First Baptist Church Fayetteville Journeys of Paul Tour

Itinerary

October 20 – Fayetteville – Athens

Depart the USA for Athens.

October 21 – Athens

Arrive Athens and meet the group at our hotel, the Athens Key Hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free. Dinner out at a local Athens restaurant and overnight in Athens at the Athens Key Hotel.

October 22 – Athens

We will spend the day admiring the architectural miracles of ancient Athens, as we follow our guide to the world famous Acropolis to see the Propylea, the Erectheum and the Parthenon.  We will also visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his sermon on the “Unknown God”, as well as view the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians.  During the bus tour, we will see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the Neoclassical buildings of Athens.  Dinner out at a local Athens restaurant and overnight in Athens at the Athens Key Hotel.

October 23 – Delphi – Kalambaka (Meteoras)

The group will depart Athens and drive into the mainland of Greece to Delphi, considered the center of the ancient world, where we will visit the site and museum.  From there, we will continue to central Greece where we will find scenery of unique and striking beauty: on top of huge granite pinnacles, you see the ageless Meteora Monasteries full of treasures of Christian art.  We will visit one of them and then drive to our hotel in Kalambaka, Amalia Hotel, for dinner and overnight.

October 24 – Meteora – Thessaloniki

This morning we will get a taste of the beautiful countryside of Central and Northern Greece, as we drive from Kalambaka toward Veria, where the Apostle Paul was welcomed by the local church. From there, we will continue to Thessaloniki and get acquainted with the city of Jason and Paul, see the White Tower, the Rotonda, the Roman Arch of Galerius, the Byzantine Acropolis and visit the most famous church of Thessaloniki, the Basilica of St. Demetrius.  We will then drive to our hotel in Thessaloniki, Porto Palace Hotel, for dinner and overnight.

October 25 – Thessaloniki – Kavala (Philippi) – Thessaloniki

Today we will follow the route of the Via Egnatia and visit, like Paul and his companion, the area of Amphipolis to see the famous funerary Lion of Amphipolis and the site of Philippi.  There, we will visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river, where Paul baptized Lydia, the first convert of Paul on European soil.  We will also visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul”, and the Theater.  We will then drive to Kavala (Neapolis), a picturesque city-port and view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct.  We will then drive to our hotel in Thessaloniki, Porto Palace Hotel, for dinner and overnight.

October 26 – Thessaloniki – Vergina – Athens 

We will begin our journey back to Athens and stop in Vergina where we will visit a spectacular archeological site containing the tomb of King Philip of Macedonia and his family. We will continue to Athens after a brief stop at Thermopylae, where Leonidas led the heavily outnumbered Spartans against the invading Persians in of one of the most famous battles in western history.  Arriving in Athens, we will check in to our hotel, the Athens Key Hotel. Dinner out at a local Athens restaurant and overnight in Athens at the Athens Key Hotel.

October 27 – Cruise – Mykonos 

We will begin our cruise today by boarding the ship and sailing to our first port of call - Mykonos.   It is the most cosmopolitan of the Greek Islands and attracts many visitors from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals.  You will be free to spend the afternoon and evening exploring this island of white sugar-cube houses, narrow cobbled streets, windmills, beautiful beaches and over 300 Elfin chapels or you may choose to purchase an optional excursion offered by the cruise ship.  We will return to the ship and depart in the evening.

October 28 – Patmos – Kusadasi (Ephesus) 

In the morning, we will arrive in Turkey and drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his 3rd missionary journey.  This is the city where both Paul and John preached and lived (Acts 19) and the city to which Paul wrote the book of Ephesians.  Ephesus is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world and we will explore the site, entering through the Magnesian Gate and continuing to visit the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, the largest one in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats where St. Paul preached.  We will walk back to the bus along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.  While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus, we will see the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by Emperor Justinian.  We will then drive to site where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days.  Before returning to the ship, we will have time to enjoy some free time in Kusadasi or get a cultural taste of Turkey by enjoying an exhibition of oriental carpets, jewelry or leather goods.  We will return to the ship and sail to the island of Patmos where John was in exile.  We will visit the Monastery of St. John, situated on one of the island’s highest points, and then walk down to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, the site where John wrote the Book of Revelation.  We will return to the ship and continue our cruise.

October 29 – Rhodes

We will have the entire day to explore the island of Rhodes.  You can sign up for optional shore excursions that take you along the picturesque south-eastern coastline, dotted with white-washed villages, to Lindos, one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times.  See how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13th century.  Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea.  From the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s Bay, where the apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus.  Another shore excursion option is to explore Rhodes city and enjoy a panoramic drive through the new part of the city before continuing to Mount Smith to see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium.  Afterwards your motor coach will drop you off at Porte d’Amboise, the start of the walking tour through the medieval city of Rhodes, the Palace of the Knights, Chevaliers Road and the Marine Gate.  Return to the ship and depart.

October 30 – Crete – Santorini

Today, we wake up to discover that we have arrived at the island of Crete and this morning’s port of call, Heraklion.  Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and is known, in legend, as the birthplace of Zeus, father of the gods.  We will tour the site of Knossos with its restored Palace of King Minos (legendary home of the Minotaur) and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.  We will depart later in the day for our final and probably most scenic port, Santorini. You may take a donkey or cable car up to the whitewashed village of Fira and spend the rest of the day exploring this fascinating town perched on the edge of the cliff, or purchase an excursion to one of the other towns on the island. In the evening, we sail back to Athens.

October 31 – Corinth - Athens

We will continue our trip with a drive to the southern part of Greece to visit Ancient Corinth.  This is the once glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Gospel.  We will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema, where Paul stood before Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth.  Dinner out at a local Athens restaurant and overnight in Athens at the Athens Marriott Hotel.

