The Steps of St. Paul in Greece

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Arrival/Thessaloniki

Arrival in Thessaloniki Airport, private transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Hotel

Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign with your name on it. You will be transferred to your hotel.

Thessaloniki is the largest city in Greece’s northern region, with a population of over a million people. It is built on fertile ground beside the rivers Axios, Gallikos, and Loudias, as well as the lakes Koroneia and Volvi, by Thermakos and Strymonikos Gulf.

Thessaloniki has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is known for its multiculturalism, but its modernized state is charmingly intertwined with archaeological sites, byzantine churches, and other historically significant monuments.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Walking Tour – Private Tour

As Thessaloniki is a town with a long history, there is much sightseeing to visit. The main sights of Thessaloniki date from Roman and Byzantine times.

The most important landmark and trademark of Thessaloniki is hands down the White Tower. Located at the port of Thessaloniki, the White Tower is the most photographed tourist site in the city. Another popular site is Kamara. Kamara is an arch constructed by the Roman general Galerius in the 3rd century AD. Other interesting places to visit in the city center of Thessaloniki are the Roman Agora, a beautiful ancient theater, the palace of Galerius, a vestige of the Roman era, as well as the World Heritage-listed Byzantine churches.

Thessaloniki

Philippi and Kavala Excursion – Private

The ancient city of Philippi, now the most important archaeological site in Eastern Macedonia, lies at the boundary of the marshes that cover the southeast part of the plain of Drama. The site was originally colonized by the people of Thasos, who established the city of Krinides in 360 BC. Soon after its establishment, however, Krinides was threatened by the Thracians (365 BC) and turned to King Philip II of Macedon for help. Realizing its economic and strategic potential, Philip conquered, fortified, and renamed the city after himself.

Hellenistic Philippi had a fortification wall, a theatre, several public buildings, and private houses. The construction of the Via Egnatia through the city in the second century BC made Philippi an important regional center. The dramatic battle of Philippi, which took place outside the west city walls in 42 BC, was a turning point in the city’s history. The city was conquered by Octavian and renamed Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis. The new Roman colony developed into a financial, administrative, and artistic center.

However, Philippi is more famous due to another important event that marked the city’s history a century later. Saint Paul founded the first Christian Church on European soil at Philippi in 49/50 AD. The establishment of the new religion and the city’s proximity to Constantinople, the Roman Empire’s new capital, brought new splendor. Three magnificent basilicas and the Octagon complex, the cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul, were erected in the city center in the fourth century AD. After a series of earthquakes and Slavic raids, the lower city was gradually abandoned early in the seventh century. Philippi survived into the Byzantine period as a fortress, until its final demise in the late fourteenth century, after the Turkish conquest.

Thessaloniki/Kalampaka

Vergina Guided Tour – Private

You will be picked up from your hotel in Thessaloniki center for your private tour, traveling by private vehicle, and set out on the journey to the famous Vergina. Your guide will fill you with some useful information in the routing. Learn how the ancient site was once the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedon, known as ‘Aigai’, and provides a fascinating inside into the lives of the Macedonian dynasty.

Upon your arrival, you will follow, the guide on a very nice walking tour of the ruins, including the monumental palace, a building richly decorated with mosaics and stuccos, and the burial ground, which houses hundreds of tumuli, some dating back to the 11th century B.C. You will stop at the Tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, and the Prince’s tomb rumored to be the one of Alexander IV, the son of Alexander the Great. There will be plenty of time to explore the area with and without your guide, depending on your preferences. Later on in the day, you will return to Thessaloniki, and you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Welcome to Kalabaka

Kalabaka is situated at the foot of the Meteora, on the left bank of the river Pinios as it enters the plain of Thessaly.

The famous Monasteries on the top of the Meteora rocks, suspended in the air, have made it internationally famous.

Meteora is one of the world’s greatest monuments, protected by UNESCO, and Greece’s most important monastic center. In the 11th century, the first ascetics arrived. However, between the 13th and 14th centuries, Meteora flourished as a monastic center as many people in the surrounding areas embraced the monastic way of life.

