EXPLORING GREECE IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL
Much of the story of the New Testament recounts the spread of Jesus’ movement into the Greco-Roman world and the Roman Empire. As the Jewish followers of Jesus spread his movement, they confronted a world culturally, politically, and religiously opposed to them - a world very similar to what we live in today, where similar challenges face followers of Jesus.
Traveling to Greece with Biblical Expeditions will provide you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the Greco-Roman world, discover how first century followers of Jesus navigated their world, and better understand the historical accounts and teachings of the the New Testament.
The heart of this journey is to empower you to become the disciple God is calling you to be. By better understanding the world of the Bible, you will better understand the words of the Bible, transforming your ability to study it, do what it teaches, and share it with others. Join us for an experience unlike any other as we take you behind the scenes to explore the lands of the Bible in a way that will change your life forever.
TRIP HOSTS
Chuck & Dianna Gilbert
Chuck & Dianna Gilbert have been married for over 42 years. Chuck worked in business and Dianna in the health industry. More importantly, they are long time followers of Christ for over 50 years, each beginning their relationship with Him before beginning their relationship together. Throughout the years, they have walked closely with Christ, and at times, at a distance. They give Christ the Glory, for through Christ, they continue to walk with Him. Chuck & Dianna have served the church families they have been a part of over the years as small group leaders, deacon/deaconess and elder. By serving others, they acknowledge that they are the ones that receive the greater blessings and understand that no one can out give God! Neither of them have visited Greece before, but are both looking toward this trip to learn and enhance their knowledge of Paul's ministry of the region. They are hopeful that those who are like-minded will join together on this expedition so we can all enhance our experience with God as we visit these sites of biblical significance.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Explore the ancient city of Thessaloniki and the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum - a treasure trove filled with artifacts that will make familiar biblical references come to life and help you better understand new testament scripture.
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Visit the famed Acropolis, Parthenon, and Mars Hill (Acts 17) where Paul encountered the council of Athens. Walk the same paths that Socrates, Plato and Aristotle did centuries earlier.
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Immerse yourself in the history of ancient Corinth, where Paul spent two years and founded the Church of Corinth. Visit key sites such museum of Corinth, the theater and the inscription of Erastus, the city treasurer (Romans 16:23), as well as the Bema of Gallio, the agora of Corinth, the ancient harbor of Cenchrea (Acts 18:18), and the Corinthian Canal.
PRICING INFORMATION
Occupancy | Pricing |
|---|---|
Double Shared Room Occupancy | $3,458 |
Single Private Room Occupancy | $4,358 |
*All trip prices are per person based on double shared room occupancy or single private room occupancy, unless otherwise noted, and do not include airfare. All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars. Also, please note that, should the group drop below the minimum required number of participants, prices may be subject to change.
What's Included:
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BE Instructor Marc Turnage
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Local English-speaking guide
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Daily hotel buffet breakfast
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Air-conditioned bus with WiFi and driver
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All entrance fees and activities as per itinerary
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All tips (hotel staff, guides, driver, etc)
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Individual headsets for each participant
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BE devotional and educational materials
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Roundtrip airfare from Athens to Thessaloniki
What's Not Included:
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Travel or medical insurance
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Airfare to/from Athens
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COVID-19 PCR/RAPID testing
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Meals not previously mentioned
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Expenses of a personal nature
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Anything not previously mentioned
TRIP INSTRUCTOR
Marc Turnage
Founder of Biblical Expeditions
Marc holds an MA in Ancient Judaism and the Origins of Christianity from Jerusalem University College. He is currently finishing his PhD in the Land of Israel Studies Department at Bar Ilan University located in Ramat Gan, Israel, under the supervision of Professor Esther Eshel. Marc has taught graduate and undergraduate students at several universities in the United States and abroad. Marc moved to Israel to study because he felt that the issues of spatial, historical, cultural, and spiritual settings played a vital role in how we read the Bible. While studying in Israel, he fell in love with the lands of the Bible. He has been guiding groups through Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy for over twenty years. Marc is a highly sought-after guide and teacher and routinely trains and lectures local tour guides about guiding Christian groups. He is passionate about leading biblical tours that deliver the very finest experience and helping people understand how to read the Bible. Marc has published widely for both academic and popular audiences. His most recent book, Windows Into the Bible, was named by Outreach Magazine one of its top 100 Christian living resources. Marc is a widely sought-after speaker, and a gifted teacher. He resides in Springfield, MO with his family.
TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1: Sun, Nov 10, 2024
Depart the USA and get ready to experience the adventure of a lifetime!
Day 2: Mon, Nov 11, 2024
Arrive at Athens International Airport and fly to Thessaloniki. Please schedule a flight that arrives by noon to get through customs and meet up with the group at 2pm in front of the Kourlourades Snack Shop, next to Arrival Hall A. We will have someone there to meet the group with a Biblical Expeditions sign. They will also hand out tickets for the flight to Thessaloniki and lead the group to the Aegean check-in counter where the group will be directed to the departure gate for the Thessaloniki flight.
Day 3: Tue, Nov 12, 2024
We begin our morning driving out of Thessaloniki journeying east towards Philippi (Acts 16:11-40; Philippians). Our first stop is the site of Amphipolis (Acts 17:1) where one of the things we will see is the Lion of Amphipolis. We will also visit the small, but important museum at Amphipolis, which contains artifacts from the Roman period. We continue on to the modern city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis (Acts 16:11), where Paul first came onto the European continent. After visiting Kavala and eating our lunch there, we visit Philippi where Paul encountered Lydia (Acts 16:11-15) and established a community, to which he wrote one of his letters. At Philippi, we see the theater, the Agora, as well as the Byzantine Basilica. After visiting the small museum of Philippi, we will see a stretch of the ancient Roman road, the Via Egnatia, which stretched across northern Greece, and was utilized by Paul as he journeyed through the region. We return to our Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Wed, Nov 13, 2024
Our first stop this morning is the ancient site of Pella, the capital of the glorious kingdom of ancient Macedonia and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. In addition to visiting the ancient site, we tour the museum at Pella, which speaks to the wealth and grandeur of the Macedonian kingdom. From Pella, we travel to Vergina where we visit the royal tombs of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. After lunch in Vergina, we drive to Berea, where the Apostle Paul arrived and according to custom went to the synagogue. We will see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating Paul’s visit to Berea (Acts 17:10-11). We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Thur, Nov 14 2024
The focus of our tour today is the city of Thessaloniki. Amid the bustling modern city, we will explore the remains of the ancient city of Thessaloniki (Acts 17:1-9; 1 and 2 Thessalonians). We begin our morning visiting the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, where we will learn about the history of the city, especially in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Our journey today takes us to a panoramic lookout of the city from the upper Old City walls. We visit the Roman Agora in the center of the city, as well as, drive along Egnatian Way to the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda. After our touring day, we travel to the airport to fly to Athens where we will be met by a local representative and transferred to our hotel. Overnight Athens.
Day 6: Fri, Nov 15, 2024
We begin our morning visiting the National Archaeological Museum where we will see artifacts from Greece’s magnificent ancient history. From the museum, we continue on a city tour that introduces us to the highlights of the city of Athens. Much of the afternoon will be free for people to explore the marvelous city of Athens and shop in its markets. Overnight in Athens.
Day 7: Sat, Nov 16, 2024
Today our tour travels outside of Athens to the ancient site of Delphi. The Oracle of Delphi was the most important and well-known oracle in the ancient world. In addition to the site, we visit the museum at Delphi, which contains artifacts from the site and illustrates the importance of this mountainous settlement. After our day, we return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Sun, Nov 17, 2024
Today our touring explores the ancient city of Athens, the birthplace of democracy. Our morning begins at the New Acropolis Musuem. This beautiful, state-of-the-art museum is dedicated to the artifacts and excavations of the Acropolis. After gaining an appreciation for the ancient site, we walk up the Acropolis, and visit the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. We then walk down to visit the Areopagus, Mars Hill where Paul encountered the council of Athens (Acts 17:16-34). Continuing down the hill, we come to the Agora of Athens and the Stoa of Attalos. Overnight Athens.
