Greece & Turkey

Kick off your exciting pilgrimage with an overnight flight to Istanbul! Use this time to settle in and soak up the anticipation of the transformative journey that awaits you.

DAY 2: ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL

Upon our arrival in this vibrant city, our friendly tour guide and driver will be waiting to take us to our hotel. Enjoy dinner and relax for the night in your cozy accommodations.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we’ll embark on our Istanbul city tour, exploring iconic sites such as the Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Patriarchal Cathedral, the Subterranean Cisterns, and the vibrant Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). After a day full of discoveries, enjoy dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

DAY 4: ISTANBUL / NICAEA / BURSA

Following breakfast, we’ll set off from Istanbul to Bursa, making a stop in Nicaea – the birthplace of the Nicene Creed. Here, we’ll visit St. Sofia of Nicea, which hosted the First Council of the Christian Church and witnessed the significant split between Rome and Constantinople, as well as the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. End the day with dinner and a restful night at your hotel.

DAY 5: BURSA / 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: KUSADASI / GREEK ISLANDS / PATMOS

Following breakfast, we’ll embark on a delightful cruise through the Greek Islands, with our first stop at the Island of Patmos. Here, we’ll explore the Monastery of Saint John, where we can view the original manuscripts of the Gospels. Next, we’ll visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where St. John is said to have written the “Book of Revelation.” Inside, you’ll find the notable crack made by God’s voice that emphasized the importance of honoring the Trinity. We’ll enjoy dinner and spend the night aboard the ship.

DAY 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: RETURN FLIGHT HOME

This morning, we’ll transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home.