Footsteps of Paul Hosted by Robert J. Morgan in conjunction with TriStar Tours $5,998 with deposit of $795 April 14-25/2026
The Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Airline) went on strike, so everything changed.
We are no longer flying out on the 14th and no longer using Lufthansa. I am flying out on Swiss Airlines.
I had to change my Delta flight out of Nashville on the 14th to the 15th.
Lots of problems with this trip. First, Voyager Discovery was trapped in the Strait of Hormuz because Iran shut the Strait. We were going to have a four-day cruise aboard the Discovery. The itinerary for those days was changed. We will now do a day cruise, a ferry to the island of Patmos, and a speedboat to the islands of Samos.
We lost a day because of the Airline strike and lost our four-day cruise. Not sure what to expect now.
My first roommate canceled her trip, and I am now rooming with a seventeen-year-old (It will be like rooming with my granddaughter).
My friend had to cancel because her husband found out he had kidney cancer and had to have surgery. I am going on this trip with 50 people, and most of them are strangers.
It will be a good trip because I make friends easily.
Day 1: April 15: Wednesday: Travel 7 A.M. Nashville Airport to 10:32 A.M. JFK Airport
First flight: Delta DL 4916 from Nashville BNA to JFK New York departing at 7:11, arriving at 10:46 A.M.
Seat 11D Zone 7 Class V flight DL4916.
Second Flight: JFK TO ZURICH, SWITZERLAND operated by Swiss Air JFK LX 0017 Gate 34 L007/104 Group 5, Economy Class 104 ticket 2202245012819 leaving at 15:40 P.M.
Third Flight:
LX 1852 T April 16, 2RH-SKG Economy class 017 LX 1852 T to 0450 Seat 21 A Group 3 Operated by Swiss Air. ticket 2202245012819 from Zurich, Switzerland to Thessaloniki
Depart from JFK to Thessaloniki, Greece via Zurich, Switzerland at 4:45 P.M. (this was for the first group, group two departed at 5:45, and the last group was at 9:45 P.M., and they flew into Frankfurt, Germany.
We didn't sleep much because we had to be up and on the road by 2:30 A.M.
We stopped a couple of times for restroom breaks.
Hubby dropped me off at the Nashville Airport, and I met up with Bettye and Mike Morris, who were going on this trip.
We all went to baggage claim to collect our luggage. Our departing flight was not until 4:45, so we had some time to kill.
We went to level three and ate an early lunch at McDonald's. I ordered a fish sandwich, fries, and Coke. I paid cash.
We rode the elevator down to the second level to meet up with our group around 1:15 P.M.
Everyone checked in, picked up their bags, and proceeded to TSA Security, which took some time.
We boarded around 3:30 P.M. and were on our way to Zurich, Switzerland.
We were served dinner of baked chicken, creamed potatoes, salad, roll, butter, and cheesecake, with Coke Zero.
I watched several movies and fell asleep. I was awakened around 12:30 P.M. US time, but it was breakfast time in Zurich.
We had strawberry Yogurt, jelly, butter, a roll, and apple juice.
We arrived around 6:05 A.M., disembarked from the plane, and rode a bus to the terminal.
No Photos
Breakfast: none
Lunch: McDonald's JFK Fish Sandwich, fries, coke
Dinner: airplane- baked chicken, creamed potatoes, salad, roll, butter, cheese cake and coke.
Day 2: April 16: Thursday- Zurich, Switzerland.
Breakfast: on the plane-strawberry yogurt, jelly, butter, roll, apple juice.
Lunch: no lunch
Dinner: buffet dinner at Thessaliniki Holiday Inn-pasta, rolls, salad with fetta cheese, pork chop with gravy, baked potato,carrots, chocolate cake.
We left Zurich Airport around 9:15 A.M. on LX1852, arriving in Thessaloniki at 12:30 P.M.
Everyone went to luggage claims to get their luggage and meet our guide, who took us to the bus and then to the hotel.
On my first flight, I had a window seat but no window. I did not take any photos on the 15th. My cell phone battery was low, and there were no chargers for my iPhone 17. When we arrived in Zurich, there were chargers,s so I charged my phone. It took some time to go through Immigration.
