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Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece & Turkey 13 Day Itinerary

 

DAY 1 SUN: DEPART USA

Depart the USA for Greece on our transatlantic flight. Dinner and breakfast served aboard overnight flight.

 

DAY 2 MON: ATHENS

Arrive at Athens International Airport where we are met and assisted through customs and baggage claim formalities then transferred to hotel. Remainder of day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Athens. (D)

 

DAY 3 TUE: ATHENS / CORINTH / ATHENS

Enjoy a panoramic tour of Athens, passing by the House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown soldier, the Presidential Palace, Panathinaikon stadium, Hadrian's Arch, and other main landmarks. Visit the ruins of Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Propylaea, and stop at Mars Hill where Paul delivered his well-known sermon. After some free time in Plaka for lunch we depart following the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf towards the Corinth canal. Continue to the site of Ancient Corinth where Paul lived for at least two years and wrote the first and second letters to the Corinthians. Under the Acropolis of Corinth (Akrocorinthos) we 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. Continue with a short drive to Lechaion and Cechreae the ancient port from where Paul sailed away from Corinth. Return drive to Athens to arrive late in the afternoon. Overnight in Athens. (B, L)

DAY 4 WED: ATHENS / METEORA / LARISSA

Today, we head north to the town of Kalambaka. Visit to Meteora where Byzantine monasteries are perched high on top of gigantic rocks. We visit two of the monasteries before we depart to the town of Larissa for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

DAY 5 THU: LARISSA / VERIA / THESSALONIKA / KAVALA

Continue north to Thessaloniki. En route, we stop in Veria, one of Paul's stops, where a Byzantine mosaic commemorates his preaching. In Thessaloniki, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city dominated by the massive walls of Theodosius. Paul preached in Thessaloniki and wrote the letters to Thessalonians. We will see the famous white tower, the Roman market, the Arch of Galerious and we will visit the impressive Basilica of St. Dimitrios. After lunch, we depart east to Kavala for dinner and overnight. En route, we shall stop in Amphipolis (visited by Paul) and see the impressive Lion statue. (B,D)

 

DAY 6 FRI: KAVALA / PHILIPPI / GREECE-TURKEY BORDER / CANAKKALE

After breakfast, we begin with a visit to the site of Philippi. See where Paul and Sylas were imprisoned. See the ruins of one of the largest churches ever constructed. We will walk on Egnatia road, and visit the ancient market (Agora). Also, we will have the chance to walk right next to the creek where Lydia was baptized. Continue our drive east, to the Greek - Turkish boarder. After a short stop for the formalities we cross the Turkish border gate to board our Turkish motorcoach. Drive to Gallipoli and explore battlefields including Anzac Cove, Kabatepe Museum, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Continue to drive to Canakkale for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

 

DAY 7 SAT: CANAKKALE / PERGAMOS / AYVALIK

Drive to Ayvalik with stops in Troy, Alexandria Troas, visited at least twice by St. Paul, and Assos where Paul visited after he left Alexandria Troas (Acts 20:13-14). Then visit the other Church of Asia Minor: Pergamos (2:12-17) and explore the Acropolis of the Hellenistic city. Continue to Ayvalik for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

 

DAY 8 SUN: BERGAMA / SARDIS / PHILADELPHIA / PAMUKKALE

Drive to Sardis, berated by John the Prophet for its facade of strength when, in reality, it was weak (Rev. 3:1-6). We will explore the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis and the white marble royal road; the gymnasium and the synagogue. Next stops are Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13) referred to as the New Jerusalem and Hierapolis where Christianity came via Paul (Colossians 4:13). Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.  (B,D)

 

DAY 9 MON: PAMUKKALE / KUSADASI

After breakfast, visit Laodicia, one of the Seven Churches (Rev 3:14-22), chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3:14). Then drive to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.  (B,D)

 

DAY 10 TUE: KUSADASI / EPHESUS

Today visit unique Ephesus one of the Seven Churches in Revelation (Rev. 1:11), once populated with three hundred thousand people, it has an enormous Amphitheater, which can still hold twenty four thousand spectators. As we walk down the marble covered streets, we see gymnasiums, bath houses, public latrines, the library of Celsus, and the Temple of Artemis. Then explore Virgin Mary House. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

DAY 11 WED: KUSADASI / SMYRNA / THYATIRA / ISTANBUL

Drive to Smyrna to visit Mount Pagus once called the crown of Smyrna, and see the Church of St. Policarp. Next stop is Thyatira one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 1:11; 2:18-29) and St Paul may have visited in his missionary journeys (Acts 19:10). Then drive to Bandýrma to get Fast Ferry to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.  (B,D)

 

DAY 12 THU: ISTANBUL

Today's sightseeing begins with a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace. Once home to the great Sultans, it is filled with treasures and antiquities including twelve thousand pieces of fine Chinese porcelain. Then explore unique Blue Mosque built in 1609 by Sultan Ahmet. The interior walls are covered with twenty thousand blue iznik tiles. Also visit Chora Church. Next stops are Hippodrome and Basilica of St. Sophia, which has inspired architects and religious leaders for over fifteen hundred years. Constructed in 326 by Constantine the Great, it has been a cathedral, a mosque, and now a museum. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

DAY 13 FRI: ISTANBUL / USA

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA arriving home the same day. (B)

 

Included Highlights:

• Airfare: Roundtrip from JFK Airport/Athens and Istanbul/JFK

• Accommodations: Four nights hotel accommodations in Greece including tax and service fees at superior three star class hotels as follows: 2 nights in Athens at the Philippos hotel or similar; 1 night in Larissa at the Metropole hotel or similar; 1 night in Kavala at the Esperia hotel or similar; Seven nights hotel accommodations in Turkey including tax service fees at four star class hotels as follows: 1 night hotel in Canakkale at the Tusan hotel or similar; 1 night hotel in Bergama at the Berksoy hotel or similar; 1 night hotel in Pamukkale at the Lycus River hotel or similar; 2 nights hotel in Kusadasi at the Pine Marina hotel or similar; 2 nights hotel in Istanbul at the Madison hotel or similar.

• Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch & 10 Dinners.

• Sightseeing: as indicated in the itinerary.

• Also Included: Daily Mass, Airport-hotel transfers, hotel tips and taxes, baggage handling, Touring by Private Air-conditioned Motorcoach, Evening Ferry from Bandirma to Istanbul, Services of a Professional Tour Escort.

 

Prices for Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece & Turkey
2008 Departure Dates	Per person in twin *	Land Only Price *	Single room supplement
April 13 to 25	$2,899	$2,499	$ 550
November 30 to December 12	$2,749	$2,369	$ 550

 

Depart New York JFK Airport * Price is per person, based on double occupancy.   There are a limited number of single rooms available. Add $135 departure tax, $180 fuel surcharge and $139 for optional travel insurance.

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The Catholic Tour Company    21625 Chagrin Blvd. # 210    Beachwood, Ohio 44122

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