🇬🇷 Journey of Paul Greece Trip
Sunday, October 6, 2024 to Friday, October 18, 2024
13 day / 12 night mission trip to Greece
Estimated Land Cost: $4,500
Airfare: Individuals are responsible for purchasing their own international airfare after approval of itinerary by Orphan Outreach.
Estimated Total: $5,500
The range of costs are subject to change based on airfare, number of trip participants, trip itinerary or length of trip.
Trip Code: EE24-10GRE
About this Trip
Join Orphan Outreach in serving children in Greece. This is a 13 Day/12 Night mission trip to Greece. This team will visit Athens, Corinth, Delphi, Kalambaka, Thessaloniki, Philippi, Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and and Santorini.
Your Hosts:
Mike Douris, Orphan Outreach President Emeritus
Rey Diaz, Orphan Outreach President
Amy Norton, Orphan Outreach Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Co-Founder
We are excited that you are considering Orphan Outreach's trip to explore the cities visited by the Apostle Paul as he established churches. You'll not only see the sites and learn about the ministry of Paul but also to learn about the ministries of Orphan Outreach.
Dr. Diaz and Mike Douris will offer teaching throughout the trip on the historical and theological impact of each location, and provide insight on how Paul's life should impact our own lives as we serve our Savior. In addition, an expert guide will explain the archeological and historical aspects of every city visited.
This will be time of spiritual renewal, great fellowship and adventure; space is limited so that each special guest will have the best and most relational experience possible, with time to enjoy each location, and savor both good fellowship and personal time on the journey.
Mike has led this trip before, and shares, "The journey of Paul trip gave me a perspective of his ministry I could not have learned even in my seminary training. Reading the speeches of Paul at the very places he gave them, seeing the remnants of Philippi, Ephesus and Corinth knowing he walked and taught in the very streets we walked was amazing. The fellowship we had on that trip has reverberated over the years as we still talk about experiences almost two decades later!"
About Greece
Greece is mostly known for 3 things: its ancient civilization and the dawn of Democracy, the amazing natural beauty of its mainland and islands and, last but not least, its coveted, world-renowned tourism.
Adored by people of all generations, Greece is so rich in culture and charm, that it never seems to be completely explored, no matter how many times you visit it. It’s no surprise that it is one of the top 20 tourist holiday-destinations worldwide.
Greece is located in south-eastern Europe and on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula; it lies on the meeting point of three continents – Europe, Asia and Africa. Greece has borders towards the North with Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M.), towards the Northwest with Albania and towards the Northeast with Turkey; The West part of Greece it is washed by the Ionian Sea; the South by the Mediterranean Sea and the East by the Aegean Sea.
Around 6.000 islands and islets that are scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Sea, most of them grouped in clusters that constitute the unique Greek archipelago. Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, the Dodecanese and the Cyclades are some of the most famous and popular islands and island clusters in Greece.
A visit to archaeological sites, museums and monuments throughout the country provides a vivid picture of the civilizations in Greece and their accomplishments in arts and technology from the Prehistoric Era to modern times.
The traditions and heritage of a country summarize the cultural and material achievements bequeathed by previous generations. The folk culture of the Greek people is rich in music, dances, poetry and theater and it is part of their every day life. All over the country many specialized museums and cultural organizations have been created, aiming to preserve and study the Greek heritage and tradition.
Team Leader
Amy Norton – Amy is Co-Founder and Sr. Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Orphan Outreach. She has a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University and while practicing law, worked as a Guardian Ad Litem for children in Dallas County. She also worked as a court appointed special advocate for abused children. She has managed and developed domestic and international orphaned and vulnerable children, adoption and ministry programs for 30 years. Amy served 13 years at Buckner International. She was Director at Buckner, leading the development of Buckner's international programs including international adoption, missions, and orphan care ministry. She and her husband were the first international adoption for Buckner, beginning their policy of special needs children adoption. She developed and managed the Shoes for Orphan Souls program for Buckner, which has grown to provide millions of children around the world with a new pair of shoes. She was a founding board member of the Christian Alliance for Orphans and has continued to be actively involved. She began the missions. program for Buckner and led the first mission team in 1996. She has lead many mission teams over the past 27 years and traveled extensively overseeing the in country staff and programs for Buckner and Orphan Outreach. She and her husband have an adopted son from Russia and two biological children.
