This pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey offers the opportunity to be fully immersed in the exotic splendors of the Byzantine world. As you follow the steps of St. Paul, you will climb the Areopagus, where he delivered his famous sermon in Athens, recounted in Acts 17: 16-34. Whether you are wandering the cobbled streets of Athens or following the path up to the mighty Parthenon, you will be charmed and inspired by this ancient land, fierce in its adherence to the Christian Faith.
A special personalized highlight is the Greek isle cruise that will take you to the Island of Patmos, where St. John the Evangelist died, and to Turkey to see the home of Our Lady at Ephesus, one of the most visited shrines in the East. We will also visit Santorini and Mykonos, two of the most beautiful islands in the world!
Depart today on board your overnight transatlantic flight to Thessaloniki (SKG), arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment such as movies, music, etc.
Upon our arrival at the Thessaloniki airport (SKG), we will gather our luggage and meet our dedicated local guide in the arrivals hall. After boarding our motorcoach, we will make our way to the beautiful Greek Orthodox Basilica of St. Demetrius. Following our guided tour of the basilica, we will continue to the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate Mass. Following Mass, we make our way to our hotel to check-in and later, gather for a festive welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (D)
Following breakfast, we board our motorcoach for a day trip to Philippi. Here, St. Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. We begin our day with a stop at the Baptistery of St. Lydia. Here, St. Paul baptized a "certain woman named Lydia," the first Christian convert in Europe. It is here that we will celebrate Mass at the outdoor altar on the exact spot of St. Lydia’s baptism. Following Mass and lunch, we continue on to the completely excavated Roman forum dating back to the time of St. Paul, himself. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town's main road, is the prison where Paul and Silas were thrown. Return to Thessaloniki for a relaxing free afternoon with dinner on your own. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (B)
Following breakfast and hotel check-out, we will board our motorcoach and make our way to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Thessaloniki for Mass. Following Mass, we will participate in a privately guided tour of ancient Thessaloniki. St. Paul preached in the city and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. Visit the old city ramparts, the Forum, St. George’s church, the Rotunda, and the Arch of Galerius which rises over the famous via Egnatia. Following lunch, we journey to Kalambaka, the little town at the base of the iconic Meteora monasteries and rock development. After checking into our hotel, pilgrims enjoy a free evening full of Greek food, culture, and shopping. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Kalambaka. (B)
Following breakfast, we board our motorcoach and begin our ascension of the Meteora rock formation, making sure to stop along the way at key picturesque photo opportunities. We continue until we reach our first Meteora monastery. Meteora offers a unique witness of Greek Orthodox monastic life and art and is an incredible place to mesmerize at amazing views, green valleys, and steep rock formations that will leave you breathless. We will visit two of the monasteries this day. Following a memorable day, we will board our motorcoach and return to our hotel in Kalambaka. Following Mass, the rest of the evening is free to rest, visit the boutique shops, and have dinner on your own. Overnight in Kalambaka. (B)
Following breakfast and hotel check-out, we will board our motorcoach destined for Athens. Upon arrival, we will first visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Denis the Areopagite. Here we will have Mass. Following Mass, we will check into our hotel. Later in the evening, we will transfer to the historic Plaka district for a leisurely walking tour and festive group dinner (included) at a local restaurant. Transfer back to the hotel for an overnight in Athens. (B, D)
Following breakfast, we will board our motorcoach and make our way to the Cathedral for Mass. Following Mass, we will continue to the Ancient Corinth site passing the Corinth Canal. Here the Apostle Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. The mostly Gentile Church he founded here caused him much grief and prompted from him at least four letters. Following ample free time and lunch, we visit the ruins of Cenchreae, the harbor from which St. Paul sailed to Ephesus (Acts 18:18). From here, we will make our way back to Athens for a free evening and dinner on our own. Overnight in Athens. (B)
Awaken refreshed this morning and ready to begin our 3-night cruise around the Greek Isles and Turkey. Head first to mountainous Mykonos with its iconic windmills and brilliant whitewashed houses. While here, we will participate in the included shore excursion titled the Mykonian Countryside Tour. After a day in Mykonos, we return to the ship and depart. Dinner on the ship (included). Overnight at sea. (B, L, D)
Following breakfast onboard the ship, we will visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi. Walk in the footsteps of St. Paul who lived and preached here. Contemplate on what life must have been like for the early Ephesian Christians in this pagan society. While ashore, enjoy the included shore excursion to the House of the Virgin Mary (where we will celebrate Mass) and ancient Ephesus. We continue our cruise to the island of Patmos, the “Jerusalem of the Aegean,” where we will join the included shore excursion to the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here, John the Evangelist received the visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation during his exile. Following, we return to the ship for dinner (included). Overnight at sea. (B, L, D)
The first port of call today is Heraklion, Crete. Enjoy the included excursion to nearby Knossos, the center of the 3,000 BC Minoan civilization and historic site of mythology’s tales about the Minotaur and the labyrinth. It is here where St. Paul met the captain of the ship who warned him of the dangers of continuing his journey to spread Christianity in Rome. Following this historical visit, embark by ship to the idyllic island of Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Participate in the included shore excursion that will take you to the iconic cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most glorious panoramic views. In the early evening, we board the ship for dinner (included) and the return trip to Athens. Overnight at sea. (B, L, D)
Early in the morning, our cruise ship will return to Athens, where we will disembark and board our motorcoach for our journey to the Cathedral for Mass. Following Mass, we will participate in a guided day tour of Athens. We start with a memorable visit to the Acropolis, the crowning beauty and glory of ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens. Afterwards, we will ascend the Areopagus where St. Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only God. From here we have an excellent view of the ancient agora; former center of Athenian public life. On our way to the hotel, we will drive past the Roman Temple of Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, University, and National Library. After checking into the hotel, we will gather for a festive farewell dinner served with local cuisine. Overnight in Athens. (B, D)
The next morning, with vivid memories of Greece, we transfer to the airport and board the return flight back home, arriving the same day. (B)