12 Days
Specific Tour
30 people
English
Sep 12, 2025 –DEPARTURE TO GREECE
Depart for your overnight flight to Greece, meals served on board
Sep 13, 2025 –ARRIVAL THESSALONIKI
Arrive in Thessaloniki where you will be met outside baggage claim and escorted to you vehicle for a transfer to the hotel. Later this afternoon, meet your guide for a short Orientation Tour. Enjoy a welcome dinner with fellow travelers this evening. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Sep 14, 2025–THESSALONIKI
Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city with population of some 1 million and a vital cultural, industrial and commercial city, lies amphitheatrically on the Thermaicos Gulf, on the slopes of Mount Chortiatis. During the Roman period, it was the capital of Macedonia Secunda and during the Middle Ages, it was the second city of the Byzantine Empire. For 400 years it was occupied by the Ottoman Empire, until it was finally freed in 1912. We start our excursion of the city viewing the White Tower, an historical landmark. Next, make your way up to the once upon a time, Acropolis, located in the upper part of the city. It is here, where you will have a superb panoramic view of the entire city with the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus in the background. Then you wil visit Vlatadon Monastery which was believed it was the House of Jason. Further visit of St. Demetrios Basilica which was erected in the 5th century AD. Then we will visit Forum where ruins from 1st Century are excavated. Forum (Agora) is mentinoned in Acts as the Jews of the city started from here and went to Jason’s House to attack Saint Paul. Return to your motor coach and drive along the modern street, Egnatia, named after the famous Roman road, Via Egnatia. While driving, view the Arch of Gallerius and St. George’s Rotonda. The tour will end passing by the well preserved Byzantine Basilica of St. Sophia, an 8th Century structure, rich in mosaics and frescoes. Overnight in Thessaloniki
Sep 15, 2025–THESSALONIKI–KAVALA–PHILIPPI– THESSALONIKI
Kavala, the ancient site of Neapolis, founded in the 7th Century BC, is the very same place where St. Paul set foot on the European Continent during his second missionary journey, establishing a thriving Christian church in the nearby city of Philippi. The famous Egnatian road, which once ran from the Adriatic Sea to Constantinople, passed by this city. On the way to Philippi you will have the opportunity to view the St. Sylas Monastery named after one of St. Paul’s companions. Arrive at the famous city of Philippi, one of the most interesting biblical and historical ancient cities. The city once known as Krinides, was renamed “Philippoi” after King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It is this place where Brutus and Cassius were defeated by Mark Antony and Junavian Augustus, granting the City of Philippi a great many privileges. From here, drive a short distance to the Baptistery and the River, where Lydia, the first European convert was baptised by St. Paul. Here at Lydia’s Springs you will have Mass. Return to the archaeological site for a guided tour through the excavations, marveling at the upper and lower parts as well as the Forum, the Walls, the two Basilicas and the Theatre. Your guide will also point out the traditional prison, which once held St. Paul and St. Silas. After lunch in Philippi Site, we will do a short orientation tour of Kavala (Anceint Neapolis) and then drive back to Thessaloniki. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Sep 16, 2025–THESSALONIKI–VERIA–VERGINA-KALAMBAKA
Your tour starts with a visit to Veria. We visit the Bema of Saint Paul and also we will visit the Synagogue where Saint Paul preached. Continue to visit the Royal Tombs of Vergina (Land of Alexander the Great).The tour includes visit of the newly completed exhibition bearing the founds of all 3 Tombs, one of them famous as the Tomb of King Philip the II, Father of Alexander the Great. Then, we will drive towards the town of Kalambaka. Overnight in Kalambaka.
