Overview
The 7 days private tour following the footsteps of St Paul is a private tour to Biblical Greece. It is one of the must-do tours, if you are a Christian interested in this part of the history of Greece, or if you are interested in getting a fuller idea of how Greece is like today, as a result of its multidimensional past.
Itinerary of the 7 days Christian tour
Athens, Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, Osseus Potapios Monastery in Loutraki, Osseus Lucas Byzantine Monastery, Delphi, Kalambaka, Meteora, Veroia, Vergina, Thessaloniki, Thermopylae, Athens
Highlights of the Best 7 Days Christian Highlights Of Greece
- A visit to all Christian highlights of Peloponnese, and central Greece, where St Paul preached and lived during his time in Greece
- Combination of sites of archaeological interest and sites of religious interest
- Visits to important Greek cities, such as Corinth, Loutraki, Corinth canal, Veroia, and Thessaloniki
- An exciting tour to modern and ancient Greece
- An experienced, professional English speaking tour/driver
Description
Description of the 7 days Christian tour following the footsteps of St Paul
Day 1: Athens
The 7 days private tour in the footsteps of St Paul starts from Athens.
No tour would be complete without a visit to the most important sites of the city, including of course the crown of the city, the Acropolis, and the Mars Hill where St Paul delivered his famous sermon.
The tour in Athens includes visits to all major highlights of the city, such as the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic games took place in 1896), the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library.
The private tour will also take you to some of the must-see quarters of Athens, such as Monastiraki, Plaka, the ancient and the roman agora as well as the renowned hill of Athens, Lycabettus, offering panoramic views of the city.
The Monastery Of Daphni
It is time now to visit the famous 11th-century AD monastery of Daphni, one of the greatest masterpieces of the Byzantine Empire located close to Athens! At the western entrance of the Athens basin, on the outskirts of the Haidari Grove, on Athens Avenue, is the largest Byzantine monastery of Athens (Attica), the Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin, known as the Daphni Monastery. It is a UNESCO-protected monument, as its architecture, its size, and its incomparable quality of mosaic decoration, which indicate its relation to Constantinople, classify it as one of the most important monuments of the Byzantine era and designate it as a Monumental Monument.
Alternatively, you can visit the Monastery of Kaisariani, which was founded in the 11th century A.D. and is of significant Christian interest, as it is consecrated to the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple. The evening is free, allowing you time to wander around the city of Athens.
Day 2: Athens, Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, Saint Patapios Monastery, Athens
On the second day, the tour will continue after your breakfast towards Corinth, one of the major stops of St Paul, who spent 18 months there, preaching to the locals, Gentiles, and Jews.
Since his stay in Corinth caused him much difficulty, he wrote four letters to the locals (Letters to Corinthians). You will have the chance to visit the Acropolis (Acrocorinth) overlooking the city of Corinth and make a tour of the ancient Corinth.
Continuing the private tour you will visit Saint Patapios; The miraculous patron of Loutraki, Corinth. The Monastery of Saint in the Geranias Mountains, where its scene is preserved, is a living monument of Orthodoxy.
In the Gerania Mountains, above the Loutraki, opposite the city of Corinth, is built the Holy Monastery of St. Patapios, where its miraculous scene is kept. They are one of these convents that receive hundreds of pilgrims from all over the country daily.
It is a living monument of Orthodoxy, which is cared for by dozens of nuns. Although an important monastery, it was built only in 1952, following an ancient hermitage, dating back to the 13th century.
Your driver will bring you back to Athens for an overnight.
Day 3: Athens, Osseus Lukas Monastery, Delphi, Kalambaka, Kastraki, Meteora
The third day of the tour will start again from Athens, driving towards Delphi, which is one of the most intriguing sites of ancient Greece.
Visit the Osseus Lucas monastery one of the most important Byzantine monasteries in Central Greece, the St (Ossios) Lucas, which is perhaps the most important monument of the Middle Byzantine period in Greece. Second, in fame, Osseus Lucas considered the Hagia Sophia of central Greece! The monastery is the most important Byzantine monument of 11th century Greece.
Next, visit Delphi is the home of the Oracle, a site dedicated to God Apollo. You will visit the archaeological site, as well as the Museum with the important artifacts and statues from antiquity.
You will enjoy your lunch in Delphi or the nearby picturesque village of Arachova and head towards Meteora, spending the night in Kalambaka/Kastraki.
