Much of the story of the New Testament recounts the spread of Jesus’ movement into the Greco-Roman world and the Roman Empire. As the Jewish followers of Jesus spread his movement, they confronted a world culturally, politically, and religiously opposed to them - a world very similar to what we live in today, where similar challenges face followers of Jesus.

Join Bayside Community Church for a transformative biblical expedition through Greece and Turkey, where ancient history and sacred scriptures come to life. Explore key sites of early Christianity, walk in the footsteps of the apostles, and immerse yourself in rich biblical history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultures on this unforgettable spiritual journey. Traveling through the Greco-Roman world will provide you a unique opportunity to discover how first-century followers of Jesus navigated their world and to better understand the historical accounts and teachings of the New Testament.

The heart of this journey is to empower you to become the disciple God created you to be. By better understanding the world of the Bible, you will better understand the words of the Bible, transforming your ability to study it, do what it teaches, and share it with others. Join us for an experience unlike any other as we take you behind the scenes to explore the lands of the Bible in a way that will change your life forever.

Our expeditions, led by an experienced team of expertly trained guides, offer the finest travel experiences, providing you the peace of mind that everything down to the smallest detail has been taken care of so you can immerse yourself in the journey, encounter God, and be empowered to better understand the words of the Bible by exploring its world.

Depart the USA and get ready to experience the adventure of a lifetime!

Arrive at Athens International Airport and fly to Thessaloniki. If you choose to book your own flight, please be sure it will arrive by 11:00AM to Athens where you will need to get through customs and meet up with the group in front of the Kourlourades Snack Shop, next to Arrival Hall A. We will have someone there to meet the group with a Biblical Expeditions sign. They will also hand out tickets for the flight to Thessaloniki and lead the group to the Aegean check-in counter where the group will be directed to the departure gate for the Thessaloniki flight. Once we have arrived in Thessaloniki the group will enjoy a welcome dinner together and stay overnight at the Makedonia Palace Hotel.

We begin our morning driving out of Thessaloniki journeying east towards Philippi (Acts 16:11-40; Philippians). Our first stop is the site of Amphipolis (Acts 17:1) where one of the things we will see is the Lion of Amphipolis. We will also visit the small, but important museum at Amphipolis, which contains artifacts from the Roman period. We continue to the modern city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis (Acts 16:11), where Paul first came onto the European continent. After visiting Kavala and eating our lunch there, we visit Philippi where Paul encountered Lydia (Acts 16:11-15) and established a community, to which he wrote one of his letters. At Philippi, we see the theater, the Agora, as well as the Byzantine Basilica. After visiting the small museum of Philippi, we will see a stretch of the ancient Roman road, the Via Egnatia, which stretched across northern Greece, and was utilized by Paul as he journeyed through the region. We return to Thessaloniki for a group dinner and overnight stay at the Mediterranean Palace Hotel.

This morning we will drive to Berea, where the Apostle Paul arrived and according to custom went to the synagogue. We will see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating Paul’s visit to Berea (Acts 17:10-11), and we will visit the Jewish Quarter of Berea with its old synagogue. We return to Thessaloniki where we will explore the remains of the ancient city of Thessaloniki (Acts 17:1-9; 1 and 2 Thessalonians) viewing the Roman Agora and the city center. At the end of the day we will enjoy a group dinner at local restaurant Olympus Naoussa and stay overnight at the Mediterranean Palace Hotel.

This morning we will fly to Athens. Upon arrival we will explore the ancient city of Athens, the birthplace of democracy. Our day begins with a walk up to the Acropolis, and a visit to the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. We then walk down to visit the Areopagus, Mars Hill where Paul encountered the council of Athens (Acts 17:16-34). Continuing down the hill, we come to the Agora of Athens and the Stoa of Attalos. At the end of the day we will enjoy a group dinner and stay overnight at the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel.

Our day begins with a drive south into the Peloponnese, the peninsula of southern Greece. We drive to Corinth (Acts 18:1 17; 1 and 2 Corinthians). Our visit includes the small, but important museum of Corinth, visiting the theater and the inscription of Erastus, the city treasurer (Romans 16:23), as well as the Bema of Gallio and the agora of Corinth. Before leaving the site, we participate in Communion together (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). After lunch, we visit the upper city of Corinth, the Acro Corinth, and the ancient harbor of Cenchrea (Acts 18:18). On our way back to Athens, we stop to see the Corinthian Canal. At the end of the day we will enjoy a group dinner at Stamatopoulos Tavern and stay overnight at the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel.

Morning transfer to Piraeus Port and embark on the ship for a 4-day cruise to the Aegean Islands and Turkey. We set sail for Mykonos at 11:30 a.m. Upon the 6pm arrival disembark and enjoy the evening walking and exploring the pebbled streets of cosmopolitan Chora and have a coffee in “Little Venice”. We will enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant in Mykonos. Return to the ship by 10:30 pm and sail for Kusadasi, Turkey at 11:00 p.m. Overnight on board.

At 7:30 a.m. we dock at the port of Kusadasi in Turkey, starting point for our included shore excursion to visit the ancient city of Ephesus, where the Apostle Paul preached and lived for three years (Acts 18:19-21). Free time for souvenir shopping in Kusadasi. Sail at 1:00 p.m. to Patmos, Greece, where the Apostle John was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation (Rev 1:9). We enjoy our included excursion, which takes us up to visit to St. John’s Monastery and the Grotto of the Revelation. Sail for Rhodes at 9:00 p.m. Overnight on board.

At 7:00 a.m., we call at Rhodes. You will enjoy your included organized excursion to Lindos, situated 55 km (40 miles) from the city of Rhodes and “bears” above it the Acropolis of Lindos, with the ancient Temple of Athena, built in 300 B.C. In the center of the village, you will find the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) of Lindos, with frescoes from the 15th century. At the old city of Rhodes, you will go through D’Amboise Gate to walk on the Street of the Knights. Along this street, you will find the residences of the Knights, separated according to Order, which bear until today their corresponding crests. Sail to Heraklion, Crete at 6:00 p.m. Dinner and overnight on board.

Arrive at Heraklion Crete, (Acts 27:7-13) at 7:00 a.m. and enjoy an optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, first European civilization and the legendary home of the Minotaur (half bull and half man). Then sail to Santorini. (Disembarkation by tender boats, sea & weather permitting). Take the cable car up to the town of Fira, perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano. Free time for taking photos, browsing, shopping and enjoying the breathtaking view. Sail for Piraeus at 9:30p.m. Dinner and overnight on board.

At 7:00 a.m. arrive at the port of Piraeus. Disembark after breakfast at about 7:45 and transfer to the airport for departure flight home challenged and encouraged in your faith.