A PILGRIMAGE IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL TO ANCIENT GREECEAND EPHESUS

APRIL 21st-MAY 1st 2021

ATHENS LEPANTO PATMOS OLYMPIA CORINTH SANTORINI EPHESUS

Join Syversen Touring on a pilgrimage to Ancient Greece and Ephesus including a 3 daycruise on the Aegean Sea to the Greek Isles!

For more information call Syversen Touring at 1-800-334-5425

NCIENT GREECE& EPHESUSA

WITH FATHER NEAL NICHOLS, FSSP

Day 1 - Departure FlightEvening flight departure from NY toAthens, Greece

Day 2 - AthensMid-day arrival in Athens, one ofthe world's most ancient cities!Known as the cradle of westerncivilization, Athens has beenthe leading city ofGreece sincethe first millennium BC and isfamous for rich culturalachievements in the 5thcentury BC. Check-in at theMarriott hotel. This eveningbefore dinner we will have anorientationmeeting about our cruise.

Day 3 - CruiseMorning embarkation on-board CelestyalCruise Line’s beautiful ship, the “Olympia”,for a three night sailing on Aegean Sea totheGreek Isles, continuing in the stepsof St.Paul. The first port of call will be inMykonoswith its iconic windmills and blue domedchurches. Have time at leisure or take anoptional island excursion. Overnight sailingto Kusadasi, Turkey.

Day 4 - CruiseMorning arrival at the port of Kusadasi.Transfer to Ephesus where St. Paul firstbegan the spreadofChristianity (53-57AD),establishing a strong and vibrantcommunity, before relocating to Rome. Seethe ruins of the Agora where St. Paulpreached, narrowly escaping a riot thaterupted over his words in 57AD. Visit theruins of St. John’s Basilica, built over thegrave of the mighty Evangelist, who spenthis last years in this city. Travel to Mt.Koressos to visit a humble chapel built overthe original house traditionally believed tobe the final home of the Blessed VirginMother. Return to the ship to set sail forPatmos, the island of St. John's exile. Uponarrival, visit St. John’s Monastery and thecave where he received the inspiration to

dictate the Book of Revelation. Eveningsailing southeast for Heraklion, Crete.

Day 5 - CruiseMorning arrival in Heraklion, Crete,where St. Paul was shipwrecked onhis way towards Rome. Here heencountered thecaptainof a shipwho warned him of the dangerof continuing his journey toRome. Visit Heraklion at leisureor take an island tour. Thisafternoon set sail for the idyllicisle of Santorini; legendary site ofthe lost city of Atlantis. Anchor inthe open sea off the port ofOld Fira.Take a cable car ride to the fabled

town of Thira. Optional shore excursionoffered. Overnight sailing to Piraeus.

Day 6 - KalambakaMorning arrival in the port of Piraeus. Meetour guide andbus. Todaywe travel north toscenic Kalambaka (northwestern Greece).Stop along the way to visit the sitecommemorating the battle ofThermopylae. Early afternoon arrival inKalambaka. Check-in at Hotel AmaliaKalambaka. This afternoon we will visitMetorea, a spectacular area of nearlyinaccessible sandstone peaks, where 11thcentury monks, despite incredible odds,built several peak topmonasteries.Visit oneof the monasteries wherein are beautiful16th century Byzantine frescoes.

Day 7- NafpaktosMorning departure south through centralGreece, passing by the ancient city ofDelphi; then on to Nafpaktos on the Gulf ofPatros (formerly the Gulf of Lepanto),where the great naval battle of Oct. 7, 1571was fought between an alliance of Christianforces known as the “Holy League” (underthe command of Don Juan of Austria) andthe Ottoman Turks who were threateningto control the Mediterranean, the gatewayto theWest. Despite the Holy League beinggreatly outnumbered, a victorywaswon for

Itinerary

them and the Christian West was spared.Attributing the great success to Our Lady oftheRosary’s intercession, PopePiusVdeclaredOctober 7th henceforward to be the feast ofOur Lady of Victory. Late afternoon arrival inNafpaktos for check-in at the Hotel Nafs.

Day 8 - OlympiaThis morning visit a gallery with great art andartifacts depicting the mighty Battle ofLepanto. Then enjoy an excursion south intothe Peloponnesian Peninsula. We will crossover the Corinthian Gulf on one of the longestbridges in the world. Our first stop will be inPatras to visit the Cathedral of St. Andrew.Here you can venerate the relics of St. Andrewthe Apostle. Then continue on to Olympia tovisit oneof themost celebrated sitesof ancientGreece. It was here that the Olympic Gamesbegan, dating back to 776 BC. Visit theArchaeological Site and Museum. ReturnNafpaktos for overnight.

Day 9 - CorinthMorning departure for ancient cities ofNafpilon and Corinth as we make our way toAthens. Our first stopwill be inNafpilon to visitthe Catholic Church of the Transfiguration ofthe Savior. Then visit Epidaurus and its ancientamphitheatre dating back to the 4th centuryBC. It is a marvel, built into a hillside and stillhosting modern day performances. Thencontinue on to Corinth. Here visit the ruins ofthe site where St. Paul arrived in 50 AD andspent eighteen months building a thrivingChristian community, writing the FirstThessalonians, and most likely the Epistle tothe Romans. Afternoon arrival at the MarriottHotel (or similar) in Athens (2 nights).

Day 10 - Athens and Cape SounionA full day to enjoy Athens and Cape Sounion!Considered the cradle of western civilization,Athens has been the leading city of Greecesince the first millennium BC and is famousfor its rich cultural heritage. Visit the 6thcentury BC Temple of Apollo, the Acropolis,

the Parthenon and Mars Hill where St. Paulwas brought before the Council and spoke ofthe Unknown God. Time permitting, enjoy adrive to Cape Sounion through the coastalroad of Attica, the Riviera of Athens, and thebreathtaking Temple of Poseidon. Return toour hotel for the overnight. Evening FarewellDinner.

Day 11 - Return FlightTransfer to Athens Airport for our non-stopflight home.

TOUR DETAILS:COST:$4595.00 in double room occupancy

WHATS INCLUDED:* Round-trip airfare from New York* All land transportation by luxury motorcoach* Six nights at 4 star hotels* Three night sailing on Celestyal Cruise lines"Olympia" with an outside cabin* 3 shore excursions in Ephesus, Patmos & Crete* Breakfast and dinner daily on land* All meals while on board cruise* All touring as on the itinerary* All entrance fees* Daily Mass in Extraordinary Form

Cost is based on double room occupancySingle rooms are an additional $795

Call 1-800-334-5425 or visitwww.syversentouring.com

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