We are staying at the Holiday Inn Thessaloniki (room 509). We got to Thessaloniki a little early, so our guide took us to several sites there before dropping us off at the hotel.
We had breakfast on the plane.
We had dinner on the plane the night before.
We are having dinner at the hotel tonight.
For dinner, we were served pork chops, carrots, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, and Greek salad.
Before dinner, I walked to the 4-All Mini Mart to buy a toothbrush, a Diet Coke, and hand sanitizer. spent $3.95
Photos:
4813-4826 Zurich, Switzerland Airport 7:15 A.M.
4827-4832 Neidrehasf, Adlikon @ 9:24
4835-4841 Thessaloniki Airport
4842-4892 Travel 1:19–2:10 P.M.
4893-4895 Thessaloniki @2:19 PM
4898 Hotel Thessaloniki Room 509
4899 Receipts
4900 -4902 Thessaloniki @7:24 PM
4905-4906 Dinner 8:11 P.M.
Day 3: April 17: Friday: Philippi:
Breakfast was yogurt, peaches, cheese, olives, and pastries (Holiday Inn Thessaloniki)
Lunch: pork chop skewers, bread, sour cream, slaw, and water
Dinner: Fruit custard with chocolate. The food was good, but I was not hungry. (Holiday Inn Thessaloniki)
Today, we visited the site where Lydia was baptized and the place where Paul was in prison. We spent most of the day traveling. We stopped for lunch at Kalamonas Restaurant near the Philippi Archaeological site.
We visited the Philippi Archaeological site.
And I bought Coke and candy at Olympus Plaza, and spent 11:50 for lunc.h
This morning, we’ll drive east to Philippi. The New Testament records a visit to the city by the apostle Paul during his second journey. Accompanied by Silas, Timothy, and possibly Luke. Luke is believed to have preached for the first time in Philippi, a city in European Greece. We will visit the magnificent Acropolis, the marketplace, the Theater, and the two early Christian Churches. On the way, we will stop at the town of Kavala (Neapolis), where Paul first landed in Europe.
Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and an overnight stay.
Holiday Inn Thessaloniki (room 509).
Photos:
4906-4908 Breakfast @7:07 AM
4909-4911 Travel
4912-4917 Pastry Shop Lefas Station Moostheni
4918-4921 Travel @9:51 AM Platanotopos, Moustheni
4922-4953 Lydia Baptistory of Saint Lydia @10:32 AM
4956-4882 Runs of Phillipi @ 11:36-12:29
4983 Lunch at the Best Station $23.70
4984-4991 Kauala @ 2:22–2:48 P.M.
4992-4996 Olympus Plaza Rest Stop @ 5:40 P.M.
4992-5020 Travel @6:31-7:55 P.M.
5021-5023 Hotel Amalia @7:55 PM room 109
Day 4: April 18: Saturday: Veria/Vergina/Kalambaka -
Breakfast: Yogurt, Pastries, peaches, and cranberry juice (Holiday INN)
Lunch: English peas, carrots, rice, potatoes, pastries
Dinner: buffet rolls, beets, slaw, pork, chicken, pasta, Chocolate eclairs (Hotel Amalia Theopetra, Greece)
Morning sightseeing in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece, with over 1 million inhabitants and the capital of Greek Macedonia. Our sightseeing this morning will include the Arch of Galerius, St Demetrius, St Sophia, and the White Tower. We continue to Veria (Berea) to see St Paul’s Berna. Apostle Paul famously preached in the city, and its inhabitants were among the first Christians in the Empire. From here, we continue to Vergina and view the breathtaking Tombs of the Macedonian Kings. Continue to Kalambaka for dinner and an overnight stay.
Amalia Hotel Theopetra, Greece room 109, one night
Photos:
5027-5030 Breakfast @ 7:02–7:44 A.M.
5031-5067 Visiting the Monks’ Monastery @9:32-10:44 A.M.
5068 Lunch Chatzia Post $13.60
5069-5078 Leonidas Monument @ 3:15 P.M.
5079-5100 Travel @ 3:29–3:53 P.M.
