Catholic Pilgrimage With Father Jonathan Cuarto
with
Father Jonathan Cuarto
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.
October 20 - November 1, 2025
from $5798/person
We are inviting you to join us for Journeys of Paul in Greece & Türkiye departing from San Francisco, CA. You will see Athens, Corinth, Cenchrae, Thessaloniki, Veria, Amphipolis, Philippi, Neapoli, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Antioch in Pisidia, Tel Colossae and so much more!
Your Pilgrimage Journey Starts Here...
Travel Details
ITINERARY
Oct 20 - Flight from San Francisco To Athens
Oct 21 - Athens
Oct 22 - Corinth & Cenchrae
Oct 23 - Thessaloniki & Veria
Oct 24 - Amphipolis, Philippi & Neapoli
Oct 25 - Journey to Istanbul
Oct 26 - Cappadocia
Oct 27 - Konya
Oct 28 - Antioch in Pisidia and Tel Colossae
Oct 29 - Laodicea & Hieropolis
Oct 30 - Ephesus
Oct 31 - Istanbul
Nov 1 - 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:
All Inclusive Pricing, First Class Hotels, Breakfast and Dinner Daily, Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches, Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes, Entrance and Program Fees, Guided Tours, International Airfare from SFO, Overseas Airport Transfers, Administrative Fee, Hotel Gratuities
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 - October 20
Your Pilgrimage Journey starts with an overnight flight from San Francisco to Athens.
Relax and enjoy the flight.
Day 2 - Arrive in Athens
Arrive at the Athens airport this morning, where your guide will meet you. Enjoy the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as your guide introduces you to the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. Stand on Mars Hill as the Apostle Paul did when he proclaimed, “I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23). As you stroll the agora, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life, recall that this was where the Apostle Paul preached “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18) to the skeptical Athenians. Also, see the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dinner and overnight is spent in Athens.
Day 3 - Corinth & Cenchrae
Journey to the city of Corinth, where the Apostle Paul met fellow tentmakers Aquilla and Priscilla and received a vision from the Lord saying, “I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city” (Acts 18: 10). As Paul spoke, Crispus (chief ruler of the synagogue) and many others believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8), establishing the church at Corinth to whom Paul later wrote his two epistles. Discover the archaeological museum, marketplace and temples. As you walk among the ruins, stand on the Bema, where the Apostle Paul stood before Gallio to face charges brought against him by the Jews. Stop briefly at the port town of Cenchreae from which Paul later departed for
Syria (Acts 18: 12-18). Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 - Thessaloniki & Veria
Fly from Athens to Thessaloniki this morning. Discover Thessaloniki, where Paul was accused of turning the world upside down with his preaching of Christ (Acts 17: 3-6).
As you explore St. George’s Basilica, believed to be built over the synagogue where Paul preached, reflect on the two epistles the Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church here. Stroll through the archaeological museum and the beautiful basilicas of St. Sophia and St. Demetrios. St. Demetrios is dedicated to a distinguished Roman proconsul martyred for his Christian faith. Along the Via Egnatia stands the Galerius Arch, and you can look out over the second-largest city in Greece from the Old City Ramparts, some dating back to Roman times. Follow the path of Paul when he fled Thessaloniki for the safety of Veria (Berea), where Jews and some honorable Greeks accepted the new faith (Acts 17: 10 -12).
Day 5 - Amphipolis, Philippi & Neapoli
Follow in the footsteps of Paul and Silas to Amphipolis and explore the ruins of the many Christian basilicas there. In Philippi is a baptismal site commemorating where God opened the heart of Lydia (a seller of purple from Thyatira) to hear the words of Paul (Acts 16:13 -15). Lydia and her household were the first Christian converts baptized on European soil.
View the Roman-era crypt thought to have served as a prison for the Apostle Paul, and explore Philippi’s famous acropolis, marketplace, the Basilica of Paul, and theater. Today’s last stop is Neapolis (Kavala), one of Greece’s most picturesque mainland ports where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy, and Silas. See the Roman aqueduct and acropolis before returning to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 - Journey to Istanbul
Today, you will cross the border into Turkiye. Upon arrival in Turkiye, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the Istanbul Airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7 - Cappadocia
Explore Cappadocia’s amazing cone-shaped rock formations which create a fairy-tale landscape. Even today, people make their homes in the cliffs and rock cones of Cappadocia.
It is estimated that over 3,000 rock churches exist in the region. You will visit the rock chapels of Goreme, the cave village of Avcilar, and the monastic complex of Zelve. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8 - Konya
Before departing Cappadocia, you have the option for an early morning balloon ride (additional charge). Also, visit the underground city of Ozkonak. Explore Konya or ancient Iconium, where Paul the Apostle and Barnabas invested a lot of their missionary efforts preaching the Gospel despite persecution. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
Day 9 - Antioch in Pisidia and Tel Colossae
Arrive in Pisidian Antioch, the site of Paul’s first recorded speech. Paul delivered it in the synagogue among His fellow Jews. He spoke of the wonders God had done throughout Israel’s history that led to the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 13:14 -52). The Jews were outraged at this. Paul and Barnabas were expelled from the city, but not before the Gentiles in Antioch heard the Gospel and were persuaded that it is indeed the truth that leads to Life Eternal. These believers then established the first-ever fully Gentile Christian community. Stop at Tel Colossae, home of a Pauline Church. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 10 - Laodicea & Hieropolis
Hierapolis is blessed by hot mineral springs and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Asia Minor. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his Letter to the Colossians in saluting Epaphras, a fellow laborer, for his love of the brethren there (Colossians 4:13). The ruins cover more than a mile. You will see the impressive amphitheater with seats still in perfect condition. You will see the city gates, column-lined streets, and arches, which have stood through time and earthquakes. Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle”, named for the limestone-laden hot springs which cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3: 14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, “You are neither cold nor hot” (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock . . . “. Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. Dinner and overnight is in Kusadasi.
Day 11 - Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1: 11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade bordered streets. Today, you will be impressed with the spectacular excavations of the major streets of ancient Ephesus.
You will view the library and the huge agora. The Temple of Artemis was declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, only a single column remains to mark the site. You will visit the Basilica of St. John, the traditional site of his grave. From the basilica, enjoy a commanding view of the area. You will visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city. You will have time to explore this powerful city on your own and recreate some of the footsteps of Paul. Fly from Izmir back to Istanbul for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 - Istanbul
The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques.
You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Walk through Hagia Sophia, which was the largest church in Christendom for 1,000 years, built by Justinian (532-537 AD). The church has 107 columns, fossil-embedded, white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Enjoy the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4,000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 13 - November 1
Continue with the Nicaea Extension or return to the USA.
$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
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.
