I am planning to lead a study trip to Greece in the footsteps of St Paul, from Tuesday 20th to Thursday 29th April 2027 inclusive visiting Thessaloniki, Philippi, Berea, Meteroa, Delphi, Corinth, and Athens. It is a great time of year to go, as the weather is warm but not too hot, the sites are less busy, and for those in ministry it avoids the major church festivals. Going midweek to midweek also means only missing one Sunday.
Full details below, and in the PDF brochure here: Greece trip April 2027.
To reserve your place, email Steve Upton at [email protected] Places are likely to go quickly!
Who is this trip for?
This tour is ideal for Christians who want to deepen their understanding of the New Testament and experience the biblical world of Paul firsthand. Pastors, church leaders, Bible study groups, and anyone interested in biblical history and early Christianity will find this journey enriching and inspiring.
Alongside the spiritual focus, this is also a wonderful cultural and historical tour through some of Greece’s most beautiful regions. Participants should be comfortable with moderate walking, uneven ground, stairs, and extended sightseeing days.
What is the purpose of the trip?
The first goal of the tour is to provide a biblical study journey. Throughout the tour, you will gain deeper insight into the ministry of the Apostle Paul and the spread of Christianity through the Roman world. Expert local guides and tour leaders will provide historical, archaeological, and biblical context at each location, helping bring the New Testament world to life.
The second goal of the tour is to offer a spiritual pilgrimage. There is something profoundly moving about reading Scripture in the places where biblical events took place. The tour provides opportunities for prayer, reflection, and fellowship as we journey together through these sacred locations.
The third goal of the tour is to create a memorable Greek holiday. In addition to its spiritual significance, this tour offers the chance to experience the hospitality, culture, scenery, and cuisine of Greece. Enjoy comfortable accommodation, beautiful landscapes, local restaurants, and free time to relax and explore. To see the hotels, click the names to visit their websites.
What is the daily itinerary?
Tuesday 20th April Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and time to relax after your journey. Stay three nights at the Zeus Lazart Hotel, Thessaloniki.
Wednesday 21st Explore Thessaloniki, where Paul preached to the Thessalonians, visiting the Via Egnatia, Arch of Galerius, Rotunda of Galerius, and Roman and Byzantine landmarks tied to the city’s early Christian heritage. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Thursday 22nd Visit Philippi, where Paul first preached in Europe and Lydia converted, before continuing to Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul first arrived in Europe. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Friday 23rd Travel to Veria (ancient Berea), where Paul preached during his missionary journeys, visiting the traditional site commemorating his preaching ministry. Continue through the scenic Greek countryside to Kalambaka, where you will overnight. Stay one night at the Amalia Hotel, Kalambaka.
Saturday 24th Visit the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora, dramatically perched atop towering rocks, exploring remarkable Byzantine treasures, icons, frescoes, and panoramic views before continuing onward to historic Delphi, where you overnight. Stay one night at the Amalia Hotel, Delphi.
Sunday 25th Explore ancient Delphi, visiting the Temple of Apollo, Bronze Charioteer, and Gallio Inscription connected to Paul’s ministry, before continuing onward to Athens, where you stay for the remainder of the trip. Stay four nights at Fresh Hotel, Athens.
Monday 26th Visit Ancient Corinth, where Paul ministered for nearly two years, exploring the Agora, the Bema where Paul stood trial, the Temple of Apollo, and important archaeological sites connected to his ministry and letters to the Corinthian church.
Tuesday 27th Enjoy a guided tour of Athens, visiting the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Mars Hill where Paul preached, the ancient Agora and famous landmarks including Hadrian’s Arch, President’s Palace, Parliament and the Panathenaic Stadium.
Wednesday 28th Today is at leisure. You can spend the day relaxing, or exploring the city at your own pace. Some optional excursions will be offered (payable locally). The hotel is very central, so many sights are within walking distance.
One option is the absolutely remarkable Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, 18 minutes walk from our hotel, which includes reconstructions of first century automata!
Thursday 29th Your tour finishes today. So after breakfast, transfer to Athens International Airport for your return flight home.
For fuller details of each location, see PDF brochure here: Greece trip April 2027.
What is the cost?
The cost of the trip is £1995 per person based on two people sharing a room. If you are travelling alone and would prefer to have your own room, there is a single room supplement of £600. A deposit of £200 is needed to confirm your place, followed by a top up deposit of £500 is due by 20 November 2026. The remaining balance is due by 20 January 2027
The cost includes:
- nine nights accommodation as above, with breakfast each morning at the hotel;
- dinners each evening at a local restaurant or the hotel;
- transportation by 50 seater deluxe motorcoach (with WC);
- fully guided tours with an English Speaking Tour Director, including entrance fees as per the itinerary;
- daily gratuity for the guide and driver;
- PRT Protection and SFI insurance (through a UK based Tour Operator).
The fee does not include any extra meals (including lunches) not mentioned in the program, drinks at meals, and any expenses of a personal nature such as further tips or laundry, or international flights to and from Greece.
You can book your own flights, or ask Steve of Travel Africa to do this for you. If you would like to extend the trip with some days of holiday, again Steve can organise or advise, or you can make your own arrangements. Full details of options for flights are included in the brochure.
To reserve your place, email Steve Upton at [email protected]
We really do not think you will find a better value trip of this kind!
Recommendations from previous trips
If you are looking for a 3 in 1 study trip, pilgrimage and holiday, then look no further! My wife and I went on a trip with Ian in April 2026 and we LOVED Ian’s excellent teaching, the local guide’s encyclopaedic knowledge (and sense of fun), seeing sites we’d read about in the Bible come alive, enjoying local culture with fantastic food and great hotels, and all in great company (we made many new friends)! If you get the chance, go! Our trip will live long in our memories. (Andy Osmond)
Thank you for the enormous amount of care, thought, organisation, and generous hospitality that so clearly went into making this such a rich, memorable, and transformative experience. Thank you for your insightful teaching, your faithful ministry of God’s Word, and your prayers. Your depth of knowledge, clarity, and pastoral approach to Revelation brought the text alive in such an accessible and compelling way. The accommodation was excellent, and the food, hospitality, organisation, and attention to detail were all outstanding. All of it contributed to making the journey feel both enriching and wonderfully restful.
What made this trip so special was that retreat, study, and holiday were all woven together, a rare and wonderful combination. I would wholeheartedly recommend these trips to church leaders and lay people alike. It has deepened my faith, enriched my understanding of Scripture, and strengthened my confidence in sharing and teaching God’s Word. (Kina Robertshaw)
Visiting so many biblical sites in provided meaningful context for and a rich connection with many familiar New Testament passages. Ian Paul deepened our understanding of the biblical texts with his careful scholarship, as well as being an enthusiastic supplier of many fascinating and diverse historical details. The tour will definitely not disappoint! (Corinne Brixton)
The trip with Ian to see these NT churches was excellent. You really get a sense of the local flavour of each site which helps draw out aspects of the Bible that easily get passed over. Ian was a great guide because he was able to weave historical and theological aspects of each setting together. I went as a specialist to learn more, but it was great because the tour allowed space for those with a great range of background and interests. I absolutely recommend it for anyone who has the chance to go. (Prof Dr Ben Blackwell, Principal, Westminster Theological Centre)
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