Follow in the footsteps of St. Paul and experience beautiful sites throughout Greece. Visit Philippi where Paul the Apostle delivered his first sermon and established the first Church in Europe, Mars Hill in Athens where he spoke to the Athenians, Corinth and the site of St. Paul’s trials by Gallio, and more!
You will even visit the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus in Turkey where she lived until her Assumption according to Catholic Doctrine. On your 3-day cruise (12-day pilgrimages only) you will discover the captivating and beautiful Greek Islands like Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini.
Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
After arriving in Athens, you will meet your dedicated pilgrimage director and local guide and transfer to your hotel. This day will be dedicated to leisure and adjusting to the new time zone. Mass, dinner, and overnight in Athens. (D)
After breakfast, we will start an excursion to Corinth with a brief stop at the Corinth Canal which separates the Peloponnese from the mainland. Later we will visit the Ancient Corinth site, the museum, the Market Place and the Bema from where St. Paul spoke to the Corinthians. Around noon time, we will make our way back to Athens to complete our day with a tour of Athens.
We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. We shall also ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora (ancient market place where St. Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians). We will drive pass the House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Palace, Hadrian's Arch and the Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium. The tour of Athens ends at our hotel with dinner & overnight in Athens. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we transfer from the hotel to the pier to board the 3-day/3-night Aegean cruise. Our first port of call is Mykonos; the white-washed streets and windmills of this Cycladic Island will simply enchant you. Free time to walk the winding narrow streets or just sit by the waterfront and enjoy the beautiful sunset! (B, L, D)
In the morning we arrive at Kusadasi, a lively Turkish port and the gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most impressive ruins of the Biblical world! A tour to Ancient Ephesus is included. In the afternoon, we call on the island of Patmos, a Holy Island for the Catholic faith and for all Christians of the world. It was here that John wrote the Book of Revelations during his exile by the Roman State. A tour to the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto is included. (B, L, D)
First port of call is the Cretan port of Heraklion. Take the opportunity to participate on the tour to the Palace of Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization. In the afternoon we arrive to Santorini, the most breathtaking island believed to be the lost continent of Atlantis. Early evening we embark the ship for the return trip to Athens. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we disembark our cruise and meet our local guide & coach to start our tour to Northern Greece with the first visit to Delphi, the center of the Ancient world - the "Omphalos" (navel) of the earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the site and the museum and continue to Meteora; an amazing rock formation where the monasteries are built. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. (B, D)
In the morning, among striking scenery and perched on top of huge rocks (which seem to be suspended in mid-air), visit the Meteora Monasteries. Within these ageless monasteries, you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art.
On the way to Thessaloniki, we will drive to Berea (Veria) where the Christian community was devoted to St. Paul’s work. End up in Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
In the morning we leave Thessaloniki to visit Philippi where St. Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here Paul baptized a "certain woman named Lydia" the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely excavated, is from after Paul's time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town's main road is the prison where Paul and Silas were thrown.
Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where St. Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke, and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. After our tour, we drive back to Thessaloniki for dinner & overnight. (B, D)
After breakfast and checking out of our hotel, and before taking the highway to Athens, we visit of the second capital of Greece, Thessaloniki. It was here where Paul wrote his letter to the Thessalonians. Our tour includes the major highlights & beauties of this city such as the Roman Market, the theatre and baths, Arch of Galerius, the City Walls, the White Tower and Byzantine Churches including the Church of St. Dimitris, the caves and well of St. Paul, the House of Jason and the monastery of Vlatadon. In the early afternoon, we start our drive back to Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens. (B, D)
Day at leisure to relax and explore the city of Athens. Dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
After an early breakfast and whole-hearted farewells, you will transfer to the Athens airport for return flight(s) home.