-15). We will spend the night in, or
near, Berea. On this day we will consider: Paul at Thessaloniki:
Synagogue and Scripture; Demas: Lover of this Present World; Aristarchus: Noble Birth, Nobler Pursuit; Pella and Alexander the
Great; Macedonia in the Book of Daniel; and Paul at Berea: “They
Search the Scriptures Daily.”
Day 6, March 23 It will be a short ride from Berea to Vergina and
our visit to the burial mound of Philip II and the theater where he
was assassinated by two of his body guards. We will continue to
Dion to visit the excavations and museum. It was here that the god
Apollo gave Alexander the Great his blessing to have a military
campaign against Persia in order to recapture Greek territory. Unbeknownst to Alexander, he was fulfilling Bible prophecy that was
predicted by the prophet Daniel. We will continue to the modern
city of Larissa where the tomb of Hippocrates, the father of modern
medicine, is located. This evening we will spend the night at the
Edelweiss Hotel in Kalembaka. On this day we will consider: Vergina and Philip II; Alexander the Great at Dion; and Hippocrates,
Plato, and Public Health.
Day 7, March 24 We begin with a drive through Meteora and a visit to one or two monasteries. The monastic movement will be discussed and the lifestyle of the monks considered. We will have an
optional hike down the hill to Kalembaka. After lunch we will leave
Kalembaka for Thermopylae, where the famous battle took place
between the 300 Spartans and the Persian army under Xerxes the
Great. The battlefield will be explored before we continue to Delphi
and the Hotel Acropole. This hotel is a family run, boutique hotel
that has charm and a great view out the back! On this day we will
discuss: Meteora: “Suspended in Air”; and the Battle of Thermopylae and the Book of Esther.
Day 8, March 25 As we roll out of bed, it will be Independence
Day in Greece! Due to the holiday, parks will be closed. We begin
our day by walking along the road through the Delphi excavations.
Delphi was considered in Greek mythology to be the center of the
earth and had the famed oracle temple of
the god Apollo. After departing from Delphi,
we will make a short stop in Thebes to visit
the Church of St. Luke. Tradition has it that
he was buried there and his bones later
removed to Constantinople and then on to
Italy. Recently, the Vatican returned the rib
bone closest to St. Luke’s heart to be reinterred in the church! Our journey will bring
us to Corinth to spend the night, but before
we stop, we will visit the Corinth Canal and
then proceed to Kenchrea (Acts 18:18). After discussing Sister Phoebe (Rom. 16:12) we will visit the Diolkos where the ships
were dragged over the isthmus. Today we
will consider: Delphi: “Navel of the Earth”;
the Geology of Delphi; the Gallio Inscription; and Luke the Physician: With “Medicine for the Soul”; Paul at Canchrea: Vow
and Hospitality; Phoebe: Sister, Servant,
and Patroness of the Church at Canchrea;
and finally the Diolkos and the Corinth Canal.
Day 9, March 26 Our focus today will be
the ancient city of Corinth. We will begin at
Isthmia where athletic games were held. In
Ancient Corinth we will start with the AcroCorinth. There will be an optional hike up
to the temple of Aphrodite the goddess of
love and beauty. There is a splendid view of
the entire Isthmus of Corinth from the top.
The museum and Agora of Corinth will be
explored as well as a visit to the Erastus
Inscription (Acts 18:1-17). At the end of the
day we will make our traveling home in Ath-
ens for the next three nights There is a lot of Biblical material to
discuss and it will include: Paul at Corinth: In the World, but Not of
the World; “Go for the Gold!”: Paul and the Isthmian Games; “Meat
Offered to Idols”; the lives of Erastus: “Salt and Light” in the Government of Corinth; Titus: “Blessed are the Peacemakers”; Apollos: “Eloquent and Mighty in the Scriptures”; Aquila and Priscilla:
“A Godly Marriage for Ministry.”
Day 10, March 27 We have arrived in the capital of democracy
and Greek philosophy - Athens. On this day we begin with a visit
to the Temple of Zeus below the Acropolis. We will walk to the
Theater of Dionysis and then up to the Acropolis where we will
spend time visiting this important archaeological site. The morning
will end in the ancient Agora (Acts 17:16-34). In the afternoon we
will visit the National Archaeological Museum. Our discussion for
today will be: Paul at Athens: “Jesus is Infinitely Superior to Zeus”;
the Household of Stephanas: “First fruits of Achaia.”
Day 11, March 28 On our final day we will visit sites in the area
around Athens. Our first stop will be the Piraeus Museum to see
the artifacts that were uncovered in the harbor of Piraeus. We will
also view and discuss the Battle of Salamis from Mount Aigaleo
where King Xerxes watched his naval fleet be destroyed by the
Greek navy. Our final stop will be Elusia where the famed temple
of Demeter and the Greek mystery religion is located. The rest
of the afternoon will be free to shop and explore in Athens. Our
discussions for today will include: Mutiny on the HMS Corinth:
“Under-rowers for Captain Jesus”; and Eleusis “The Eleusinian
Mysteries.” Other topics to be discussed during the trip will be:
The Missionary Activity of the Apostle Paul; “He Sent Them Forth
Two-by-Two”; Paul’s Missionary strategy; the Chronology of the
Life of the Apostle Paul; and the life of Timothy: “Doing the Work
of an Evangelist.”
