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Follow Apostle Paul’s missionary journey through ancient Greek cities.
In the first century A.D., Paul the Apostle journeyed through modern-day Greece on a mission to bring Christianity to the country’s people. On this sweeping tour through the Mediterranean country, you’ll retrace his historic route. Highlights include Thessaloniki’s Vlatadon Monastery, where he preached the divine word, and the Areopagus in Athens, where he delivered one of his most famous sermons.
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
6 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
Vlatadon Monastery
Royal Tombs at Vergina
Meteora monasteries
Temple of Apollo
Ancient Corinth
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Board your overnight flight to Thessaloniki today.
Thessaloniki3 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Thessaloniki
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Greece! Get to know your Tour Director and fellow group members at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki
Included meal: Breakfast
Visit the places Paul the Apostle lived and preached, along with other historic sites in the city, on a guided tour of Thessaloniki.
View the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, neighboring monuments commissioned by Roman Emperor Galerius in the fourth century as part of an imperial complex
Marvel at protective walls constructed around the city during the early third century
Follow the seaside promenade to the White Tower of Thessaloniki, a symbol of the city that has served as a defensive fort, a prison, and a WWI communication center and now houses a museum
Enter the Vlatadon Monastery, where Paul the Apostle preached the divine word to the Thessalonians
Head to the Brotherhood of Men of Thessaloniki Park, a pilgrimage site where Paul the Apostle is said to have stopped for a drink from a spring that’s now known as Apostle Paul’s Holy water
Spend a free afternoon in the city or add an excursion.
Thessaloniki Wine Tasting & Dinner
From $85 per person
Day 4: Free day in Thessaloniki
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Thessaloniki or add an excursion.
A Day in Kavala, Philippi & Amphipolis
From $89 per person
Meteora Region1 night
Day 5: Meteora Region via Veria & Vergina
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to the ancient cities of Veria and Vergina this morning.
Start in Veria, where you’ll pay a visit to Saint Paul’s Tribune, where he preached Christianity at least twice during his lifetime
See its impressive murals up close, and learn why it’s considered a universal monument of religious and cultural heritage
View the remnants of the Jewish Quarter on the terraced foothills of Mount Vernon
Visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai and explore the remains of the royal palace at the archaeological museum of Vergina
Continue to the Meteora region and sit down for an included dinner.
Delphi1 night
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of the Meteora Region & transfer to Delphi
Included meal: Breakfast
Today, take a guided walking tour of the Meteora monasteries.
Enter two monasteries, such as the Monastery of Roussanou, the Monastery of Agios Stefanos, or the Monastery of Varlaam
Hike up to the monasteries to admire views from 1,000-foot-high pinnacle rocks
Meet with local nuns for a chat about the traditions and faith of the Eastern Orthodox Church
Learn more about this branch of Christianity, the nuns’ lives, and the work they take part in at the monasteries
This afternoon, transfer through scenic mountain terrain to Delphi. Enjoy a free evening or add an excursion.
Arachova Village & Greek Dinner
From $79 per person
Nafplio2 nights
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Delphi & transfer to Nafplio
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to the slopes of Mount Parnassus and visit the Archaeological Site of Delphi. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delphi was believed by ancient Greeks to be the Navel of the Earth and a spiritual focal point for all Greeks.
Embark on a guided tour featuring the Temple of Apollo, where, according to legend, the god Apollo once spoke in prophecy to mortals through the voice of the oracle and high priestess Pythia
Take time to explore the ancient treasures at the Delphi Museum, including the life-size bronze statue named the Charioteer of Delphi
Please note: This excursion involves some walking on uneven terrain and hills.
Make your way to the seaside town of Nafplio and explore the charming locale with your Tour Director.
Stroll through Syntagma Square
Soak in the beautiful views of the port and the hilltop Palamidi Fortress
This evening, sit down to an included dinner with your group.
Day 8: Free day in Nafplio
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Nafplio or add an excursion.
Ancient Ruins of Epidaurus & Mycenae
From $85 per person
Athens2 nights
Day 9: Athens via Ancient Corinth
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel to the Greek capital, Athens, making a stop to explore Ancient Corinth on a guided tour.
See the Agora, where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles
Snap a photo of the impressive Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese peninsula from mainland Greece
Then, continue to Athens.
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Athens
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Set out with your local guide to discover highlights of this bustling, ancient capital, home to the world’s first democracy.
Make stops at the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian
View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus
See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, and drive through the Plaka district
Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion
Drive to Areopagus Hill just northwest of the Acropolis
Choose to climb to the top of the hill where Paul the Apostle gave his sermon in 51 A.D. and take in sweeping views of the city
Later, celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to explore the Greek Islands and Turkey.
Extension to Greek Islands Cruise & Athens
Continue along Saint Paul’s route with a cruise to historical—and scenic—sites throughout the Aegean Sea. Board your vessel in Athens, then sail to your first port of call, sun-soaked Mykonos. From there, you'll cruise to the ancient Turkish city of Ephesus, which Saint Paul once called home. Next, sail to the Greek island of Patmos to explore the Cave of the Apocalypse, inside of which an exiled St. John is said to have written the Book of Revelation of the New Testament. Fascinating archaeological sites and charming villages await on the islands of Crete and Santorini, your final two ports of call. End your tour back in Athens, where you can while away one last afternoon exploring the city’s ancient archaeological treasures before returning home.
Greek Islands Cruise3 nights
Day 11: Cruise embarkation & Mykonos
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board your ship, get settled in your stateroom, and enjoy an included lunch as you sail to Mykonos for a day on the iconic island.
