Join Pastor Joel McMahon of Livingston First Methodist Church on an inspiring 8-day journey through the heart of biblical history, where the beauty of the Mediterranean meets the stories of Scripture. This unforgettable tour will take you to iconic sites in both Greece and Turkey, retracing the steps of the Apostle Paul and early Christians. From the ancient streets of Athens and the storied ruins of Corinth to the legendary city of Ephesus, you’ll explore the landscapes that shaped the New Testament.

Your adventure continues across the Aegean Sea to the sacred isle of Patmos, where John received the visions of Revelation, the vibrant harbors of Crete, and the breathtaking cliffs of Santorini. Along the way, Pastor Joel will offer thoughtful teaching, devotional moments, and personal insights that bring the Bible to life in the very places where these events unfolded. Whether strolling ancient marketplaces, standing before historic temples, or gazing across the sparkling Mediterranean, you’ll experience the history, faith, and fellowship of this remarkable region in a whole new way.

Begin your pilgrimage with an overnight flight to Greece. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your journey.

We arrive and are greeted by our guide. We will enjoy your city tour of Athens. Your visit will include the Royal Palace, the Stadium and Temple of Zeus, the Theatre of Dionysius, Mars Hill, the Acropolis with the famous Parthenon, the Agora (marketplace) where Paul spoke, and Socrates’ prison. We will be transported to our hotel. We will spend the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today, we will embark on a cruise through the Greek Isles. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery of pristine beaches and blue ocean waters. We will arrive at Mykonos, a charming town filled with restaurants, boutiques, and old-world appeal. Return to the cruise ship for dinner and overnight.

Today, we’ll dock at Kusadasi and then head to Mt. Koressos, where there’s a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After that, we’ll stroll through the Magnesian Gate to ancient Ephesus and check out the Great Theatre, which could hold 24,000 people and is where St. Paul preached. We’ll walk along the Arcadian Way to the harbor, and then you can explore the charming town of Kusadasi before we grab lunch on the ship and sail to Patmos. At Skala Harbor, we’ll visit the cave where St. John lived and the monastery of St. John the Theologian, filled with stunning icons and manuscripts. After a full day, we’ll have dinner and spend the night on the ship. 

Today, we arrive on the island of Rhodes, where beautiful beaches, castles, and ancient civilizations effortlessly mix with traditional cuisine and countless shops. Enjoy wandering through the medieval city and lunch on your own. We then return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

This morning, you will awaken and transfer to Heraklion, where the ship’s owner and captain warned St. Paul about continuing his journey to spread Christianity in Rome. We will see the church of St. Titus, a disciple of St. Paul and the first bishop in Crete. Next, we will embark on the ship which will take us to the stunning isle of Santorini, highlighted by the volcanic crater barely submerged in the sea. The island of Santorini is home to many shops and open-air cafes scattered among scenic white houses. We return to the ship for dinner and overnight on our cruise.

Returning from our cruise, we move to Corinth, where St. Paul spent over a year evangelizing. Paul stayed here working with Priscilla and Aquila before being put on trial. We celebrate Holy Communion in Corinth and reflect on the letters he wrote there.  We’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at an area restaurant and an overnight stay in our hotel. 

This morning, we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home.