5101-5104 Rest Stop Goody’s Tanagra @ 4:50 P.M.
5105-5108 Receipts
5106-5107 dinner Wyndham Grand Hotel @ 7:41–7:55 P.M.
5108 Receipts
Museum: Holy Monastery of Varlaam ticket 066939 costs $5.00.
Day 5: April 19: Sunday: Kalambaka/Athens.
Breakfast: at the Hotel olives, peaches, water, cookie, roll, cheese (Amalia Hotel Theipetra, Greece)
Lunch: Shrimp Jumbo & fries, water, cash $25 to (Perama Restaurant)
Dinner at (Wyndham Grand room 423), pasta, salad, chicken nuggets, rice, potatoes, Caramel cake, chocolate cake, and whipped cream.
We boarded the bus at 9 A.M., and our first stop was the canal at Loutraki Perachoras for a restroom break and to take photos.
Our next stop is the archaeological ruins of Corinth at 10:57 A.M.
We walked through the ruins and used the restrooms. Then we visited the museum. We stopped at the Temple of Apollo. We ate lunch at To Perma Restaurant. I ordered fried shrimp with fries and water spent $25
We traveled back to Athens for a couple of hours' rest.
Dinner at the Hotel at &PM
Sat and talked to Bettye & Mike returned to my room, took a shower, and dressed for dinner.
This morning, we visited the Meteor. It is a rock formation in central Greece that hosts one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The ageless Byzantine monasteries stand suspended between earth and sky, their interiors filled with priceless, sacred treasures. From here, we drive to Kamena Vouri to visit the Leonids’ monument. Continue to Athens for dinner and an overnight stay.
Wyndham Grand Hotel,Athens, Greece room 423
5109 Breakfast 8:45 A.M.
5110 Police Car @9:16 AM
5111-5121 Travel to Corinth @9:21 AM Poikilo, Oros Aspropygas, Mandra, Megara, Agio Theodoroi
5123-5124 Canal Loutraki Petachoras Restroom Stop
5125-5157 Archeological Ancient Corinth @12:11 PM
5158-5199 Archaelogical ancient Corinth Museum @12:31 PM
5200-5220 Ancient Corinth @12:46
5221-5225 Travel @1:13 PM
5226-5234 Archaia Korinthos, Themple of Apollo Shop, Corinth
5235-5236 Canal to Perama Restaurant lunch $25
5237 Receipts
5238-5239 Dinner Wyndham Grand Hotel @ 7:08
Pasta, salad, nuggets, rice, potatoes, carmel cake, chocolate cake with whipped cream.
Day 6: April 20: Monday: Corinth.
Breakfast: snacks (Wynham Grand)
Lunch: on the boat bufet chicken leg, pasta, salad, potatoes, bread cookie
Dinner: Wyndham Grand (not very good)
We will spend the entire day in Corinth, return to Athens for dinner, and overnig.ht
After breakfast, we depart for Corinth. Visit the Archaeological Museum, Berna, the Marketplace, and the Temples. After a short stop at the Corinth Canal, return to Athens. In the afternoon, visit the Areopagus (Mars Hill) and the Acropolis, featuring its magnificent ruins from Athens' Golden Age, including the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the famous Parthenon. View the Agora and the Ancient Hill of Pnyka after a short orientation tour of Athens. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Only snacks for breakfast.
We had a new bus driver who took us to the port where we took a boat ruise to three different islands Hydra, Prosa, Aegina.
We visited the church of Dormition, we saw the clock tower. Ate lunch on the boat. We stopped in Proso. We bought an ice creme
cone and walked to the church in Aegina. We had to return by 5:35 and the buses were ate. We began our journey back to Greece. It was after 8 dinner was from 8:30-9 PM
Came back to our room packed and wrote in this journal.
Sat luggage outside our room @ &Am breakfast at 7:30 AM. We are going to do a tour of Athens tomorrow. Bought a T-shirt, a cat key chain and a pepsi.
