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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 Ephesus

Please 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.

 

  Day 1: Transatlantic flight
Depart from the U.S. to Thessaloniki, Greece.
     
 

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)

     
 

Day 3: ThessalonikiPhilippi – 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)

     
 

Day 4: ThessalonikiPella – 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)

     
 

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)

     
 

Day 6: DelphiAthens
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)

     
 

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)

     
 

Day 8: AthensCorinthEpidaurusMycenaeAthens
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)

     
 

Day 9: AthensMykonos
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)

     
 

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)

     
 

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)

     
   

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)

     
     
    (BB) Buffet breakfast; (D) Dinner; (WD) Welcome dinner; (FD) Farewell dinner
     
   

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