Greece
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Journey Through Greece “Plus”
August 27 - September 8, 2025
(13 days / 11 nights)

Bring the Bible alive in GREECE!

Start the journey in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Walk the ancient Via Egnatia – the very road Paul walked on!

Visit Philippi – the Forum, the prison cell, and Lydia’s baptismal site.

Visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great.

Enjoy a folk show with regional Greek costumes.

Olive oil and Olive tasting, and Vegetarian Greek cooking demonstration.

Discover the ancient Oracle of Delphi and contrast to the certainty of Bible prophecy.

Tour modern Athens – the Stadium, host of the 2004 Olympics, the Parliament, the Academy. Enjoy a folk-dance performance. Stroll through the streets of Plaka.

Start the journey in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Walk the ancient Via Egnatia – the very road Paul walked on!

Visit Philippi – the Forum, the prison cell, and Lydia’s baptismal site.

Visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great.
1 Day / 1 Night
Pre or Post Tour Extension in Athens
Biblical Greece – Tour Itinerary
Join George Dialectakis, a native of Greece, on a 13-day journey tracing Bible history on archaeological locations from the time of Socrates and Plato to Daniel’s prophecy about the Hellenic Empire and Alexander the Great. Follow the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and explore the writings of the book of Revelation by the beloved Apostle John. Discover the artistic wealth of the Greek Classical Era. Learn about the birth of Christianity in Greece nearly two millennia ago. George and Marcia will guide you through a Land Tour of Greece and a Mediterranean Cruise to bring the Bible alive in your mind!

