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
Other Resource Links
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