Day 12, March 29 As we depart from Athens, we trust you will
have pleasant memories of the people we met on the tour as well
as the places we visited. The purpose of
this tour is to edify and educate the believer
in the Lord Jesus so they have a better understanding of the Word of God and the life
and ministry of the Apostle Paul.
Our Turkish Air flight leaves Athens
at 10:05 AM and arrives in Istanbul at
11:25. The final leg of our flight departs
at 1:25 PM for JFK. We should arrive at
JFK at 6:20 PM.
Trip Inclusions:
• All air transportation per itinerary
• Two free pieces of check in luggage
• Ten overnights hotel accommodation
• Nine overnights hotel accommodation on half board basis (Breakfast and dinner)
• One overnight hotel accommodation on bed only basis in Thessaloniki
• English-speaking Bible orientated guide throughout tour
• Entrance Fees to archaeological sites & museums mentioned in itinerary • All tours and transfers by private, fully air-conditioned, latest model, deluxe mo
tor-coaches as outlined in the itinerary • Highway tolls
• Hotel service charges & local taxes VAT
• All tips and gratuities to local tour-guides, escorts, motor-coach drivers, hotel, cruise
and restaurant staff
• Travel & Medical Health insurance
Trip Exclusions:
• Excess baggage
• Lunches and one breakfast
• Valid Passport for at least 6 months & visa
• All personal expenses such as phone-calls, laundry/valet ser vice, beverages, wines, liquors, tea, coffee, mineral water, food other than the table d’hôte menu
• Porterage of luggage
• Any other items not specifically mentioned as being included
• Thessaloniki dinner and breakfast not included
Accomodations:
In order to keep the cost down, we will not be staying in luxurious hotels like many touristy tours. The reason some of the hotels
were chosen was because of location, location, location! Our first
two nights will be at the Lydia Hotel right next to the ancient site
of Philippi. This location gives us more flexibility on our schedule
for our tour. It is a family owned and run hotel gives good service
and food. In Thessaloniki the Hotel Orestias Kastorias (one or two
stars) is between the ancient agora and the Church of St. Demetrius and gives us good access to these, and other, locations.
Food:
Greece is famous for its cuisines. The tour will include room and
half-board (breakfast and supper). Lunch will be “gyros on the run”
so we can spend more time seeing the sights. In Thessaloniki we
will have the opportunity to eat where the locals eat since the hotel
does not serve any meals.
Payment Deadlines:
• $250.00 non refundable deposit due to secure your reservations
due on August 01st.
• $1,000.00 payment due on Monday Sep­
tember 09th, 2013
• $1,000.00 payment due on Monday No­
vember 11th, 2013
• Balance payment due on Monday Janu­
ary 06th,2014.
Checks should be made out to:
ABR. Associates for Biblical Research
PO Box 144
Akron Pa 17501
Cancellation Fees:
• $250.00 non refundable deposit
• November 11th 25% of the total tour
amount is non refundable
• January 06th 50% of the total tour amount
is non refundable
• February 03rd the tour is non refundable
PLEASE NOTE:
The pricing includes air and land package
includes the tax and fuel. Tax and fuel can
fluctuate until ticketing day.
The current tax and fuel surcharges are
$462.79 per person.
Cost based on a minimum of 25 passen­
gers.
Disclaimer:
You and each party travelling in your tour and named in the Booking Form, expressly acknowledge that you are cognizant
Of all risks of travel and arrangements for trips of this nature and
fully disclaim, waive and discharge Key Travel and ABR
(including its officers, members, directors, employees, agents and
representatives) from any and all liability, claims, damag­es, loss
of responsibilities (including dam­age to or loss of your property or
injury or death) with regard to the proposed tour and arrangements
made with respect, thereto, even if caused by the negligence of
air­lines, transportation companies, hotels or any other party rendering any of the ser­vices or accommodations included in the tour.
Key Travel and ABR shall not be liable for any losses or claims
arising from flight or other delays, cancel­lations or missed connections, delays of baggage or other proper­ties inconvenience, loss
of enjoyment, upset and disappointment, distress or frustration,
whether physical or mental, personal injury or property damage or
any failure by any person or company to render any transportation,
accommodation or travel service which is part of the tour.
Key Travel Agent:
Johanne Cossette, Vice President, Tours; Key Travel Inc; 9 Dodge
St, Suite 200, Rockville,MD.20852;
Work: (646) 218-2100 Cell: (804) 678-8666 Skype: johanne.cossette4; E-mail: [email protected]
Important Information ( passport and Guide: Our Greek guide is James Nikolopoulos. James is one of
only three believing guides in Greece and is an evangelical. He
visas):
All passengers and travelers are responsi­
ble for securing proper documentation prior
to joining the tour. Passports are required.
knows his material and goes out of his way to accommodate the
group.