Greece, Italy, Assisi and Medjugorje

  Departure from Miami  in Thessaloniki 

 13Day 2. PHILIP – THESSALONIKI. Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Philip (place of the community to which St. Paul wrote one of his most beautiful letters, full of Christian Joy and Wisdom). The Church and the river where Lydia was baptized by St. Paul (Zygaktis River), the Roman forum. Renewal of baptismal promises in the river. Visit to the archaeological site of Philippi. Visit to the port of Neapolis (modern Kavala), the place where St. Paul began the evangelization of Europe. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. Mass at St. Paul's Catholic Church 

Day 3. THESSALONIKI. Visit to Thessaloniki. It was the home of one of the first Christian communities to whom St. Paul wrote two letters, known as the Letters to the Thessalonians. They are the oldest document in the entire New Testament. Byzantine Museum, visit of the Arch of Galerius, Byzantine Walls, White Tower, Roman Forum, Aristotelous Square, etc. Church of San Demetrio.  Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Thessalonica

Day 4. KALAMBACA – METORA Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Monasteries in Meteora. Monasterius of Meteoron, Varlaam, Holy Trinity, St. Stephen. Overnight in Kalambaca. They are a series of Orthodox monasteries in some of the most impressive rock formations in the entire world, with monasteries filled with spiritual treasures of the Eastern Church. Mass at the hotel

 Day 5. ATHENAS. Visit to the Acropolis. Mount of Mars (Areopagus), preaching by St. Paul. Parliament and Syntagma Square. Free afternoon for shopping. Overnight in Athens 

Day 6. – CORINTH Visit to Corinth. Visit to the archaeological site, city tour and return to Athens.  Mass in the Cathedral of St. Dionysius the Areopagite. Dinner at the hotel. 

 ARRIVAL – ROME After breakfast, we check out and drive to Athens’ airport to embark our flight to Rome Upon arrival, we drive to the city center to visit the Major basilicas of Rome: the Basilica of St Mary Major, where we Celebrate Mass, time at leisure for lunch. Then visit the Holy Stairs, which, according to the Christian tradition, are the steps that led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, which Jesus Christ stood on during his Passion on his way to trial. The stairs were, reputedly, brought to Rome By St. Helena in late 4th century and the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, donated to the Church directly by emperor Constantine after 313 BC Continue on a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome, see the Colosseum then we reach the hotel for dinner and overnight (BD) 

 ROME - Vatican Museums – San Peter’s Basilica - This morning, transfer to the Vatican Museums , the Sistine Chapel and San Peter’s Basilica. Continue to the Trevi Fountain, where we will enjoy time at leisure before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight (BD 

 ROME - ASSISI Wednesday Papal Audience – Assisi Today we’ll depart the hotel in the early morning and drive to San Peter’s square. We will join thousands of pilgrims coming from all over the world for the Papal Audience and blessing. Then we’ll drive to Assisi ( 2.5 hrs drive), birthplace of the beloved St. Francis! Upon arrival, we start our guided tour from the Church of Santa Chiara, then the site where St. Francis was born, and the house where he spent his childhood. We reach the very heart of the town, the Piazza del Commune (Town Hall square). Continuing towards the ancient city walls to the Basilica of St. Francis built above the inspiring final resting place of the saint. The interiors of the basilica are intricately decorated with frescoes from the 12th and 13th centuries. Celebrate Mass and continue to the hotel for check in, dinner and overnight (BD) 

 ASSISI – ORVIETO – ROME – SPLIT Today we’ll check out in the early morning and drive to Orvieto, to visit the Duomo and celebrate Mass in the Chapel where the Corporal of the Eucharisti Miracle of Bolsena is preserved. Some time at leisure for lunch. At 01:30 pm we’ll continue to Rome’s airport. At 06:00 pm we’ll depart to Split. Upon arrival, check in at our hotel, dinner and overnight (BD 

 SPLIT - MEDJUGORJE We’ll depart from the hotel to the city center, Split to meet the local guide for a panoramic tour. The cathedral was named after St Domnius, the patron saint of Split.. . He was martyred by Diocletian. The cathedral was built by destroying the mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian Celebrate Mass and after break for lunch we drive to Medjugorje. Check in at the hotel. Balance of the afternoon at leisure We will join the other pilgrims for the 5 pm mass in English . Dinner at the hotel and overnight (BD) 

 MEDJUGORJE This morning we have the chance to discover and experience the phenomenon that has made Medjugorje one of the most famous places of pilgrimage throughout the Catholic world, attracting millions of visitors. Since 1981, the Virgin Mary has been appearing to people who have been receiving her message of peace. You may visit the Apparition Hill where the Virgin Mary first appeared to the children and celebrate Mass. The rest of the day is free. At 05:00 pm join the villagers and pilgrims from all over the world to pray the joyful and sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Dinner and overnight. (B, D) 

 MEDJUGORJE – SARAJEVO – Today in the early morning, we have the opportunity to climb up the Cross Mountain. There we will pray at the Stations of the Cross as we make our way to the summit. Return to the hotel for lunch and checkout In the afternoon we depart Medjugorje to Sarajevo where we will spend the last night. Dinner at the hotel and overnight 

Going home