Footsteps of Apostle Paul
10 Day Tour from Athens to Athens
Fr. Jonathan Cuarto was born and raised in Cebu, Philippines. Prior to entering the seminary, he was working in a coastwise marine vessel as an ordinary seaman. He got a degree of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation at the University of Cebu.
In 1996, he joined the Order of Saint Augustine and started his theology at the University of Santo Tomas. Then he went to San Jose California to pursue his priesthood in the diocese in 2001. He graduated his theology at Saint Patrick's Seminary & University in Menlo Park California. He was ordained a priest in 2005.
Currently, he is the parochial vicar of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and a chaplain of Valley Medical Center in San Jose California.
10 Day Tour from Athens to Athens
Athens to Athens
“For we walk by faith, not by sight,” wrote the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. On this religious tour of Greece and Turkey, you’ll stroll, skip, and sail by faith as you retrace the many missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul after he saw the light in Damascus. Both pilgrimage and picturesque journey, this land and cruise tour to mainland Greece, the Greek Isles, and Turkey leads you to many significant sites of the New Testament as well as some of the most magnificent sights of the Mediterranean. Scripture will take on new meaning as you visit the ancient communities where Paul established churches – and to whom he penned his epistles, including the Thessalonians, Philippians, Corinthians, and Ephesians. As you follow in the faithful footsteps of the Apostle Paul – with fantastic detours to Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini – you, too, will have much to write home about.
Your Pilgrimage Journey Starts Here...
Travel Details
ITINERARY - Land Tour Only
Day 1 - Arrive in Athens, Greece
Day 2 - Athens - Meteora - Kalambaka
Day 3 - Kalambaka - Veria - Thesaloniki
Day 4 - Thessaloniki - Excursion To Philippi & Kavala
Day 5 - Thessaloniki - Thermopylae - Athens
Day 6 - Athens (Embarkation) - Mykonos
Day 7 - Cruising: Kusadasi, Turkey - Excursion To Ephesus - Patmos, Greece
Day 8 - Cruising: Heraklion, Crete-Santorini
Day 9 - Athens (Disembarkation) - Corinth - Athens
Day 10 - Athens - Return Home
Your Flights
San Francisco To Athens
Athens to Thessaloniki
Istanbul to San Francisco
ONLY $500 DEPOSIT PER PERSON
Your Destinations
Athens, Corinth, Cenchrae, Thessaloniki, Veria, Amphipolis, Philippi, Neapoli, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Antioch in Pisidia, Tel Colossae and so much more!
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Land Tours, First Class Hotels, 9 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 8 Dinner, Cruising, Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches, Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes, Entrance and Program Fees, Guided Tours, As mentioned in the itinerary.
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
DAY 0 - Overnight Flight
Air is not included in this itinerary. However, to get to Athens, you will need to book a flight either on your own or as an add on cost to the land tour. Let us know if you want air to be included. We can make this Air Inclusive!
Day 1 - Arrive in Athens, Greece
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. D
Day 2 - Athens - Meteora - Kalambaka
The Miracles of Greece
Depart Athens for a scenic drive to Kalambaka.
Visit two monasteries including the Holy Monastery of Varlaam in Meteora. Enjoy a scenic drive en route to Kalambaka. B D
The magnificent natural setting in Meteora is where stratospheric rock formations surround the ancient monasteries perched on the clifftops. Here, gigantic rocky outcrops reach 600 meters high above the plains of Thessaly where you’ll visit two of the stunning, red-roofed monasteries.
Day 3 - Kalambaka - Veria - Thessaloniki
Starting from Kalambaka, visit the Bema of Apostle Paul and onward to THESSALONIKI - an orientation drive includes the White Tower and Aristotelous Square. Visit Ag. Dimitros Basilika.
See Thessaloniki's iconic 15th-century prison tower, standing 34-meters high. Hear the history of the Ottoman Empire and tragic ends of those who were imprisoned here. Pass Aristotelous Square, the Jewel of Thessaloniki on the sea front.
Day 4 - Thessaloniki - Philippi & Kavala
A Disciple's Destiny
In Philippi, visit Lydia’s Baptistery, the forum, the ruins of the Basilicas, and the theatre.
An orientation drive includes Neapolis of the Acts and St. Paul’s mosaic in Kavala. Free time for lunch before returning to Thessaloniki. B D
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Follow the path of St. Paul the Apostle where the disciple traveled in 49-50 CE to spread the Word of Christ. Visit the Greek Orthodox church and Baptistry of Saint Lydia, the first Greek and European woman baptized by the Apostle Paul. Visit the amazing ancient ruins of the Philippi’s Roman Forum, the Basilicas, and Theater in the city that became the center of Christian faith following the visit of the Apostle Paul.
Day 5 - Thessaloniki - Thermopylae - Athens
Warriors & The Ancient World
THERMOPYLAE Stop at the battle site.
