A Pilgrimage to Greece with Fr. Leo and Steve Angrisano

Today we embark on our pilgrimage to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Greece. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the overnight flight with dinner and breakfast served. Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked! Tonight we depart on an overnight flight to Greece. Quotes for add-on flights and optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request.

We arrive in Thessaloniki and check into our hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Thessaloniki and enjoy the flavor of the city. This evening our group will get together for a welcome wine reception and taste the first of many delectable European-style dinners. Mass (TBC) Dinner at the hotel. (B.D)

We begin the day by visiting Philippi and Kavala. Kavala is Greece’s prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbor. St. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. St. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis. Continue on to Philippi, where St. Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. We view the baptismal site where Lydia surrendered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have been St. Paul’s prison. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, the Basilica, and the Theatre. Here we celebrate Mass. We return to Thessaloniki and visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert. We stop at a local market to learn about the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Northern Greece, an area called Greek Macedonia. Dinner tonight is at a local taverna. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (B. Special dinner )

Before we leave Thessaloniki, we celebrate Mass and see the old city ramparts, including the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, and the Galerius Arch. Then continue to Berea to view the ancient synagogue where St. Paul spoke and the Bema surrounded by mosaics of St. Paul, including the plaque of scripture regarding the “more noble” church. Continue to Naoussa, famous for the Xinomavro wine, a red grape variety. Enjoy a visit and a wine-tasting session at Kir Yiannis Winery (wine tasting is accompanied by Greek cheese). Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. (B.D)

Today we visit a a town unlike any other in Greece. Metsovo feels like a Greek mountain village, rich with traditions, unique architecture, and woven textiles. The delicious aroma of traditional cheeses greets us as we enjoy a cheese tasting. We have a visit to the Tositsa Folk Art Museum and the gallery, where we get a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of Metsovo. Next, we visit one of the best-known wine producers in Greece, the renowned winery Katogi Averoff. We have the opportunity to sample some of the most excellent wines produced in Metsovo while learning about the wine-making process from the experts. Finally, we conclude our journey with a tasting of the traditional foods of Metsovo, prepared with locally sourced ingredients. We celebrate Mass in Kalambaka and have dinner and an overnight at the hotel. (B.D)

Following breakfast this morning, we begin with our tour of the Meteora Monasteries. Here we see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched on top of steep gray rock formations. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves. We stop at an icon-making facility to learn about the art of written icons. Later we continue with a visit to the travel museum and a truffle hunting session. Enjoy a mushroom product tasting with 5-6 kinds of mushrooms and traditional mushroom spoon sweet accompanied by a glass of local wine. We celebrate Mass in Athens, followed by dinner and overnight in our comfortable hotel. (B.D)

After breakfast, we travel to the Peloponnese with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. Then continue on to the ancient city of Corinth, the city that inspired many of St. Paul’s most familiar letters. We celebrate Mass in Corinth and see the Archaeological Museum, the marketplace, the Bema, and the Temples. After our tour in Corinth, we stop for lunch in a local restaurant and to visit a local olive oil farm to learn about olive oil production in Greece. We return to Athens for an evening at leisure. Overnight in Athens. (B.L.)

This morning we celebrate Mass and have a walking tour of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill, where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include the Agora (ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Olympic Stadium, and the Presidential Palace. We enjoy drinks and dinner in one of the many Athenian rooftop restaurants tonight. Overnight in Athens. (B.Special Dinner)

Our morning starts with Mass, followed by a visit to the Varvakios Market, the city’s largest and most popular fish, meat, and vegetable market. You’ll sample olive oils, honey, cheeses from around the country, cured meats, olives, and more. We sample and shop for spices along the spice road ending up in the Plaka district, one of Athens’ oldest neighborhoods, where souvenir shops balance with local life. You may want to cap off the experience with lunch in a traditional taverna at the foot of the Acropolis. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Plaka the old section of Athens, and visit the world-famous Archeological Museum, the Benaki Museum, or the Icon Museum. Enjoy our farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Athens. (B. Special dinner)

Transfer to Athens International Airport for your flight back home.