We're on a tour in Greece end of April to first week in May. Would like to stay in Greece several more days and tour St. Paul's travels. Any suggestions of tours, sites, lodging and transportation?
Posted by
412 posts
I haven't been to Patmos but have seen many of the Pauline sites.
I really enjoyed the ruins of Philippi. There's a great chapel nearby with the baptistry of Lydia (the first person baptised in Europe). The acoustics in the church are incredible, and if no one is around I recommend singing a few songs inside. Kavala(Neapolis) is a lovely town and you'd pass through Kavala to get to Philippi. There's not much to see there, Paul wise, except a small monument with a mosaic. It's a nice place to stop for lunch. Northern Greece in general is naturally beautiful IMO and under appreciated by many tourists.
Corinth is quite impressive (particularly the acropolis), not that far from Athens, and there's the "Erastus" inscription, which is one of the VERY few ancient inscriptions mentioning New Testament characters.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3396 posts
I did a daytrip to Patmos from Samos... the incoming view of the Monastery is the most famous "sight" and indeed impressive. Many cruise ships make a brief stop here, so it can be crowdy between 10 -2 as they are all bussed up to the monastery. However, you can check online websites that give the expected dates of cruise stops at Patmos. While the monastery is interesting, it is not rewarding to wander about the lanes surronding it, at the summit -- properties hidden behind high walls (celebrities have homes here). To access the "St John cave" one walks a few hundred yards down a trail from the Monastery -- and frankly, not too impressed. The cave is tricked out with ikons & such, and supposedly a niche where the St. rested his head and dreamed the Apocalypse. THo I was brought up on the Bible, I'm not a literalist & this seemed v. touristy to me.
More historical in my view, would be the so-called "bema" in the Corinth ruins where StJ is recorded as preaching. ALSo in Athens, if you walk west on the pedestrian promenade bordering the south edge of the Acropolis area, you come to a path up to the PNYX. This is the open area and elevated platform where Athenians gathered to debate and vote on City matters, You can stand right at the spot where Pericles delivered his famous Funeral Oration, and (much later) where St. John preached to Athenians. The Pnyx has a wonderful view of the Acropolis.
Posted by
665 posts
Patmos is worth extra time. The upper Hora surrounding the *Monastery is sympa while other locales such as Lambi beach are wonderful. The latter features a most impressive collection of coloured volcanic pebbles and besides, has a taverna so close that you can almost dip toes into the water as you dine.
FWIW, David Bowie apparently rated Patmos as his fave place on the planet.
*Stating the obvious I know, but going first thing right at opening time will give you a quieter, more contemplative experience.
I am done. The end.