In the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey with Fr. Xavy Castro

We depart on an overnight flight from Tampa to Thessaloniki, Greece. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board the flight. Business-class and premium economy rates are available upon request.

Upon landing at Thessaloniki Airport, we go to the baggage claim area and collect our luggage. Proceed to the arrivals hall, where we will be greeted by our English-speaking tour guide and assisted to the motorcoach. Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece, is named in honor of a half-sister of Alexander. The city, part of Macedonian Greece, is also known as Salonika. Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians, written in the middle of the first century, is his first known letter. His two letters urged the Thessalonian Christians to “live blamelessly” and to refrain from living idly while they wait for the second coming of Christ. Settle into your comfortable hotel for a good night’s rest. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (Dinner at the hotel)

We visit Thessaloniki in-depth, its Byzantine tradition expressed in architecture, churches, and monasteries. We explore the Church of St. Sophia with its eighth-century mosaics; the Church of St. Demetrius, patron saint of the city; the fifth-century Rotunda to view its well-preserved mosaics; and the Arch of Galerius. Following lunch, we depart for Vergina, the first capital of Macedonia. This is where Phillip II was assassinated in 336 B.C. We visit the remarkable underground museum with its four tombs containing the tomb of Alexander, the Great’s family. We travel to Veria, a charming town with a Byzantine and Jewish presence, to visit small Byzantine churches and the Bema of St. Paul. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (B. D)

Our first stop is in Philippi, where Saint Paul established the first church in Europe. “And from there (He 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). Also, it is the site where Saint Paul baptized a woman named Lydia, the first convert to Christianity in Europe. We visit the Roman Forum where Saint Paul cast a spirit out of a fortune-telling woman. While here, we will have the opportunity to view the prison (now in ruins) where Paul and Silas were jailed by the owners of the fortune-tellers. We continue to the modern port city of Kavala, which was once the ancient Neapolis. Paul, Silas, Luke, and Timothy landed in this port when they sailed into Europe. After enjoying this city by the sea, we return to Thessaloniki for a delicious meal and a restful overnight. (B. D)

This morning we travel to Meteora, which we reach by early lunchtime. After lunch, we visit the Meteora Monasteries. In the eleventh century, monks settled within the caves. As the Ottoman occupation increased, the monks were forced to move their settlements higher upon the rocks until they were unreachable by any opposing enemy. The monks brought baskets of building materials and living supplies using ropes and ladders, transforming these settlements into monasteries. The Meteora Monasteries are known for preserving Greek Christianity and Hellenic academics and arts. We can view stunning Byzantine art and the breathtaking scenery surrounding the monastery during our visit. We also visit an icon workshop in the area to see how icons are written. We will have a wonderful meal and a relaxing overnight in Kalambaka this evening. (B. D)

Following breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Delphi, the center of the ancient world and the “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 pagan Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the site before continuing to Athens. “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. As I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I also found 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. View the ancient Agora, the former public center of Athenian life. It held the focus of a political, commercial, social, religious, and cultural center. We drive through the city to view the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square. Then, visit Panathenaic Stadium, the beautifully marbled multi-purpose stadium, home to the Olympian Zeus and the site of the first modern-era Olympics (1896). Dinner is at leisure tonight, and an opportunity to taste Greek food in one of the many local restaurants near our hotel. Overnight in Athens. (B)

We visit ancient Corinth. Under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, Saint Paul lived in Corinth for two years. While here, Saint Paul felt great grief over how the Gentile Church in Corinth had become. As a result, he was prompted to write four letters, all with the overarching theme of love. In Corinth, we will have the opportunity to view the remains of the first-century shops, the site of Saint Paul’s trial by Gallio, the Fountain of Peirene, and the Temple of Apollo. Following our visit to Corinth, we return to Athens to visit the rock that has dominated the panorama of Athens for twenty-five centuries, the Acropolis. At the Acropolis, we will see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erechtheum, and Propylaea. Ascend Mars Hill, where Saint Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God (Acts 17:22). See the ancient Agora, the former public center of Athenian life. Tonight, we have a festive dinner in the Plaka section of the city. (B. Special dinner)

After hotel check-out, we head to the port to board our 4-day cruise aboard the Celestyal Olympia. Our first stop will be the Island of Mykonos, the most cosmopolitan Greek island, attracting visitors worldwide. After docking, we transfer to Hora, the island’s capital, where we have leisure time to explore the city’s narrow, cobbled streets. Pass by chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs, and white-washed houses to arrive in Alefkandra. This section of Mykonos is known as the “Venice of Mykonos,” as the homes with wooden balconies are built on the sea. Historically, these homes were owned by wealthy merchants and captains. Return to the cruise ship for dinner and overnight. (B. L. D)

After breakfast on board, we arrive at the lively Turkish port of Kusadasi. Transfer to the small village of Mt. Koressos, where we will visit the small stone chapel where the Virgin Mary spent her last days following Christ’s crucifixion. We continue to ancient Ephesus and begin our walking tour, which takes us through the most magnificent excavations in the world. The last stop on the walking tour is the Great Theater, with a capacity of 25,000 people, where Saint Paul preached. On the return of our walking tour, follow the exact route that Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession via the Arcadian Way. This street runs from the Great Theatre to the main city’s harbor. Upon arrival back in Kusadasi, enjoy free time to explore on your own before returning to the ship. The next stop is Patmos, where we visit the Saint John the Theologian monastery. This marvelous structure was built nine hundred years ago and continues to be supported by strong fortification walls. In addition to the stunning main church with outstanding frescoes, we view the beautiful courtyard, dining room, and bakery. Our tour continues to the small museum, where we will view priceless ecclesiastical treasures such as books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons, textiles, vestments, and jewelry. Our next stop is the Monastery and Grotto of the Apocalypse. In this grotto, experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the site of where the Book of Revelation was written. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. (B. L. D)

The beautiful island of Rhodes combines Roman and Byzantine architectural styles. It was one of the most important seafaring and trading centers in the Eastern Mediterranean during ancient times. Conquered in 1309 by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, during the Crusades. The entire historical island is now under the protection of UNESCO. A walking tour of Rhodes is included in the morning along with time at leisure to explore the island on our own. We can return to the ship for our included lunch or enjoy our own in town. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. (B. L. D)

You may purchase an optional shore excursion of Crete, onboard the ship, which provides sightseeing of the island. Or as the ship docks in the largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion, which you can explore independently. If you chose not to purchase the optional excursion, your time in Crete would be at leisure. Return to the ship to sail to the idyllic island of Santorini, the most breathtaking island of all the Greek Islands. We disembark via tender upon arrival in Santorini and take the bus to visit the island and for Mass at the Catholic Church. Explore majestic Thira with its iconic white-washed houses, narrow streets, openair cafes, and glittering boutiques that cling to cliffs. We return to the ship for our last dinner and overnight on our cruise. (B. L. D)

After breakfast, we disembark and are transferred to the airport for our flight home. (B)