Sep 17, 2025 –KALAMBAKA–METEORA–ATHENS
Today we will visit the monasteries of Meteora. One of the most remarkable sites in Greece: a group of monasteries perched atop pinnacles of rock up to 600 meters high. A rare geological phenomenon, a quirk of nature as it were, created these looming rocks which trust skywards from the plain of Thessaly, as if striving to come closer to God. These peculiarly impressive natural sculptures are known as Meteora because they do indeed seem to hang or hover (meteoro in Greek) above the plain. Their summits totally isolated from the rest of the world, were a refuge for many hermits from as early as the 11th century. Three hundred years later the first monasteries were founded. Access to the monasteries and settlements was made by ladder and rope. Once we arrive to the monasteries you will admire the brickwork of the Byzantine workmanship. The Churches house the spectacular frescoes, ivory carving, manuscripts and the fine work of art previously supported by the Emperors at the time. Included in the tour is the visit of one monastery, the Monastery of Agios Stefanos (Nuns). *You are kindly requested to observe the strict clothing restrictions of the monasteries i.e. long skirts and covered shoulders for the ladies, long trousers for men otherwise entrance will be denied* After lunch we will start our drive towards Athens by stopping at Thermopylae where King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans fought against King Xerxes and his giant army. Overnight in Athens
Sep 18, 2025–ATHENS
On a tour to Athens you will view many significant historical and archaeological monuments that date back to the Golden Age of Pericles, in the 5th century BC. Visit the Parthenon, dedicated to the Goddess Athena, a unique masterpiece of Greek Architecture. This monument is recognized as the culmination of Greek architecture and sculpture. Examine the Propylea , which blends Doric and Ionic building principles. Continue to the Temple of the Athena Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Erechtheum Temple. Next, you will visit Mars
Hill, where St. Paul preached Christianity. You will also visit the Ancient Agora where Saint Paul preached to Athenians. Then you will see the Tower of the Winds, Herodes Atticus Theater, Theater of Dionyssos,Temple of Zeus, see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the former Royal Palace which is now the House of Parliament. Continue to the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the National Library and then to the “Panathenian” Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. Overnight in Athens.
Sep 19, 2025–Athens- Mykonos–free afternoon
Transfer to the port to take your 3 night cruise ship. Late afternoon, arrive at the beautiful island of Mykonos. Overnight sail to Santorini.
Sep 20, 2025-Santorini free day
Arrive at the island of Santorini with the breathtaking view of the Aegean sea and the volcano. Optional shore excursion to Oia where are the Blue Domes. Afternoon sailing to Kusadasi-Turkey.
Sep 21, 2025-Kusadasi (excursion to Ephesus)/Patmos (excursion to Cave of St. John where he wrote the Apocalypse)
Arrive at Kusadasi, continue by coach to Ephesus and explore ruins of the ancient city. Celebrate Mass at Panaya Kapula (the House of the Virgin Mary) in Ephesus. Afternoon visit to the island of Patmos where you visit the Grotto and Monastery of Saint John. Overnight sail to Heraklion-Crete.
Sep 22, 2025–CORINTH, CENCHRAEAE, ATHENS
Today after your disembarkation, your tour is to Corinth. Journey outside Athens to walk among the ancients in Corinth, a once rich and powerful city known for luxury and vice and see the incredible Corinth Canal, cut through miles of solid rock. Follow the sacred way which led to Eleusis, known in antiquity for its sanctuary of Demeter, whose legendary search for her daughter Persephone explained to the ancients the cause of the seasons. A modern highway takes you past olive fields and numerous small villages, including Megara, whose inhabitants colonized in Asia Minor under the leadership of Byzas and founded the city of Byzantium – which later gave its name to the Byzantine Empire. Driving along the coast leads to the majestic Corinth Canal, an engineering triumph century in the making. Nero, Rome’s most infamous emperor, inaugurated one attempt in 67 AD with his golden spade, but it was the Greeks who finally conquered the steep rock in 1893. Prior to the canal, ships were dragged from the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea using a wooden road with special grooves greased with wax. Traces of the road can still be seen. Continue on to Ancient Corinth, a city blessed with a superb location, fertile plains and a virtually impregnable refuge. Excavations reveal that the ancient city was huge and wealthy; a survivor of numerous invasions but devastated by earthquakes. See the Bema, where St. Paul was tried by the Roman Governor, and one of Corinth’s most striking ancient buildings – the Temple of Apollo, seven of whose original 38 columns still stand. Walk through the remains of the Market Place, a colonnaded square once surrounded by many small shops. See the celebrated Fountain of Priene, which has produced water from earliest times and Lechaion Road, formerly the main thoroughfare to the port of Lecaion. You will have Mass under the trees at the Ancient Corinth. Before returning to Athens, you will pass by Cenchraeae, the ancient port region of Corinth. Acts 18:18 states saint Paul stopped at Cenchraeae during his second missionary journey, where he had his hair cut to fulfill a vow. Overnight in Athens
Sep 23, 2025-DEPARTURE
You fly back home, full of memories of a lifetime experience journey.
