We are excited that you have booked your trip to travel with Pastor Rob and Lisa on an unforgettable journey through Greece and Italy. Here are some helpful resources for you to prepare for your trip:

Packing List for Your Greece & Italy Tour (November 2025)

Essential Travel Documents & Items:

Passport – Valid for at least six months beyond your return date
Airline Tickets & Travel Itinerary
Copies of Important Documents – Passport, visa, travel insurance, and itinerary (printed & digital)
Credit & Debit Cards – Notify your bank of international travel
Local Currency (Euros) – Have some cash for small purchases (300 euros in small denominations should suffice)

Luggage & Packing Guidelines:

Checked Luggage:

  • Standard European size limit: 62 linear inches (height + width + depth)
  • Weight limit: 50 lbs (23 kg)
  • Use an AirTag or Tile tracker for easy luggage tracking

Carry-On Bag:

  • Typical size limit: 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (varies by airline)
  • Weight limit: Usually 15-22 lbs (7-10 kg) (check airline rules)
  • Pack essentials: medications, travel documents, electronics, and a change of clothes

Personal Item:

  • Backpack or purse that fits under the seat
  • Travel money belt
  • Keep valuables, snacks, and an extra layer

Clothing & Accessories (November Weather – Cool & Variable):

Layers! – Lightweight sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, and thermal tops
Waterproof Jacket – Rain is possible in Greece & Italy
Comfortable Walking Shoes – Cobblestone streets require sturdy, broken-in shoes
Dress Clothes – One or two nicer outfits for dinners or special events
Scarf, Hat & Gloves – Optional but useful for chilly mornings/evenings
Sleepwear & Undergarments
Compression Socks – Great for long flights and walking days

Tech & Travel Accessories:

European Power Adapter & Converter – Greece & Italy use Type C & F plugs, 220V
Portable Charger/Power Bank – Keep your phone charged on the go
Unlocked Phone or SIM Card – For affordable local data plans
Headphones or Earbuds – For flights and travel days
E-Reader or Book – Perfect for downtime
Travel Lock – For securing luggage
AirTag or Tile Tracker – Highly recommended for tracking luggage

Toiletries & Medications:

Travel-Sized Toiletries – Shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant (under 3.4 oz for carry-on)
Medications & Prescriptions – Bring enough for the entire trip + extra
First Aid Kit – Band-aids, pain relievers, motion sickness pills, allergy meds
Hand Sanitizer & Wipes – For hygiene on the go
Lip Balm & Moisturizer – Dry air on flights and cooler weather can be harsh

Travel Comfort & Extras:

Neck Pillow & Eye Mask – Essential for long flights
Refillable Water Bottle – Many places have refill stations
Small Travel Umbrella – November can bring occasional rain
Laundry Bag & Stain Remover Pen – Useful for longer trips
Notebook or Travel Journal – To document your journey

Study Session Schedule and Resources

We will meet via Zoom on the first or second Sunday evening of each month at 5 PM PST. If you need the Zoom link, contact Lisa.

Tentative study session dates (start time is 5 PM PST) are:

Study Session Information

Session 1 (02/09/25): Introduction to the Journey | Presentation Slides | Session Recording (Check session follow-up email for passcode)
Session 2 (03/09/25): Athens: The Cradle of Western Civilization | Presentation Slides | Session Recording (Check session follow-up email for passcode)
Session 3 (04/06/25): Corinth: A City of Trade and Temptation | Presentation Slides | Session Recording (Check session follow-up email for passcode)
Session 4 (05/04/25): Thessaloniki: A Thriving Church in a Challenging Context | Presentation Slides | Session Recording (Check session follow-up email for passcode)
Session 5 (06/08/25): Philippi: The First Church in Europe | Presentation Slides | Session Recording | (Check session follow-up email for passcode)
Session 6 (07/06/25): Kavala: Paul’s Gateway to Europe | Presentation Slides | Session Recording | (Check session follow-up email for passcode)
Session 7 (08/03/25): Meteora: Faith on the Heights | Presentation Slides
Session 8 (09/14/25): Rome: The Heart of the Roman Empire | Presentation Slides
Session 9 (10/12/25): Italy Highlights: Beyond Paul | Presentation Slides

Quizzes

Test Your Knowledge About the Apostle Paul
Test Your Knowledge About Ancient Athens
Test Your Knowledge About Ancient Corinth
Test Your Knowledge About Ancient Thessaloniki
Test Your Knowledge About Ancient Philippi
Test Your Knowledge About Kavala
Test Your Knowledge About Meteora
Test Your Knowledge About Ancient Rome
Test Your Knowledge About Places in Italy Beyond Rome

Books

Books about the Time of the Apostle Paul

Bandy, A. S. (2021). An illustrated guide to the Apostle Paul: His life, ministry, and missionary journeys. Baker Books.

Fant, C. E., & Reddish, M. G. (2003). A guide to biblical sites in Greece and Turkey. Oxford University Press.

Hurtado, L. W. (2017). Destroyer of the gods: Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World (Reprint ed.). Baylor University Press.

Rose Publishing. (2021). The life of the Apostle Paul: 200 key facts at a glance. Rose Publishing.

Swindoll, C. R. (2009). Great lives: Paul: A man of grace and grit. Thomas Nelson.

Wright, N. T. (2018). Paul: A biography. HarperOne.

Books about the History of Greece & Italy

Beaton, R. (2021). The Greeks: A global history. Basic Books.

Beard, M. (2015). SPQR: A history of ancient Rome. Liveright Publishing.

Isaacson, W. (2018). Leonardo da Vinci (Unabridged ed.). Simon & Schuster.

Travel Books about Greece & Italy

DK Eyewitness. (2024). Greece, Athens and the Mainland (Travel Guide). DK Publishing.

DK Travel. (2024). DK Italy (Travel Guide). DK Publishing.

Steves, R. (2023). Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese. Avalon Travel.

Steves, R. (2022). Rick Steves Italy (Travel Guide). Avalon Travel.

Videos

Ancient Rome in 3D
Bound for Rome: Acts 21-28
Paul’s Missionary Journeys: Acts 13-20 by the Bible Project
The Complete Story of Paul: The Apostle to the Gentiles
The Apostle Paul: Acts 8-12 by the Bible Project

Biblical Sites in Greece
How Alexander the Great Redrew the Map of the World
Paul’s Missionary Journeys Interactive Map
The Greek Gods
The Real Francis of Assisi
The Rest is History
Vatican 3D Tour
Sistine Chapel 3D Tour

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