Greece December 2024
10-Day Greece Via Land/Motorcoach Itinerary: $4612
For more information, please call, text, or email Pastor Souk (608-548–8310, [email protected]).
Deadline to sign up is September 17, 2024.
Below is the itinerary for this trip.
Day 1: Depart U.S.A.
Embark upon your journey with an overnight flight to Athens. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience and get some rest on the flight. Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostle Paul walked!
Day 2: Athens, Yliki Lake, Kamena Vourla
Today we arrive in Athens. This is the city where Paul was received by Jason. Paul was preaching the Word of God here until he was rushed out of the city. We drive across the plains of Thebes (place of the famous Sphinx) to the Yliki Lake and Kamena Vourla. Here we will enjoy a beautiful sunset walk along the gulf of Kamena Vourla (from where St. Paul sailed to Athens). Afterwards, we proceed to our hotel for check-in and dinner.
Day 3: Kamena Vourla, Arachova, Delphi
After breakfast, we drive to Mt. Parnassus to visit the Holy Monastery of Jerusalem in which the architecture is inspired by the New Jerusalem (John 21:13). Afterwards, we enjoy a short nature walk in the cedars forest to a hermit’s cave. From here, we have a breathtaking panoramic view of the Valley of Boeotia. Next, we drive to Arachova, the famous shepherd’s village and enjoy the panoramic view of the Ionian Sea. We then proceed to Delphi to visit the archeological museum and the Gallio inscription, on which the dating of the life of Paul is based (Acts 18:12). We will also visit the Sphinx of Thebes, the Temple of Athena – the Goddess of Wisdom (the philosophical background of Paul, the Hellenized Jew). We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Meteora, Kalambaka
Today we will see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched on summits of gray rock peaks of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff-side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, which were later transformed into monasteries. Next, we will take a short nature walk in Agios Athanasios where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the ‘stone mushroom’ of Agia Triada. This evening we will take a tour of the illuminated cliffs of Meteora. Dinner and overnight are in Kalambaka.
Day 5: Vergina, Veria, Thessaloniki
Today, we visit Vergina and see the golden treasures of the ancient kings of Macedonia. We then head to Veria where we will walk along the Barbouta river into the old Jewish quarter. Next, we visit the ancient synagogue and see the Step where Paul spoke to the Verians (Acts 17). Afterwards, we drive along the Aegean coast to Thessaloniki where we will visit the Jewish quarter, the Synagogue, the Ancient Jewish Bath House and the Modiano market (Acts 17, 1 Thessalonians 1). Dinner and overnight are in Thessaloniki.
Day 6: Phillipi, Kavala, Thessaloniki
After breakfast, we drive east to Philippi to visit Paul’s Jail (Acts 16), the Christian Basilica, and the Greco-Roman round theatre. Then we head to the Zigakti river to visit Lydia’s baptismal site (Acts 16:15). Next, we proceed to Kavala for a gorgeous panoramic view of Port of Neapolis, the first place where Paul stood when he arrived in Europe (Acts 16:7-11). We then take a short walk along Via Egnatia, where Paul walked on his way to Thessaloniki. Before returning to our hotel, we will stop in Ladadika for Taverna night and enjoy the modern night life of Thessaloniki. Overnight is in Thessaloniki.
Day 7: Mount Olympus, Larissa
In the morning we will drive across the Macedonian rivers’ delta to Mt. Olympus. We will visit the panoramic village of Litochoro and proceed to Greece’s biggest nature reserve at Mt. Olympus National Park. We will take a scenic nature walk near Stavros and enjoy the panoramic views of Mytikas, the traditional place of the Palace of the Gods. We then visit Agios Dionysius, an ancient monastery named after the first Athenian converted by Paul (Acts 17:34). We then depart for Larissa where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Larissa, Mount Metamorphosis, Athens
Today we begin in Larissa! We will visit the Ancient Roman Theatre and the Byzantine Acropolis. Next, we will drive up to Mt. Metamorphosis and enjoy the panoramic view of the Gulf of Kamena Vourla. A short walk will bring us to the Monastery commemorating
Jesus Transfiguration as well as the monastic garden and the church with the famous description of the Transfiguration. Afterwards, we depart for Athens and check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Athens, Ancient Corinth
We begin our day with the Acropolis and Mars hill, where Paul talked to the Athenians near the altar to the Unknown God (Acts 17) converting Dionysius and Damaris. We drive along the city sites from the King’s Palace to the first Olympic Stadium and enjoy some free time at the Plaka Market. In the afternoon, we drive along the Saronic gulf to the Corinthian Canal. We will visit ancient Corinth and the Roman sites associated with Paul’s ministry: the Agora, the Bema, Temple of Apollo, and Gallio Seat. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Athens, U.S.A.
