Greece & Turkey

DAY 1: FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL 

Today marks the start of your pilgrimage as you board your flight to vibrant Istanbul! Everything has been arranged for your comfort. Relax and enjoy your flight; a remarkable spiritual adventure awaits!

DAY 2: WELCOME TO ISTANBUL

Upon our arrival in Istanbul, a warm welcome awaits from our knowledgeable tour guide and friendly driver, who will escort us to our hotel. Prepare to settle in and refresh yourself before enjoying a delightful dinner together. You’ll surely be ready for a restful night as you soak in the new surroundings.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL

After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll explore Istanbul’s wonders, including the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Hippodrome, the stunning Blue Mosque, the Patriarchal Cathedral Church, the Subterranean Cisterns, and the vibrant Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar), where you can enjoy a sensory delight. After a full day of exploration, we’ll gather for dinner and enjoy a comfortable overnight stay at our hotel.

DAY 4: NICAEA | BURSA   

Following breakfast, we’ll embark on a journey from Istanbul to Bursa, with a stop at historic Nicaea, the birthplace of the Nicene Creed. Here, we’ll visit St. Sofia of Nicea, a site of profound significance where the First Council of the Christian Church was held. This region played a pivotal role in the history of Christianity. After our busy day, we’ll settle in for dinner and an overnight stay at our hotel.

DAY 5: PERGAMUM | THYATIRA | KUSADASI

We’ll begin our journey in Pergamum, known as one of the seven churches St. Paul cherished, where the first Christians faced persecution by the Romans. We’ll also explore the ancient Trojan temple and the Grand Theater. Then, we’ll head to Thyatira, another of the seven churches famous for its “purple dye” and exquisite carpets, before continuing to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at your hotel.

DAY 6: EPHESUS / KUSADASI

Today, we set off for Ephesus to explore one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites. Our visit will take us through the ancient city, where we will marvel at the Odeon, the Trojan Fountain, and the steam baths. We’ll also visit the Temple of Adrian, the stunning Celsus Library, and the Grand Theater of Ephesus. After our journey through history, we’ll make our way to the house of the Virgin Mary, reflecting on her life after the Crucifixion of her son, Jesus. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

DAY 7: PATMOS

After breakfast, get ready for a scenic cruise to the Greek Islands, starting with the peaceful Island of Patmos! We’ll visit the Monastery of St. John to see the original Gospel manuscripts, then explore the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where St. John wrote the “Book of Revelation.” You’ll also see the crack made by the divine voice of God. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay on board the ship, surrounded by the stunning sea.

DAY 8: RHODES

Today we arrive on the island of Rhodes where beautiful beaches, castles and ancient civilizations effortlessly mix with traditional cuisine and countless shops. Enjoy wandering through the medieval city on your own or participate in one of the offered optional excursions.  We will return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9: CRETE / SANTORINI 

Our adventure begins in Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands and the renowned birthplace of the Minoan civilization, as well as the mythological home of Zeus. After passing through the village of Heraklion, we’ll explore the excavations of Knossos, which bear traces of civilization dating back to 4000 BC. You’ll have some free time in Heraklion to relax or explore on your own. When the time comes, we’ll return to the ship and continue our journey to Santorini, a stunning island rising majestically from the sea. We’ll take a chairlift to the top for a closer look at this breathtaking paradise. Dinner and overnight will be aboard the ship.

DAY 10: ATHENS

We kick off the day at the port of Athens, where our motor coach awaits to take us on a full-day tour. Our first stop is the 11th-century Monastery of Kaisariani, dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple. This serene place inspires moments of prayer and reflection. Next, we’ll venture into Athens to see historic sites where the Apostle Paul had pivotal encounters, including the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and Hadrian’s Arch. We’ll even have a chance to celebrate Mass at a local church. Our tour concludes with visits to the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Museum, and the Olympic Stadium. After a full day, we’ll enjoy dinner and return to our hotel for the night.

DAY 11: ANCIENT CORINTH

Our journey takes us to Corinth, where St. Paul established the first Church. Here, we will see Bema, the judgment seat where Paul preached to the Corinthians and was judged by Gallio. We’ll then make our way back to Athens. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy our last night at the hotel.

DAY 12: RETURN FLIGHT HOME

After a heartfelt farewell, we will head to the airport for our return flight. We hope this spiritual journey has been enriching for you. Thank you for traveling with Nativity Pilgrimage. We look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!