Itinerary Overview
Wed, Aug 27
Overnight flight from USA to Athens, Greece Int’l Airport (ATH) [If 1-day pre-tour extension in Athens, then depart Tue, Aug 26]
Thu, Aug 28
Arrival at Athens. Dinner. Orientation. Overnight in Athens.
Fri, Aug 29
Mykonos / Kusadasi Embark on a 3-night cruise starting with the beautiful island of Mykonos.
Sat, Aug 30
Ephesus / Patmos Visit ancient Ephesus, the Terrace Houses, and Celsus Library. Then sail to the island where Apostle John was exiled and wrote the book of Revelation.
Sun, Aug 31
Heraklion, Crete / Santorini Knossos, the oldest throne in Europe. Learn about Paul’s & Titus’ ministry in Crete.
Mon, Sep 1
Athens Visit the Acropolis, the Areopagus where Paul preached, and the Agora. Learn how Greek philosophy impacted Christianity. Tour the modern city, enjoy a Greek folk show with costumes, a cooking demo, and find souvenirs in old Athens.
Tue, Sep 2
Corinth Visit Isthmus, ancient Diolkos, the Bema where Paul appeared before Gallio, and the Erastus inscription. Race in the ancient Stadium referenced in Paul’s metaphors. Enjoy an olive press tour with olive oil tasting.
Wed, Sep 3
Delphi Visit the ancient temple of Apollo where Pythia gave ambiguous prophecies and contrast them with the Bible’s reliable prophecies. Learn about the Gallio inscription.
Thu, Sep 4
Thermopylae / Kalambaka / Meteora Learn about Xerxes I, Esther, Leonidas, and the 300 Spartans. Visit two Byzantine monasteries with religious frescoes, comparing Paul’s missionary mindset with monasticism.
Fri, Sep 5
Berea / Vergina / Thessaloniki Visit Berea’s synagogue, explore Daniel’s prophecies at Vergina with King Philip II’s tomb, and learn about Alexander the Great.
Sat, Sep 6
Thessaloniki Sabbath Worship with the Greek SDA congregation, followed by a Greek fellowship meal. City tour including the Medieval Tower, Forum, Jason’s house, Arch of Galerius, and the Rotunda.
Sun, Sep 7
Kavala / Philippi / Amphipolis Visit Paul’s landing in Kavala and walk on the same stone road Paul walked. Explore Philippi’s Forum, Prison, Baptistry of Lydia, and the Lion of Amphipolis.
Mon, Sep 8
Departure flight from Thessaloniki Int’l Airport (SKG)
In the evening, transfer by bus to a theater and enjoy a live performance of traditional Greek folk dances. Songs and dances are presented in their original forms as they would be performed in the respective villages or islands today. Costumes are authentic handmade. Overnight in Athens.
Leave the historic and classical capital of Greece and set sail for our first destination, the beautiful island of Mykonos, also known as the Island of the Winds. Take an evening stroll and enjoy the atmosphere of the Old Town with its immaculate whitewashed houses, winding alleys, lovely little churches, and delightful restaurants at the water’s edge. You will undoubtedly recognize the picture postcard white windmills sitting side by side, overlooking the sea.
The next stop is the island of Patmos. It is one of the northernmost and most minor islands in the Dodecanese, and it has a charm of its own. It is known as the island of the exile of Apostle John and the location where John saw the visions and wrote the Book of Revelation. Planned excursion to the Cave of the Apocalypse.
Our odyssey continues as we spend an evening in Santorini, whose stunning face is instantly recognizable across the world. We’re sure she will take your breath away with her soaring landscapes, clusters of whitewashed houses in the capital, Fira, and, of course, the iconic, blue-domed church at Oia.
The ship will dock back in Attica on the following morning. The tour continues in mainland Greece, starting with Athens.
Tour ancient Athens – the birthplace of democracy, arts, science, and philosophy of Western civilization. Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon and learn about the golden era of classical Greece. Walking through the ancient ruins, you will have an opportunity to see the structures as they looked about 2400 years ago through 3D reconstructive digital technology. Based on historical records, your host will point out the landing port of Paul and the location of the altar to “the unknown god”.
Visit Areopagus (Mars Hill) – where the Athenians summoned Paul to defend his belief in the “Unknown God” before the Council of Nobles and the Supreme Judicial Court.
Continue to Pnyx – the official meeting place of the Athenian democratic assembly (ekklesia). Continuing to the ancient Agora (marketplace), Paul interacted daily with the philosophers in Athens. Your host will explain the influence of Greek philosophy on today’s Christian thinking.
Greek cooking lesson and lunch (included in this package) at Plaka.
You have free time in the afternoon and evening to stroll through the old Athens – Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thissio, where you can purchase souvenirs and do your shopping. Explore Plaka (Old Athens) on your own and enjoy dinner in one of the old taverns (restaurants) (dinner is not included in this package). Overnight stay in Athens.
Stop by ancient Nemea to visit the well-preserved stadium. Both Isthmia and Nemea held athletic competitions when Paul was stationed in Corinth, which would have inspired the athletic metaphors used in his letters.
Tour the archeological site and the Museum of Corinth. See the Synagogue inscription, the Bema where Paul appeared before Gallio, the Macellum, the Fountain of Peirene, the Temple of Apollo, the Theater with the Erastus inscription, the Agora with the shops, and more.
Visit Diolkos – a stone-paved “rail track” road used to pull boats and cargo between the two gulfs in antiquity.
Visit the ancient seaport of Cenchrea, where Paul and other missionaries would have sailed. Stop at the Canal that connects two gulfs and ancient Corinth’s twin seaports (Lechaion and Cenchrea).
Experience an unforgettable olive oil tour. Walk through the olive groves, visit the olive oil mill, and taste extra virgin olive oil.
Travel ends at Nafplio, the first capital of Greece after it’s independence from the Turkish occupation. Dinner and overnight stay.
Continue the trip to Thermopylae and stop at the memorial of Leonidas and the 300 brave Spartans who stood against the Persian King. Understand the correlation between the Persian king and Queen Esther (Esther 1, 2).
Travel to the majestic rock formations of Meteora. Visit two of the monasteries listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument list, perched on top of free-standing rock pillars. Be prepared to climb the stairs for a breathtaking view and experience a convent’s living environment. The location offers a unique perspective of nature’s grandeur. Dress code restrictions apply when entering the monasteries. During this tour segment, we will compare the monastic approach for connecting with God versus the mission focus of Apostle Paul in reaching out to the world for God.
Continue to Kalambaka, check in at the hotel, and after dinner, experience an amazing sunset at Meterora: From a panoramic viewpoint, watch the sun setting behind the mountain range of Pindos, or according to Greek mythology, you will see god Helios on his fiery chariot taking his horses to rest. We will hold a short vespers service at that site.
Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Kalambaka.
Continue by bus to Aigai / Vergina – the first capital of the Macedonian Kingdom – and visit the burial tomb of Phillip II (father of Alexander the Great) and Alexander IV (Alexander the Great’s son). Admire the beautiful artifacts of gold preserved for over 2 millennia. Learn about the symbolism of Daniel 8:5 and Alexander the Great’s role in fulfilling Daniel’s prophecies.
Arrive in Thessaloniki (Thessalonica). Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Thessaloniki
Spend the afternoon touring the historic sites in Thessaloniki. Ride the bus to visit the Arch of Galerius and walk to the Rotunda. Learn of the relationship between Revelation 2:10 and the Thessaloniki of the 4th century AD. Continue to the Ancient Agora (marketplace), then walk to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Demetrios – patron of Thessaloniki. Your host will explain the architectural layout of the Greek Orthodox Churches and the historical transition from the Jewish temple to the Christian Cathedrals. Visit the cathedral and the underground Crypt.
The bus tour will continue to Eptapyrgion and then to Vlatades Monastery, overseeing the city of Thessaloniki and the Thermaikos Gulf. Tradition places this 14th century monastery at the site where the Apostle Paul preached during his 2nd missionary journey, and according to tradition, it is in the neighborhood where Jason’s house was located. Hop on the bus to return to the seaport of Thessaloniki. The tour will end at Lefkos Pyrgos (White Tower) – the iconic tower of Thessaloniki and the statue of Alexander the Great. Continue with a walking tour to return to the town center and the hotel.
The evening is open for personal exploration. You may stroll along the promenade towards Aristoteles Square. You can enjoy a dinner on your own (not included in the package) in one of the many nice restaurants in the area. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Begin the discovery by walking on a surviving segment of the Via Egnatia – the very stone-paved road Paul and his companions traveled on to reach Philippi. You will learn of the significance of this Roman road in spreading the gospel.
Visit the Kamares Aqueduct in Kavala, the monument in memory of Paul’s landing in Europe, and the old harbor.
Then, continue to the archeological site of Philippi. Visit the Roman Forum where Paul and Silas were brought before the magistrates, the prison where they were sentenced to spend the night, the ancient theater, the 4th century Basilica of Paul, and the 6th century Basilica with a full-size baptistry.
Transfer by bus to the Baptismal site where Lydia was baptized as the first recorded European convert to Christianity. Participate in a communion service on site. In past tours, some have chosen to be baptized in that river.
Lunch at Kavala. Return to Thessaloniki. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Thessaloniki.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the return flight is from the airport of Thessaloniki (SKG) and not from Athens (ATH).
For those interested in archeology and history. Visit the new and extensive Acropolis Museum, taking in the wonder of rare artifacts.
For those wishing to soak in the Athens of the 19th century we will spend time in Plaka, eat in the quaint restaurants at the foot of the Acropolis, stroll through the pedestrian streets of Plaka and Monastiraki, and stop by the shops. Visit the Market of Athens and much more. It will be an unforgettable time spending a day at leisure!
New for 2025
Experience luxury aboard the Discovery, a vessel that promises elegance and adventure. Prepare to immerse yourself in a world of elegance and adventure as we set sail to enchanting destinations.
7 Lively Bars
4 Restaurants
1 Swimming Pool
Sozo Spa & Wellness

