Arrive in Thessalonica, the second largest city of Greece! Group bus transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remaining of the day at your own leisure. Take a walk by the seaside promenade and explore the beautiful city center! 

Dinner and Overnight: Thessalonica, Hotel Name  -  [B, D]

Depart for Philippi, passing by the Lion statue of Amphipolis (short stop for photos). We visit the archaeological site of Philippi, where St. Paul established a strong church and sent his letter (Acts 16:9-33). We see the river where Lydia is said to have been baptized, the ruins of a prison where St Paul and Silas had been kept, the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica and the theater. After the visit, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where we enjoy a panoramic tour before returning to Thessalonica for dinner at the hotel. Evening at leisure. 

Dinner and Overnight: Thessalonica - Hotel [B, D]

This morning, we drive to the upper part of the old city walls that offer excellent views of the city. After our sightseeing drive, we make our way to Berea (Acts 17:10-15) where Paul arrived and according to his custom, went to the synagogue and discovered that these Jews were “more noble” than those he had encountered in Thessalonica (Acts 17:10-11). Continue to Vergina, the first capital of Macedonia, where we will visit the tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. The tour also includes a visit to the museum that houses the priceless artifacts found here. In the late evening, we arrive at the beautiful town of Kalambaka.

Dinner and Overnight: Thessalonica - Hotel Name [B, D]

Enjoy a spectacular drive up to Meteora to visit two Monasteries built on the top of colossal symmetrical gray and reddish boulders. They are perched precariously high above the ground and were first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation. View the superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes. In the afternoon, start the drive back to Athens passing by historical Thermopylae, where we visit King Leonidas of Sparta’s commemoratory monument. 

Dinner and Overnight: Athens - Hotel [B, D]

In the morning, we climb Acropolis Hill and visit the famous Parthenon and

Erechtheion Temples. Walk to nearby Mars’ Hill (Areopagus). We continue

our tour with a panoramic sightseeing of the city highlights. Enjoy the rest of

the day at your own leisure in Plaka, the oldest and most picturesque district

of Athens.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Lavrion port for embarkation on the Greek Island cruise. Sail at 1.00 p.m. and enjoy lunch onboard. Our first port of call is Mykonos, where we have free time for walking and exploring the town. Stroll on your own through the whitewashed, flower-decked alleyways, climbing to the sculpture church of Paraportiani or along the waterfront of “Little Venice” to the famous windmills. Enjoy dinner on board and at 11.00 p.m. we sail for Kusadasi, Turkey. 

Dinner and Overnight: Cruise Ship [B, L, D]

Arrive at Kusadasi port in Turkey at 7.00 am. This is the starting point for our tour to Ancient Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21). St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, lived and worked here for a number of years. We tour the spectacular ruins in the city founded in the 10th century B.C. and continue to the House of Virgin Mary. After the visit, we return to the port for re-embarkation at lunch time and sail to Patmos. 

Arrive Patmos (Revelation 1:9) in the afternoon and enjoy our tour to the Monastery of St John the Evangelist, where he was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation (Cave of Apocalypse) before embarking on the cruise ship. Sail to Heraklion, Crete and enjoy dinner onboard.

Dinner and Overnight: Cruise Ship [B, L, D]

At 7.00 a.m. we arrive at Heraklion, Crete (Acts 27:7-13). You can join the optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home of King Minos and the legendary Minotaur (half-bull and half-man). Depending on availability on the cruise ship, we can book a private area if you wish to have your own private service this Sunday! 

In the afternoon sail to Santorini, the island with the most magnificent landscape! Ride the cable car up to the white-washed town of Thera, perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano. Set sail back to the port of Lavrion around 9:30 p.m. 

Dinner and Overnight: Cruise Ship [B, L, D]

Disembark at the port of Lavrio in Athens, meet with the local guide and depart for an enchanting drive along the Saronic Gulf. Our first stop is at the historic Corinth Canal for some photos before we continue to Corinth archaeological site. It was Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) where St Paul lived and worked, establishing a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small local archaeological museum here is an absolute must! 

Visit a local Olive Oil Farm. 

Before returning to Athens, we pass by the port of Cenchrea. Evening will be free in Athens to explore the historical and modern center of the city. 

Dinner and Overnight: Athens - Hotel [B, D]

After witnessing a unique visual and historical experience of the Christian sites in Greece, this Pilgrimage has come to an end. You will be transferred to Athens International Airport for your departure flight. 

Arrive in NYC

*Itinerary is Subject to Change. Considerable, vigorous walking is required for this tour. Please make note of special needs with your registration.