Holy Trails of Greece – In the footsteps of St. Paul (from Thessaloniki)

8 Days 7 Nights
8 Days 7 Nights

Holy Trails of Greece – In the footsteps of St. Paul (from Thessaloniki)

Follow the sacred path of the Apostle Paul across Greece, retracing the route of his second missionary journey from the north to the heart of the ancient world. Begin in Thessaloniki, where Paul preached to the early Christians, and continue through Veria, Philippi, and Corinth — cities that still bear the marks of his teachings and courage.
Along the way, explore early Christian sites, monasteries, and ancient ruins that bring the New Testament to life. Conclude your spiritual journey in Athens, standing before the Areopagus where Paul delivered his famous sermon on the “Unknown God.”
This pilgrimage is more than a passage through history — it is a journey of faith, reflection, and renewal amid the timeless beauty of Greece.

Arrival at Thessaloniki’s airport “Macedonia” and start the city tour by visiting the White Tower (symbol/trade mark of the City) and later on we will visit the Archaeological Museum which houses interesting archaeological, classical and Roman finds, including ones from the Sindos area and an impressive exhibition of gold jewelry. Next is the visit of the Basilica of San Demetrius. The basilica suffered a tragic fire in 1917 but was later restored in 1948. Its beautiful mosaics date from the 5th to the 9th centuries.
We continue along the modern Egnatia street and pass through the Arch of Galerius and The Rotunda of San Jorge. The tour will end with a brief stop at the well-preserved Byzantine Basilica of Saint Sophia, an 8th-century structure, rich in mosaics and frescoes.
Transfer to hotel and overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

After having breakfast, we depart for a full day excursion to Philippi & Kavala, starting with a tour of the area and of San Sylas monastery that bears the name of one of the companions of Saint Paul. We continue to the Baptistery of San Lidia where the first Christian Lady of Europe was baptized and we continue to the Archaeological Site of Philippi, founded by Philip II King of Macedonia.
It was also here that St. Paul set foot in Europe during his second missionary journey, establishing a prosperous Christian church. The ruins include the Roman Forum with its Basilica, the Saint Paul Prison and the Theater. The famous Egnatia road, which once ran from the Adriatic Sea to Constantinople, passed through this city.
We will continue our journey to Amphipolis with a short stop at the statue of the Lion and panoramic tour to the city of Kavala.
Return back to Thessaloniki and overnight stay at your selected hotel.

Breakfast

Pella was one of the two places that Saint Paul passed during his journey.
Today, we will visit the ancient site of Pella and its museum with exquisite mosaics. Then we proceed to Veria, one of Saint Paul’s stops, where a Byzantine mosaic commemorates his preaching. We continue to Vergina for a visit to the royal tombs of King Philip, the father of Alexander the Great.
In the afternoon we arrive to Kalambaka, a small town, located at the foot of Meteora.
Overnight stay in Kalambaka.

Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a visit to the famous & impressive monasteries of Meteora.
Meteora is an austere monastic center since the eleventh century, which is not only an ideal place for prayer and for one who seeks to exercise humility, discipline desire or relaunch faith, but is also a center that attracts the attention of the visitor, who cannot stop admiring this unique and unique case of symbiosis of nature and the hand of man. It is something unique in its genre, the huge rocks formed in ancient geological eras on which man has built his monasteries in search of spirituality and which today invites the peace and tranquility of those who visit it. We will visit 2 most important and well-preserved monasteries, possibly the Great Meteor and San Stefan, depending on operational hours and availability.
In the afternoon, we arrive at Delphi and balance of the day free.
Overnight stay in Delphi.

Breakfast

Breakfast and visit of Delphi. According to mythology, Delphi was the center of the ancient world (the “omphalos” aka the navel of the world). In this place, the Oracle of Delphi was established and became a great sacred site dedicated mainly to the god Apollo, and his great temple at its center, to which the Greeks came to ask the gods any questions that troubled them. It is located where the ancient city of Delphi was used to be, which no longer exists today, at the foot of Mount Parnassus, in the middle of the Phocis mountains, 700 m above sea level and 9.5 km away from the Gulf of Corinth. From the rocks of the mountain, there were several springs that formed different sources. The Fountain of Castalia was the most known one, surrounded by a grove of laurels dedicated to Apollo. We visit the fountain and continue with the archaeological site and the famous museum of Delphi. In the archaeological site, we will visit the Theater, the Old Stadium where the Pitic Games were held, the Temple of Apollo, and the Treasures of the different city-states. Then, we visit the important Museum of Delphi, where among other wonders the beautiful bronze statue of Auriga of Delphi is preserved. After free time for lunch, we will continue our travel towards Athens.
Arrival in the afternoon and overnight stay in Athens.