Day 4: Meteora
The private sightseeing tour will bring you early in the morning to the suspended rocks, known as Meteora in Greek.
It is an area featuring a natural phenomenon, with a strange formation of rocks, home to the Meteora Monasteries, the second most important complex of Byzantine monasteries after Athos. Late in the afternoon, we will have the chance to enjoy the sunset! Overnight in Kalambaka/Kastraki.
Meteora monasteries exhibit superb icons, manuscripts, and unique mosaics and frescoes.
Day 5: Verroia and Thessaloniki
On the 5th day of the private tour, you will depart Meteora heading towards Verroia, where St Paul successfully preached to the Jewish community.
In Verroia you will see the reconstructed steps of the rostrum, where Paul was believed to have preached. After lunch, the tour will drive you to Thessaloniki. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 6: Thessaloniki
After breakfast, you will enjoy a city tour of the second larger city of Greece, Thessaloniki, which is also one of St Paul’s major stops, where he established a church (Acts 17:1-10).
The tour in Thessaloniki includes visits to the churches of St Sophia, Rotonda, and St Demetrios, the upper part of the Old City Walls, the famous White Tower of Thessaloniki, and the Triumphal Arch of Galerius.
Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 7: Thessaloniki, Thermopylae, Athens
The last day of the tour will bring you back to Athens, passing by interesting sites, such as Katerini, Tembi, Larisa, Lamia, Thermopylae, the site of the battle of the 300. You will arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.
Considerations
During wintertime, there will be slight changes in the itinerary due to the fact that the archaeological sites close at 3 pm while remaining open till 5-7 pm during summertime.
Also, this tour is available for driving with a minibus or motor coach bus for larger groups. In the case of the Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, St. Potapios tour, the itinerary can also be customized and will be shorter (due to international driving safety regulations), again based on your specific needs and requirements. Your private tour/driver is at your disposal at any time to discuss and plan your private full-day tour accordingly.
Details
Important notes
Tour Type
- Shore Excursion - Private tour
- Activity level: Moderate
Included in the tour
- Car and Driver
- A professional English-speaking driver or escort with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you'd like to have a licensed state tour guide to escort you inside the sites and museums, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
- Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
- Pick-up from and return to your hotel
- Pick-up from the Port of Piraeus
- Private tour, Road tolls and local taxes
- Our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athina, Greece.
Excluded from the tour
- Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
- Wine tasting fee (wine tours)
- Olive oil tasting fee (olive oil tasting tours)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and beverage
- Your private chauffeur/guide will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities. Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost. Read more for the difference between a STATE LICENSED TOUR GUIDE and a TOUR DRIVER GUIDE in Greece!
Additional info
- Dress: religious and marmoreal sites: shoulders and knee must be covered
- Terms & Conditions and Frequent Questions
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
- A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all necessary information for your tour.
- This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of the tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.
Persons with Disabilities
- Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi and Meteora
- In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-solid walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Restrictions:
- Please note that on this tour, your tour driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb. If you want this service you may book a licensed by-state tour guide for an extra cost.
- In case a group is followed by a licensed tour guide or an English speaking tour-escort the professional driver is not obliged to speak English!
Opening hours & Admission fees
- Opening Hours:Summer April 1st to October 31st from 08:00 AM to 07:30 PM
- Winter: November 1st to March 31st from 08:30 AM to 03:00 PM
- Free admission fees: Children under 18 & Students from E.U.
- Reduced admission fees: Citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 & Students from countries outside the E.U.
Free admission days
- March 6: In memory of deceased Minister of Tourism & visionary Melina Mercouri
- June 5: Environment international day
- April 18 : International monuments day
- May 18: International museums day
- September 27: International tourism day
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
- National Holidays
- Sundays in the period between 1 November and 31 March
- The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August, and September
- NOTE: If the first Sunday is a holiday then the second is the free admission day
Holidays in Greece
- January 1: closed
- January 6: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- Shrove Monday: 08:30AM - 03:00 PM
- March 25: closed
- Good Friday: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
- Holy Saturday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- Easter Sunday: closed
- Easter Monday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- May 1: closed
- Holy Spirit Day: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- 15 August 15: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- October 28: 08:30 AM- 03:00 PM
- December 25 & 26: closed
