Journey of St Paul 9 days

Europe
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegowina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroer
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldavia
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

Created: 06.06.2013

Day 1 - DEPART USA - We depart the USA on our transatlantic flight aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Day 2 - ATHENS/THESSALONIKI - We arrive at Athens and board a quick flight to Thessaloniki. It is fitting that we begin our journey in Thessaloniki in Macedonia (northern Greece) because Paul's letter to the Thessalonians represents the earliest writing of the New Testa�ment. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 3 - THESSALONIKI - This morning, we enjoy a city tour of Thessaloniki including the treasures of the ancient Byzantine and medieval eras such as the famous Byzantine St. Dimitri Church, Vlatadon Monastery, the University, and Arch of Galerius. We celebrate Mass today at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. This afternoon is free to explore the treasures of Thessaloniki. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 4 � THESSALONIKI/PHILIPPI - Our full day excursion takes us along the ancient route of St. Paul, through mountain passes and plains on the traces of the Old Egnatia Avenue. We continue to Ancient Philippi, where Paul established the first church in Europe. Weather permitting; we celebrate an outdoor Mass at Philippi at the traditional site where Paul baptized Lydia. We then continue on a short drive to Kavala on the site of ancient Neapolis, where Paul landed on the way to Philippi before returning to Thessaloniki in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 5 - THESSALONIKI/VERIA/VERGINA/KALAMBAKA - This morning following Mass once again at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, we depart Thessaloniki and drive through the plains of Thessaly, visit the legendary home of the Greek Gods and continue on to Veria (Beroea of the New Testament) where Paul visited on route to Athens and the Scriptures say the people were "more noble than in Thessaloniki." Paul and Silas were taken here after the Thessaloniki pagans attacked them. We then visit Vergina a modern town in Greece and the location of the ancient capital of the Macedonians, called Aigeai. We end in Kalambaka with dinner and overnight. Day 6 - KALAMBAKA/ATHENS - This morning we continue to nearby Meteora whose pillar-like rocks provide an amazing site. The Meteora (meaning �suspended rocks,� �suspended in the air,� �in the heavens above�) is one of the largest and one of the most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in Greece. The six Monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly. . Afterwards we precede south getting on the highway and catching a glimpse of Mt. Olympus proceeding through the towns of Lamia, Larissa. On arrival in Athens, we celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Dionysius. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 7 - ATHENS � Today, following Mass once again at the Cathedral, our full day excursion we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Athens including a visit to the legendary Acropolis, where we shall see the Parthenon, the crowning jewel of the Acropolis. At the foot of the Acropolis is the Areopagus (Mars Hill) where Luke narrates that Paul preached to the Athenians. As we ride through the city, we pass the National Library, Academy, University, Presiden�tial Palace, Stadium, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian�s Arch, House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This afternoon, we visit the famous Archeologi�cal Museum. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 8 � CORINTH/ATHENS - Our half day excursion starts with a drive along the coastal highway which offers a splendid view of the Aegean sea. We cross the canal which connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas until we reach ancient Corinth, where we will see the remains of first century shops, the Agora, Temple of Apollo and the bema seat. In Corinth, Paul worked with Priscilla (Prisca) and Aquila. Later, he wrote to the Corinthians from Ephesus (1Cor 16:8, 19.) Conditions permitting we cele�brate Mass at the ancient site. Upon our return to Athens, we have the remain�der of the day free for leisure, shopping or personal adventure such as the Greek dinner and folk dancing at a taverna on the Plaka. These optional adventures are not included, so that we will have the opportu�nity to enjoy such adventures at our leisure. Day 9 � ATHENS/USA - This morning we transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA.