2025 Steps of Paul Tour in Greece

Arrival in Greece – Thursday, March 13

Group by group, our 15 guests arrived today in Athens, Greece. I was waiting for them at our friendly and comfortable hotel, The Stanley, ready with gift bags I had prepared the day before. As each group checked in, I helped them get settled and then took them out into the vibrant city of Athens—a place buzzing with history and home to over 5 million people!

A Taste of Athens – Friday, March 14

Each day of our journey (except Sunday), we begin with a devotional. These short reflections offer encouragement and help prepare us for what we’ll experience throughout the day.

This morning, we walked to a nearby café for some excellent Greek coffee, served the traditional way—brewed in hot sand! Afterward, we explored a local shop where we sampled a variety of Greek delicacies. From there, we walked through the traditional meat market to a Greek deli and enjoyed meats and cheeses charcuterie-style.

Later, we boarded a bus to explore the Acropolis of Athens. We took in the history, culture, and breathtaking views and then climbed the legendary Mars Hill (Areopagus). Standing where Paul once stood and preached in Acts 17 was truly powerful.

To end our day, we joined a Bible study hosted by Athens Baptist Church, serving primarily Persian refugees. What a blessing it was to participate in this ministry!

Corinth – Saturday, March 15

Corinth is one of the most unforgettable stops of the tour and definitely one of my top two. We began the day with coffee overlooking the stunning Isthmus Canal, then visited the ancient port of Cenchrea (Kechries), where Paul shaved his head, and Phoebe likely set sail with Paul’s letter to the Romans.

We continued to Ancient Corinth to explore the ruins and visit the museum. The Bema Seat, or Judgment Seat, was especially moving—so much of it remains intact, allowing us to visualize the biblical events with clarity.

Sunday Worship and Exploration – March 16

This morning, we attended services at Athens Baptist Church. The church offers a Greek-language service followed by a Farsi-language service, with a time of fellowship between the two. I had the honor of speaking at both services with the help of a translator.

The rest of the day was free for personal exploration or rest. A group of us hiked up Philopappos Hill in the evening to take in breathtaking views of Athens at sunset. A layer of Saharan dust in the air gave the sky a muted, golden hue—a fascinating reminder of how close Greece is to Africa.

Delphi and Kalambaka – Monday, March 17

Today, we checked out of our first hotel and began our journey through central and northern Greece, staying in just three hotels during our eight-day tour.

Our first stop was Delphi, known for its ancient oracle and rich pagan history. Walking through this site helped us understand what Paul and other early Christians were up against—paganism, idol worship, and a relentless pursuit of fame and satisfaction. It’s not too different from modern-day America in many ways.

After a scenic drive descending over 2,000 feet, we stopped for lunch along the Gulf of Corinth—absolutely beautiful! Then we traveled to the Amalia Hotel in Kalambaka, had dinner, and rested up for the next day.

Meteora, Berea, and Thessaloniki – Tuesday, March 18

We left Kalambaka and made our way to the City Hotel in Thessaloniki, but not without a full day of adventure along the way.

Meteora was absolutely stunning. Towering rock formations rise dramatically from the valley floor, and atop several of them sit centuries-old monasteries and nunneries. We visited one of each, gaining insight into Greek Orthodox traditions and the perseverance of faith in rugged terrain.

On our way to Thessaloniki, we made a spontaneous stop in Berea and visited a synagogue built in 1850 on the very site where Paul once taught. What a meaningful surprise!

Lydia’s Baptistry, Philippi, and Thessaloniki – Wednesday, March 19

Our day began at Lydia’s Baptistry, a serene and beautiful site commemorating the first recorded European convert to Christianity. Inside the small church on-site, the acoustics were so good we couldn’t resist singing the first verse of Amazing Grace together—an unforgettable moment.

Then we explored ancient Philippi, one of my other top two favorite stops alongside Corinth. Excavations are still ongoing, but much has already been uncovered. We walked along the ancient Ignatian Way, once a major Roman road connecting both coasts of Greece—yes, the same road Paul traveled!

Final Thoughts

What a tremendous opportunity and experience this tour has been. There are thousands more words, photos, and videos I could share—but nothing compares to experiencing it for yourself.

I plan to return to Greece every March, Lord willing, and I hope more people will join me on this incredible journey, following in the footsteps of Paul.