Disembark on Mykonos and join your Tour Director for a walk through the island’s charming Old Town
See the island’s iconic windmills, Little Venice neighborhood, and Church of Panagia Paraportiani
Enjoy free time to explore the labyrinthine alleys
Return to the ship this evening and sit down for an included dinner
Day 12: Kusadasi & Patmos
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day visiting Kusadasi, Turkey, and Patmos, Greece.
Disembark in Kusadasi and set off on a guided sightseeing tour of Ephesus, one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved ancient cities
Learn about Ephesus’ first Christian congregation, which was established by Saint John and expanded by Saint Paul
Discover many of the city’s UNESCO-listed sites, such as the Library of Celsus, the Odeon Theater, and the House of the Virgin Mary
Return to the ship and enjoy an included lunch as you sail on to Patmos, Greece
Spend free time on the island, where it’s said St. John penned the Book of Revelations of the New Testament while in exile
Visit the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and enter the Cave of the Apocalypse, where Saint John had visions later documented in the Book of Revelations
Return to the ship this evening and sit down for an included dinner
Day 13: Heraklion & Santorini
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue sailing along the Aegean Sea and visit two ports of call today.
Disembark on Crete for free time or book an excursion to visit the ruins of Knossos, where, according to myth, King Minos imprisoned the Minotaur in a labyrinth
Head back to the ship and enjoy an included lunch before continuing on to Santorini
Enjoy free time to visit the iconic hilltop villages of Thira and Oia
Return to the ship and sit down for an included dinner this evening
Athens1 night
Day 14: Disembarkation in Athens
Included meal: Breakfast
Disembark your cruise in Athens. Then, spend a free afternoon in the city or add an excursion.
Greek Tavern Evening
From $75 per person
Flight Home
Day 15: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
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Reviews
4.8 star rating
Overall rating 4.8 out of 5
Based on 10 authentic traveler reviews
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5.0 star rating
In Paul’s Footsteps - traveling through Greece
10/3/23 by 2nd-time traveler Elizabeth
From the minute we were met at Thessaloniki Airport until the moment we said our last goodbyes in Athens , I felt completely relaxed and confident in our tour. We had local guides at each of our destinations who shared their knowledge and love of each region . The hotels, amazing Greek food and rest...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/9/23
It's great to hear that your tour director, Michae...
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5.0 star rating
Following in the footsteps of St. Paul!
9/5/23 by 1st-time traveler Joseph
This trip exceeded my expectations at every turn. I learned so much about my own faith and the enormous effect St. Paul had on Greece and her people. We visited historic sites accompanied by wonderful guides. It was the perfect blend of ancient history, wonderful cuisine and some of the friendliest ...
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5.0 star rating
Footsteps of St. Paul
9/5/23 by 1st-time traveler Sheila
Let me start with, we absolutely had the best, top notch, knowledgeable, experienced Tour Guide, Joanna. She really enhanced the tour daily, besides her knowledge and wisdom of where, when, and how, her kindness and sincerity was what truly made this tour for me. I had a ton of questions and she had...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
City Hotel Thessaloniki
This stylish hotel is located in the city center of Thessaloniki. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Tsi...
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Amalia Hotel Kalambaka
This classical hotel is located in Kalambaka. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, balconies, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Tríkala, Megálou Metéorou, and...
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Amalia Hotel Delphi
This modern hotel is located at the foot of Mount Parnassus in Delphi. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, beautiful views, and manicured gardens. Nearby, ...
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Amalia Hotel Nafplio
This modern hotel is located in the town entrance of Nafplion. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, balconies, and air conditioning. Nearby, you’ll find Árgos, Ti...
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Wyndham Grand Athens
This elegant hotel is located in the Metaxourgeio neighborhood of Athens. Guests enjoy panoramic views of the Acropolis, a fitness center, and a rooft...
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Celestyal Olympia
This ship sails across the Adriatic Sea. As you hop from one Greek isle to the next, enjoy the two pools, fully equipped gym, and restaurants featurin...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
Aboard the Celestyal Olympia on the tour extension, you’ll find ambient lounges across the ship, restaurants featuring authentic cuisine, a fully equipped gym, library, two pools, and so much more. See a detailed summary of the ship’s amenities and available cabins on their website.
All cabins on this tour are standard outside cabins with a view of the water and come equipped with air conditioning, a telephone, hair dryer, safety deposit box, and television.
In order to enter Greece (and Turkey on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code FPS.
You will walk for about 2 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting on and off ferries and ships.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Thessaloniki and depart from Athens. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A three-night Greek islands cruise is included in the price of the tour extension.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure to label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
Consider bringing sunglasses, brimmed hats, sunscreen, and lightweight clothing that covers your arms and neck. Many of the historical and ancient sites on this tour are out in the open with little shade, and temperatures in Greece can get quite hot.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov] (https://www.cdc.gov).
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
Please note that codeine (commonly found in headache medications) is banned in Greece, and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country.
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may be banned in Turkey (on the tour extension). Importing these drugs can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to departure to ensure that any drugs you may want to bring with you are legal in Turkey.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code FPS.
Greece’s warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as are squid and octopus. Don't miss the spinach-and-cheese pies, called spanakopita.
In Turkey on the tour extension, breakfast typically consists of sourdough bread with sheep’s cheese and olives, as well as jam or honey. A midday meal or dinner often starts with a meze, which is a plate of varied appetizers like cheese pastry rolls, pickled vegetables, and potato fritters. On the coast, fish is an excellent choice, especially tuna, turbot, and sardines. Meat eaters should try lamb kebabs, available in a wide variety of types, each with a different sauce or dressing. The national drink is tea, but don't miss out on the strong and rich Turkish coffee.
Greece (and Turkey on the tour extension) operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
You will use the euro in Greece (as well as the Turkish lira in Turkey on the tour extension).
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
Gratuities aboard the cruise ship are included in price of the tour extension.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.