In the Footsteps of St. Paul: A Pilgrimage to Greece with Fr. Michael Cummins

We depart on an overnight flight from Knoxville to Thessaloniki. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight. Quotes for optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request and will be provided starting at 120 days before departure. We work with group airfares (minimum of 10 passengers) that do not allow seat selection. If you wish to reserve specific seats on the flights, we recommend purchasing your own airline tickets and the land-only option with us.

Upon landing at Thessaloniki Airport, we make our way through passport control and customs. Proceed to the arrival hall, where we will be greeted by our English-speaking tour guide and assisted to the 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 a good night’s rest. Overnight in Thessaloniki. Meals: Dinner at the hotel

Following breakfast, which is included each morning, we travel to Philippi, where St. Paul first preached on European soil. We celebrate Mass at the riverside site of Lydia’s baptism, then explore the ruins of Philippi, including the forum and prison of Paul and Silas. Follow the path of St. Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the ancient port of Kavala (Neapolis). We enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in Thessaloniki. Meals: B. Special dinner

We celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and enjoy a tour of Thessaloniki’s ancient ramparts, St. George Church, and the Galerius Arch. Later, travel to Naoussa, a region famed for its red wine, for a tasting at the Kir Yiannis Winery before continuing to Kalambaka for dinner and an overnight. Meals: B.L.D

This morning we travel to Meteora, which we reach by early lunchtime. After lunch, we visit the Meteora Monasteries (Women are expected to wear skirts and a headscarf and have their shoulders covered when entering Orthodox monasteries and churches). 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. Using ropes and ladders, the monks brought baskets of building materials and living supplies, transforming these settlements into monasteries. The Meteora Monasteries are known for preserving not only Greek Christianity but also Hellenic academics and arts. During our visit, we will be able to view stunning Byzantine art, as well as the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the monastery. We will also visit an icon workshop in the area, where we get a chance to see how icons are made. Mass will be celebrated. This evening, we will have a wonderful meal and a relaxing overnight in Kalambaka. Meals: B.D

We drive to Athens, stopping en route for a break and lunch. In the afternoon, we celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Dionysius. Check into the hotel and enjoy our evening at leisure in Plaka, the city’s historic old town, where we can sample local Greek delicacies in a charming neighborhood setting. Overnight in Athens. Meals: B.L

We check out of our hotel, celebrate Mass at St. John’s Church, and drive to the Port to board our 4-day cruise aboard the ship. Our first stop is Mykonos, the “Venice of the Aegean.” Wander through its iconic whitewashed streets, chic boutiques, and the beautiful harbor of Alefkandra. We return to the cruise ship for dinner and overnight. Meals: B.L.D

After breakfast on board, the ship arrives at the lively Turkish port of Kusadasi. We transfer to the small village of Mt. Koressos, where we celebrate Mass and visit the small stone chapel on the site of Mary’s House, where the Virgin Mary lived out her last days. On foot, we explore the ruins of ancient Ephesus, where we see the Great Theater, with a capacity of 25,000 people, where Saint Paul preached. On the return of our walking tour, we follow the exact route that Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. We see the Basilica of Saint John, built over the grave of St. John the Evangelist. Upon our return to the port of Kusadasi, we will make a stop at the carpet-making factory, as mandated by the cruise line. Please do not feel compelled to buy any rugs unless you absolutely love them. We return to the ship for lunch and sail to the Holy Island of Patmos. On the island, we visit the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, and the Monastery and Grotto of the Apocalypse, where the Book of Revelation was written. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. Meals: B.L.D

The Island of Rhodes is a mix of Roman and Byzantine architectural styles. Rhodes was one of the most important seafaring and trading centers in the Eastern Mediterranean during ancient times. Conquered in 1309 by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, it is now under UNESCO protection. Our guide will show us the city, including the Master’s Palace, after we celebrate Mass at Santa Maria Catholic Church. The rest of the day is at leisure in Rhodes to explore the city on our own. We can return to the ship for our included lunch and relax, or enjoy lunch on our own in town. Meals: B.L.D

This morning we are in Crete. An optional shore excursion can be purchased on board the ship, which includes a visit to Heraklion with its ancient ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Or follow our guide to the town to explore the market and the lively Greek life at leisure. Return to the ship for lunch and sail to the idyllic island of Santorini, widely regarded as the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. We disembark via tender and take the cable car to visit Thira with its iconic white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques that cling to steep cliffs. We celebrate Mass at St. John Catholic Church before returning to the ship for our last dinner and overnight on the cruise. Meals: B.L.D

After disembarkation, we visit the ancient city of Corinth. Under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, Saint Paul lived in Corinth for two years. While here, Saint Paul felt great grief over how 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 see 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. We celebrate Mass at the Steps of St. Paul in Ancient Corinth. Return to Athens for a city tour including a visit to the Acropolis and Mars Hill, where Saint Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God. Tonight, we enjoy a festive farewell dinner with great food and wine. Meals: B. Special dinner

Today marks the end of our pilgrimage. We say farewell to a country and a trip that will last in our memory forever. We are transferred to the Athens airport for our return flight home. Meals: B