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Join Fr. Gary Mayer on a pilgrimage to Greece. This pilgrimage includes a three day cruise and visits Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and more.
Fr. Gary Mayer and a Christian guide will meet your party at the airport and accompany you every step of the way as you explore the footsteps of St. Paul, including stops in Athens, Corinth, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini, and more!
Fr. Gary Mayer is a priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque who was ordained in 2009 and serves in parish ministry in Iowa. He accompanies Catholic pilgrims as a spiritual director, helping groups enter more deeply into prayer, the sacraments, and the history of the Church.
See the official trip information for gratuities, shipping and handling, payment fees, and any optional-extension charges.
We depart on an overnight flight from Cedar Rapids to Thessaloniki. Dinner and breakfast are served on the flights. Quotes for optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request. Group airfare rules do not permit us to assign specific seats on the airplane. If this is an important feature for you, please reserve your own air and book the Land Only package with us.
Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we make our way through passport control and customs to the arrivals hall, where we are greeted by our English-speaking tour guide and assisted to our motorcoach. Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece, is named in honor of a half-sister of Alexander. The city, part of Macedonian Greece, is also known as Salonika. Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians, written in the middle of the first century, is his first known letter. His two letters urged the Thessalonian Christians to “live blamelessly” and to refrain from living idly while they wait for the second coming of Christ. Mass will be celebrated. We settle into our comfortable hotel for dinner and a good night’s rest. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
After breakfast, we visit the modern port city of Kavala, once the ancient Neapolis. Paul, Silas, Luke, and Timothy landed in this port when they sailed into Europe. Philippi, our next stop is where Saint Paul established the first church in Europe. “And from there (He went) to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in this city some days.” (Acts 16:12-18). We visit the site where Saint Paul baptized a woman named Lydia, the first convert to Christianity in Europe. Mass will be celebrated. We visit the Roman Forum where Saint Paul cast a spirit out of a fortune-telling woman. While here, we have the opportunity to view the prison (now in ruins) where Paul and Silas were jailed by the owners of the fortune-tellers. Return to Thessaloniki for a delicious meal and restful overnight.
After breakfast, we celebrate Mass at Immaculate Conception Church (TBC) and then travel to Meteora. After lunch on our own, we visit the Meteora Monasteries. In the eleventh century, monks settled within the caves. As the Ottoman occupation increased, the monks were forced to move their settlements higher upon the rocks until they were unreachable by any opposing enemy. The monks brought baskets of building materials and living supplies using ropes and ladders, transforming these settlements into monasteries. The Meteora Monasteries are known for preserving Greek Christianity and Hellenic academics and arts. During our visit, we see stunning Byzantine art and the breathtaking scenery surrounding the monastery. Women are expected to wear skirts and a headscarf and have their shoulders covered when entering Orthodox monasteries and churches. We also visit an icon workshop in the area, where we learn how icons are made. In the afternoon, drive to Kalambaka, settle into our hotel, and enjoy dinner and a restful night of sleep.
Following breakfast, we depart for Athens. Upon arrival, we celebrate Mass, followed by a walking tour of ancient Athens, time permitting. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Athens.
Following breakfast, we proceed to the port to board our 3-day cruise. Our first stop will be the island of Mykonos, the most cosmopolitan of the Greek islands that attract visitors from all over the world. After docking, transfer to Hora, the island’s capital. Upon arrival in Hora, enjoy a walking tour that will take us on the city’s narrow cobbled streets. Pass by chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs, and white-washed houses to arrive in Alefkandra. This section of Mykonos is known as the “Venice of Mykonos”, as the homes have wooden balconies and are built on the sea. Historically, these homes were of wealthy merchants and captains. Mass will be celebrated. Return to the cruise ship for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast on board, arrive at the lively Turkish port of Kusadasi. Transfer to the small village of Mt. Koressos. While in this village, we visit the small stone chapel that is situated upon the site of where the Virgin Mary spent her last days following Christ’s crucifixion. Mass will be celebrated on this holy site. We walk through the Magnesian Gate to ancient Ephesus. The walking tour takes us through the most magnificent excavations in the world. Some of the sites
This morning, we explore the island of Crete, Heraklion. While in this administrative capital, we visit the ancient ruins of the Palace of Knossos. These ruins were discovered in 1899. This ancient palace is believed to have been the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. Additionally, it is the site of where Saint Paul met the owner and captain of the ship, who warned him to continue his journey to spread Christianity in Rome. (Shore excursion on Crete included). The next stop is the idyllic island of Santorini, the most breathtaking island of all of the Greek Islands. Upon arrival in Santorini, we visit Thira with its iconic white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques that cling to steep cliffs. We celebrate Mass in Thira. This evening, we return to the ship for our last dinner on board and overnight on our cruise.
This morning, we disembark from the ship and are transferred to ancient Corinth. Under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, Saint Paul lived in Corinth for two years. While here, Saint Paul felt great grief over the way that the Gentile Church in Corinth had become. As a result, he was prompted to write four letters, all with the overarching theme of love. In Corinth, we have the opportunity to view the remains of the first-century shops, the site of Saint Paul’s trial by Gallio, the Fountain of Peirene, and the Temple of Apollo. Mass will be celebrated. Following our visit to Corinth and an included lunch, we return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
After a nice breakfast at the hotel, we celebrate Mass and tour one of the world’s oldest cities, Athens! Visit the rock that has dominated the panorama of Athens for twenty-five centuries, the Acropolis. See the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum, and Propylene at the Acropolis. Ascend Mars Hill, where Saint Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God (Acts 17:22). View the ancient Agora, the former public center of Athenian life. It held the focus of a political, commercial, social, religious, and cultural center. As we are in the former political center, we proceed for a drive through the city to view the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square. We also have the opportunity to view the University of Athens, the oldest higher education institute in Greece, as well as the National Library of Greece which holds 4,500 Greek manuscripts. Then, visit Panathenaic Stadium, the beautifully marbled multi-purpose stadium. It is home to the Olympian Zeus and is the site of the first modern-era Olympics (1896). The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Athens on your own. Tonight we enjoy a festive farewell dinner with wine and music in the city’s Plaka Section. Overnight in Athens. (B. Special dinner)
This morning we are transferred to Athens airport for our return flight(s) home.
Land and Air. Main trip package.
Land and Cruise Only. Main trip package.
Single Room Supplement. Additional supplement.
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