GREECE & TURKEY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL

ITINERARY

Day 1. Tuesday, October 13: Transatlantic flight

Board your transatlantic flight from San Fransisco to Thessaloniki, Greece.

Day 2. Wednesday, October 14: Arrival in Thessaloniki

Welcome to Greece! After a late arrival, meet your guide and transfer directly to your hotel. Dinner in your room. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (D)

Day 3. Thursday, October 15: Thessaloniki

This morning, after Mass in your hotel, enjoy a full day devoted to the city where St. Paul preached and wrote his letters to the Thessalonians. Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece. It features the richest collection of Byzantine churches in Greece. Your sightseeing includes a visit to the Church of Agios Demetrios, the largest church in Greece which marks the site of the martyrdom and tomb of St. Demetrius, patron saint of Thessaloniki. Next, visit Agia Sophia. This church contains many mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Pass through the Galerius Arch and see the White Tower, remains of the Roman period ruins, which recall the presence of St. Paul. Welcome dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. (BB, WD)

Day 4. Friday, October 16: Thessaloniki - Philippi - Kavala - Fly to Istanbul

Mass at the hotel. Afterwards, drive to Philippi (~2.5 hrs) , the site where St. Paul lived, preached, and was imprisoned. Visit the Baptistery of Lydia where St. Paul baptized Lydia and the ruins of the prison. Continue to the port of Kavala (Ancient Neapolis) and see where St. Paul, St. Timothy, and St. Silas landed on the coast of Thrace. Have lunch with the group and take a short panoramic tour of the town. Enjoy some free time by its picturesque port. Have an early dinner on your own, and then transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul (BB, L)

Flight: Thessaloniki (SKG) to Istanbul (IST) 9:15PM – 10:40PM.

Day 5. Saturday, October 17: Istanbul

Today, after Mass, enjoy a full day in historic Istanbul. Visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the largest church in the world and the heart of Orthodox Christianity within the Byzantine Empire for nearly 1,000 years. It was converted into a mosque after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The journey continues to the Chora (Kariye) to witness its world-renowned "visual Gospel" through exquisite mosaics, and concludes at the historic SS Peter and Paul Church in Galata, a cornerstone of the Dominican tradition in the city. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (BB, D)

Day 6. Sunday, October 18: Istanbul - Fly to Izmir - Ephasus - Kusadasi

Take a morning flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, in the afternoon, travel towards Kusadasi (~ 1.5 hrs) Along the way, visit St. Polycarp Church, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Continue to Ephesus, the cherished home of the early Christian community where St. Paul preached against the idols and St. John the Apostle lived and wrote his Gospel. Walk the ancient marble streets and see the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Continue on for dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D)

Day 7. Monday, October 19: Ephasus - Mary’s House - St. John’s Basilica

Today, return to Ephasus to visit the very home where Our Lady is believed to have spent her final years in peaceful devotion along with with St. John the Apostle.  Visit the Basilica of St. John, the burial site of the Apostle. Return to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 8. Tuesday, October 20: Cruise Embarkation - Patmos

In the morning, transfer to the port to embark on your 3-night Aegean Cruise. Sail first to the "Holy Island" of Patmos. As an included shorex excursion, visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John, the cave and monastery where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. Mass, dinner and overnight onboard. (B, L, D)

Day 9. Wednesday, October 21: Rhodes

Wake up near the stunning Island of Rhodes, Greece's largest Dodecanese island, that seamlessly combines dramatic ancient and historic sites with charming modern hillside villages.. After Mass onboard, disembark to spend the day on your own. You might choose to see the Acropolis of Lindos, where ancient temples overlook the St. Paul’s Bay—the spot where the Apostle is said to have landed during his voyages, or stroll the cobbled alleyways and narrow arteries in the Old Town where opulent architecture awaits, or explore the Street of the Knights, or the Palace of the Grand Master. Dinner and overnight back onboard. (B, L, D)

Day 10. Thursday, October 22: Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini

As you pull into Heraklion this morning, have the chance to snap the imposing 16th century walls of Koules Fortress. Take another opportunity to explore on your own. Here you can enjoy the calm of the stunning waterfront or opt to go on a whirlwind adventure around the Cretan countryside. You may want to to delve into Crete's past by taking a spellbinding tour of the Palace of Knossos, which invites you to listen to tales of intrigue and learn about Europe's first civilization in the Knossos museum. In the afternoon, sail to spectacular Santorini whose sweeping scenery will simply take your breath away. The romantic island is dotted with traditional whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches that are clustered over the striking cliffs. It is instantly recognizable as one of the world's most photographed picture-postcard landscapes. The charming villages provide a beguiling oasis of tranquility and beauty that will exceed all your expectations. Go ashore on your own before returning to your ship for dinner and overnight onboard. (B, L, D)

Day 11. Friday, October 23: Ancient Corinth & Athens

Sail overnight towards Athens. After diembarkation at Piraeus port near Athens, travel to ancient Corinth. Here, under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile church he founded here in 50 AD, caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first-century shops, and the agora where St. Paul was on trial at the Bema. Continue on to Athens. Start your sightseeing by ascending the Sacred Rock and Mars Hill to visit the Acropolis (the Upper City) complex that contains the famous Parthenon. See the Areopagus Hill, 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. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your travel companions. and overnight at your hotel in Athens (BB, FD)

Day 12. Saturday, October 24: Homebound flight

Transfer to Athens airport for your flight back to the USA.

Buffet Breakfast (BB); Lunch (L); Dinner (D); Welcome Dinner (WD); Farewell Dinner (FD)

* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.