Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: March 06, 2025 - Departure to Rome

DAY 2: March 07, 2025 - Arrival in Rome: St. Paul Outside the Walls, Imperial Rome 
Upon arrival in Rome, we meet our tour manager after the baggage claim area. We drive to Rome, stopping at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the walls to enter the First Holy Door of our Jubilee pilgrimage and to celebrate Mass. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, the Basilica is where the great Apostle Paul is buried Regain our bus and continue to the hotel for check in, dinner and overnight (BD)

DAY 3: March 08, 2025 - Vatican Treasures & Basilicas of Rome 
Following breakfast, we enter the Second Holy Door of our Jubilee Pilgrimage at St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest Christendom Church. We celebrate Mass and the we enjoy a guided tour. The Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. It is here that we view Michelangelo's Pieta and pray at the tombs of St. Peter and Pope St. John Paul II. Continue to the Vatican Museum where we see world-famous masterpieces including the incomparable Sistine Chapel. After lunch, we regain our bus and drive to to the Basilica of St. John in Lateran. Enter the Third Holy Door of our Jubilee pilgrimage. This Basilica is the seat of the bishop of Rome, who of course, is also the Pope. The Basilica houses magnificent artwork and also wood from the table used at the Last Supper. It is high above the altar above the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, to the left of the main Papal altar. From here we will walk to the Shrine of the Holy Stairs, so named because they are the to the praetorium of the Roman Procurator Ponzio Pilato. Finally, we will visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, enter the Fourth Holy Door of our Jubilee pilgrimage. This Basilica is one of the oldest and most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (BD)

DAY 4: March 09, 2025 - Appian Way – Papal Blessing -Imperial Rome & Baroque Square 
This morning we will drive to the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome. We will see the Church of Domine Quo Vadis. According to the tradition, the apostle Peter, fleeing the city to avoid martyrdom, met Jesus to whom he addressed the following words “Domine, quo vadis?” (Lord, where are you going?) and the Lord replied “VenioRomam iterum crucifigi” (I am coming to Rome to be crucified again). Peter, understanding the rebuke, went back to face his fate and Jesus disappeared but, in disappearing, left his footprints on the road. As evidence of what happened, inside the Church there is a stone with the imprints "of His Holy feet". The stone is actually a copy: the original is in fact kept in the Basilica of San Sebastiano). Return to San Peter's square, and join the pilgrims for the 12:00 pm Papal Blessing, the Angelus. Break for lunch. This afternoon, our tour starts at the Colosseum ( outside only), we follow the guide along the Roman Forums, see the most important building of the Imperial time, the religious, political, and commercial center of ancient Rome, and for centuries, the entire civilized world. Crossing Venice square, we reach the Baroque Rome area, including Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona. Celebrate afternoon Mass at the Church of St. Augustin. We will then spend some time at leisure for shopping before going back to our hotel for dinner and overnight (B,D)

DAY 5: March 10, 2025 – Flight to Thessaloniki Today, we will take our flight to Thessaloniki, Greece. 

Day 6: March 11, 2025 - Thessaloniki 
We start our excursion viewing the White Tower, a historical landmark of the city before continuing to visit the Archaeological Museum which houses interesting finds from the Archaic, Classical and Roman periods, with findings from the Sindos area, a suburb of Thessaloniki, a stunning exhibition of golden jewels. Next, make our way up to the Acropolis, located in the upper part of the city. It is here, where you will have a superb panoramic view of the entire city with the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus in the background. We’ll visit St. Demetrios Basilica which was erected in the 5th century AD. The five aisled basilicas suffered a tragic fire in the year 1917 but was later restored in 1948. Marvel at the beautiful mosaics, dating back from the 5th to 9th centuries. From here, follow our guide to the area located under the basilica, where we will see the famous crypt, which according to tradition, was once the confinement for an officer by the name of Demetrius who was later executed by the emperor Gallerius. Today, St. Demetrius is the patron Saint of the city. We will then view the Arch of Gallerius and St. George Rotunda. The tour will end with a short stop at the well-preserved Byzantine Basilica of St. Sophia, an 8th Century structure, rich in mosaics and frescoes.