Tranquillity & Luxury
Accommodation on the Discovery is a haven of luxury and comfort, designed to provide an unparalleled experience for every guest on board. Whether you choose an exterior cabin with stunning sea views or a cozy interior cabin, you will enjoy world-class amenities and thoughtful touches.
BA – Balcony Stateroom
BA Balcony Staterooms located on deck 7 can accommodate up to 2 persons. These rooms offer stunning sea views and a private balcony for a perfect cruising experience.
- Sea View
- Balcony
XD – Exterior Stateroom
XD Exterior Staterooms are located on decks 5 and 7, accommodating up to 3 persons. These cabins feature large windows offering breathtaking views of the sea.
- Sea View
IC – Interior Stateroom
IC Interior Staterooms located on decks 6 and 7 can accommodate up to 4 persons. These cozy rooms are perfect for those who seek comfort and value.
IA – Interior Stateroom
IA Interior Staterooms located on decks 4 and 5 can accommodate up to 4 persons. These staterooms are equipped with all modern amenities, ensuring a relaxing stay.
Savor the Flavors of Discovery
Onboard the magnificent Discovery, indulge your senses with culinary delights at every turn. Enjoy international cuisine, regional dishes, and seafood as you embark on a gastronomic journey.

The Taverna
A casual dining experience offering local Greek delicacies, pastries, and more.

Grill Seekers
Enjoy chargrilled meats and freshly caught seafood with a local twist.
The Sozo Experience – Spa, Gym & Well-Being
Relax, drift away, or get your heart pumping – it’s entirely up to you. Inspired by the Greek custom of Sozo, we focus on wholeness in mind, body, and spirit. So whether you’re working out or winding down, getting in the zone or relaxing in the comfort of it all, you’ll have everything you need to focus on you.

Gym Facilities

Wellness Programs
Our Premium Services
Experience unparalleled hospitality with our dedicated onboard staff. No matter your needs, we’re here to ensure your Celestyal journey is extraordinary. Enjoy our fully-equipped conference rooms, unwind in our duty-free shops, or capture unforgettable moments with our professional photographers.

Medical Services
Our trained medical staff and well-equipped medical center onboard ensure you’re taken care of, with appointments available for any unexpected needs.

Telephone & Wi-fi
Stay connected with cellular service activated when you’re away from shore, ensuring you can reach your loved ones at all times.
Please be advised that satellite cellular services are considerably more expensive than local tariffs. Rates are set and determined solely by your cell phone carrier.
Celestyal and our satellite provider have no involvement in the retail rates your carrier charges for cruise ship roaming or the billing process. For more information, please contact your local service provider.