Kalampaka/Athens

Meteora Sightseeing Tour – Private

Visit up to 3 main monasteries of Meteora and discover the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of this area. We will go back to the Dark Ages and the first hermits and monks laying the foundations of what later on became the monastic community of Meteora. Some of the famous monasteries of the area are the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, the Holy Monastery of Varlaam, the Holy Monastery of Rousanou, and the Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas. This tour will not exclude some of the most beautiful spots for amazing views and photos.

Welcome to Athens

Welcome to Athens, Greece’s bustling capital.
The city of Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, the historical capital of Europe, and a city of culture, history, and philosophy. Athens today is a vibrant metropolis that blends its proud past with its dynamic modern present. This enchanting capital offers a feast of things to see and do, such as endless sites and monuments, nonstop nightlife, and intricate cuisine.

Athens

Acropolis & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour – Private

You will meet your expert licensed guide and embark on a historical journey to Greece’s most famous landmark, the Acropolis, and the fascinating New Acropolis Museum.

Ascend to the top of the sacred rock of the Acropolis to be confronted by one of the world’s most important structures in history, the Parthenon. Once there, you will enjoy a guided tour that will reveal Athens’ magnitude and rich heritage and the cultural achievements of the Greek civilization of the Golden Age.

Your next stop will be at the New Acropolis Museum, which has become a renowned attraction worldwide, with every floor bursting with exquisite artifacts, sculptures, and antiquities.

If you wish to continue exploring the city, feel free to ask your guide for recommendations to perfect your day in Athens. Athens is an ancient city that has evolved into a contemporary metropolitan, continuously keeping up with the new trends of the modern world. However, Greece’s capital is immensely proud of its important heritage; it has successfully integrated the ancient sections into the contemporary scene, creating a unique blend.

Athens

Ancient Corinth Guided Excursion – Private

Just a stone’s throw away from Athens, you will find yourself at the ancient site of Corinth.

Your Ancient Corinth experience consists of geographical wonders, ancient history, and mythology with a landscape that offers a sense of serenity.

Start your day from Athens and head to the Corinth Canal, a narrow neck of land that connects the Peloponnese peninsula with mainland Greece. The manmade Isthmus of Corinth is a great mechanical achievement. Your expert guide will explain to you how the ambitious proposition of the ruler of Corinth, Periander, conceived the initial idea 2600 years ago, however, its construction began in 1882.

Drive for 15 minutes and you will reach the Ancient City of Corinth. Ancient Corinth was once more flourishing by the 1st century CE and became an important administrative and trade center. The Doric-style Temple of Apollo dominates the site, and you will want to capture its glory from all angles.

Visit the Church of Apostle Paul, the patron saint of the Corinthians who spent 2 years in Corinth, and in his honor, they built him an impressive church. Also witness the ‘Bema’, a large elevated rostrum where according to tradition it was where Paul’s trial was held. Although Apostle Paul was not one of the original twelve disciples, he certainly spread the word of Christianity all over Ancient Greece and wrote the famous Epistles addressed to the Corinthians that are part of the New Testament.

Patmos

Welcome to Patmos

Patmos is a popular destination for nature lovers, thanks to its lace-like coastline, sheer cliffs, and volcanic soil. It is also known as a sacred island because it is where Saint John wrote the Book of Revelation.

Patmos was used as a place of exile by the Romans due to its steep morphology and was designated as “Holy Island” by the Greek Parliament in 1981 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Exiled by Emperor Domitian, St. John found a haven here in the first century A.D.

Patmos

Three Monasteries Tour – Private

Explore the island’s monastic life and its most significant Orthodox landmarks on this tour.

We depart from Skala port, traveling the scenic coastal road to the Convent Of Evangelismos, nestled in picturesque gardens with a stunning view of Kipi Bay. The chapel of St. Luke, dating back to 1613, and the convent founded in 1937 showcase remarkable frescoes by the late nun Olympia. You can also purchase nuns’ handicrafts in the convent’s exhibition.

