This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
✓ Travel with Collette Tours
✓ Follow the path of Paul the Apostle
✓ Discover bucolic beauty and ancient history on this Grecian sojourn
✓ Enjoy a 3-night cruise of the magical Greek islands of Mykonos, Patmos and Santorini
✓ Visit the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, Turkey
✓ Explore the Acropolis in Athens and seek ancient wisdom at the ruins of Delphi
✓ Discover the biblical town of Corinth and see the Agora and the Bema
✓ Stop in Philippi, where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe and baptized Lydia, the first Christian
✓ Visit the places where the great Apostle Paul lived and preached
✓ 9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Your tour begins in Athens, Greece’s lively capital. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner celebrating the start of a marvelous trip.
Embark on a 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily while on board. The island of Mykonos is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, whitewashed buildings, and beautiful windmills that dot its landscape. Don’t miss Mykonos Town, following the mazes of narrow streets full of bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this island paradise.
Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an excursion to the ruins of Ephesus (UNESCO), where Paul the Apostle lived 3 years during his ministry. You’ll also visit the Agora, the great theater, and the stadium where chariot races and gladiatorial combats took place. Legend claims that Paul fought here against wild beasts. Visit the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mother spent her last days. Continue your cruise to Patmos. Visit the Monastery of John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile.
Enjoy an excursion to the incredible open-air museum of the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Then, during free time in Crete’s largest city, enjoy a variety of museums, shopping, or visit a nearby winery to sample traditional Greek wine. Later, arrive on the fabled island of Santorini, known as the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Enjoy time at leisure to independently explore this lovely port or purchase a ship excursion from the cruise line.
After an early morning disembarkation, travel north. Pause at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defense by Leonidas against the Persian army. Your day ends in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. Founded in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki was an early center for Christianity. Paul visited and preached here during the winters of A.D. 49-50 and wrote 2 epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. Visit the Church of Saint Demetrius (UNESCO), dedicated to the patron saint of Thessaloniki and set on the location of the saint's martyrdom.
Travel to the coastal town of Kavala where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site and monuments spanning the Ancient Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe.
Proceed through the fertile Thessalian Valley to Meteora (UNESCO). These dark, sandstone pinnacles rise abruptly from the plain of Thessaly, with 6 historic monasteries perched upon their peaks. Beginning in the 10th century, hermits, monks, and ascetics sought solitude and spiritual solace in these dramatic crags. Visit two amazing Meteora monasteries*** which are renowned for their intricate construction and exquisite Byzantine art. Overnight in Kalambaka.
Travel through scenic mountain terrain to Delphi. One of the most moving sites of the ancient world, Delphi is nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnassus in a landscape of unparalleled beauty. Pilgrims once came from all over the ancient world to consult its mysterious oracle. A guided tour takes you along the Sacred Way to see the Doric Temple and the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasuries, and the intriguing Archaeological Museum with its collection of ancient artifacts.
Travel to Corinth where Paul lived and preached for two years and also wrote 2 epistles. Explore ancient Corinth on a guided tour featuring 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. In Athens, see the hill of Areopagus (Mars Hill) – where Paul delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech – and visit the incomparable Acropolis. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a marvelous trip.
Return home inspired by the incredible, soothing landscapes and the words and deeds of Paul the Apostle.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Please follow the 'book now' prompts and select 1 passenger to view the single supplement cost
Triple Share
Not Available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 50 people depending on your selected holiday.
Tour Type - Independant
On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible. The choice is yours.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
As one of the world’s most historically influential countries, Greece's mythology and archaeology is legendary. But, when is the best time to go? Greece is blessed with one-of-a-kind natural beauty, and topped off with some of man's greatest inventions. Foodies and architectural enthusiasts are well catered for in thi...
Santorini is a feast for the senses, and not just because of its famous sunsets. With its volcanic soil, age-old culinary traditions, and a new generation of chefs making waves, the island has evolved into a leading food destination. You might be hunting down fresh street snacks or sipping local wine at sunset, or book...
Ancient monuments, classic architecture, world-class museums and cutting-edge artists: welcome to Greece Culture abounds in the Greek capital, where the legacy of ancient civilisations is in contrast with a visual arts scene that is one of the most talked about in Europe. The ongoing regeneration of Athens has meant im...
Look no further for a brief course—and three courses—in Greece’s sumptuous cuisine History-rich Greece bathes in the sunshine and the blue Mediterranean which means one thing: great food! Here, 10 traditional foods to try on your Greek adventure. 1. Feta The most famous cheese that Greece produces, feta, can be made fr...
Get lost in nature and history or go on an adventure – there’s something for everyone across these unique destinations Whether you love dancing the night away, exploring little villages, or discovering long-forgotten ancient ruins, there’s a Greek island to suit you, all with a charm of its own. 1. Santorini A uniq...
Australia
New Zealand
United States
India