ATHENS Free time this evening. B
EPIC RIDE Travel through the coastal floodplain of the Spercheios river, surrounded by sloping forested limestone mountains and the thermal springs of Thermopylae. Greek Spartans, Thebans, and Thespians fought Persian invaders during the historic Battle of Thermopylae in this narrow coastal passage.
Day 6 - Athens (Embarkation) - Mykonos
Sun-Kissed Beauty
ATHENS Embark on your Mediterranean cruise through the Greek Islands and Turkey.
MYKONOS Free time this afternoon and evening. B L D
Explore the whitewashed paradise of Mykonos with its iconic windmills. Named after Apollo’s grandson, Mykonos offers a wealth of treasures to discover in its cafes, shops, and picturesque lanes.
Day 7 - Cruising: Kusadasi, Turkey - Excursion To Ephesus - Patmos, Greece
Divine Dwellings & Digs
KUSADASI Take a guided visit to the Ephesus Archaeological site in the city where St. Paul wrote many “Letters to the Corinthians.” See the House of Mary, where the Blessed Mother spent her final days.
PATMOS Enjoy free time to explore the island. B L D
Explore one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean with a visit to Ephesus, Turkey. Excavations of this UNESCO World Heritage Site have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial era, including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. See the domed cruciform House of Mary, a revered Christian pilgrimage site in this once Roman port city and sea channel.
Day 8 - Cruising: Heraklion, Crete-Santorini
The Bronze Age on the Blue Aegean
HERAKLION Take a guided visit to the Minoan Palace of Knossos.
SANTORINI Visit the island (weather permitting). Free time this afternoon. B L D
Visit the extraordinary royal ruins of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, where Greek mythology tells the story of King Minos and a heroic prince who battled the mighty Minotaur for the hand of a princess in Heraklion.
Day 9 - Athens (Disembarkation) - Corinth - Athens
A Metropolis of Mythic Proportions
ATHENS Disembark your cruise and take a scenic drive to the Corinth Canal with a photo stop.
CORINTH Enjoy a guided visit to the excavations, including Agora and St. Paul’s Bema, where the Christian missionary faced the Forum’s court.
ATHENS Guided sightseeing is composed of an orientation drive to see the main landmarks, including Syntagma Square, the Temple of Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium, plus a visit to the Acropolis. Enjoy free time. B D
Day 10 - Athens
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. B
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$50 Turkish Visa is not included in your tour cost.
Guests traveling to Turkiye will need to visit
https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ to apply for their visas and will submit the $50 USD Visa fee online.
For questions regarding the visa submission process visit, www.evisa.gov.tr
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Make sure you are wearing your name badge -this aids in identifying you with your group!
- Go through customs and passport control then collect your luggage.
- If you have missing or damaged luggage, fill out paperwork with the airline before leaving the baggage claim area.
- Exit baggage claim area, watch for signs – guides will remain in the area to locate guests
- Follow guide instructions for transferring to the bus and loading luggage.
- Tour pricing is per person, based on double occupancy.
- If requested, we can try to match you with a roommate, however, we cannot guarantee one will be available.
- Single room pricing, please inquire
- If you request a single room or a roommate cannot be found, the single room supplement will be added to your account.
- If your cancellation results in your roommate having a single room, your cancellation penalty will include coverage of their single room supplement charge
If you plan on taking pictures:
- Make sure you have plenty of memory or the ability to download your pictures.
- Bring extra batteries or battery backup.
- Be aware that certain sites do not allow photography and/or video- or may charge for the privilege. Your guide will keep you informed of such restrictions.
- Most medications (prescriptions or supplements) are permitted for international travel, however, always check with TSA for current allowances and restrictions: TSA Medical Allowances
- Bring medication in its original container if possible.
- A written prescription of your medication(s) in generic form from your physician will assist in getting an emergency re-fill if needed while out of the country.
- Notify our office asap if you have medication that requires refrigeration.
- Rooms have private showers, TV, phone, wifi (check with hotel concerning access & possible fees)
- Most hotels have blow dryers. Check hotel website for details.
- Double Rooms are made up of either two single beds or one double bed
- Single rooms are smaller than double rooms and have only one single bed.
- Prepaid gratuities are covered for the hotel staff (porters, dining, housekeeping, front desk)
- Additional tipping is appropriate for additional or special services requested from the hotel staff.
- Tips are appropriate when eating out.
- Tips are appreciated when using certain restrooms (Your guide will let you know when this is expected.).
- Voluntary Love Offerings for your guide and driver will be collected towards the end of your trip. Suggested Amounts for Love Offerings – Guide-$6 per person, per day; Driver-$3 per person, per day.
- Layer your clothing and keep it casual. No ‘dress up’ events are scheduled.
- Comfortable walking shoes are a must.
- Some religious sites such as monasteries require your knees & shoulders be covered (applies to both men & women).
- A sweater or jacket is recommended.
- While vaccinations are not required for most destinations, you must always verify current requirements for your destination. For this information we suggest: CDC Travel Info
- You may also wish to consult your physician for his/her personal advice for you.
