All Travelers Have Arrived Safely in Thessaloniki...Finally

(photo of Holiday Inn, Thessaloniki, Greece)

There is something about the beginning of a journey that combines excitement, anticipation, and—every now and then—a test of patience. Our Missionary Journeys of Paul tour officially began this week, and while the road to Thessaloniki had a few unexpected twists, all travelers have now safely arrived…finally.

As the old saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” a reminder often attributed to Lao Tzu. For our group, that “single step” began Monday evening—with 8 travelers departing from Atlanta and 12 from Chicago—each group filled with anticipation for what lies ahead.

A Plan Interrupted

The itinerary was simple enough: both groups would arrive in Frankfurt at 7:25 a.m. local time on Tuesday and then continue together to Thessaloniki.

But as seasoned travelers know, even the best plans can change.

The Chicago group experienced a two-hour delay departing the United States, which meant their arrival in Frankfurt was also delayed. Meanwhile, the Atlanta group landed on time. In fact, the Chicago flight touched down just as the Atlanta group was preparing to board their connecting flight to Thessaloniki.

Two groups. Same destination. Different timelines.

Travel, it seems, has a way of reminding us that we are not always in control.

Persistence in Motion

Thankfully, help arrived in the form of attentive airline staff. Our co-host, Bill Shiell, noted that Lufthansa representatives were extremely helpful in rebooking the Chicago group. The solution? A new route: from Frankfurt to Munich, and then on to Thessaloniki.

It wasn’t the original plan—but it was a path forward.

As Winston Churchill once said:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

That spirit of persistence carried our travelers across continents and time zones.

Arrival in Thessaloniki

The Atlanta group arrived first in Thessaloniki and was warmly greeted at the airport by our guide for the week, Emily. A native of Athens, Emily lives there with her family, and she brings 12 years of professional guiding experience to our journey.

After checking into the Holiday Inn near the city center, the group gathered for a delicious four-course dinner, a welcome reward after a long day of travel. Not long afterward, everyone gratefully retired to their rooms for some much-needed rest.

A Late-Night Finish

Meanwhile, the Chicago group continued their journey through Munich and finally arrived in Thessaloniki at 11:15 p.m. After collecting luggage and boarding the bus, they reached the hotel and checked in around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

By that point, they had endured 26 to 30 hours of travel.

There is a unique kind of gratitude that comes at the end of a long journey—the simple comfort of a bed, a quiet room, and the knowledge that you have finally arrived.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “Life is a journey, not a destination.”  And sometimes, the journey itself is what shapes us the most.

Ready for the Road Ahead

Though the day did not unfold exactly as planned, it ended exactly as hoped, with all travelers safely in Thessaloniki, ready to begin the adventure.

Our hotel is comfortable, our guide is exceptional, and our travel group is highly compatible.  Soon we will walk the streets where Paul the Apostle once preached, explore ancient ruins, and reflect on the powerful message that spread from this region to the wider world.

But for now, we pause with gratitude.

Grateful for safe travels.
Grateful for patient travelers.
Grateful for helpful strangers along the way.

And most of all, grateful that the journey has begun.

Here we go.