Day 7: March 12 – Philippi/ Kavala 
Touring the Ancient town of Filippi and the modern city of Kavala gives us the opportunity to follow St. Paul’s footsteps. On this full-day tour we will have the opportunity to visit some of the most important archaeological sites and monuments in North-Eastern Greece such as Lydia's Baptistry, the great Amphipolis Lion statue, discover landmarks of glorious history and admire Greek nature which is very distinct from the well-known Aegean islands. We will then arrive to the resort area of Asprovalta for a coffee stop. We will see the Krenides River, the site of Lydia’s baptism and we will see the Philippian Jail where Paul and Silas were imprisoned. Continue to the church site of St. Lydia’s Baptistery where the first Christian woman of Europe was baptized and then proceed to the Archaeological site of Philippi, founded by Philip II King of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. It was here that St. Paul set foot on the European Continent during his second missionary journey, establishing a thriving Christian church. The ruins include the Forum Romano with its Basilica, St. Paul’s Prison and the Theater. The famous ancient road Egnatia, which once ran from the Adriatic Sea all the way to Constantinople (modern time Istanbul), passed by this city. The next stop is in Kavala (ancient site of Neapolis) for free time for lunch and a city tour giving us the opportunity to view the Sylas Monastery named after one of St. Paul’s companions. Return to Thessaloniki in the late afternoon.

Day 8: March 13 - Vergina 
Drive from Thessaloniki to Vergina, the first capital of ancient Macedonia. We start off early with a drive to Vergina, first capital of ancient Macedonia and burial place of all Macedonian Kings. We visit the newly completed exhibition bearing the finds of all three tombs, one of them famous as the Royal Tomb (allegedly belonging to Philip the II, father of Alexander the Great). We will visit the unique subterranean structure built to encase and protect the ancient excavated Royal Tombs, as well as the exhibition with all the findings. Continue further south passing from the town of Veroia where we will see the bema where St. Paul stood and preached to the Greeks. Then continue to Athens with rest stops along the way.

Day 9: March 14 - Athens 
A full day tour where we will view many significant historical and archaeological monuments that date back to the Golden Age of Pericles, in the 5th century BC. During that time, the wealthy, newly democratic and invigorated city-state decided to rebuild the Temples on top of the Acropolis in great splendor. Visit the Parthenon, dedicated to the Goddess Athena, a unique masterpiece of Greek Architecture. This monument is recognized as the culmination of Greek architecture and sculpture. Examine the Propylea, which blends Doric and Ionic building principles. Continue to the Temple of the Athena Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Erechtheum Temple, which was formerly used for cult worship and consists of three basic parts: the main Temple, the north extension, and the famous Porch of Maidens. Explore the Museum of the Acropolis housing many masterpieces. The Acropolis Museum is considered one of the most important archaeological museums in Athens and ranks among the most important museums of the world. The museum houses more than 4,000 artifacts from the Acropolis site, and its exhibits cover the Greek Bronze Age as well as the Roman and Byzantine periods. Next will be Mars Hill, where St. Paul preached Christianity. We will have a chance to see the Ancient Agora, Tower of the Winds, Herodes Atticus Theater, Theater of Dionysus, Temple of Zeus, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the former Royal Palace which is now the House of Parliament. Continue by bus to the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the National Library and then to the “Panathenian” Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. We will then have the chance to enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant in the center of Athens. We will then have the chance to stroll at the Plaka which is the historic heart of Athens. Blending with the adjacent Monastiaki district, the Plaka area seems to have a little of everything, from the ancient ruins of a Roman forum, the Greek Agora, and Byzantine-influenced churches, to restored 19th-century neoclassical homes and modern-day stores, boutiques and cafes sprinkled throughout. Enjoy some late afternoon free time. Dinner tonight will be at a traditional restaurant with Greek cuisine and an interactive dance show!

Day 10: March 15 - Ancient Corinth 
Corinth is a city blessed with a superb location, fertile plains and virtually impregnable refuge. Excavations reveal that the ancient city was huge and wealthy; a survivor of the numerous invasions but devastated by earthquakes. St. Paul lived and worked in Corinth for 18 months, making converts where he could. The Bema (platform) where the Roman governor tried him is still visible. See one of Corinth’s most striking ancient buildings – the Temple of Apollo, seven of whose original columns still stand. Walk through the remains of the Market Place, a colonnaded square once surrounded by many small shops. See the celebrated Fountain of Priene, which has produced water from earliest times, and the Lechaion Road, formerly the main thoroughfare to the port of Lechaion. We will then visit the incredible Corinth Canal. The concept of cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth to link the Ionian and Aegean seas was first proposed by the tyrant Periander, founder of Ancient Corinth. The magnitude of the task defeated him, so he opted instead to build a paved slipway across which sailors dragged small ships on rollers, a method used until the 13th century. Nero, Rome’s most infamous emperor, inaugurated one attempt in 67 AD with his golden spade, but it was finally completed in 1893. Then return to Athens.

Day 11: March 16 - Transfer to airport for flight back to the USA

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