In the Footsteps of Paul

Days 1 and 2

You will board an overnight flight to Athens, Greece, where a Joshua Expeditions tour director will meet you at the airport after you pass through security. After transferring to the hotel, you will enjoy dinner and devotions to conclude the evening.

Day 3

During the morning you will have a chance to admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens as you travel to the world-renowned Acropolis to see the monumental gateway called The Propylaea that served as the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens, as well as the Parthenon and the great temple called Erechtheum. You will also visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his speech on the “Unknown God,” and then you will view the Agora, which was the ancient center of economic and public life in Athens. Later your group will visit Syntagma Square, including Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as the Temple of Zeus, the Panthenaic Olympic Stadium, and the many neoclassical buildings of Athens. After an afternoon of free time to explore the area on your own, the group will meet together for dinner and devotions at the end of the evening.

Day 4

Your group will take a day trip to Ancient Corinth, the once glorious city near the Isthmus where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. You visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, and the famous Bema, which was the Judgment Seat in the city and is the place Paul stood when brought before Governor Gallio by the Corinthian Jews who opposed his teachings. (Read the story in Acts 18: 1-17.) Your tour will continue with a quick trip to Cenchreae, the seaport of Corinth from which Paul sailed back to Asia at the conclusion of his secondary missionary journey, and then dinner and devotions will close the night back in Athens.

Day 5

This morning you will board a ship and sail to the island of Mykonos, famous for its gleaming white-washed buildings and windmills. You will have plenty of time to explore this beautiful cosmopolitan destination before returning to the ship for dinner and devotions at the end of the day.

Day 6

Your group will travel to Kuşadası, Turkey, this morning and have the option to drive into Ephesus, where Paul lived during three years of his ministry. The impressive remains of Ephesus include the Agora, the Library of Celsus, and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, which was known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Later in the day, your cruise will continue to the island of Patmos, where you can choose to visit the Monastery of St. John, located on one of the island’s highest points. You will then walk down to the site that is believed to be where John experienced the Revelation from Jesus Christ, now known as the Grotto of the Apocalypse. After this remarkable day, your group will return to the ship for dinner and devotions.

Day 7

This morning you will arrive at Heraklion, the capital of Crete, where you can visit the Knossos Palace, also known as the Labyrinth where King Minos lived with his legendary beast, the Minotaur. Later, you will visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and view the incredible sculpture, pottery, jewelry, and other works of art that have been discovered at Minoan sites all over Crete. Later, your group will continue north to the isle of Santorini, often considered the most breathtaking of all the Greek Isles. With its exquisite whitewashed villages, including its capital city of Fira, the island offers incredible exploration opportunities among its volcanic cliffs, which are accessible by cable car or mule. You will later conclude the day back on the ship with dinner and devotions.

Day 8

Your cruise will conclude today with a visit to the port and city of Pireaus early in the morning. After disembarking later in Athens, you will have the remainder of the day to explore the city before concluding the day with a farewell dinner and devotions at the hotel.

Day 9

After an incredible week with insight into Paul’s life and ministry, your group will board a flight in Athens to travel home.