Accommodations
Guests will stay in hotels located in cities along the tour route. Guests will also be on a 5 day/4 night cruise with the following cabin options, balcony suite with window, junior suite with window and outside cabin with window. Cabin availability is limited and will be assigned on first come first serve basis, The per person tour cost is based on double-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms. Single room/cabins are available at an additional cost. Please email jcopeland@orphanoutreach.org or anorton@orphanoutreach.org for singe room requests and for any questions related to this trip. Cabin pricing is as follows: Balcony Suite with window - $5250.00 Junior Suite with window - $4920.00 Outside Cabin with window - $4810.00
Trip Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change
Sunday, October 6, 2024 – Depart USA for Athens (Plan to arrive by 5pm on October 7)
Monday, October 7, 2024 – Arrive Athens and join your group at the Royal Olympic Hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon before gathering for a special dinner overlooking the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens at Royal Olympic Hotel
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 – ATHENS: Admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens on a guided tour of the world-famous Acropolis to see the Propylea, the Erectheum, and the Parthenon. Included in the tour are Mars Hill, the Agora, 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 and overnight in Athens at the Royal Olympic Hotel.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – CORINTH: Drive to southern Greece to visit ancient Corinth, including the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples, and the famous Bema. Dinner and overnight in Athens at the Royal Olympic Hotel.
Thursday, October 10, 2024 – DELPHI-KALAMBAKA (METEORA): Drive to Delphi, considered the center of the ancient world. Then continue to central Greece where you will discover the ageless Meteora Monasteries. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka at the Meteora Hotel.
Friday, October 11, 2024 – METEORA-THESSALONIKI: Savor the beautiful countryside of Central and Northern Greece, as you drive from Kalambaka toward Veria and Thessaloniki. You’ll visit 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. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki at the Grand Palace Hotel.
Saturday, October 12, 2024 – THESSALONIKI-KAVALA (PHILIPPI): Today, journey along the route of the Via Egnatia and, like Paul and his companion, visit the area of Amphipolis to see the famous funerary Lion of Amphipolis and the site of Philippi. Sites include the Baptistery of Lydia, the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul,” and the Theater. End the day in Kavala (Neapolis), a picturesque city-port to view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki at the Grand Palace Hotel.
Sunday, October 13, 2024 – THESSALONIKI-VERGINA-ATHENS: Travel to Vergina to visit the tomb of King Philip of Macedonia and his family. Then continue on to Athens after a brief stop at Thermopylae. Dinner and overnight in Athens at the Royal Olympic Hotel.
Monday, October 14, 2024 – CRUISE-MYKONOS: Set sail to your first port of call – Mykonos! You’ll enjoy a free 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). The ship departs in the evening for the next port of call.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 – METEORA-THESSALONIKI: You’ll awaken today at the next port of call—Turkey! By land, you’ll travel to the ancient city of Ephesus, where you will explore the Magnesian Gate, 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. Returning to the ship, you’ll see the Basilica of St. John. Once aboard the ship, you’ll sail to the island of Patmos, visiting the Monastery of St. John, before visiting the Grotto of the Apocalypse. The ship departs in the evening for the next port of call.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – RHODES: Explore the island of Rhodes. Two optional shore excursions are available: Travel along the picturesque south-eastern coastline, dotted with white-washed villages, to Lindos. You’ll visit the Acropolis of Lindos and marvel at the the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s Bay. Explore Rhodes city and enjoy a panoramic drive to Mount Smith to see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium. Then visit 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. The ship departs in the evening for the next port of call.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 – CRETE-SANTORINI: Awaken at the island of Crete and your next port of call, Heraklion. Explore the island on your own or purchase one of the many optional excursions offered by the cruise ship, such as a tour of site of Knossos with its restored Palace of King Minos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Then continue your journey to Santorini. The ship departs in the evening for Athens.
Friday, October 18, 2024 – END OF CRUISE - DEPART: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA.
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*Orphan Outreach Mission Trip Baggage Policy
All mission trip participants are responsible for the cost of their checked baggage. For the most up to date baggage allowances and fees, please check with each airline you are traveling on.
Plan on bringing all luggage home with you even if a bag is empty. Please ask before leaving behind a bag in your country of service.
Occasionally we may ask trip participants to carry humanitarian aid and items needed for ministry in country. This would be on a volunteer basis and any cost for the bag would still be your responsibility.