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 Pastor Joel Delph and Seacoast Church 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 created 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.
Pastor Joel Delph
Joel Delph serves at Seacoast Church as the Mount Pleasant campus pastor. He is passionate about helping people find God, grow their faith, discover their purpose, and make a difference. Joel was raised in Hilton Head, SC and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors in Economics. He joined the Seacoast staff in 2021 after spending several years in the business world. Previously, he served as a campus pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. Joel is one of Seacoast’s Teaching Pastors and currently serves on the Executive Team. He and his wife Kelly have four children – Lexi, Audrey, Joel, and Joshua. In his downtime, Joel loves to go to the shooting range and cheer for the Gamecocks! He is honored to lead this expedition to Greece, and is excited to see all that God is going to do.
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 | Price Per Person |
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Double Shared Room | $3,900 |
Private Singe Room | $5,100 |
*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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(4) Hotel dinners included
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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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One-way flight from Athens to Thessaloniki
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One group bus transfer upon arrival/departure
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
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Travel or medical insurance
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Airfare to/from Greece
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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: Tue, Oct 29, 2024
Depart the USA and get ready to experience the adventure of a lifetime!
Day 2: Wed, Oct 30, 2024
Arrive at Athens International Airport and fly to Thessaloniki. Please schedule a flight that arrives by 10am to Athens where you will need to get through customs and meet up with the group by 12pm 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: Thur, Oct 31, 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 hotel in Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Fri, Nov 1, 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: Sat, Nov 2, 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 Roman Agora in the center of the city. We then visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, where we will learn about the history of the city, especially in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. After visiting the museum, we drive to Delphi. Along the way we will have several stops. Dinner and overnight Delphi.
Day 6: Sun, Nov 3, 2024
Our tour today visits 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 visit, we drive to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Mon, Nov 4, 2024
This morning we start a bit later and visit the National Archaeological Museum where we will see artifacts from Greece’s magnificent ancient history. From the museum, we continue with 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 8: Tue, Nov 5, 2024
Today our touring explores the ancient city of Athens, the birthplace of democracy. Our morning begins at the New Acropolis Museum. 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: Wed, Nov 6, 2024
We leave Athens today and drive south into the Peloponnese, the peninsula of southern Greece. We stop to visit the ancient, Bronze Age site of Mycenae, the home of Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek forces in the Trojan War. First excavated by Henrich Schliemann, the site of Mycenae provides an excellent view into the world of the Greek age of heroes. From Mycenae, we drive to the ancient site of Epidaurus, which boasts the best preserved ancient Greek theater, still used for productions. Epidaurus was also one of the important centers attached to the Greek god Asclepius, the god of healing. We will visit the small museum and Asclepion at the site. From Epidaurus, we travel to the modern, beautiful, seaside city of Nafplion for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Thur, Nov 7, 2024
We depart Nafplion this morning and drive to Corinth (Acts 18:1-17; 1 and 2 Corinthians). Our visit 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). On our way back to Athens, we stop to see the Corinthian Canal. Overnight Athens.
Day 11: Fri, Nov 8, 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.
A beautiful, newly renovated hotel located in the heart of Delphi, the V Hotel features beautifully appointed, air-conditioned guest rooms with a closet, electric tea pot, refrigerator, safety deposit box, flat-screen TV, balcony, private bathroom and shower. Additional hotel amenities include a fitness center, shared lounge, terrace and restaurant, and free WiFi throughout the property.
An iconic hotel featuring breathtaking views of the Acropolis from its rooftop terrace, the Divani Palace Acropolis is the perfect place to savor your time in Athens. All with private furnished balconies, Divani Palace rooms are decorated in natural colors and feature classic furnishings. They are equipped with a TV with satellite and cable channels, air conditioning and safety box. Most offer spectacular views of the Acropolis and Philopappou Hill. Additional hotel amenities include a beautiful outdoor pool, state of the art fitness center, free WiFi, and two restaurants. A unique feature of the Divani Palace Acropolis hotel is the ancient ruins of Themistocles wall, discovered in the foundations during construction and tastefully incorporated in the hotel's architectural design.
Located on the outskirts of historic Nafplio, this neoclassical style hotel offers luxurious, air-conditioned, sound-proofed guest rooms featuring modern décor, satellite and cable LCD TV, WiFi internet access, and balconies overlooking Palamidi, the sea, or the hotel’s lush gardens. Other features and amenities include a large swimming pool, a Mediterranean-cuisine restaurant that serves a rich American buffet breakfast every morning, a gym, a tennis court, and beautiful marble lobby complete with a fireplace and piano.
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.