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J OIN FR . ROBERT H UGHES ON A P ILGRIMAGE TO GREECE IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL WITH GREEK ISLES CRUISE OCTOBER 22 - NOMEVER 1, 2021 FROM EWARK HILADELPHIA Fr. Robert Hughes $4,259 N & P *PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY www.pilgrimages.com/frhughes/greece Book by July 31st and get $150 pp discount! Use code: restart. Santorini Delphi Meteora SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY Day 1, Friday, October 22: Depart for Greece Day 8, Friday, October 29 : Athens - Start 3-day Cruise (Celestyal Cruises) to Syros Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). island Onboard, meals will be served to you. Following breakfast, proceed to the Piraeus port, where you will board your 3-day cruise. Your first stop will be the Island of Syros. Syros is the administrative capital of Day 2, Saturday, October 23: Arrive in Thessaloniki the Cyclades and is one of the smallest islands within the group. With its Upon landing at Makedonia Thessaloniki Airport, make your way to the baggage resplendent pastel-hued villas cascading down the Ermoupoli hill, this island is rich claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival hall, where you will be in history and culture and provides visitors with a slice of Greek perfection without greeted by your tour guide and/-or driver. Board the bus to transfer to your hotel. the crowds. The island of Syros hosts a vast Catholic community, which reaches Enjoy some time to relax after check-in. After a delicious meal, overnight in almost half of the island's population. The most impressive Catholic church is the Thessaloniki. church of St George, on the highest point of Ano Syros village, with the Centre of Historical Studies of Catholic Bishopric on the back side of the church.Built in 1200 Day 3, Sunday, October 24: Philippi - Kavala - Thessaloniki St George Cathedral has undergone numerous renovations over the years.It is a After breakfast, start your journey in Greece with the first stop of the day in Philippi. large complex including the Church,the Bell Tower,the Baptistry,the Sacristy.The Philippi was the city where Saint Paul the Apostle delivered his first sermon and, he Cathedral is a three-aisled Basilica with marble comumns,Satues of Saints by Italian established the 1st church in Europe. "And from there (He went) to Philippi, which is sculptors of the 18th century dominate the entrance while on the inside will cer- the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained tainly be impressed by the wood-carving and marble flooring. in this city some days". (Acts 16:12-18). It is also the site where Saint Paul baptized a Walk with your guide and discover the charm and beauty of magical Syros on this woman named Lydia, the first convert to Christianity in Europe. Visit the Roman private guided walking tour. Our excursion of this beautiful island begins in the Forum, where Saint Paul cast a spirit out of a fortune-telling woman. View the picturesque capital of Ermoupoli, which is named after the Greek messenger god prison (now in ruins) where Saint Paul and Silas were thrown into by the owners of of commerce and healing, Hermes.We visit the charming Church of the Dormition the fortune-tellers. Continue to the modern port city of Kavala, which was once of the Virgin to admire El Greco’s famous 16th-Century painting of ‘The Dormition the ancient Neapolis. This port is where Saint Paul, Silas, Luke, and Timothy landed of the Virgin’. We continue on to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Metamorphosis when they sailed into Europe. After enjoying this city by the sea, return to Thessalo- and to the impressive Orthodox Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos.In the nearby Vaporia niki for a delicious meal and restful overnight. Quarter, you can observe many fine and beautiful examples of neoclassical archi- tecture. The lavish 19th-Century mansions feature elegant paths and arches. The Day 4, Monday, October 25: Thessaloniki City Tour - Kalambaka interiors of some buildings are ornately adorned with highly decorative wall paint- Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. In the winter of 49-50 A.D., Saint Paul ings and ceiling frescoes.The downhill stroll from Vaporia leads the way to Miaouli wrote two epistles to the Thessalonians. These letters urged Christians to "live Square and to the city’s cultural icon. The historically significant Apollon Theatre blamelessly" and to refrain from living idly while they wait for the second coming of was built in 1862 and has the honour of being Greece’s first opera house.To fully Christ. While in Thessaloniki, you will witness several ancient artifacts, such as the appreciate the sublime