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Depart USA: Flights to Turkey:

Today we begin our long journey to Turkey as we board our flights leaving the US. 

Arrive Izmir: Welcome Dinner: Upon our arrival in Izmir, our group will proceed through customs and collect our bags before being greeted by our Turkish Tour Escort. We then board our bus and make the short drive to the beautiful seaside town of Kusadasi to check in to our hotel. Later, we will gather once more to enjoy a special Welcome Dinner to celebrate our safe arrival!

Overnight: Kusadasi (Dinner*)

Ephesus: House of the Virgin Mary: Miletus: Our first full day in Turkey will include visits to both Ephesus and Miletus. Two places that were significant to Paul on his travels and endure as remarkable examples of ancient art and architecture. We also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a site that is reputed to be where Mary spent her final earthly years. 

Overnight: Kusadasi (Breakfast, Dinner)

 Leather Workshop: Smyrna: Depart Turkey: Arrive Athens: Before leaving Turkey, we first must visit the ancient ruins of Smyrna. Paul passed through this area on his third journey as he made his way north to Troas and it is here that we will encounter one of the Seven Churches of Revelation to which John wrote his letters. Later, we board our short flight to Athens and arrive there in the late evening. 

Overnight: Athens (Breakfast, Dinner)

Grand Tour of Athens: Today, we experience the grandeur and timeless beauty of Greece’s most famous city. Our morning is spent on a walking tour of the Acropolis and surrounding neighborhoods that will include a stop at Mars Hill where Paul delivered his sermon to the Athenians about the one and only God (Acts 17:22). Later on, we board our bus and continue our tour of this magnificent city before eventually returning to our hotel to close the day. 

Overnight: Athens (Breakfast, Dinner)

Free Day: In the morning, we will head to a local church for our Sunday mass. The rest of the day will be at leisure to explore more of Athens on your own. Alternatively, you may join an optional scenic tour along the coastal road of Attika to Cape Sounion, with a visit to the temple of Poseidon. Dinner and overnight in your hotel in Athens.

Overnight: Athens (Breakfast, Dinner)

Corinth: Cenchreae: In the morning, we depart following the coastal road along the Saronic gulf towards the Corinth canal. We will make a short stop to admire the impressive Corinth canal, and we continue on to the site of Ancient Corinth. Here is where St. Paul lived for 18 months and wrote the first and second letters to the Corinthians. Under the Acropolis of Corinth (Akrocorinthos) we shall visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla, the agora (market) where Paul' s trial by Gallio took place, the temple of Apollo and the fountain of Peirene. On our way back to Athens, we stop at Cenchreae, the ancient port from where Paul sailed away from Corinth to Syria. 

Overnight: Athens (Breakfast, Dinner)

Depart Athens: Delphi: Arrive Kalambaka: Departing Athens, we first stop at the ancient city of Delphi. Here we tour the Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the Sacred way, and visit the temple of Apollo, home of Pythia (the oracle). Later we continue our journey north through the mountains of central Greece until we arrive in Kalambaka. 

Overnight: Kalambaka (Breakfast, Dinner)

Meteora Monasteries: We spend this day experiencing the breathtaking views offered by the Meteora Monasteries. Built high atop the rocky cliffs, these UNESCO World Heritage Sites have stood for centuries and hold within them the richly preserved artwork and history of Christianity in Greece. 

Overnight: Kalambaka (Breakfast, Dinner)

Depart Kalambaka: Veria: Vergina: Arrive Thessaloniki: Departing Kalambaka, we continue north for a visit to the towns of Vergina and Veria. Both significant to Paul during his journeys, these towns also contain the ruins of ancient Macedonian structures as well. Later, our group will arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. Paul lived and preached here and wrote the epistle “to the Thessalonians”. We will take a panoramic tour of the city, to see the famous White Tower, the Roman market, the Arch of Galerious, and the central Aristotelous square before retiring for the evening. 

Overnight: Thessaloniki (Breakfast, Dinner))

Philippi: Kavala: Farewell Dinner:

Our last full day in Greece will include a visit to Philippi, where Paul delivered his first sermon to Europe. There, we will see where Paul and Sylas were imprisoned, admire the ruins of one of the largest churches ever constructed, and walk on Egnatia road to visit the ancient market (Agora). Later, we explore the nearby city of Kavala, known as Neapolis during Paul’s time. The city contains the port where Paul, Sylas, Timothy and Luke first set foot in Europe. Our short panoramic tour of the city will include a visit to the Roman aqueduct followed by a stroll at the picturesque fishing port. Returning to our hotel, we freshen up and drive to the “Upper city”, dominated by the massive and impressive Theodosian walls, with stunning views of the city and the gulf of Thermaikos. Here, we will enjoy a special Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant before returning to our hotel to close the day.

Overnight: Thessaloniki (Breakfast, Dinner)

Depart Greece: Return Home:

Today we bid a fond farewell to Greece as we board our flights bound for home. We take with us unforgettable memories that we will forever cherish. 

Overnight: N/A (Breakfast*)