5358-5410 Temple of Athena at the Patheon
5411-5420 Olympic Park
5421-5451 Changing of guaqrds of unknown soldiers
5452 Lunch at Arcadia Restaurant
5453 Reipts
5240-5243 Boat Cruise @7:33 AM
5244-5281 Hydra @ 10:58 AM
5282-5283 Lunch @12:45 PM
5284-5297 Proso @1:54 PM
5298-5345 Aegina @ 4:28PM
5346-5348 Greece Bus @5:56 PM
5349-5355 Hotel roof top @8:22PM
5356 Dinner @ 8:30 PM
5357 Receipts @9:33 PM
Day 7: April 21: Tuesday Full Day Cruise
Breakfast: Wynham Grand, Athens
Lunch: Greek Salad at Arcadia Restaurant Athens, Greece
Dinner: Wynham Grand, Athens, Greece
This morning, we will set sail for three beautiful Saronic islands.
Hydra is one of the most enchanting islands, renowned for its breathtaking beauty and captivating light. Over the years, the island has inspired poets, artists, and celebrities from around the world, becoming a haven for creativity. The island’s car-free policy adds to its tranquil charm, offering a serene atmosphere in the bustling port. While vehicles are absent, transportation on Hydra is provided solely by donkeys and water taxis, with donkeys serving as the island’s traditional means of transport for its 1,900 residents (as of 2021). For adventure seekers, Spilia is an iconic spot, where you can dive off the rocks into the clear blue waters and enjoy the beach like a local. Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy scenic trails through the island’s lush countryside or its cobblestone alleys.
Nestled in the southern Saronic Gulf, Poros is a charming island just 58 km (36 miles) south of Piraeus, separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow 200-meter sea channel. Known for its lush pine forests and scenic beauty, Poros offers a relaxing escape with its tranquil atmosphere and historic allure. In addition to its vibrant town, Poros is home to the iconic Clock Tower, which offers panoramic views of the island and the surrounding sea. The island is also famous for its rich maritime history. Its picturesque beaches, charming alleys, and vibrant cafes make it a favorite weekend destination for Athenians.
Aegina is the largest of the Saronic Islands, with a glorious history dating back to antiquity. Today, Aegina is a popular island sea escape known for its golden beaches, spectacular countryside, and fishing villages where authentic taverns specialize in an array of fresh grilled fish and local wines. The island is also internationally acclaimed as the home of the world-famous Aegina Pistachio. Just a short distance from Athens, Aegina is the preferred Saronic island for the summer home of cosmopolitan Athenians. According to myth, Aegina is named after the beautiful nymph whom Zeus kidnapped.
Lunch is served on board, and we will have a late evening return to Athens. Dinner and overnight at your hotel, WYNDHAM GRAND.
Day 8: April 22: Wednesday, Athens and Ferry Trip to PATMOS
Breakfast: Wynham Grand cheese, salimi, pastries, olives, peaches, yogurt and juice
Lunch: Hamburger and french fries, coke zero at Agora in Skala, Greece
Dinner: steaks, salad, break, dip restaurant in Patmos
Our day will be spent in Athens, where we will visit the Areopagus (Mars Hill) and the Acropolis with its magnificent ruins of the Golden Age of Athens, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the famous Parthenon. View the Agora and the Ancient Hill of Pnyka.
At 3:00 P.M., a ferry, BLUESTAR PATMOS, will take us to the island of Patmos, and it will be a delightful cruise on the Mediterranean, sailing past beautiful islands. We will arrive at 10 P.M. and go to our hotels for a night of rest. We have 18 rooms at HOTEL EFFIE and 10 rooms at HOTEL CHRIS.to St. John's Monastery and Grotto. Evening sail for Rhodes.
After breakfast, we will board a bus to visit the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and the cave where John was held. Right at the Grotto garden, we will gather at the little outdoor theatre, and Pastor Morgan will teach from his book, The 50 Final Events of World History, based on Revelation. Dinner and overnight on Patmos.
