pilgrimage to greece & turkey

Departure from USA

Evening departure from NYC to Thessaloniki in Greece.

Thessaloniki

Upon afternoon arrival we are transferred to our hotel in Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Thessaloniki

This morning our tour of Thessaloniki includes view of St. George’s Basilica, built over the synagogue where St. Paul preached and also basilicas of St. Sophie and St. Demetrios, dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. Continue to Phillipi where we visit the Baptistry of St. Lydia, the first convert of St. Paul on European soil, continue to the old walls and the Byzantine castle and also view the crypt where St. Paul was imprisoned. Later we explore Phillipi’s famous Acropolis, Market Place, the Basilica of St. Paul and Theater. Continue to Neopolis (Kavala), the site of St. Paul’s first landing in Europe. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Thessaloniki - Meteora

After breakfast we travel to Meteora. En route we visit Veria (ancient Berea) and see the memorial commemorating St. Paul’s preaching. Upon arrival in Meteora we visit the Monasteries, the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on the summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history dates back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

Kalabaka - Athens

Today we travel to Athens, the capital of Greece and the foundation of democracy. En route we visit the archaeological site of Delphi, the symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world, containing 6^th cent BC sanctuary, where the oracle of Apollo spoke. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Corinth

After breakfast we travel to Corinth with a short stop at the Corinth Canal. In Corinth we visit the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. We visit the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps and public worship place where St. Paul preached. Upon return to Athens we visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Erectheum and view Athens atop Mars Hill where St. Paul once stood. We continue to the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Athens - Izmir

This morning some free time in Athens. Afternoon we fly to Izmir in Turkey for dinner and overnight.  

Ephesus

After breakfast we visit Ephesus, where the first of Seven Churches was located and where St. Paul lived for some years. We enter through Magnesian Gate and discover numerous monuments such as the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the thermal baths of Scolastica and the Great Theater of Antiquity. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Istanbul

This morning we fly to Istanbul. Upon arrival we embark on a tour of this ancient city, including Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans, the Blue Mosque with its six minarets and impressive ceramic tiles - and Haghia Sophia, a Christian basilica converted to a mosque after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Departure

In the morning we are transferred to the airport for a flight to NYC. Evening arrival.