Itinerary

• DAY 1:

  DEPART USA

  Depart USA for your overnight flight to Greece. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

• DAY 2:

  THESSALONIKI

  After your connecting flight to Thessaloniki, you will met and transferred to your hotel with assistance by your Homeric Tours representative. Time to relax, meet your fellow travelers, dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
  Dinner included

• DAY 3:

  PHILLIPPI / KAVALA / THESSALONIKI

  Visit Philippi where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. “And from there (He went) to Philippi, which is the lead-ing city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in this city some days...” (Acts 16:12-18) Here Paul baptized a certain woman named Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. Among the ruins is the prison where Paul and Silas were thrown. Continue to Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 4:

  THESSALONIKI (CITY-TOUR) / KALAMBAKA

  Paul preached in Thessaloniki during the winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Depart for Kalambaka, location of the Meteora Monasteries. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 5:

  KALAMBAKA (METEORA) / DELPHI

  Visit Meteora Monasteries. Among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks that seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Continue to Delphi. Dinner and overnight in Delphi.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 6:

  DELPHI / ATHENS

  Visit Delphi, the center of the ancient world. Visit the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Phthios and the museum. Continue to Athens. “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious.” Dinner and overnight in Athens.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 7:

  ATHENS / ANCIENT CORINTH

  After breakfast, visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, and its Museum. Ascend to Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only God. Continue to Ancient Corinth. Here, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. His church was founded here in 50 AD which caused him much grief and prompted him to write, at least, four letters to them. Visit the ruins of where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of the first century shops, the agora where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 8:

  MYKONOS

  After breakfast transfer to Piraeus to board your cruise. First port-of-call is Mykonos. It is the most cosmopolitan of all Greek islands and attracts many visitors from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals. Under-neath its sophistication lies a quaint Greek island with numerous small white washed churches doting the island.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 9:

  KUSADASI / EPHESUS (MARY’S HOUSE) / PATMOS

  Drive through the colorful town of Kusadasi to reach Mt. Koressos. Visit the humble chapel which lie on the site of the little house where The Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Continue on to Ancient Ephesus, walk through the Magnesian Gate, entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus. See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, and the Library of Celsus. “I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription “to an unknown God.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you...”. Continue to the Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached, the largest theatre in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 people. View the Basilica of St. John, erected over his grave in the 6th Century AD by the Emperor Justinian. Our next port of call is Patmos where the monastery of St. John is built within the walls of a strong fortification. Visit the main church noting its outstanding frescoes and interior decoration. On to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse. See the silver niches in the wall that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of the Revelation as well as the three-fold crack made by the voice of God emphasiz-ing the honor of the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque harbor.
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

• DAY 10:

  HERAKLION / SANTORINI

  In the morning we will visit Heraklion, just three miles away the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially recon-structed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. It is in Heraklion where Paul met the owner and captain of the ship who warned him of continuing his journey to Rome. In the afternoon we will cruise on to the idyllic island of Santorini. Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. In the town of Thira white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, accessible by cable-car or mule. Return back to the ship.
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

• DAY 11:

  PIRAEUS / ATHENS / TEL AVIV

  Today marks the end of our cruise. After disem-barkation you will be transferred to the Athens airport where you will board your flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, you will be met by your Homeric Tours representative and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 12:

  CAESAREA / STELLA MARIS / NAZARETH / TIBERIAS THE ANNUNCIATION

  Breakfast then leave for Caesarea, the ancient capital of the Roman province. View the impres-sive archaeological remains of the Roman and Byzantine city. It was at Caesarea that Peter came to understand that the Good News was not for Jews only, but for the whole world. Here he baptized the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, and his family. It was from Caesarea that Paul set sail for Rome, an event that eventually brought Christianity to the World. Continue north to Haifa to visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery dedicated to Our Lady of Mt Carmel and located over the cave where Elijah lived. Drive to Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home. Visit the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. Continue to Tiberias to check – in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 13:

  TIBERIAS: SEA OF GALILEE

  (The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee)After breakfast we start with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. View the remains of a boat that dates back to the time of Jesus. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. Nearby is Tabgha, where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 and onto the site known as “Peter’s Primacy”. Here, after His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” [John 21:9]. A short drive is Capernaum, from where Jesus launched his Ministry. In the afternoon visit Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of His mother [John 2:1-11]. Visit the Franciscan chapel, those who wish to may renew their wedding vows. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 14:

  JORDAN RIVER / MT. TABOR / JERICHO / JORDAN RIVER / JERUSALEM

  (The Transfiguration)Today, drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity. Mass here will be a good preparation for the journey to Jerusalem where Jesus was to suffer the crucifixion and resurrection. Drive to Jericho,where we view Mt Temptation and an example of a Sycamore Tree. Visit the Baptismal site on the Jordan River then to Jerusalem, where you check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 15:

  JERUSALEM: TEMPLE MODEL / EIN KAREM / BETHLEHEM

  (The Visitation and Nativity)Visit to the Second Temple scale model for an overview of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Jesus. Visit the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, and the church that commemorates his memory. Visit the Church of the Visitation. Depart to Bethlehem, beginning at Manger Square, which stands in front of one of the Church of the Nativity. Enter the Church and down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Jesus’ birth. After Mass we will return to the hotel in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 16:

  BETHANY / MASADA / DEAD SEA

  (Early Years in Jerusalem & the Wilderness)This morning drive to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Take the cable car to the top of Masada to learn about the heroic last stand of the Zealots. Afterwards time for a dip in the Dead Sea for those who want. Drive through the Judean Wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days fasting, and it is in this area that John the Baptist lived and baptized Christ. Then to Bethany where He raised Lazarus from the dead. Celebrate Mass here before returning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 17:

  JERUSALEM: MT. OF OLIVES / GETHSEMANE / MT. ZION / WESTERN WALL

  (Palm Sunday and the Agony in the Garden)From the Mount of Olives take in the panoramic view of Jerusalem. Then to the Pater Noster shrine, where Jesus taught His disciples The Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). Walking down the Palm Sunday Road stop at the little church, Dominus Flevit - “The Lord wept.” [Luke 19:41]. At Gethsemane reflect on Jesus’ final night. Visit the Church of All Nations to pray at the “Rock of Agony,” the place where Jesus prayed. Visit the Western Wall, to see the remains of the Temple compound. Continue to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas where he was interrogated and imprisoned. Now called Peter in Gallicantu (“crowing rooster”), this beauti-ful Church also commemorates Peter’s Denial of Christ, his repentance and then being forgiven by Jesus. After Mass we will go up to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, which commemorates the Last Supper. Nearby is the Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 18:

  JERUSALEM: VIA DOLOROSA / HOLY SEPULCHRE

  (The Way of the Cross, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection)This morning we start the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) at the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. From there He was taken through the city to be crucified. The Stations of the Cross lead through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here is the site of Calvary and the Tomb of Christ. Mass will be in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After breakfast visit the Church of St Anne’s, the Pool of Bethesda and the Sisters of Zion. This afternoon there will be time to revisit the Old City. Dinner and Overnight.
  Breakfast and Dinner included

• DAY 19:

  TEL AVIV / USA

  Transfer to airport for the flight home.
  Breakfast included