5458-5462 Patmos near hotel
5463-5493 Cave of Apocalyse @9:11 AM
5496-5515 Benetos Chora Monastery of St John the Theologian @ 11:50 AM
5516-5532 Square Patmos @ 12:37 PM
5533-5535 lunch at Agora Hamburger, fires, coke zero $17
5536-5537 Patmos @3:35 PM
5538 REceipts
5539-5542 Photos
5545-5554 Journal
4444-5568 Hotel, boats Walkign town of Patmos
Bought postcards
Day 9: April 23, Thursday- Samos
Breakfast: Chris Hotel Patmos cheese, salami, pastries, olives, juice
Lunch: shrimp in butter sauce, toast, coke zero dessert, yogurt drizzle in honey & cake Monastiraki Square Athens
Dinner: Wynham Grand fruit, pork, cheese, carrots, cake
After breakfast, we will board a speed boat, LEROS EXPRESS, for the island of Samos, 9.20-11.55, where the man who proved the Pythagorean Theorem (a2 + b2 = c2), Pythagoras, lived.
This village is one of the most beautiful villages of Samos. It is named after the famous philosopher and scientist Pythagoras and is located 11 km southwest of Vathy, the capital of Samos. The historical town of Pythagorio has become a major tourist Resort. Old and well-preserved houses with the characteristic red-tiled roofs, narrow alleys, cafeterias, restaurants, and nice taverns make up a lively and charming place to spend your summer holidays. Around the port, many excursions and fishing boats are available. The pretty village is built amphitheatrically around the natural bay, where the ancient town of Samos was founded. The beach is a short walk from the settlement of Pythagorio and is ideal for all ages. It attracts visitors with its crystalline waters and the impressive surroundings.
Evening transfer to Samos airport for our flights back to Athens. We have 25 seats on Skyexpress GQ 311 and 25 seats on Aegean A3 247. Dinner and Overnight in Athens at the WYNDHAM GRAND HOTEL, room 358.
5570-5571 Breakfast cheese, pastries, olives, slaimi, peaches, yogurt @7:28 AM
5572-5573 Speed Boat ride to Samos @12-10 P.M.
5574-5576 Lunch Shrimp cooked in butter sauce @12:51 with toast Samos
5578-5587 walking around Samos 1:52 P.M.
5588-5614 Walking to the Church of the Transfiguration Neapoleos @2:51-3:09 PM
5615-5628 @ 3:12–3:34 P.M. Walking back to the bus
5629-5631 @ 3:48 Samos Airport
5632-5687 @6:48-8:11 P.M. Flying to Athens Airport from Samos
5689 dinner
Day 10: April 24: Friday The Acropolis Museum
Breakfast: Hotel salami, cheese, pastries, olives
Lunch: Pork chop, fries in Samos
Dinner: skipped dinner
I took the elevator to the ninth floor for breakfast. There were lots of people eating and standing in line, so I went back to my room until 7:30 A.M.
I sat with a woman from Dallas, Texas. We talked about our Footsteps of Paul Trip.
She said they had one day on a boat cruise and visited the Eiffel Tower with a choir group.
Our group loaded onto the bus at 9 A.M. We rode to the Acropolis to visit the
Acropolis Museum.
Next, we walked to the nearby Monastiriki Square for lunch and shopping.
Lunch: We ate at a nearby restaurant with a couple of women from our group.
I ordered a pork chop with fries and Coke Zero.
We walked around. Bettye bought a couple of T-shirts.
We stopped for a cup of Piccasto ice cream. Then we caught the bus back to the hotel.
I did not eat dinner. I took a shower and went to bed because we had to be up by 1:00 A.M.
Wyndham Grand room 358
Photos
5691 Breakfast: Hotel Room 358 Wyndham Grand Athens, Greece chees, salami, olives, feta cheese, Spanish roll with water
5692-5693 Breakfast @7:50 AM
5694-5701 Acropolis of Arthenes Ancient Citadel above the city of Athens, Greece @8:15 AM
5702-5763 @9:39 ART AT THE ACROPOLIS Museum, Athens, Greece, Lamassu of Nicaea @ 9:46 A.M. - 11:18 A.M.
5763-5764 Lunch Pork Chops, fries, salad @ Monastriraki Square, Athens, Greece @12:42 PM
5765-5780 Monastiraki Square, Athens, Greece @ 1:23
5781 Receipts
