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Footsteps of St. Paul
a 12 day journey to Greece and the Greek Islands Proposed Itinerary Day 1 - Depart to Athens
Evening departure from your home town, for the overnight flights to Greece. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Day 2 - Arrive Greece
Arrive in Athens and connect flight to Thessaloniki. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax dinner and overnight.
Day 3 - Phillippi, Kavala, Thessaloniki
Visit Philippi where St. Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. "And from there (we went) to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in this city some days..." Acts 16:12-18 Here St. Paul baptized a certain woman named Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely excavated, is from after St. Paul's time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town's main road is the prison where St. 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. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 4 - Thessaloniki, Meteora
Thessaloniki city-tour. St. Paul preached in Thessaloniki during the winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Depart for Kalambaka, Meteora Monasteries. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 5 - Kalambaka - Delphi
Visit Meteora Monasteries. Among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks, that seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Continue to Delphi.
Day 6 - Delphi - Athens
Visit Delphi, the center of the ancient world (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 Phthios. Visit the site and the museum and continue to Athens.“ Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription “ to an unknown God”. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you…”. Athens, is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 7 - Excursion to Corinth
We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. For twenty five centuries, the panorama of this city is dominated by the rock of the Acropolis; we see the ruins of the Parthenon, the Erectheum and the Propylae. Afterwards, we will ascend Mars Hill where St. Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only God. From here we have an excellent view of the ancient agora; former center of the Athenian public life. We continue for a drive through the city to see the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square, the evzones in their picturesque uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We also see the Library, the University, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympics of the modern era were held, the temple of the Olympian Zeus and Adrian’s Arch. This afternoon we continue our tour 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 the first century shops, the agora where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 - Start of our 3-day Cruise Mykonos
Our first port-of-call is Mykonos; the whitewashed streets and windmills of this Cycladic island will simply enchant you. Mykonos combines in a unique way the luxuriant and sophisticated lifestyle with the simple and yet charming life of a Cycladic Island. Free time to stroll the winding narrow streets full of boutiques, visit tiny chapels and take pictures of the famous windmills. Or perhaps, just sit by the waterfront and enjoy the beautiful sunset!
Day 9 - Visit the Island of Rhodes
The ship enters the port, which was once dominated by the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Tour to the old town of Rhodes. Take a tour within its high walls and through the narrow, winding streets. The castle of the Grand Master of the Knights and many other gothic places are still in remarkably good condition. Tour also to Lindos where we can see the Acropolis, an exquisite site with its beautiful Temple of Athena Lydia. St. Paul is believed to have landed here in a small gulf at one side of the cliff foot.
Day 10 - Kusadasi - Patmos
Kusadasi is a lively Turkish port and the gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most impressive ruins of the Biblical world. In the afternoon we arrive at Patmos, a Holy Island for the Christian religion. It was here that John wrote the Book of Revelations during his exile by the Roman State. Tour to the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto.
Day 11 - Piraeus - Athens
Today marks the end of our cruise. Upon arrival in the port we will be met by a tour escort and transfer by private motor coach to our hotel. Afternoon, free to explore the city of Athens. Special Farewell Dinner tonight. Day 12 - Athens - USA. Depart for the airport for return flights to the USA.
Tour Features- Round trip airfare from New York
- Hotel Accommodations in Superior-Tourist and/or First Class Hotel, twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
- Cruise - Accommodations in Twin bedded, Inside Cabins with private facilities
- Breakfast and dinner daily (all meals while on cruise.)
- Transfers between airport, lodging and Cruise ship, with porterage at hotels and ship
- Multi-lingual Tour Escort
- Sightseeing and Shore Excursions as specified in itinerary
- Welcome Packet / Document Portfolio
- Daily Mass and all spiritual activities coordinated
Pricing
| Pilgrimage # | 2010 Dates | Price |
|---|
| GI11 0401 | April 01-11, 2011 | $3,599.00 | | GI11 0429 | April 29 - May 09, 2011 | $3,599.00 | | GI11 0527 | May 27 - June 06, 2011 | $3,999.00 | | GI11 0624 | June 24 - July 04, 2011 | $3,999.00 | | GI11 0722 | July 22 - August 01, 2011 | $3,999.00 | | GI11 0819 | August 19-29, 2011 | $3,999.00 | | GI11 0916 | September 16-26, 2011 | $3,599.00 | | GI11 1014 | October 14-24, 2011 | $3,599.00 | Airp1rt Taxes: *$300 (*Subject to Change)
Single Supplement: $899.00
Special Add-on Fares available from your hometown.
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