Biblical Tour

Day 1

ARRIVE THESSALONIKI

We arrive in Thessaloniki and are met by our Catholic Travel Centre representative. We transfer via private motor coach to our hotel for dinner and the evening.

Day 2

THESSALONIKI: VISIT OF THE CITY

Today we dedicate ourselves to Thessaloniki and St. Paul’s Letters to the Thessalonians. Paul established the first church here (Acts 17:1-10). Ruins of an early Christian church are near the Palace of Galerius. We examine in Paul’s letters to this community his unbounded determination to continue the Church. After visits to several churches and the Old Town, we return to our hotel to reflect on our day.

Day 3

THESSALONIKI: PHILIPPI EXCURSION

We devote ourselves today to Philippi, named after King Philip II of Macedonia. Paul and Silas came to Philippi on the second missionary journey and Paul returned on his third (Acts 20:2-6). Following the Baptism of Lydia, the first Christian church in Europe was established here. We will visit the ruins of the area, including the site commemorating Lydia’s baptism
and the place where St. Paul was imprisoned. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and the evening.

Day 4

THESSSALONIKI / KALAMBAKA

We travel to some of the enchanting Greek countryside, including Kamena Vourla, Amshissa, Thermopylae, and Kalambaka. We continue to our hotel in Kalambaka for dinner and the evening.

Day 5

KALAMBAKA / DELPHI / ATHENS

This morning we will visit the breathtaking Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. Then we are off to the City of Delphi, home to the Sanctuary of Apollo. En route we will stop at the Ossios Lucas Monastery. In Delphi, we explore the fascinating archeological sites and museums. We continue to Athens for the evening.

Day 6

ATHENS: CITY TOUR

We begin our city tour with perhaps the most perfect piece of architecture known, the Parthenon, the Temple of Athens. This afternoon we make our way to the nearby marketplace (agora) where St. Paul preached as we reflect on his mission in this city. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner is served at our hotel.

Day 7

ATHENS: ONE DAY CRUISE

This morning we transfer to Piraeus for a one-day cruise to Aegina, Poros and Hydria. We return to Athens and enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Day 8

ATHENS: CORINTH EXCURSION

This morning we depart for the peninsula of Argolis, home of Corinth, the most wealthy and important city in the time of Paul. Here the Apostle worked with Aquila and Priscilla. The mostly Gentile Church he founded here caused him much grief and prompted from him at least four letters to them. Paul’s trial by Gallio took place in the agora (Acts 18:12-17). It is from Corinth, also, that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. On the return, we visit the ruins of Cenchaeae, the harbor from which St. Paul sailed to Ephesus (Acts 18:18). Later we will explore the historic sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus, containing the best preserved open air theatre in Greece. We enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 9

RETURN

We transfer to the Athens airport for our return flight to the …….
NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.

Interested in this tour? Contact us .