We begin our pilgrimage with a tour of Christian Athens including the Acropolis, the Areopagus where St Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:15-34). View the Ancient Agora and the Plaka (Old Greece) and explore the Parthenon. Also see the Kallimármaro Stadium, dating back to 330BC and restored for the first modern Olympic Games held here in 1896.

We continue to the fascinating Acropolis Museum, built to house every artefact found on the rock of the acropolis and the surrounding slopes. Proceed to the Cathedral of St Dennis for Mass.

Athens overnight (BD)

Journey out to Ancient Corinth this afternoon where the apostle Paul lived for almost two years, teaching the people the Word of God and converting many. Visit the ancient ruins and see the site where he preached the Gospel from the Rostrum. See the Peirene fountain, and the 6^th century BC Temple of Apollo before an outdoor Mass in this stunning pilgrimage setting. Finally, we come to Cenchreae, the ancient port from where St Paul said farewell to the believers and departed for Ephesus (Acts 18:18).

We will return to Athens for free time.

Athens overnight (B)

We journey north early this morning to Meteora, where we spend some time today marveling at this unique phenomenon of nature – 24 perpendicular rocks where 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to worship God and build their Monastic community of Meteora. We will visit some of these living monasteries and view the extraordinary collection of priceless religious frescoes and other treasures that will make this a remarkable visit.

Proceed to the small town of Kalambaka built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks.

Kalambaka overnight (BD)

Today we journey north by coach to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, founded in 315 BC, and where St Paul preached during the winters of 49-50AD and to whom he wrote the two epistles. It was here that he established the first Christian Church in Europe.

Our visit will include the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius, as well as the Rotunda where we can see pieces of the pulpit from which Paul preached. View the Roman Agora where he also preached. Nearby we shall visit St Demetrios’ Church dedicated to a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and was later martyred. View its valuable mosaics and frescoes before descending into the crypt where we find the remains of some ancient Roman baths and streets.

Thessaloniki overnight (BD)

Arise and journey along the ancient route of the Apostle Paul to nearby Philippi, named after Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It was here that St Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:12-40). Visit the Baptistery of Lydia for a beautiful outdoor Mass on the River Zygaktis and renew our Baptismal vows. Visit the marketplace (where St Paul and St Silas were brought before the rulers) and the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St Paul was imprisoned. In the ancient theatre we will hear the story of Paul’s arrest, imprisonment and miraculous release.

Continue along the ancient route of the Apostle Paul to the port city of Kavala (ancient Neapolis), once named “Christoupolis” after being the first European city to accept Christianity. It was here that St Paul, St Timothy and St Silas first landed from Troas (Acts 16:11), one of the great moments in the history of Christianity in Europe.

Thessaloniki overnight (BD)

Early this morning we are transferred to Thessaloniki airport for our flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon arrival we enjoy a brief view of the famed Church of St Polycarp. Following Mass at the Cathedral of St John we continue to Kusadasi, doorway to Ephesus and the Churches of Revelation.

Kusadasi overnight (BD)

We travel directly to Ephesus this morning, the most famous of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev 2:1–7) where St Paul spent more than two years in the course of his third missionary journey. It was to the Christian community of Ephesus that St Paul wrote his greatest and most challenging letter
(the epistle to the Ephesians) and also succeeded in converting many away from worship of the god Artemis.

Our visit today will include the ruins where St Paul lived and preached. See the prison of St Paul; walk through the ancient marble streets founded in the 10th century BC and see this most ‘complete’ Roman city providing us with an excellent window into Imperial Rome. Pass the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the enormous amphitheatre (Acts 19:29–31), and finally come to the ruins of the Christian Basilica where the Third Ecumenical Council took place in 431AD, and where Our Lady was proclaimed “Mother of God”.

Free time this afternoon.

Kusadasi overnight (BD)

This morning, we ascend the hill to the House of the Virgin Mary where it is said Mary spent the later years of her life. We celebrate our group Mass here in one of the chapels. Finally, we visit the restored remains of the 6th century Basilica of St John at Celcuk where a small church was originally built over the tomb of St John the Evangelist.

Remainder of the day at leisure.

Kusadasi overnight (BD)

We journey north today and come to Pergamum, one of the most impressive classical sites in Turkey and another of the Churches of Revelation. Once described by St John as the place “where Satan has his throne”, (Rev 2:13) this too was the site where the first Christians were martyred by Rome (Rev 2:12-17). On arrival we will view the region’s longest building, the Red Basilica dedicated to St John the Apostle.

Continuing, we come to the city of Canakkale and our accommodation.

Canakkale overnight (BD)

This morning, we cross the Dardanelles Straight and pay tribute to the thousands of ANZAC’s that fought in Gallipoli.

First, weather permitting, we board a private charter vessel for an inspired journey along the Gallipoli Peninsula where 7,594 Australian and 2,431 New Zealand soldiers lost their lives in battle during World War I. See the Anzac Cove coastline emerge before our very eyes, giving a rare waterside perspective of the troops landing on 25th April 1915.  After disembarking, we visit Anzac Cove where we will take some time to reflect. We then drive past Courtney’s and Steele’s Post and Quinn’s post. Visit the Nek, Chunuk Bair, the New Zealand Monuments and Lone Pine Cemetery where we will celebrate a touching Eucharist, coming in faith to pay tribute and pray for the souls of the heroes of those tragic months of 1915.

We then journey on to Istanbul – a glorious city uniquely located on two continents.

Istanbul overnight (BLD)

Following Mass this morning we visit the Blue Mosque and the incredible Hagia Sophia (meaning ‘Holy Wisdom’). Built in 548 AD, Hagia Sophia was the greatest Church in Christendom until 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire. Continuing we visit the 6^th century Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city.

We then visit the opulent Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottomans for nearly 400 years before.

Istanbul overnight (BLD)

Today is a free day to explore more hidden gems in Istanbul including the Grand Bazaar.

This evening, we enjoy a special farewell dinner together.

Istanbul overnight (BD)

This morning, we are transferred to Istanbul airport for our homebound flight connections or optional Cappadocia extension. 

(B)