Greece: In the Footsteps of St. Paul the Apostle

Looking for a Catholic tour, here are the tours for 2015   Greece: In the Footsteps of St. Paul the Apostle May 13 - 23  $4279.00 June 10 - 20  $4529.00 July 15 - 25  $4529.00 Sept 9 - 19  $4329.00 Sept 16 - 26  $4329.00 Oct 14 - 24  $4329.00 Oct 21 - 31  $4329.00 All prices Per Person, Double Room Included in Price: Land, Air & Tax from NYC, Cruise (inside cabin), port charges, onboard gratuities

Day 1: Overnight Flight Paul the Apostle, the prolific writer of the New Testament letters, was one of the first Christian missionaries. Trace his journey through the ancient cities and pastoral countryside of Greece and Turkey. Day 2: Athens, Greece - Tour Begins Your tour begins in Greece's lively capital, Athens. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in Athens' historic district - the Plaka - a lively historic neighborhood nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Feast on local cuisine and enjoy fine wine in a traditional taverna while Greek entertainment creates a wonderful ambiance around you. Today dinner will be included. Day 3: Athens - Piraeus (Embarkation) - Mykonos Embark on a wonderful 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily while on board. Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands, is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, white-washed buildings and beautiful windmills that dot its landscape. Don't miss Mykonos Town, where mazes of narrow streets link the whitewashed buildings and traditional life continues amidst the bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this island paradise Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Day 4: Kusadasi, Turkey - Patmos, Greece Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an included excursion to the ruins of Ephesus where Paul the Apostle spent three years during his ministry and where its inhabitants were the recipients of Paul's famous epistle. Visit the House of Mary, where she is said to have spent her last days. A visit to the ruins includes the Agora, the great theater, and the stadium where chariot races took place and gladiatorial combats were held. It is said that Paul himself fought here against wild beasts. Continue your cruise to Patmos, the "Jerusalem of the Aegean." Visit the Monastery of John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist, inspired by God, wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Day 5: Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini Arrive early this morning in Heraklion, Crete. Time is allowed for an optional excursion to Knossos, one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the western world and the center of the 4000 BC Minoan civilization. Explore the site and visit the world-famous Knossos Archaeological Museum. Later, arrive on the fabled island of Santorini, known as the "Black Pearl of the Aegean." Accessible by foot, cable-car or donkey, enjoy free time to visit the cliff-top village of Fira for one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Day 6: Piraeus - Disembark Cruise Ship - Athens - Thessaloniki After an early morning disembarkation, travel north. Make a picture stop at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defense by Leonidas and his courageous Spartans against the Persian army. Your day ends in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. Founded in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki was an early center for Christianity, where Paul visited and preached during the winters of 49-50 A.D. and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. Visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, one of the finest museums in the world devoted to Byzantine art and civilization with an impressive collection of many Byzantine and early Christian frescoes, icons and artifacts. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 7: Thessaloniki - Kavala - Thessaloniki Travel to the coastal town of Kavala where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site and monuments spanning the Ancient, Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe. Today breakfast will be included.     Day 7: Thessaloniki - Kavala - Thessaloniki Travel to the coastal town of Kavala where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site and monuments spanning the Ancient, Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe. Today breakfast will be included.  Day 8: Thessaloniki - Kalambaka Proceed through the fertile Thessalian Valley - the breadbasket of Greece - to spectacular Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These dark, sandstone pinnacles rise abruptly from the plain of Thessaly, with six historic monasteries perched upon their peaks. Beginning in the 10th century, hermits, monks and ascetics sought solitude and spiritual solace in these dramatic crags. Visit two amazing Meteora monasteries* renowned for their intricate construction and exquisite Byzantine art. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 9: Kalambaka - Delphi Travel through scenic mountain terrain to Delphi, one of the most moving sites of the ancient world. Once considered the "navel of the world," Delphi is nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. Pilgrims once came from all over the ancient world to consult its mysterious oracle. A guided tour takes you along the Sacred Way to see the Doric Temple and the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasuries, and the intriguing Archaeological Museum with its staggering collection of ancient artifacts including the 5th-century bronzed Charioteer. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 10: Delphi - Corinth - Athens Travel to Corinth where Paul wrote two epistles, lived and preached for two years. Explore ancient Corinth on a guided tour featuring the Agora, where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. In Athens, see the hill of Areopagus (Mars Hill) where Paul delivered his famous "Men of Athens" speech, and visit the incomparable Acropolis. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a marvelous trip. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 11: Athens - Tour Ends You've explored the ancient land where Paul the Apostle made missionary journeys. You've seen the places to which he sent his famous epistles - Thessalonians, Philippians and Corinthians - and seen many of the places described in the Acts of the Apostles. Return home inspired by the incredible, soothing landscapes and the words and deeds of Paul the Apostle. Today breakfast will be included.   INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS: Airfare: Roundtrip from New York JFK Airport Accommodations: 11 days - Superior Tourist Class Hotels (3 star hotels with private bath) Meals: 9 Breakfast, 3 Lunches & 8 Dinners. Sightseeing: As indicated in the itinerary. Also included: Daily Mass (when available), Airport-hotel transfers, hotel tips & taxes, baggage handling at hotels (1 piece per person), Touring by Private Air-Conditioned Motorcoach, Services of a Professional Tour Escort.  *Price is per person based on double occupancy. Travel Insurance is not included with this tour. Travel Insurance is available upon request. There are a limited number of single rooms available. Land Only: NO airfare or airport-hotel transfers included. Price is based on a minimum of 25 passengers.   **Price does NOT include tips to drivers and guides or any items not specified.     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL 787-688-6286 journeyexperienceit@gmail.com