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12-Day Pilgrimage
to Greece and Turkey
Visiting Athens, Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kavala, Pella,
Vergina, Kalambaka, Meteora,
Delphi, Corinth, Epidaurus,
Mycenae, Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos, and EphesusPlease remember
that the sample itinerary below is just that: a sample
itinerary.
We can customize it to visit other places,
spend more or less time, etc. Please contact us for a
custom quote request. |
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Day 1: Transatlantic flight
Depart
from the U.S. to Thessaloniki, Greece. |
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Day 2:
Thessaloniki
This afternoon arrive into
Thessaloniki
airport where the tour manager escorts you to the private
motor-coach that transfers the group to the hotel. Tonight
enjoy a welcome Greek dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
(WD) |
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Day 3:
Thessaloniki – Philippi – Kavala –
Thessaloniki
Your full day excursion takes you along the first route of St.
Paul on European land. First stop is at Philippi where St.
Paul arrived from Neapolis (Kavala) and preached for the first
time. He was denounced and imprisoned for some time with his
companion Silas. See the Forum, the Market, the Theater, and
the Basilica, underneath which
St. Paul
was imprisoned. Then, visit Kavala with its lovely mainland
port and elegant harbor, where St. Paul landed with his
disciples. Continue to the Baptismal site of Lydia, the first
European Christian woman. Return to
Thessaloniki
for dinner and overnight. (BB, D) |
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Day 4:
Thessaloniki – Pella – Vergina – Kalambaka
After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki, the
second largest city of Greece, which features the richest
collection of Byzantine churches in Greece. First stop is at
the church of Agios Demetrios, the largest church in Greece.
It marks the site of martyrdom and tomb of St. Demetrios,
patron saint of Thessaloniki. Next visit is Agia Sophia (St.
Sophie). This church contains many mosaics and frescoes dating
back to the 9th and 10th centuries. En
route to Kalambaka, pass through the remains of the roman
period ruins which recall the presence of St. Paul. Pass by
the Galerius Arch and the White Tower. Continue to Pella, the
birthplace of Alexander the Great. Then on to Vergina to visit
the famous museum, that houses the Macedonian Dynasty Royal
Tombs. Our passing through Veria (Beroea of the Acts) will
recall the ministry of St. Paul in this important city.
Continue to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight. (BB, D) |
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Day 5:
Kalambaka – Meteora –
Delphi
Leave Kalambaka on route to Delphi. After breakfast, visit the
beautiful and strange geographical formation of this region,
formed by hanging rocks on top of which several Byzantine
monasteries were built between the 9th and 12th
centuries. Visit two of these picturesque monasteries, which
still reflect the real monastic life of the Middle Ages.
Continue to Delphi, where dinner and overnight awaits you.
(BB, D) |
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Day 6:
Delphi – Athens
Today visit the impressive archaeological site of Delphi on
the slopes of Mount Parnassos, associated with the mythology
and history of the “Oracle”. Next, visit the Sanctuary and the
Doric Temple of Apollo, the
Sacred Way,
the Theatre and the Stadium. Visit also the Kastalian
Fountain, the Sanctuary of Athena, and the local museum that
houses, beside important findings, the well preserved
Charioteer. Afterwards, on to
Athens
for dinner and overnight. (BB, D) |
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Day 7:
Athens
This morning ascend to the Sacred Rock and Mars Hill to visit
the Acropolis (the Upper City) complex that contains the
famous Parthenon, the Aeropagus, where St. Paul delivered his
sermon “On the unknown God” and gained his first convert
Dionysius the Areopagite, who subsequently became the patron
saint of Athens. Visit also the Acropolis Museum and other
important monuments. Then, an orientation tour takes you
through the Parliament, the University and National Library,
the Olympic Stadium, the Presidential Mansion and other
significant monuments of the capital of Greece. Dinner and
overnight in Athens. (BB, D) |
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Day 8:
Athens – Corinth – Epidaurus – Mycenae – Athens
After breakfast, journey to
Corinth
and stop to see its famous Canal considered one of the Seven
Wonders of the Modern World. Continue to Ancient Corinth where
the Apostle St. Paul spent quite a long period of time working
as a tents maker. Walk through the ruins of the Old City and
visit its museum. Proceed to Epidaurus to visit the best
preserved theatre of Greece (3rd century BC). Then,
continue to Mycenae, once the most powerful in Greece up to
1100 BC, when it was destroyed by fire. Visit the Acropolis
entering through the Lion Gate. Back to Athens for dinner and
overnight. (BB, D) |
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Day 9:
Athens – Mykonos
Embark in Piraeus on an unforgettable three-day cruise. The
first stop will be to the world famous island of Mykonos. It
is a picturesque island with whitewashed houses, world famous
windmills, and home to more than 300 churches and harbor side
chapels. It is the most cosmopolitan of all Greek Islands and
attracts many visitors from all over the world. (BB, L, D) |
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Day 10:
Rhodes
Today you visit the medieval
island
of Rhodes, one of the three more important great cities of
ancient times, built by the crusading Knights of St. John.
After a panoramic tour of the city, visit the restored
Byzantine church of Our lady of Philermino, a chapel with 15th
century frescoes, and the ruin Castle of the Knights. Walk the
streets of the knights with its medieval buildings, winding
alleys, towers, turrets, and emblazoned facades. Visit the
Grand Master’s Palace and admire among other things the superb
mosaics. Afterwards, a relaxing drive along the southeastern
coastline takes you to Lindos. Explore the Acropolis of Lindos,
which overlooks the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s bay; where St.
Paul shipwrecked during his voyages. (BB, L, D) |
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Day 11:
Patmos – Kusadasi –
Ephesus
Depart the
port of
Scala at Patmos and enjoy a short journey to the village of
Chora, where the monastery of St. John is built within the
walls of a strong fortification. As you walk uphill towards
the entrance of the monastery marvel at this magnificent
structure, which was built 900 years ago, exceptional in its
architecture. Return to the motor coach to continue on to the
nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse, where above stands the
Monastery of the Apocalypse. Here see the silver niches in the
wall that mark the pillow and three-fold crack made by the
voice of God emphasizing the honor of the Holy Trinity.
Afterwards, take the ship and sail towards Kusadasi, Turkey.
Near Kusadasi, on a mountain facing
Ephesus valley, pray at the humble chapel that lies on the site of
the little house where the Virgin Mary lived until her
Assumption. Continue on to
Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its
Temple of
Diana – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – and
later the home of St. John. See the Great Theatre, where St.
Paul preached, which is the largest theatre in antiquity
having a capacity of 24,000 people. Walk back to the motor
coach along the
Arcadian Way,
where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.
While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus, view
the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in
the 6th century AD by the Emperor Justinian. (BB,
L, D) |
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Day 12:
Athens – Transatlantic flight
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Athen’s
International Airport for your flight back to the U.S. (BB) |
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(BB)
Buffet breakfast; (D) Dinner; (WD) Welcome dinner; (FD)
Farewell dinner |
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Call today for a price quote for your group!
Group leaders can travel for free! Call
1-800-290-3876 for details or
fill out our online
Information Request Form.
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