Tour leaders
Saul & Johnna Hernandez
Johnna is a lifelong travel enthusiast who owns & operates A Magical Traveler along with her husband Saul. She enjoys helping people craft the trips & experiences of their dreams. Saul works in IT and is an Elder and teacher at Celebration Church. Saul enjoys fleshing out details for travelers, so their experience is worry free! Saul and Johnna live in Bristol, VA with their daughter and frequent travel companion, Julie.
Their partner on this tour, Greek Bible Tours, is the pre-eminent Faith based tour operator in Greece. Their team has years of experience leading tours and have helped countless travelers deepen their understanding of the Apostle Paul's missionary life in Greece.
ItinErary “Footsteps of Paul” Greece Tour
Oct. 23rd : Depart from USA
Oct. 24th : Arrive in Greece
Schedule your flight to arrive at Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG). This small airport is hassle-free and makes for a pleasant start to your trip. Transfer to the hotel and refresh from your flight.
Oct. 25th : Philippi & Kavala
Paul began his missionary work in Europe in the city of Philippi by preaching to Lydia and the other god-fearing women who gathered at the river there (Acts 16). Visit the Baptistery of St. Lydia on the Krinides River and the ancient Roman Agora (Forum) - built during the time of Augustus and mentioned in the Book of Acts as the place where Paul was publicly punished after he healed the demon possessed girl. Also, sit on the ancient seats of the Greek Theatre (4th century BC), converted into an arena by the Romans and used during persecutions of the early Christians. Nearby is Neapolis (present day Kavala), Greece's most picturesque mainland port where Paul arrived in this city with his coworkers Timothy and Silas (Acts 16). On the way back to Thessaloniki, you will pass through the ancient cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia as Paul did (Acts 17).
Oct. 26th : Thessaloniki & Berea
Paul left Philippi to visit Thessaloniki. The Apostle also wrote two letters to the Thessalonians in the 12-14 months immediately following his time there. The Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of artifacts which explain the Scriptures. From unfading crowns (2 Timothy 4) to alabaster vials (Matthew 26) to elegant mosaics from Roman homes, biblical references will come to life. You will also see the White Tower, the statue of Alexander the Great and the remains of the Palace complex of Galerius (Late 3rd century AD). The Arch of Galerius and Rotonda as well as the majestic City Walls and the Great Gate, which connected the city to the Via Egnatia - the trans-continental east-west road of the Roman Empire built in the 2nd century BC and used by Paul on his journeys (Acts 16). Paul visited Berea (modern Veria) and preached in the synagogue there as well as to Greek nobility who accepted the new faith (Acts 17). In this city there is a monument dedicated to Apostle Paul. You will visit the quaint Jewish quarter where a synagogue is still situated today in the ancient site of Paul’s visit.
Oct. 27th : Vergina or Meteora
Continue to the most significant archaeological find of the 20th century at the Royal Tombs of Vergina, the capitol of the Macedonian Kingdom (5th to 2nd centuries BC). Located there is the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great whose political and cultural influence was instrumental in preparing the world for the spread of the gospel. Here you will also explore how the Greek view of the afterlife influenced the presentation of these doctrines within the New Testament.
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Climb the majestic monasteries of Meteora where monks used ropes and pulleys to ascend in ancient times. Today, you can visit these working monasteries via long staircases. Our guides will help you understand the Greek Orthodox religious tradition and how it relates to Evangelical beliefs.
Oct. 28th : Delphi
This famed city is the location of the Gallio Inscription, 9 fragments which enable scholars to date the events in the book of Acts. Delphi was also the home of the Pythian oracle, a prophetic phenomenon which deeply influenced the practices in the nearby Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 13-14). Climb to the top of the city’s ancient footprint and you’ll find one of the best preserved stadiums of ancient Greece, illustrating the imagery used in Hebrews 12.
Oct. 29th : Corinth
Paul took up tentmaking in this city with fellow workers Aquila and Priscilla, likely preparing temporary housing for visitors to the Isthmian games. Paul’s interaction with the Corinthian believers was extensive, including four letters (two of which are in the New Testament) and three visits. Stand at the bema seat where Paul went on trial before Gallio (Acts 18). See the Temple of Apollo where meat sacrificed to idols was sold (1 Corinthians 8). Climb the Acrocorinth where the ancient temple of Aphrodite was located (1 Corinthians 6). Conclude the day with a visit to Cenchrea, an underwater archaeological site of the port city from which Phoebe sailed with the letter to the Romans in hand (Romans 16).
Oct. 30th : Athens
Conclude this marvelous journey with a trip to the Acropolis, seeing the Parthenon as well as Mars Hill (Acts 17) where Paul spoke to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Walk the same paths that Socrates, Plato and Aristotle did centuries earlier. View the world’s oldest dramatic venue, the Theatre of Dionysus, and learn about the way scripture uses imagery from ancient dramas. Stop by the Panhellenic Stadium where the modern Olympic Games began. Take in the natural beauty of the National Gardens and Greek Parliament building, leaving time for souvenir shopping at the Plaka.
Oct. 31st : Return to USA or Begin Cruise
Schedule flight to return to USA from Athens International Airport (ATH)
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Begin 3 night Celestial Cruise
add on crUISE oPTION - Celestial Cruises (ADDITIONAL COST)
ICONIC AEGEAN SEA CRUISE - 3 NIGHTS
Our magical Iconic Aegean cruise delivers a packed schedule and takes you to no fewer than six enchanting destinations in the romantic Aegean Sea. Embark on a fascinating journey as you glide through emerald waters to unravel the mystery of history, take in breathtaking landscapes and discover iconic landmarks. This remarkable voyage invites you to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle, sample authentic Greek cuisine and visit iconic locations.
Oct 31st : Mykonos (Greece)
Mykonos is an island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. It's popularly known for its summer party atmosphere. Beaches such as Paradise and Super Paradise have bars that blare thumping music. Massive dance clubs attract world-renowned DJs and typically stay open well past dawn. Iconic landmarks include a row of 16th-century windmills, which sit on a hill above Mykonos town.
Nov. 1st : Kusadasi (Turkey) & Patmos (Greece)
Kuşadası is a beach resort town on Turkey’s western Aegean coast. A jumping-off point for visiting the classical ruins at nearby Ephesus (or Efes), it’s also a major cruise ship destination. Its seafront promenade, marina, and harbor are lined with hotels and restaurants. Just offshore on Pigeon Island is a walled Byzantine castle that once guarded the town, connected to the mainland via causeway.
Patmos, an Aegean island in the north of Greece’s Dodecanese island group, is a significant Christian pilgrimage site. Its Cave of the Apocalypse is where John of Patmos (St. John the Theologian) is said to have written the Book of Revelations. A fortresslike, 11th-century monastery dedicated to the saint overlooks the whitewashed houses of the hilltop capital, Hora (also known as Chora).
Nov. 2nd : Heraklio (Crete) & Santorini (Greece)
Heraklion, also known as Iraklio, is a port city and the capital of the Greek island of Crete. It’s known for the Palace of Knossos, just outside the city. The huge archaeological site dates back thousands of years to the Minoan civilization, and includes frescoes and baths. Guarding the city’s Venetian port is the 16th-century Koules fortress. Heraklion Archaeological Museum has a large collection of Minoan art.
Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles.
Nov. 3rd: Return to Athens Schedule flight to return to USA from Athens International Airport (ATH)
Athens is the capital of Greece. It was also at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple. The Acropolis Museum, along with the National Archaeological Museum, preserves sculptures, vases, jewelry and more from Ancient Greece.