Day 9: Mon, Nov 18, 2024
We leave Athens today and drive south into the Peloponnese, the peninsula of southern Greece, to Corinth (Acts 18:1-17; 1 and 2 Corinthians). On our way to Corinth, we stop to see the Corinthian Canal. Our visit to Corinth includes the small, but important museum of Corinth, visiting the theater and the inscription of Erastus, the city treasurer (Romans 16:23), as well as the Bema of Gallio and the agora of Corinth. After lunch, we visit the upper city of Corinth, the Acro Corinth, and the ancient harbor of Cenchrea (Acts 18:18). Overnight Athens.
Day 10: Tue, Nov 19, 2024
Depart from Athens International Airport and return home challenged and encouraged in your faith! Hotel checkout will be between 10:00-11:00am. Please note that one group transfer to the airport will be offered and departure timing will be determined based on when the majority of participants' flights will be departing. Private airport transfers can be reserved at additional cost.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Electra Palace Thessaloniki is a 5-star flagship hotel in the heart of Thessaloniki, in the impressive Aristotelous Square. On the top floor is the Orizontes Roof Garden Restaurant Bar with panoramic views of the Thermaic Gulf. You can also relax in the rooftop pool or revitalize in the spa with the heated pool. On the ground floor you will find a British style lounge bar with fireplace and chesterfield sofas. Rooms and suites at the Electra Palace are decorated with wooden floors, wood furniture and luxurious curtains. They include a laptop-sized safe, a mini-bar and a flat-screen satellite TV. The marble bathrooms are equipped with a bathtub, bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries. A rich Greek breakfast is served each morning in the rooftop restaurant with fresh produce. Enjoy panoramic views of the Thermaic Gulf, Mount Olympus and the city. For lunch or dinner, you can enjoy several Mediterranean dishes accompanied by a cocktail or a fine wine bottle. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, and room service. This 5-star hotel features 5 conferences rooms with modern equipment and a banquet space that can accommodate up to 350 people. Electra Palace is ideally located within the business, cultural and commercial center of the city. Among the area's attractions are the White Tower and the Museum of Byzantine History, while the famous Ladadika are within walking distance. Electra Palace is 9.3 mi from Macedonia International Airport, 0.6 mi from the main train station and 1640 feet from the port.
The Royal Olympic is a newly fully refurbished 5-star hotel located just in the centre of Athens, at a walking distance from all major archaeological sites, points of interest and public transports of the city, and within easy reach to/from the airport. The 264 rooms, and especially the unique Athenian Panorama rooms with a breathtaking view over the temple of Zeus and other major sites of the city, the 18 state of the art meeting rooms, the roof garden restaurant & bar lying in front of the Acropolis, temple of Zeus and Lycabettus Hill, the swimming pool, create a luxurious and warm environment where personal touch, service and attention to every single detail are very well looked after.
THE FINE PRINT
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A deposit of $500 per person is due immediately upon booking. The balance is due 100 days before departure.
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Cancellations of confirmed bookings within 7 days of registration will receive a full refund minus a $175 (per person) administrative fee. Cancellations after 7 days of registration but more than 100 days before departure will be subject to loss of their $500 deposit. 50-99 days prior to departure will be subject to loss of 50% of trip price. 49 or fewer days prior to departure will be subject to loss of 100% of trip price.
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Land costs are quoted as a package and credits are not given for services not used.
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Trip pricing does not include airfare to/from the trips starting point unless otherwise noted in the trip itinerary/website.
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If booking group airfare the group must maintain a minimum of 10 flying passengers.
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Availability cannot be guaranteed until registration is complete. We exercise best efforts to book hotels per itinerary, however in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 100 days of tour date, we may be forced to offer substitutes.
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Please be aware that living standards and cultural norms at locations may differ from those in the USA.
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Travel Insurance is not required but highly recommended. Biblical Expeditions does not sell travel Insurance nor is the travel insurance offered by our hosting platform, WeTravel, connected to us in anyway.
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Overseas medical coverage is required, and we must have a copy of your policy prior to departure.
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Please see our full Terms & Conditions for more details.