with 3-Day Cruise through the greek islands
Your flight to Athens will put you at the center of democracy. It was the ancient Greeks who gave us democracy among so much more. Expore Athens and Corinth. You will set also set sail on a 3-day cruise of the Greek Islands, taking in breath-taking views and scenery. Highlights include Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, Patmos and so much more!
THIS TRIP INCLUDES
If you'd like to discuss this itinerary, design your own tour, or join one of our group tours, let's talk!
Your pilgrimage begins today as you depart on your overnight flight to Greece. Meals and drinks will be served on board.
First on today's tour is the ruins of Knossos, a short drive from Heklion's center. We will also see the Knossos Palace, Venetian fortresses, museums, and other fine examples of Greek aesthetic architecture. Our next stop is the outdoor market. Bursting with life, it must be seen and appreciated as all essential and not-so-essential goods are bought and sold. After we board our ship again, we will sail to Santorini, where the barely-submerged volcanic crater in the sea highlights the stunning landscape. You will enjoy Santorini, home to many shops and cafes scattered among picturesque white houses and beautiful landscapes (a guided tour is optional). Finally, we will return to the ship for dinner and overnight accommodations.
After breakfast, we will visit Meteora to see the “Hanging Monasteries” perched atop some unusual rock formations. Next, we will drive through Kozani to Veria to see the tomb of Philip of Macedonia. Then we continue through Edessa to Thessaloniki, where you will see the Rotonda, Triumphal Arch of Galerius, and the seafront promenade with the White Tower. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel in Thessaloniki.
We begin the day by driving to Amphipolis, where you will see the famous Lion Statue. Afterward, we continue to Philippi, where Marc Anthony defeated Brutus, and St. Paul first preached the Gospel in Europe. We will also see:
- The archaeological site (Forum-Romanum)
- The ruins of two Basilicas
- The theatre
- The Prison of St. Paul,
- St. Lydia’s Baptistry
Next, we will visit Kavala before returning to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight accommodations at our hotel.
After breakfast, we drive along the Sacred Way of Eleusinian Mysteries, passing the Island of Salamis. Next, we will cross the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas. We will see the Isthmus, where boats were once dragged over land from one sea to another. Afterward, we arrive in Corinth, the most important city in the days of St. Paul. 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 the Corinthians. We will visit the ruins of the ancient city where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. We will visit:
- The remains of the Agora where St. Paul was tried by Gallio
- The Fountain of Peirene
- The Temple of Apollo
- The Bema
Afterward, we return to Athens for a city tour which includes:
- The Royal Palace
- The Stadium
- The Temple of Zeus
- The Theatre of Dionysus
- Mars Hill
- The Acropolis and Parthenon
- The Agora (marketplace) where Paul spoke and Socrates’ prison
Dinner will be at a local restaurant and overnight accommodations at your hotel in Athens.
without Cruise
Experience Greece & Turkey the way it was meant to be. You will take in the immense history of these countries as you visit Athens, Corinth, Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kalambaka, Istanbul, Canakkale, and the ancient city of Troy. This is truly an amazing journey that will leave you with memories of a lifetime!
THIS TRIP INCLUDES
If you'd like to discuss this itinerary, design your own tour, or join one of our group tours, let's talk!
Your pilgrimage begins today as you depart on your overnight flight to Greece. Meals and drinks will be served on board.
Visit Philippi, named by Philip II of Macedon in 356 BC and abandoned in the 14th century after the Ottoman conquest. The archeological site containing the ancient ruins was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 because of its exceptional Roman architecture. From here, we continue to Lydia, once a great iron age kingdom existing from about 1200 BC to 546 BC. We continue to Kavala (formerly Neapolis), an important economic center of Northern Greece, known for its commerce, tourism, fishing, and oil-related activities. Afterward, we will return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.
Today we will travel to Corinth, where St. Paul spent 18 months preaching to Jews and Gentiles. Paul also worked with Aquila and Priscilla and was put on trial by Galleon in the Agora. The community he founded here caused him a lot of pain and anguish and prompted him to write at least four letters. We will celebrate our liturgy here, ending with a reflection on Paul the Missionary. We will have lunch in the nearby coastal city of Nafplio and complete our day in Epidaurus, home to one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in the world with remarkable acoustics. Dinner and overnight will be at your hotel.