Breakfast

After breakfast at hotel, pick up for our Athens Sightseeing Tour. Our Athens Half Day Tour begins with a panoramic drive around Syntagma square, passing by many sightseeing hot spots such as National Garden, Hadrian’s Arch, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral and Schliemann’s House. We will then drive past the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Our licensed guide will make you feel as if you are experiencing firsthand Athens’s old and new history as you look at these stately buildings. We continue for a photo stop at Panathenaic Stadium, otherwise known as Kallimarmaro Stadium, where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. As we proceed, we pass by Zappeion and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Last but not least, we make our way to the archaeological site of Acropolis, an UNESCO’S world heritage monument and we visit Propylae, as well as the small Temple of Athena Nike. Of course, our visit shall not be completed without the Parthenon and Erechtheion. The expert guided Athens sightseeing and museum tour continues with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the New Acropolis Museum. With this Athens half day tour, you will enjoy one of the top UNESCO'S world heritage monuments.
At the end of our tour, transfer back to your hotel & balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay in Athens.

Breakfast

This morning, we leave Athens for Corinth with a small stop in the Corinth Canal for photos, continuing to the ancient city of Corinth, visit to the archaeological museum, the market, the “Bema” of Saint Paul and the Temples. The ruins of this cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the route that the Saint Paul walked.
We will continue through the fields of the Argolida, full of orange and lemon trees. We will arrive at the ancient city of Mycenae, a Homeric city of enormous importance in ancient times, where one of the most important cultures of ancient Greece was developed. Outside the acropolis we will visit the monumental tomb of Agamemnon, where the archaeologist Enrique Sleiman discovered the famous Treasure of the Atreus.
We then continue towards Epidaurus, sanctuary originally dedicated to Aesculapius, inside of which is the famous theater, which even today leaves us amazed due to its impressive acoustics and in which representations are still taking place.
In the afternoon, return to Athens
Overnight stay in Athens.

Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and morning at leisure for your last-minute shopping or strolling down the streets of Athens.
Depending on your international departure flight, transfer to Athens International Airport.

Breakfast

Includes

  • 3 Nights Athens hotel accommodation (3*/4*/5*) on HB basis
  • 2 Nights Thessaloniki hotel accommodation (3*/4*/5*) on HB basis
  • 1 Night Kalambaka hotel accommodation (3*/4*/5*) on HB basis
  • 1 Night Delphi hotel accommodation (3*/4*) on HB basis
  • SIC (shared basis) Half day Athens Sightseeing Tour, including the Acropolis Arch. Site and the Museum of Acropolis (entrance fees included) with professional guide & transfers from/to hotel
  • Entrance fees at Museums & Archaeological sites as mentioned above
  • Licensed professional Guide on tours, whenever necessary
  • Private transfers in Athens, from/to airport with professional driver
  • Private transfers across all locations, as per itinerary
  • All taxes

Excludes

  • International and/or Domestic flights
  • Other optional tours
  • Other Meals or Beverages
  • Other transfers
  • Climate Resilience Tax - To be paid directly to the hotel by guests
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Any personal expenses
Notes

  • In case of an increase in the VAT or other taxes, including entrance fees, rates are subject to change without prior notice.
  • Rates may change during special periods such as Christmas, New Year, Easter, International Congresses, Conventions and Fairs.
  • We would like to inform you that guests shall be required to pay directly to the hotel a “Climate Resilience Tax”, per overnight, per room. This tax goes directly to the state and the Hotel and/or travel agents have no interference. Hotel guests shall be requested to pay the Climate Resilience Tax directly to the hotel and is not included in our offers.

8D7N SAINT PAUL FOOTSTEPS - FROM THESSALONIKIDownload
Holy Trails of Greece – In the footsteps of St. Paul (from Thessaloniki)

  • Reflect in Thessaloniki’s early Christian basilicas and monasteries
  • Visit ancient Corinth, where Paul addressed the early Christians
  • Explore Philippi, the site of Europe’s first Christian church
  • Discover Veria’s St. Paul’s Tribune, a symbol of enduring faith
  • Stand where St. Paul preached at the Areopagus in Athens