ambience of Syros, we recommend you mix and mingle triumphal Arch of Galerius found at the start of Via Egnatia. Due to the convenient with the locals in the heart of Ermoupoli. We conclude our tour at the Town Hall, location, this arch was once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire and construct- situated in the magnificent Platia Miaouli – the city’s top tourist attraction.As the ed to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius following the Roman victory over the lively main square is adjacent to a good selection of interesting shops and quaint Persians. Following the city-tour, transfer to Kalambaka. This evening, you will have little cafes and bars, you can savour the vibe of authentic Cyclades island culture a wonderful meal and a relaxing overnight in Kalambaka. as you shop and enjoy refreshments with the locals. Day 5, Tuesday, October 26: Meteora - Delphi Day 9, Saturday, October 30: Kusadasi - Ephesus (Mary's House) and Miletus After breakfast, board the motorcoach for a short drive to the Meteora Monaster- Enjoy breakfast on board in the lively Turkish port of Kusadasi. We then transfer to ies. In the eleventh century, some monks settled within caves. However, as the the small village of Mt. Koressos. Visit the stone chapel situated upon the site, Turkish occupation increased, the monks were forced to move their settlements where the Virgin Mary spent her last days following the crucifixion of Christ. Follow- higher upon the rocks until they were unreachable by any opposing enemy. These ing this visit, walk through the Magnesian Gate to the ancient Ephesus. Enjoy a settlements became Monasteries by bringing building and lifting materials by lad- walking tour that will take you through the most magnificent excavations in the ders and baskets. Notorious for preserving the Hellenic religion as well as their aca- world. Some of the sites include the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, demics and arts. During your visit, you will be able to view stunning Byzantine art, the Scholastica, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus. The as well as the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the monastery. Continue to last stop on the walking tour is the Great Theatre. The largest ancient theatre with a Delphi for dinner and overnight. capacity of 25,000 people and is a site where Saint Paul preached. Follow the exact route that Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession via the Day 6, Wednesday, October 27: Delphi - Athens Arcadian Way. This main street runs from the Great Theatre to the city harbor. On Today, visit the center of the ancient world (navel) of the earth, Delphi. Its prestige your transfer back to Kusadasi, have the opportunity to view the Basilica of Saint extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount John. In the sixth century, Emperor Justinian erected this structure over the grave of Parnassus in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the the evangelist, John. Upon arrival in Kusadasi, enjoy some free time to explore. We Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the site and the museum and continue to Athens then drive to the coastal city of Miletus, an ancient city that built its reputation as a “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed central trade hub for the twelve leading cities of the Ionian Confederation. The along and observed the objects of your worship, I found, also, an altar with this city’s wealth can be seen in its remains including one of the world’s first mints and inscription “to an unknown God”. What, therefore, you worship as unknown, this I the famous Faustina Baths. Miletus was also the home of several well-known philos- proclaim to you” Athens is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cra- ophers and architects, such as Thales, Hippodamos, and Isidoros.It is here that St dle of western civilization as we know it today. Dinner and overnight at your hotel Paul called the elders of Ephesus and talked to them. Return to the cruise ship. in Athens. Day 10, Sunday, October 31: Santorini Day 7, Thursday, October 28: Athens - Excursion to Corinth This morning awaken on the idyllic island of Santorini. Santorini is definitively the After breakfast at the hotel, start with a tour of the oldest city in the world, Athens! most breathtaking island of all of the Greek Islands. Upon arrival in Santorini, we Visit the rock that has dominated the panorama of Athens for twenty-five centu- drive to Akrotiri. The Minoan Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri is recognised as the ries, the Acropolis. At the Acropolis, you will see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erecthe- source of inspiration for Plato’s legend of Atlantis.