Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, we will connect to our domestic flight to Izmir, gateway to the ancient biblical sites of western Turkey. After landing in Izmir, we will proceed through passport control, collect our luggage, and meet our local guide and driver.

We then travel along the scenic Aegean coast to the beautiful seaside town of Kusadasi, our home for the next several days as we explore the lands walked by St. Paul and the early Christian communities.

Upon arrival at the hotel, check in and take time to relax after your journey. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow pilgrims and prepare for the spiritual experiences that await us throughout this pilgrimage.

Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi

Breakfast at the hotel. We then transfer to the small village of Mt. Koressos to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a stone chapel believed to be the place where the Blessed Mother spent her final days following the Crucifixion of Christ.

Afterward, we continue to ancient Ephesus, entering through the Magnesian Gate. Enjoy a guided walking tour through one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. Highlights include the Odeon, Fountain of Trajan, Scholastica Baths, Temple of Hadrian, public latrines, Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre. With a capacity of approximately 25,000 people, the Great Theatre is one of the largest ancient theatres and is traditionally associated with the preaching of St. Paul.

Before returning to Kusadasi, we visit the Basilica of St. John, built in the sixth century by Emperor Justinian over the believed burial site of St. John the Evangelist.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight from Izmir to Istanbul. Then we catch a flight to Thessaloniki, Greece. Upon arrival, meet our local guide and driver and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thessaloniki.

Today, the New Testament books of 1 & 2 Thessalonians come to life as we explore the charming port city of Thessaloniki, visiting the old city walls, the recently excavated Forum, St. George Church (a Roman monument turned church), the Galerius Arch along the ancient Via Egnatia, the White Tower, and the Basilica of St. Demetrius. We then travel to Philippi, where St. Paul preached his first sermon in Europe, visiting Lydia’s baptismal site and a Roman-era crypt believed to have held Paul in prison, along with the Acropolis, Market Place, Basilica, and Theatre, before returning to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Today we journey to Kalambaka to visit the awe-inspiring monasteries of Meteora, where, from a Catholic Christian perspective, we encounter a profound witness to a life dedicated to prayer, asceticism, and union with God, reflecting the shared monastic roots of the early Church. Time is provided for reflection before dinner and overnight in Meteora.

Today we visit Berea, where St. Paul preached to a community praised in Scripture for receiving the Word of God with openness and examining it with faith (Acts 17:10–12). We reflect at the Bema, surrounded by mosaics depicting his missionary journey, giving thanks for the early Church’s witness and our own call to live the Gospel with conviction. We then continue our journey to Athens, arriving for hotel check-in, followed by dinner and overnight

This morning, accompanied by your English-speaking Tour Director, transfer to the port of Piraeus to board a ferry to the charming island of Mykonos, known as the “Isle of Windmills.” Upon arrival, enjoy time exploring the picturesque waterfront, quaint shops, and winding pathways lined with iconic whitewashed houses. Take in the beauty and relaxed atmosphere of this beloved Greek island. Overnight in Mykonos.

We transfer to the port and sail across the Aegean Sea to the world-renowned island of Santorini. Upon arrival, marvel at the dramatic caldera cliffs rising above the sea. Transfer to your hotel and, in the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour introducing you to the island’s breathtaking views and unique character. Overnight in Santorini.

After a final morning in Santorini, transfer to the port for your return journey to the mainland. Upon arrival in Athens, continue to your hotel and settle in. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Travel to the ancient city of Corinth, where St. Paul lived, preached, and established a thriving Christian community. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the marketplace, and the temples, and stand at the Bema where Paul stood before Gallio. Continue to Athens to explore its rich historical and spiritual heritage, including the Acropolis with the Parthenon and Erechtheum. Stand on Mars Hill, where St. Paul proclaimed the message of the “Unknown God,” and visit the Agora, once the center of Athenian life. View the House of Parliament, Presidential Palace, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Celebrate Mass at the Bema Seat of St. Paul in Corinth. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

At agreed time, a group transfer to Athens International Airport to catch our flight back home.