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Greece, Turkey, Italy – At the footsteps of St. Paul

Details:

    1° day ARRIVAL

    Arrival in Athens. Meeting at the airport with the guide. Travel to the city of Athens. Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm.

    A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites (“archaeological park”), reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape. Sightseeing. We will visit the city of Athens and see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We will show you historical site in Athens, the Acropolis and other most important and characteristic monuments of the ancient Greek civilization.

    In the evening check in in the hotel, dinner and overnight.

    2° day DELPHI

    Breakfast. Holy Mass. Travel to Delphi, which was recognized by the ancient Greeks as the center of the earth. The people pilgrimaged to the Delphic oracle to thanks to the priestess Pythia learn about their future. Accommodation at the Olympic Riviera, dinner, overnight.

    3° day THESSALONIKI

    Breakfast. Travel to Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece. We visit the magnificent basilica of St. Demetrius - the biggest church of Greece, White Tower - symbol of the city, the Triumphal Arch, built in honor of Galerius. Free time for souvenir shopping, then transfer to the hotel in Kavala, accommodation, dinner, overnight.

    4° day FLIPPI – OURANOPOLIS

    Transfer to Philippi, the first city in Europe where Paul of Tarsus began spreading the faith in Jesus Christ. Also known as a memorable battle, which took place near the city in 42 r. BC by the army of Brutus and Cassius (Caesar's assassins) with an army of Octavian and Mark Antony. About the wealth of the city and its inhabitants today we can learn thanks to remains excavated by archaeologists. We will also see a place on the river Angista where St. Paul baptized the first European woman - Lydia. Then transfer to the hotel in Ouranopolis, on Chalkidiki Penisula, dinner, overnight.

    5° day CHALKIDIKI - ATHOS

    All-day-relax on the Chalkidiki Penisula.

    For volunteers cruise around the famous peninsula of Athos – extra pay about 30 €. For more than a thousand years Athos has existed as the principal centre of monasticism for the Orthodox. Today there are still houses for Bulgarians, Greeks, Romanians, Russians, and Serbs. Furthermore Athos is unique for being a portion of contemporary Europe entirely devoted to the monastic life and to nothing else. Today the Mountain has a total population of some 2200 monks, a figure that is steadily rising. From the summit, snow-capped for much of the year, Robert Byron claimed he could see the plains of Troy; but even he admitted that the flat dome of St Sophia in Constantinople 'rose only in the mind'. For in spiritual terms Athos is not of this world at all: it is, at least for those who live there, a station in sacred space, a foretaste of paradise. Not for nothing is it known as the Holy Mountain.

    6° day VERIA – KALAMBAKA

    Transfer to Veria, in ancient times called the Berea. This is the place, where St. Paul hid fleeing Jews from Thessaloniki. We see the place where he taught and participate in the Holy Mass. Accommodation in Kalambaka (the Meteora).

    7° day METEORA - TERMOPILE

    After breakfast we go to Meteora. Monasteries “suspended” in the clouds evoke awe and wonder, and the breathtaking views forever remain in our memory. Monasteries from approximate the IX century teach us much about the life of ascetic monks who spend here their life. Holy Mass, travel in the direction of Athens. On the way we stop at Thermopylae, to see the monument commemorated the heroic battle fought by Spartan. Accommodation and dinner in Athens.

    8-11° day CRUISE: PATMOS – RODOS – TURKEY

    Today we board the ship for a three night cruise on the Aegean Sea. We will go for complementary tours to Patmos Island where St. John the apostle wrote the book of Revelation and to Ephesus, Turkey to see the home of the Blessed Virgin Mary. All other tours will be optional, at your own expense.

    12° day CORINTH

    Arrive in Athens. Today we will visit Korinthos. The settlement dating to 5000 B.C that was discovered in the Korakos region is testament to Korinthos’ habitation since the Neolithic Age. In antiquity Korinthos was one of the largest and most important cities in Greece. It played a significant part during the Peloponnesian War and after 200 B.C it became the capital of the Achaean Confederation. Under Julius Caesar it was elevated to the capital of the Achaia province. During the middle Ages it was associated with its impressive fortifications at Akrokorinthos (Acrocorinth). A powerful earthquake destroyed the city in 1858, which was rebuilt with good earthquake resistant specifications on a good town plan, 9 km to the north of the ancient city. The charming town of Palaia Korinthos is situated on the site of Ancient Korinthos. Then board a ferry for an overnight cruise to Brindisi ora Bari (if not possible) Italy.

    13° day SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

    This morning we will board our bus and travel to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will have the opportunity to venerate the incorrupt body of Padre Pio which is exposed in a glass coffin for public veneration. We will visit the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie next to the friary where Padre Pio lived for most of his life. We will tour the old church and see the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. We will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent many hours hearing confessions and directing pilgrims on their journey toward God. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

    14° day LANCIANO - MANOPELLO - LORETO

    This morning we will leave San Giovanni and travel to Lanciano to see the Eucharist Miracle of Lanciano. The Miracle Host of the real Flesh of Jesus Christ has been preserved in a monstrance since the year 700 A.D.

    After our visit to Lanciano we will travel to Manoppello, Italy, to visit the Sanctuary of Volto Santo (Holy Veil). The sanctuary contains an image thought to be the veil of Veronica.

    Next we travel to Loreto to visit the Basilica of Loreto, the site of the Holy House of Nazareth. Tradition has it that this is the house where Mary prayed the Magnificat, where Jesus grew to man hood and the Holy Family dwelled. Dinner and overnight in Loreto or nearby.

    14° day ASSISI

    After breakfast we will travel to Assisi where we will have Holy Mass. We will visit the Basilica of Saint Francis which contains the sacred relics of Francis and beautiful frescoes of his life. We will also visit Portiuncula, a small church located within the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. We will also visit the Basilica of St. Clare a 13th - century church that houses the relics of St. Clare,friend and protégé of St. Francis. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

    15° day ROME

    Today we will visit Rome - Saint Peter's Basilica. You will have the opportunity to visit the tomb of Saint Pope John Paul, II and Saint Pope John XXIII. We will have our Mass then visit ancient Rome and the baroque fountains. Dinner and overnight in Rome or nearby.

    16° day ROME

    This morning we will attend the weekly audience of Pope Francis (if the Holy Father is available). After the audience we will visit St. Mary Major Basilica, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It contains a relic of the manger in a crypt below the sacristy. We will also visit St. Paul Outside the Wall which is dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle and is built over his grave. Dinner and overnight

    17° day DEPARTURE

    Transportation to the airport in Rome. Departure flight.

MAP

Price includes:

  • transfer from/to the airport,
  • coach transfers during the whole trip,
  • accommodation as per agreement,
  • HB (Half Board) or FB (Full Board) option – as per agreement,
  • tickets to tourist attraction accordance with the program,
  • local guide in English,
  • insurance of medical expenses, accidents and luggage.

Price doesn’t include:

  • additional meals, beverages not included in the program,
  • trips not included in the program,
  • personal expenses.

Contact us for a price and more details!

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