This program was custom designed to follow in the footsteps of Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great, and St. Paul. Our thanks to longtime friends and tour operator Thalia and Dimitri of Educational Tours and Cruises.
This itinerary is subject to change. Travel demands flexibility. We will strive to balance adaptability with remaining on schedule. Please trust that, when it is not possible to follow the plan laid out below, your program leaders will work to find substitutions that retain the quality of this Study Travel program. Various details may be added or changed due to information obtained while making reservations, or perhaps on site, especially because of the weather. BLD indicated included group meals.
One last note: to travel in the footsteps of someone like St. Paul sometimes requires covering great distances in short amounts of time. For this reason, toward the beginning of the program, there will be a couple of short hotel stays and longer bus rides.
Saturday, Apr 22 Depart United States
Individual departures from your hometown.
Sunday, Apr 23 Arrive Athens
On arrival in Athens, make your way to the group hotel and check in. We’ll meet in the lobby at 5:30 for a welcome drink, followed by an orientation lecture. Then we’ll walk to our welcome dinner at Cave of Acropolis Restaurant in the old town of Plaka, with live Greek music, at 7:45 pm. (We’re on Mediterranean time now!) Overnight at Hotel Herodion. (D)
Monday, Apr 24 Athens
After breakfast we’ll embark on a city tour with our private guide, starting with the Acropolis and then the Ancient Agora. Stop for lunch on your own nearby. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the impressive Acropolis Museum. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel Herodion. (B)
Tuesday, April 25 Athens – Delphi
Check out of the hotel. (Throughout the program when checking out, be sure to stop at the front desk to ensure that no charges have been mistakenly charged to your room. It’s much easier to dispute these in person than after the fact.) Depart on our private bus towards Delphi. First, visit the Archaeological site at Thebes. Time for lunch on your own. Reach Delphi and visit the museum and the site, if time permits. Continue to Arachova for a group dinner. Overnight at Hotel Likoria. (B, D)
Wednesday, April 26 Delphi – Kalambaka
Check out of the hotel. If we didn’t have time the day before, we’ll visit the Delphi museum. Then we’ll start towards Kalambaka, visiting the monument of Leonidas and the small exhibition room in Thermopylae on the way. Group dinner at the hotel tonight. Overnight at Hotel Divani Meteora. (B, D)
Thursday, April 27 Meteora – Thessaloniki
We’ll start our day by visiting one or two of the Hanging Monasteries in Meteora. Then we’ll continue to the Archaeological Park of Dion at the foot of Mount Olympus. Reach Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight at Hotel Mediterranean Palace. (B, D)
Friday, April 28 Thessaloniki
This morning we’ll have a city tour on our private bus. We’ll visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, St. Demetrius, Rotunda, Agora, White Tower, and the Palace of Galerius. Lunch and dinner on your own today. Overnight at hotel Mediterranean Palace. (B)
Saturday, April 29 Thessaloniki/Day Excursion
We’ll take our private bus to Pella to visit the archaeological site and the museum. We’ll continue to Vergina for a guided visit at the famous Royal Macedonian tomb of King Philip, father of Alexander the Great, and its museum. Return to Thessaloniki. Group dinner in a typical Greek tavern at Ladadika near the hotel. Overnight at hotel Mediterranean Palace. (B, D)
Sunday, April 30 Thessaloniki – Limenas (Island of Thasos)
Check out of the hotel, and then we’ll visit the Archaeological site of Amphipolis, followed by a visit to Philippi to see the prison of St. Paul and the Byzantine churches and the Baptistery of St. Lydia. Continue to Keramoti to take the ferry to the island of Thasos and the town of Limenas. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at Hotel A for ART. (B, D)
Monday, May 1 Limenas
We’ll tour the island, including visits to the archaeological site of Alyki, the Monastery of Archangel Michael, and the waterfalls of Saints Apostles. Overnight at Hotel A for ART. (B)
Tuesday, May 2 Limenas
Today we’ll visit the village of Panagia and the olive museum. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel A for ART or similar. (B)
Wednesday, May 3 Limenas
This morning we’ll visit the archaeological museum of Thasos, the ancient Agora, the ancient theatre, the Acropolis, and the ancient Odeon. Lunch and dinner on your own and overnight at Hotel A for ART. (B)
Thursday, May 4 Thasos – Pythagoreio (Island of Samos)
We’ll transfer to Limenaria and take the morning ferry to Keramoti, and then continue to the airport for a flight to Samos. Visit the archaeological site of Heraion. Group dinner and overnight at Hotel Doryssa Bay in Pythagoreio. (B, D)
Friday, May 5 Pythagoreio/Day Excursion
Early breakfast at hotel. Departure by bus early in the morning to reach Pythagoreio port. Day trip to the island of Patmos by boat for a visit to the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where the Book of Revelation was written. Return from Patmos later in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. Dinner (included at hotel Doryssa Resort) and overnight at hotel Doryssa Bay. (B, D)
Saturday, May 6 Pythagoreio/Day Excursion
Today we’ll visit the Pythagoreio and Vathy archaeological museums, before heading to a local winery to sample a variety of local wines accompanied by snacks. Group dinner at the hotel with a folk dancing performance, and overnight at Hotel Doryssa Bay. (B, D)
Sunday, May 7 Pythagoreio/Day Excursion
Today we visit Ephesus! Ferry to Kusadasi, where we pick up a bus and Turkish guide to visit the archaeological site of Ephesus with its ancient theater and archaeological museum, and the ancient Temple of Hera. Group dinner and overnight at Hotel Doryssa Bay. (B, D)
Monday, May 8 Samos – Athens
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Athens. Farewell group dinner. Overnight at Hotel Herodion. (BD)
Tuesday, May 9 Depart Greece
Transfer on your own to the airport for your individually booked flights home. (B)
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