Join us on the Journey following Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece and Ancient Christian Sicily
COME AND SEE
Sicily, Italy - Meteora - Thassos Island - Veria - Delphi - Kavala -Thessaloniki - Pilippi - Souroti - Athens & more
Five Star Hotels
Eleven Days in Greece
Six days in Italy
Seventeen Day Journey - May 16th - June 1st, 2025
Greece Enchanting Itinerary
The Great Greece Tour - Following the Footsteps of St. Paul
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Luxurious 5* Hotels - Santorini domestic flight - Five ferry rides - Daily Breakfast - Six Dinners- Four Lunches - Luxury 50 seater Coach - Accredited Local Guides - Farewell Folkloric Dinner.
Friday, May 16 - Day 1 - Sydney GROUP departure to Thessaloniki
Be excited, Enjoy the flight
Saturday, May 17 - Day 2 - Thessaloniki
Welcome to Thessaloniki Airport - the second largest city in Greece - your bus is waiting to transfer the group to our gorgeous Hotel downtown. Check in - Orientation - Welcome group dinner - overnight. (D)
Sunday, May 18 - Day 3 – Veria, Thessaloniki
(Breakfast optional). We journey to Veria to attend the Liturgy at a most reverend Monastery, followed by visiting the city where St Paul preached. “On the steps of St Paul.” The city is known for its many Byzantine churches, earning it the nickname "Little Jerusalem." Group lunch and back to “Amazing Thessaloniki” to venerate the Patron Saint of the city, Saint Demetrios, the Myrrh-gusher, Holy great-Martyr, commander of the Roman forces in Thessaly. Free evening. (L)
Monday, May 19 - Day 4 - Thessaloniki
After breakfast, our local tour guide will take us on a Thessaloniki City Tour. It’s a vibrant City with significant historical and cultural charm. St Paul preached in the synagogue here for three consecutive Sabbaths, teaching about the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. His compelling words influenced many, leading to the establishment of a strong Christian community. We visit the old city walls built in the 4th century. We visit the landmark of Thessaloniki, the Rotunda, a circular structure initially built as a temple for Zeus, later converted into a Christian church. This is a very rich city of Saints; St Demetrios, St David of Thessaloniki, St Gregory Palamas, and many more, group lunch, then we travel to Saroti, to St John The Baptist Monastery to visit and venerate St Paisios relics. Return to the hotel, free evening. (L)
Tuesday May 20 - Day 5 - Philippi - Kavala - Thassos Island
After breakfast, we check out, bus journey thru the regions of Amphipolis and Apolliana on the way to Philippi where St Paul started his ministry. Among the gathered crowds, St Paul encountered a devout woman named Lydia. After he baptized her, she and played a huge role in spreading the Gospel. We visit the baptism site where a Church was built in her name. Philippi is also where St Paul and Silas were prosecuted, beaten and imprisoned in the Agora. By God’s intervention, an earthquake shook the jail and broke their chains. They did not escape to protect the jailer from punishment, so he rewarded them by attending to their wounds and took them to his home where all his house members were baptized. We then catch the Ferry to the beautiful Thassos Island. Resort check-in, group dinner and overnight. (D)
Wednesday, May 21 - Day 6 – Thassos
After breakfast, exploration day of Thassos. We travel by bus to visit two very Holy sites; St Michael’s Monastery, where they have the nail of the Cross, and the Monastery of Assumption, where they keep the icon of the Theotokos written by St Luke the Apostle himself, sister to the icon in Saidnaya. We also tour other interesting sites on the island before we return to our Hotel. Free evening.
Thursday, May 22 - Day 7 – Thassos
After breakfast, free day to luxuriate on Thassos Island. Free evening.
Friday, May 23 - Day 8 – Kavala, Kalambaka
After breakfast, check out, transfer to the port to catch the Ferry to Kavala where our bus is awaiting to take us on a journey to the magical Meteora. Arriving to our hotel in Kalambaka just in time for group dinner. Overnight.(D)
Saturday, May 24 - Day 9 – Meteora
After breakfast, our local guide will accompany us to the truly awesome sites of these beautiful Monasteries. We visit and venerate the relics of St. Stephen, the first martyr, and visit the Monastery of Great Meteoron. We may also visit the original site of the hermitages, or feel free to visit one of the museums such as the Geological museum. Overnight at Kalambaka. Free evening.
Sunday, May 25 - Day 10 – Kastraki, Delphi, Athens
(Breakfast optional). We attend the Liturgy at the Dormition of the Virgin Cathedral, in the village of Kastraki before we head to Athens, stopping on the way at Delphi, to visit the famous archeology site, once believed to be the center of the earth. We continue driving to the wondrous mosaic Monastery of St Luke, a real unforgettable experience. On to Athens, Check in to hotel, group dinner and overnight in Athens. (D)
Monday, May 26 - Day 11 – The city of Athens
Breakfast. Following breakfast, we meet our Guide and start the day by visiting the Acropolis (steep climb-optional outing) with a stop at St Paul’s Steps where he preached to the Athenians about Christ and His Resurrection. We then explore the charming streets of the Plaka where we get lost between coffee and ice-cream stops, restaurants and souvenirs shop. Free evening.
Tuesday, May 27 - Day 12 –Flight Athens to Catania, Sicily
Breakfast, luxuriate and check out at 11;00 am, shopping time and an afternoon transfer to the airport to catch the afternoon flight to Italy - Catania in Sicily. Drive north to Taormina, Check in to our gorgeous hotel, group dinner and overnight (D)
Wednesday, May 28 - Day 13 - Taormina - Mt. Etna
Breakfast. Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. It sits near Mount Etna, an active volcano with trails leading to the summit. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theater still used today. Near the theater, cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches. A narrow stretch of sand connects to Isola Bella, a tiny island and nature reserve.(excursions maybe available for small groups of different interests)
Thursday, May 29 - Day 14 – Taormina
Breakfast and more of exploring this beautiful city and it’s wonderful beaches and after lunch will drive to Catania, check in the hotel and overnight in Catania.
Friday, May 30 - Day 15 – Catania
Breakfast. Catania is home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Piazza del Duomo, Fontana dell'Elefante, and Catania Cathedral. It is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. It sits near Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano with trails leading to the summit. Will also visit some of the Godfathers movie locations as well for those of us interested in the subject.Group lunch. (L)
Saturday, May 31 - Day 16 - Catania
Breakfast. Last day in Italy, eating, shopping and swimming, start packing and get ready for our farewell group dinner party, with music and dance! (D)
Sunday, June 1 - Day 17 – Airport - After breakfast, we check out and transfer the group to Catania airport.
SAFE JOURNEY HOME
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Package includes:
• All transfers airports as per itinerary by private motor-coach.
• Five Stars Hotel:
❖ 3 overnights in Thessaloniki.
❖ 2 Overnight in Meteora/ Kalambaka.
❖ 5 Overnight in Sicily
❖ 2 Overnights in Athens at 5* hotel.
❖ 3 Overnights on Thassos Island at 5* Seaside Resort.❖English-speaking local Guides
❖ Hotels City tax and VAT. (excluding the resilience tax at hotels)
❖ Flight to Sicily
❖ Thassos island Ferry tickets.
❖ Sightseeing tours as outlined in the itinerary:
❖ Daily breakfast, 7 Dinners and 2 lunches in various cities.
❖ All sea and land transportation.
❖ All VAT & Taxes, (excluding the resilience tax at the hotels)
www.tourswithmichael.com