Today, we will go to the Athens airport and board our flight back to Istanbul. Once we arrive, we will have a city tour that will include:
- The Topkapi Museum - Once the Royal Palace of the Sultan
- The Byzantine Hippodrome
- The Blue Mosque
- The Chora Church
- The Subterranean Cisterns
- The Grand Bazaar
Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.
Today, we will visit ancient Alexandria to reach ancient Troy, inhabited since 3000 BC and famous for the great wooden horse that played such an important role in the Trojan War. After our visit, we will return to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight will be at your hotel.
The seven churches of st. paul
Experience Greece & Turkey through the eyes of St. Paul. You will take in the immense history of these countries as you visit Istanbul, Nicaea, Bursa, Pergamum, Izmir, Sardis, Philadelphia, Colossae, Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, Santorini, Crete, and MORE! This is truly an amazing journey that will leave you with memories of a lifetime!
THIS TRIP INCLUDES
If you'd like to discuss this itinerary, design your own tour, or join one of our group tours, let's talk!
Your pilgrimage begins today by boarding your flight to Istanbul. Rest assured, all the necessary preparations for your journey have been made. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight to Istanbul. Your spiritual journey awaits!
Upon our arrival, we will be greeted by our tour guide and driver, who will escort us to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
After breakfast, we will begin our tour of Istanbul, which will include:
- The Hagia Sophia – The former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral is the epitome of Byzantine architecture.
- Constructed in 360 AD, it is said to have "changed the history of architecture."
- The Byzantine Hippodrome
- The Blue Mosque (famous for its mosaics)
- The Patriarchal Cathedral Church
- The Subterranean Cisterns
- The Grand Bazaar
- Dinner and overnight at your hotel
After breakfast, we will leave Istanbul and travel to Bursa via Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was formed. We will also visit St. Sofia of Nicea. The First Council of the Christian Church took place here, as well as the division of Rome and Constantinople and the division of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
We begin our day in Pergamum, the most favored of St. Paul’s seven churches, where the first Christians were sacrificed by the Romans. We will also visit the Trojan Temple and the Grand Theater. Finally, we will see Thyatira, another of the seven churches known for the sale of its "purple color" and famous carpets. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
We start our day in Izmir, an important Turkish city of Jews and Christians. Next, we will visit Sardis, one of the most picturesque of the seven churches. Afterward, we will go to Philadelphia, which is referred to as "The New Jerusalem," before continuing toward Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Today, we will explore Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city and once co-capital of the Byzantine Empire alongside Constantinople. Our day in Thessaloniki will include the Rotonda, the Triumphal Arch of Galerius, and the White Tower located on the seafront promenade. Afterward, we will return to Athens for the evening. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.
After breakfast, we will visit the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the world’s most magnificent excavated cities. We will see:
- The Odeon
- The Trojan Fountain
- The steam baths and the latrines
- The Temple of Adrian
- The Celsus Library
- The Grand Theater of Ephesus
- The House of the Virgin Mary (where she lived and spent her last days after the Crucifixion)
- Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
After breakfast, we will embark on a cruise of the Greek Islands that will first take us to the Island of Patmos. First, we will visit the monastery of San Juan and see the original Gospel manuscripts. Next, we will visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where St. John wrote the "Book of Revelations." Inside, you will be able to see the crack caused by the voice of God, who emphasized honoring the Trinity. Dinner and overnight will be on board the ship.
Our first stop today is Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands, the cradle of the great Minoan civilization, and the mythological home of Zeus. Next, we will pass through the village of Heraklion to the excavations of Knossos, where there have been traces of civilization since 4000 BC. Afterward, we will return to Heraklion, where you will have free time to do as you wish. At the indicated time, we will return to the ship to continue our cruise to Santorini, the most beautiful of the islands. Since Santorini is raised from the sea’s surface, we will take a chairlift up to explore this incredible island paradise. Dinner and overnight will be on board the ship.
We begin our day at the port of Athens as we board our motor coach taking us on a full-day tour beginning with Corinth, where St. Paul established the first Church. Next, we will visit Bema (the seat of judgment), where Paul preached to the Corinthians and was judged by Gallo. Our final stops in Athens include:
- The Temple of Apollo
- The old museum
- The Parthenon
- The Acropolis
- The Olympic stadium
- Dinner and overnight at your hotel
We will go to the airport this morning to board our return flight home.