After breakfast, we will have some leisure time on our own (depending on the departure time of our flight). We will proceed to the Athens Airport for our return flight home with the best memories of Greece and our new friends that we have met along the way. We arrive home the same day.
Optional Cairo & Luxor, Egypt Extension
(Includes: One-way flight from Athens to Cairo, domestic flights within Egypt: Cairo/Luxor/Cairo, and Gratuities): $2892 (minimum of 2-6 travelers for this)
Day 10 – Athens to Cairo
Morning transfer to Athens Airport for our flight to Cairo Upon arrival at Cairo international airport, we will meet with our guide and drive to the world-famous Egyptian Museum. There will be time for a brief visit to the area that contains the treasures of King Tutankhamen. Dinner and overnight are at our hotel in in Cairo.
Day 11 – Cairo, Pyramids
After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a full day touring Cairo, visiting pyramids, the entrance to the core of the pyramids and the sphinx in Giza plateau. Afterwards our sightseeing will include the Citadel, Mohammed Ali-Mosque, called the Alabaster Mosque, offering a beautiful view of Cairo and the Nile River, the historical dwellings, and mosques. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 – Cairo
After breakfast at the hotel, we have another full day touring Cairo, visiting Memphis and Sakkara, then driving through the old city of Cairo to visit the churches and synagogues. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 13 – Cairo to Luxor
This morning we transfer to Cairo airport for a short flight to Luxor. Upon arrival we will visit the fabulous Luxor Temple and the enormous Temple complex of Karnak. Among its splendors is the Hypostyle Hall, the largest of any temple in the world covering an area of 5356 sq. meters with its roof blocks supported by 134 colossal columns 70 feet high. Dinner and overnight are at our hotel in Luxor.
Day 14 – Luxor to Cairo, Valley of the Kings, Depart Cairo
After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to Luxor airport and return to Cairo. On arrival we will explore the west bank of the Nile River and the Necropolis of Thebes and view the Colossi of Memnon. Next, we will visit the architecturally stunning Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s first female pharaoh and regarded today as one of its most successful. We then continue to the Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a period of 500 years beginning in the 16th century BC, tombs were built along this valley for pharaohs and nobles, including that of “the boy king,” Tutankhamun. After dinner, we will transfer to Cairo Airport for our flight home.
Day 15 – Arrive Back in the U.S.A.
Today we arrive back in the U.S.A.
Disclaimer:
This webpage serves to inform interested participants about an upcoming tour organized by faculty members of Luther Preparatory School in collaboration with an external tour agency. While members of the Luther Preparatory School faculty are facilitating the coordination of this tour, it is important to note that the school acts solely as a liaison and does not directly oversee the operational aspects of the trip.
Participants are advised that Luther Preparatory School assumes no liability or responsibility for any risks, incidents, or occurrences that may arise during the course of the tour. The external tour agency will manage all logistical arrangements and safety protocols. Participants are encouraged to review the terms and conditions provided by the tour agency regarding cancellation policies, insurance coverage, and any other pertinent information.
By registering for the tour, participants acknowledge and accept that Luther Preparatory School and its faculty members are not liable for any personal injury, loss, damage, or inconvenience incurred during the trip. It is recommended that participants obtain appropriate travel insurance and adhere to any guidelines or instructions provided by the tour agency to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Please direct any inquiries or concerns regarding the tour to the designated contact person at Luther Preparatory School or the external tour agency.