November 1 - Depart

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA.

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST

**  AIRFARE:  Roundtrip air from Fayetteville to Athens is included.

**  HOTELS:  Seven (7) nights accommodations at hotels listed in itinerary, or similar, based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room with private bath throughout.  A few single rooms and cabins are available at an additional cost of $1239.00 per person. If a passenger cannot supply a roommate and MBF Enterprises, Inc. is unable to do so, the passenger will have to pay the supplemental charge.

** CRUISE: 5 day / 4 night cruise on the Celestyal Discovery in outside-facing exterior cabins with a window (cabin category XD) on FB basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner included). Upgraded cabins with balconies have an additional supplement cost of $450.00 per person.

**  CRUISE CABINS:  Outside facing cabins with a window (cabin category XD) are included on the ship. A limited number of balcony and inside cabins are available.

**  MEALS:  Breakfast and dinner are included on the land portion of the tour and breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on the cruise portion of the tour.

**  RESTAURANT DINNERS:  We have planned five (5) special dinners in local Athens and Thessaloniki restaurants.

** SIGHTSEEING: English speaking professional guide for sightseeing and touring as per itinerary

** TRANSPORTATION: Deluxe motor coach for all transfers and touring as per itinerary

** ENTRANCE FEES: Entrance fees to all archaeological sites as per itinerary

** PORT TAXES & CRUISE TIPS: Cruise port taxes and cruise tips ($199 per person) are included in the tour cost.

**  SHORE EXCURSIONS:  The following shore excursions ($300 per person) are included in the tour cost:

Shore excursion in Kusadasi - House of Virgin Mary & Ancient Ephesus

Shore excursion in Patmos - St. John’s Monastery & Grotto of Apocalypse

Shore excursion in Heraklion – Knossos Palace

**  TRANSFERS:  All transfers between airports and hotels.

**  PORTERAGE:  Porterage and handling of one (1) bag per person.

**  TAXES:  All taxes on the hotels, meals and other tour services.

** TIPS: Tips are included ($100 per person) for the guides, drivers and escorts.

** PRIVATE TOUR ESCORT: A private tour escort will accompany the group and offer services throughout the tour. In addition, the tour escort will give walking tours on Mykonos and Santorini for those wishing to participate.

Not included in tour price:
 

**  Airline Taxes (Note: They are currently running around $80-$100 per person and they may increase or decrease before departure).
**  Trip cancellation insurance (strongly recommended).
**  Drinks during the meals at the hotels.

**  Shore excursions during cruise (in addition to the Ephesus, Patmos and Crete shore excursions).

**  Lunches during land portion of the trip.

**  Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, etc.).
**  Excessive baggage charges, such as overweight charges or the porterage of more than (1) suitcase.
**  Individual services apart from group.
**  Expenses due to flight delays, strikes, bad weather or other irregularities.
**  Cost of passport.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
 

Registration and deposits:  An initial deposit of $600 per person is required to secure definite reservations.  We regret that no space may be reserved without a deposit.

Final payment:  Balance of payment is due on July 20, 2025.

Cancellations and refunds:  If the trip is canceled in its entirety after a deposit has been made, there will be cancellation penalties based on the following schedule:

- More than 120 days prior to departure – Full refund

- 119-60 days prior to departure - $600 per person

- 60 days prior to departure – No refund

Cancellations must be made in writing; verbal cancellations, whether in person or by phone, are not valid. A special optional trip cancellation insurance policy is available at https://mikefanning.com/travel-insurance.

Travel and Health Documents:  A valid passport is required for all tours.  No special inoculations are required unless specifically notified.

Tour price:  The price of the tour is based on a minimum of 25 passengers.  Should the final membership fall below this number, MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to increase the tour price.

Responsibility:   This tour is planned and operated by MBF Enterprises, Inc. by contracting for services from other suppliers.  MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or its agents, acting as agents for the tour members, shall be responsible to tour members for supplying services and accommodations as set forth in this brochure, except to the extent such services and accommodations cannot be supplied due to force of nature, delays, or other causes beyond the control of MBF Enterprises, Inc.  If the service and accommodations set forth in this brochure cannot be supplied due to delays or other causes beyond the control of MBF Enterprises, Inc., best efforts will be made to supply comparable services and accommodations.  If such services and accommodation cannot be provided due to the above reasons, or if the services are not used due to voluntary omission by the tour member, refunds will not be granted.
           By becoming a member of the tour, a participant waives any claim against MBF Enterprises, Inc. for any damages to or loss of property, or any injury to or death of persons due to any act of negligence of any hotels or any other persons rendering any of the services and accommodations included in the ground portion of the itinerary.  MBF Enterprises, Inc. shall not be responsible for any delays, substitutions of equipment, or any act or omission whatsoever by any air or surface carrier, its agents, servants and employees; and a participant, by becoming a member of the tour, waives any claim arising there from.   MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or its agents is not responsible for loss or damage to participants baggage (baggage insurance highly recommended).  The liability of the Airlines for the loss or damage to the baggage of the participant shall be limited in accordance with the carrier's liability insurance coverage, unless a higher value has been declared with respect hereto and additional payment made to the airline.
           MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to decline, accept or retain any participant as a member of this tour at any time.  If a participant is removed from the tour, a proportionate refund will be made.  MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to cancel the tour prior to departure and if the tour is canceled, MBF Enterprises, Inc. shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid by the participant to MBF Enterprises, Inc.  NOTE:  If, because of war, or an act of God, or any reasonably unavoidable catastrophic circumstances, MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are forced to cancel the tour after funds are advanced to the airlines, ground service agents or other such vendors, MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are only obligated to return moneys advanced by the passengers in this tour which MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are successful in recovering from those vendors.