Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the United States on your international flight to Thessaloniki, Greece. Meals will be served on board.

Once in Greece, you will be met in Thessaloniki by your Perillo Tours representative and be transferred to your hotel via private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach to your hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Begin your day with an orientation into Greek culture and your first day of touring. When Paul arrived in Veria (Berea), he went immediately to the Jewish synagogue and shared the message of the Messiah with them, proving that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. Visit the traditional rostrum where Paul delivered his sermon, and the remnants of the Jewish quarter housing the synagogue. Continue to Vergina, one of the most fascinating sites of recent discovery. In the mid-seventies, the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, was discovered containing silver vessels and golden crowns. The Royal tombs also house one of the few remaining paintings from the Macedonian period.

Continue your journey in the footsteps of Paul and his companions, Silas, Timothy, and Luke. On your way to Philippi you will pass through Apollonia and Amphipolis. In Philippi, make your way to the riverside and spend time recalling Paul’s words to Lydia whose heart was opened to the Gospel. It was in this stream that Paul baptized her and welcomed her into the Christian community. Following lunch (on your own), you’ll make your way to the ancient city of Philippi, walking through the forum, seeing two major basilicas and a Roman theater.  Pause at the prison cell of Paul and Silas and recall their words of salvation. Then travel to the port city of Neapolis (Kavala), Greece's most picturesque mainland port. Paul arrived at this port when landing in Greece. Here you'll see a modern mosaic depicting Paul's vision and his arrival at Neapolis before returning to our hotel and dinner.

The New Testament books to the Thessalonians are Paul's letters to this community of first century Christians. In Thessaloniki you’ll see the old city ramparts, the landmark White Tower proudly adorning the harbor, and the Arch of Galerius that rises over the Via Egnatia. Visit the most beautiful basilica in the city, the 1,400 year old church of St. Demetrius, dedicated to a Roman military officer who was martyred for his faith in Christ by Emperor Galerius. As part of your appreciation of modern Greece, visit the bustling open air market with its wide variety of Greek olives and feta cheeses. In the afternoon, prepare to depart for Athens and check into your hotel for dinner and settle into your overnight accommodations.

The architectural splendors of this ancient city are magnificent. After breakfast make your way to the world-renown Acropolis with its Propylaea entrance. As you stand before the Parthenon one can still hear the hammers striking stones of marble as reconstruction continues to maintain the wonder of this monument to man’s achievement.  Also visit the Acropolis Museum and the Erechtheion before descending to the Areopagus (Mars' Hill) and read the sermon that Paul addressed to the Athenians of his day. From there, stroll through the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life).

Enjoy a free day of ambling through the historical district of the Plaka, noted for its shops, cafes, taverns, and colorful people. Explore one of the many museums of Athens. Relax and soak up the sites and sounds. Remember that today is the only day you need to buy your own lunch and dinner.

After breakfast you'll head to Corinth, where you'll visit the isthmus that boasted two major ports and controlled the flow of goods in ancient times, one reason that Corinth became the leading commercial city of the Greek mainland. Paul spent a year and half in this community and later wrote letters to them, the first of which contains his chapter on love. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and Temples. In the afternoon, you'll return to Athens for a celebratory dinner of our last night on the mainland.

This cruise provides a perfect introduction to the Aegean Sea. In the days following the land tour, we cruise through the most beautiful waters in the world to enchanting destinations. Wander the whitewashed alleyways of Mykonos, stroll along the marble streets of Ephesus, visit the grotto of St. John on the isle of Patmos where he wrote his apocalyptic book of Revelation, and travel the Crusader streets of Rhodes. Explore the Venetian city of Heraklion of Crete and marvel at the breathtaking view of Santorini. The history of each of our ports-of-call is rivaled only by their natural beauty.

On Mykonos you'll find beautiful beaches, chic boutiques, and elegant nightclubs. Beneath its sophisticated surface lies a quite essential Greek island. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and white-washed island with its iconic windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over its picturesque harbor.

After breakfast, board your included shore excursion to the nearby Ephesus, where history truly comes to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, you'll pass architectural masterpieces such as the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheater where the Ephesians shouted their praises to Artemis in reaction to the Gospel proclamation of Paul. Then you'll return to your ship for lunch as you cruise to Patmos. Upon arrival on the island of Patmos known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelation of John written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is now an Orthodox chapel that captures a glimpse of the vision of the heavens. Our included shore excursion brings us to the Monastery. After, return to the ship for dinner and relaxation.

The beautiful "Island of Roses" has a rich and varied history.  On a hill above the charming town of Lindos rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Below lays the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages. Your included shore excursion will bring you to the medieval city of Rhodes, The crusading Knights of St. John left the medieval city behind when they were defeated by Sultan. Stroll through the Palace of the Grand Masters and recall the days of the Crusades.

Paul ministered on the island of Heraklion, Crete with his traveling companion, Titus, who became the first overseer of the Christian community founded here. Visit the Church of Titus as you begin to wrap up your journey in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. Also available is an optional shore excursion to the ancient Minoan ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Then go to the island of Santorini. This is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Fira boasts beautiful white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques clinging to steep cliffs.  Lying on the upper rim of a dormant volcano, Fira is only accessible by either cable-car or mule ride.

Upon arrival back into Athens (Piraeus) you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Thank you for choosing Perillo Tours!