Shopping
Our well-stocked duty-free shops conveniently give you access to typical vacation essentials such as shades, sun lotion, and hats. You will also find souvenirs, sweet treats, and more. We also have a gift shop with a good selection of exclusive tailor-made Greek products for you to take home with you.

Photography
Capture special moments by taking advantage of our professional onboard photographers. Want a photo of your family outside the Parthenon? No problem. We can arrange for a photographer to accompany you ashore at any destination.
Deck Plan
Can’t wait to step on board? Get familiar with the Discovery’s deck plan and your new surroundings.
Deck Plans Celestyal Discovery










Disclaimer: Prices and menus are subject to change without prior notice.
Hotel Accommodations
Thessaloniki:
3-night stay in a 5-star hotel.


Kalambaka:
1-night stay in a 5-star hotel.


Delphi/Arachova:
1-night stay in a 4-star hotel.


Athens:
3-night stay in a 5-star hotel.



Tour Cost & Supplements
Supplements
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XBO / XA – Exterior Cabins with window
- Add on cost: US$ 200 per person DBL / US$ 300 per person SGL.
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BA – Exterior Cabins with Balcony
- Add on cost: US$ 400 per person DBL / US$ 550 per person SGL.
1-extra night in Athens: US$ 300 pp DBL BB / US$ 380 pp SGL BB
If you wish to join only the mainland tour of Greece and forgo the 3-night cruise to Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Crete, Santorini, and the 3 local excursions to Ephesus, Knossos, and the Cave of the Apocalypse, the reduced cost for the mainland tour:
US$ 2,500 pp DBL / US$ 3,600 pp SGL
Registration:
Register online at www.BiblicalTouring.com
Send a non-refundable deposit of US$300 (deductible from final payment) to hold your place.
Payment Methods:
Check Payable: George Dialectakis,
Mail Check to: PO Box 477, Coventry, CT 06238 USA
Zelle(Preferred): 860-402-2247 or george@dialectakis.com
Venmo: @George-Dialectakis
Payment Milestones:
Upon Registration: US$300 initial non-refundable deposit.
JAN 1, 2025: Additional US$1,000 (cumulative subtotal $1,300)
FEB 1, 2025: Additional US$1,000 (cumulative subtotal $2,300)
Mar 1, 2025: Final Payment US$1,000 (base cost) + All Upgrades
Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations are subject to a NON-REFUNDABLE/NON-TRANSFERABLE deposit of $300, per person.
Cancellations before March 1, 2025 (6 months before departure) will receive a full refund (excluding the non-refundable deposit of US$300).
Cancellations on or after June 1, 2025 (3 months before departure) will not receive any refund. Please contact your travel insurance if you purchased an optional insurance plan.
ALL cancellations must be submitted in writing and sent via email. When sending, please request Return Receipt.
What is Included in the Tour Price?
Excellent Speakers, Certified Tour Guides, Professional Biblical English-Speaking Guidance.
Deluxe private bus transportation with Wi-Fi and A/C for any transfers to various sites, as shown in this brochure.
Hotel accommodation (double occupancy) in beautiful 5-star and 4-star hotels, as shown in this brochure. Single occupancy supplement available.
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Meals – Mainland Segment:
Breakfast daily at all locations.
Two (2) Lunches (table water only)
Four (4) Dinners (table water only)
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Meals – Cruise Segment:
Full boards [Breakfasts, Lunches, and Dinners]
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Drinks with the meals by the glass (water, sodas, juices, coffee, tea)
Drinks with meals are excluded in Specialty Restaurants.
Entertainment.
All entrance fees to archeological sites and museums.
Three (3) shore excursions to Ephesus, Patmos, and Knossos.
Folk-dance show with costumes from around Greece.
Greek Cooking Lesson.
Olive farm and press tour and Olive Oil tasting.
Type C electricity adaptor (converts US plug to EU plug – no voltage conversion) – one per traveler.
Use of headsets “whispers” during the visits to the museums and archaeological sites.
All taxes, including City tax, and assistance during the tour.
What is NOT Included in the Tour Price?
Round trip Airfare to / from Greece.
Airport hotel, porterage & trolleys.
Transfer from Airport to hotel in Thessalonica on arrival.
Single room accommodation (supplement is available).
Cruise ship cabin upgrades and any other packages (like Soft Drinks and Alcohol-Free) the cruise ship may be offering.
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Meals:
Drinks with the meals, except for water (see as specified in previous section).
Some Lunches & Dinners (except as specified above).
Travel Insurance.
Personal expenses, such as shopping, additional gratuities, laundry, drinks, water, etc.
Bus Driver, Local Tour Guide / Escort, Hotel & Restaurant Staff Tips.
Any other service not mentioned above.