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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 |
| GI10 0402 |
April 02-12,
2010 |
$3,699.00 |
| GI10 0430 |
April 30 - May
10,2010 |
$3,699.00 |
| GI10 0528 |
May 28 - June 07,
2010 |
$4,199.00 |
| GI10 0625 |
June 25 - July 05,
2010 |
$4,199.00 |
| GI10 0806 |
August 06-16, 2010 |
$4,199.00 |
| GI10 0903 |
September 03-13,
2010 |
$3,699.00 |
| GI10 1001 |
October 01-11,
2010 |
$3,699.00 |
| GI10 1105 |
November 05-15,
2010 |
$3,399.00 |
Airport Taxes:
*$300
(*Subject to
Change)
Single Supplement: $999.00
Special Add-on Fares available from your hometown.
click here for more information. |
Click here to register on-line
Questions? Call (800) 715-6670
Register early and save up to a maximum of
$100.00 per person.
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here for details
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