DAY 1: ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

Today, we board your overnight transatlantic flight to Athens. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment such as movies, music, etc.

DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN ATHENS

After arriving in Athens, you will meet your dedicated pilgrimage escort and local guide. We will transfer to your accommodations. This day will be dedicated to leisure and adjusting to the new time zone. Mass, dinner, and overnight in Athens. Mass TBD.

DAY 3: ANCIENT CORINTH ~ ATHENS TOUR WITH ACROPOLIS & MARS HILL

After breakfast, we will make our way 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. It is from Corinth, also, that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. On our return, we visit the ruins of Cenchaeae, the harbor from which St. Paul sailed to Ephesus (Acts 18:18). Continue to Athens. We will visit the Acropolis, the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Afterwards, we will ascend Mars Hill where St. Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only God. We will have an excellent view of the ancient agora; former center of the Athenian public life. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Constitution Square. Then we will drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University, and National Library. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight. Mass TBD.

DAY 4: TOUR OF DELPHI ~ DRIVE TO KALAMBAKA

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive through the picturesque village of Arachova where we will later reach Delphi. Delphi is considered the navel (omphalos) of the ancient world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pithios. Visit the site and the museum where we can see, among other archaeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer. Free time for lunch and continue to Kalambaka. Check-in at our accommodations for dinner and overnight. Mass TBD.

DAY 5: METEORA ~ BEROEA ~ TOUR OF THESSALONIKI

Today, we will marvel at Meteora, the supernatural mix of natural landscape and human-made constructions. Meteora is not only a unique witness of monastic life and art in Greece, but also an incredible place to be mesmerized by amazing views, green valleys and steep rock formations that will leave you breathless. Continue to Beroea to visit St. Paul’s Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the “more noble” church. Free time for lunch. Then we drive to 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 ancient Roman monument which transformed into a church and Galerius Arch which rises over the famous via Egnatia. We will also see the beautiful Basilicas of martyred Christians and former distinguished members of the Roman army, St. Demetrius as well as St. Sophia. Check-in to our accommodations for dinner and overnight. Mass TBD.

DAY 6: PHILIPPI ~ KAVALA

After breakfast, 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. Lastly, we will visit the Roman forum, completely excavated, which 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. Free time for lunch and a walk on the beautiful seaside promenade of the city before returning back to Thessaloniki for dinner & overnight.  Mass TBD.

DAY 7: DRIVE TO ATHENS THROUGH THERMOPYLAE

After breakfast, drive to Athens. On the way we will stop at Thermopylae where Leonidas, the 300 Spartans, and 800 more Greeks defended their land in 480 BC. Continue to Athens for dinner and overnight. Mass TBD.

DAY 8: EMBARK ON AEGEAN CRUISE ~ MYKONOS

Awaken refreshed this morning and ready to begin your 3-night cruise around the Greek Isles and Turkey. Head first to mountainous Mykonos with its iconic windmills and brilliant whitewashed houses. Wander through the narrow winding streets, do a little shopping, or sit in a café to relax. Mass TBD.

DAY 9: DAY 2 OF CRUISE: EPHESUS ~ PATMOS

Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an included excursion to the Ephesus Archaeological site, the former capital of the Roman province of Asia. Walk in the footsteps of Paul, who lived and preached here, and meditate on what life must have been like for the early Ephesian Christians in this pagan society. Also, visit the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days. Continue your cruise to the island of Patmos, the “Jerusalem of the Aegean,” where you can join an excursion to see the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse. Here, John the Evangelist received the visions that he recorded in the Book of the Revelation during his exile. Return to the ship for dinner. Mass TBD.

DAY 10: DAY 3 OF CRUISE: CRETE ~ SANTORINI

The first port of call today is Heraklion, Crete. Enjoy an excursion to nearby KNOSSOS, the center of the 3000 BC Minoan civilization and historic site of mythology’s tales about the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Afternoon port of call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” After our visits, we board the ship for dinner and the return trip to Athens. Mass TBD.

DAY 11: A FREE DAY IN ATHENS

Upon our return to Athens, we disembark the cruise ship and transfer to our hotel. Free day at leisure to relax, shop, dine, and explore the City of Athens. Dinner and overnight at our accommodations. Mass TBD.

DAY 12: OUR JOURNEY HOME

After an early breakfast and whole-hearted farewells, you will transfer to the Athens airport for your return flight(s) home.