Our next stop is the ancient village of Chora, where we visit the 11th-century Monastery Of St. John the Theologian. Here, experience monastic life and discover its history through an exceptional museum housing frescoes by Christodoulos, St. John’s miracles, ancient documents dating to the 6th century, vestments, silverware, and various icons, including one attributed to El Greco.

A short coach ride takes us to the Cave of the Apocalypse, the birthplace of the Book Of Revelation. St. John received his divine vision in this small cave during the Christian persecution in 95 AD, and it has since become a revered destination for worship and pilgrimage.

Our tour concludes back at Skala Port.

Patmos

Patmos Leisure Day

Patmos Island is globally known for its religious legacy, as it is the place where John the Evangelist (aka John the Theologian) wrote the Book of Revelation. Over the recent years, it has also become a destination preferred by nature lovers and other holidaymakers who seek to experience this location’s spiritual atmosphere in a setting of beautiful land & seascapes.

Patmos’ uneven landscape includes a sinuous shoreline, steep-faced hills, and a volcanic terrain, and it is known a modest tourism growth, attracting visitors who wish to explore its rugged countryside. Much of this place’s allure is owed to its villages: their winding alleys, stone-paved squares, and traditional houses will make a lasting impression on you, as will the good food you’ll taste. The island’s beaches with the amazing waters are also a great asset that will steal your heart away! These are some of the reasons why Patmos Island should rank high on your must-visit list of destinations.

In 1981, Greece declared Patmos a “Sacred Island”, and in 1999 UNESCO included The Historic Centre (Chora) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse in its World Heritage Site List. Patmos is also part of the COESIMA network and is one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites in Europe.

Patmos/Samos

Welcome to samos

Samos is a mythical and beautiful island. It is the island of Pythagoras, the father of mathematics, Aristarchus, the astronomer, and Epicurus, the philosopher. It is Hera’s home and the land where Herodotus and Aesop lived. It came into contact with important Mediterranean cultures as an important center of trade in the Aegean and a major naval force in antiquity.

It’s no coincidence that Herodotus, the great historian, ranked Samos first among all Greek and barbarian cities. The island, as the center of Ionian civilization, witnessed times of indescribable splendor, which still exist today.

Samos

Day Trip to Ephesus & Kusadasi (from Pythagorio- Samos) – Group Tour

You can travel to the land of mosques and minarets, immerse yourselves in the colorful fragrant world of bazaars, enjoy the native specialties, or visit the ‘witnesses’ of the Pre‑Christian past, e.g. the famous archaeological site of Ephesus, the most significant monument of antiquity and the largest Greek-Roman excavations in the Mediterranean Area (excellent guiding).

Before returning to Samos you still have time at leisure in the small harbor town of Kusadasi, which ‑ despite its increasing tourism has still preserved its oriental character with coffee houses, small bazaars, and Turkish baths ‘Hamams’. A truly unforgettable day!

Samos

Samos Leisure Time

Samos has an outstanding natural landscape, beautiful beaches, fine wine, and monuments of sizable cultural significance. Kings, Priests, and men of letters had the utmost respect for this island as the sanctuaries and the philosophical societies were considered the spiritual center of the Mediterranean world. Natives to Samos’ are the Mythical Goddess Hera, the philosopher Epicurus, the astronomer Aristarchus, and the great mathematician Pythagoras.

You have two UNESCO monuments to visit: the fortified ancient city of Pythagoreion and the ancient Temple of Hera, Heraion of Samos. Don’t miss the pleasant cultural events and music festivals during the summer months and get acquainted with the island’s history by wandering around the historic village of Vathy.

Departure

Departure Day

Today, you will have to say goodbye to beautiful Greece. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the island airport for your domestic flight back to Athens. After arriving at Athens Airport, check in to your international flight and depart Greece.

Your trip might have come to an end for now, but the magical flame of adventure and travel is always ready to re-ignite!