Greece has often been called the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western Civilization. It is also the earliest home of Christianity outside of Israel. This 14-day pilgrimage traces the footsteps of Paul across Greece, including the well-preserved ruins of Ephesus, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Berea, and more. Enroute to Athens, enjoy time in the scenic Meteora region, with its Byzantine monasteries. In Athens and nearby Corinth you’ll take in some of the world's most ancient and fascinating historical sites, such as the Acropolis, Roman Forum, and Mars Hill, and ancient Corinth. The pilgrimage concludes with a 3-night cruise including Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, and Santorini. This itinerary offers a glance at what you can expect in your 14-day pilgrimage. Schedule may be adjusted for efficiency and guide availability.

If you select the land-only package:

You need to make your arrangements to arrive in Thessaloniki by 8:25pm on Friday, April 2, 2027. You can also join the group for their extended layover in Istanbul, however, you will need to arrange your own hotel in Istanbul and your flight from Istanbul to Thessaloniki on April 2, 2027.

An early registration discount of $150 per person is available until July 1, 2026. Please select the EARLY REGISTRATION option to receive this discount. 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is available from Trawick International during the registration process, or up to 48 hours before departure.

• You should be able to walk, with luggage, for up to half a mile on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.

• On most days, you will be out of the hotel between 9am and 5pm, with breaks along the way and some free time to rest.

• You should be able to walk 12,000 steps per day and stand while listening to our professional guides

• You should be able to sleep in hotels located in city centers, which may have road noise. Air conditioning in Europe is less effective than in the US and may not cool your room as much as you're used to back home.

• You should, after a brief orientation, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.

Pilgrims meet at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 3pm today to depart to Atlanta via private coach. We arrive at Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport around 6:30pm and check in for our flight. We depart Atlanta at 9:50pm on Turkish 032 to Istanbul, arriving at 3:40pm +1.

We arrive in Istanbul at 3:40pm. Due to a flight cancellation from Turkish Airlines, we will transfer to a hotel in Istanbul for an overnight stay. You can explore Istanbul on your own or turn in for the evening. Dinner (included) and overnight at Istanbul Hotel (TBD).

After the long travel day, we’ll take our time starting today. After a late breakfast, we board our bus for a driving tour of Istanbul with a few stops to explore on foot. Exact itinerary TBD soon. In the afternoon, we’ll depart Istanbul for the airport, arriving in time for our flight to Thessaloniki, departing at 7:00pm and arriving in Thessaloniki at 8:25pm. Expect to have dinner at the Istanbul Airport (on your own) as we will arrive into Thessaloniki late. Overnight, Capsis Hotel, Thessaloniki.

In addition to scenic vistas, Kavala offers a Byzantine castle, aqueduct, and museum. Philippi, as its name implies, was established by Philip II of Macedonia in 358 B.C. It was here that Octavian and Anthony defeated Brutus and Cassius, last defenders of the Roman Republic in 42 B.C. St Paul first arrived at Philippi around 50 A.D. It was one of the first European cities to accept Christianity. Here he delivered his first sermon and baptized the first Christian convert, Lydia. We will view the baptismal site and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for Paul. We will also see the famous Acropolis, the Marketplace, Basilica, and the Theatre. Dinner (on your own) and overnight at Hotel Capsis, Thessaloniki.

From Thessaloniki, we head west and south, stopping in Veria (ancient Berea), dubbed “Little Jerusalem” for the many churches that are built across it. Here we will visit the Bema of St. Paul, where the Apostle stood and preached the Gospel to the Veroeans in 49 AD. We will then stop in Vergina before continuing to the hilly region of Meteora, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch (on your own). Amongst striking scenery, perched on sheer-sided gray rock pinnacles of varied and spectacular shapes and appearing to be suspended in mid-air, stand the ageless 14th-century monasteries of Meteora. Dinner (included) and overnight at Divani Meteora, Kalambaka.

The monasteries of Meteora contain beautiful Byzantine art and offer an insight into the mystic world of the monks still residing there. Those who are up for a good workout can rise early and hike to the Holy Trinity Monastery (optional). Together, the whole group will visit two monasteries via coach. Lunch today is on your own. In the evening, explore Meteora on your own and enjoy dinner in any of the local restaurants. Overnight at Divani Meteora, Kalambaka.

Departing Meteora in the morning, we’ll stop at a family workshop that has been writing Greek Orthodox icons for three generations. Continuing toward Athens, we’ll stop for lunch (included) on the coast before arriving in Athens in the late afternoon. We could also stop at Delphi today, but it will add significantly to the travel time, including a very late dinner. TBD. We’ll arrive in Athens for dinner (included) and overnight accommodations at Hotel Stanley, Athens.

Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world spanning a history of 3,400 years. We will walk through the Acropolis with the architectural wonders of the Golden Age of Pericles; the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. We visit the Areopagus where trials were heard before the Council of Elders and where St Paul delivered his speech to the Athenians. We visit the ancient Agora where Athenians gathered not only for commercial purposes but also for political and religious ones. Lunch is on your own in the Plaka. Finally, take in the New Acropolis museum, which houses the findings of the Acropolis of Athens. Dinner (on your own) and overnight at Hotel Stanley, Athens.

Continue exploring the wonders of ancient Greece and connect with the spread of Christianity in the first century CE with a visit to ancient Corinth. Corinth was one of the most important trading cities of ancient Greece dating back to the 6th century BC. Visiting the archaeological site we will come across the Temple of Apollo, the agora and the Peirene fountain. Return to Athens for some free time in the historic neighborhood of Palaka, with its many pedestrian lanes, shops, and cafes OR continue on to Nemea region for wine tasting before returning to Athens. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel Stanley, Athens.

We’ll board our Celestyal cruise ship in the late morning, sailing for Mykonos at 1:00pm. You can explore and enjoy dinner on Mykonos from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. Lunch and dinner (included) on board or explore Mykonos’s many restaurants on your own. Return to the ship for onward sailing overnight.

We arrive in Kusadasi at 7:00am in the morning and meet our guide for a private excursion to the well-preserved ancient ruins at Ephesus where the Apostle Paul founded a church. At 1:00pm, continue onward to Patmos, arriving at 4:30pm. We’ll join an excursion to the cave of the Apostle John, the author of Revelation. Depart Patmos at 9:30. Lunch and dinner (included) on board, or explore Patmos on your own. Overnight on board.

We arrive in Crete at 7:00am where you’ll have the morning to explore on your own or choose from any of Celestyal’s optional excursions. Depart Crete at 12:00pm, arriving in Santorini at 4:30pm where you can explore the island and have dinner. Depart Santorini at 9:30pm, sailing overnight to Athens. Lunch and dinner (included) on board. Overnight on board.

After arriving at the port and disembarking, we’ll explore Greek culture and scenery with some free time. We depart the cruise port for a tour of Cape Sounion, including the Temple of Poseidon. We’ll break for lunch (on your own) in the charming town of Porto Rafti before visiting the Papagiannakos Winery for a tour, tasting, and closing worship. After our visit, we’ll travel to the Sofitel, Athens International Airport. Our closing dinner is at the hotel (included). Overnight at Sofitel, Athens International Airport.

We depart Athens International Airport at 10:25am on Turkish 1844 to Istanbul, arriving at 12:00pm. We depart Istanbul at 2:45pm on Turkish 031 to Atlanta, arriving at 8:25pm. The private coach departs Atlanta at 9:30 for Greenville, arriving at Westminster Presbyterian Church around midnight. Exact flight times subject to schedule adjustments from the airline.