Greece Pilgrimage with Fr. Gary Kastl

Itinerary

Day 1: Thursday, July 29, 2027 - Depart for Greece

Depart on overnight flights to Athens, Greece

Day 2: Friday, July 30, 2027 - Arrive Athens - Overnight Athens 

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the Grande Bretagne Hotel 5* (or similar). Celebrate Mass and enjoy a group dinner.

Day 3: Saturday, July 31, 2027 - Panoramic tour of Athens 

After breakfast, you will enjoy a half day of guided sightseeing in Athens, devoted to exploring the city’s most important archaeological and cultural treasures. The day begins with a guided visit to the Acropolis, where your expert guide will bring to life the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and other masterpieces of classical architecture, while sharing insights into ancient Athenian society. You will then visit the New Acropolis Museum, an architectural landmark showcasing exceptional sculptures and artifacts from the Acropolis, thoughtfully displayed with direct views toward the sacred rock itself. The sightseeing program also includes a city tour featuring major landmarks such as the Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Olympic Games. Early dinner at the hotel and check-out before you depart for the concert. Later transfer to the Port of Piraeus for embarkation on your cruise ship.

Day 4: Sunday, August 01, 2027 - Paros - Tour to Parikia, Ekatontapiliani Church & Winery Tour with Lunch Included

Meet your guide at the pier and after a short walk you will admire the main attraction of the town, which is Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, also referred to as the "Church of 100 Doors". According to tradition, the church has 99 doors and a secret door will open only when the church of Hagia Sofia in Constantinople will become Orthodox again.

Built in the 4th century AD, it is one of the best-preserved Orthodox churches of Greece and is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the nation. Visit the church, the baptistery and the small and very unique archaeological museum which exhibits rare icons dating from the 17th and 18th century, ecclesiastical items and valuable relics of the post-Byzantine history of Paros. Then, board your coach for a short scenic drive into the countryside to reach Roussos Winery. Surrounded by vineyards, the winery provides a tranquil and picturesque setting.

Here, enjoy a tasting of locally produced wines, including white, red and rosé varieties, accompanied by a light local snack. The tour concludes back at the pier.

Day 5: Monday, August 02, 2027 - Souda/Chania (Crete): Tour to Aghia Triada Monastery, Akrotiri & Chania Old Town

Visit the renaissance Agia Triada Monastery as well as the Venizelos Tombs, the resting place of the famous Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos and his son, Sophocles and at the end explore the charming old town of Chania. Sit back, relax and enjoy a short scenic drive, passing olive groves and vineyards along the Akrotiri Peninsula. A visit to this region is not complete without visiting one of the most impressive Venetian period monasteries. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and stunning views as you visit Agia Triada Monastery. The fortress-like complex is one of the best examples of the Cretan Renaissance. Over the centuries, the complex has been expanded and now contains a large church, seminary and vaulted storerooms, all meticulously maintained. The monastery also produces revered olive oil and several varieties of wine.

Afterwards, a short photo stop is made at the British Commonwealth Cemetery, a resting place of soldiers who fought the Battle of Crete during the World War II. Continue to the tombs of Eleftherios Venizelos, a charismatic political figure who fought for Cretan independence, and his son, Sophocles. As Prime Minister, he was profoundly influential in the founding of modern Greece, until his death in 1936. From his modest, unadorned tomb, you will have a panoramic view of Chania, your next stop.

Upon arrival in the old city of Chania, follow your guide on a walking tour. Walk through the irresistible Old Town admiring the architecture, becoming immersed in Crete's history, and later, enjoying the bounty of shops around the harbor. Learn about Chania's Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman past. Admire Venetian and Ottoman monuments and delve into the old Jewish and Ottoman districts. With its Venetian Harbor, the old port, the narrow shopping streets and waterfront restaurants, the old town attracts hordes of visitors and locals alike. The atmosphere has a touch of Florence and Venice, with an ambience combined with the culture and character of Cretan people and traditions. Afterwards, guests may remain in town for further exploration and return to the pier on a shuttle bus.

Day 6: Tuesday, August 03, 2027 - Gytheion: Tour to Mystras Castle City

Few places in the world offer more mysterious medieval character than the abandoned complex at Mystras, clustered atop a 600-foot hillside on Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula. A bit more than an hour’s coach ride from the coast, this 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage enclave seems forever frozen in time. Ascending a rounded hill, winding lanes and cobbled stairways, Mystras Castle ruins crown the scene imposingly. Yet before arriving at that singular landmark, others await your rapt inspection. Visit the Cathedral of Agios Dimitrios, on the floor of which is a plaque featuring the two-headed eagle symbol of the Palaeologos Dynasty, last and longest-ruling family of Byzantine nobles. It is here that it is belived the final emperor of Byzantium, Constantinos XI, was crowned in 1449.

Further along, you’ll encounter the Church of Agia Sophia, built by the Despot of Morea in the mid-14th century and still proudly displaying its tiled bell tower. Nearby, the Monastery of Pantanassa reveals brilliant frescoes, miraculously intact given their 600-year age. And looming over it at the hill summit, Mystras Castle ruins await. Second only to Constantinople’s in importance to the Empire, this ancient Palace of the Despots was once deemed invincible – and still seems so. Learn of its long history on an expertly guided walk around its narrow lanes and many structures. Having explored Mystras, reboard the coach for the return drive to the pier.

Day 7: Wednesday, August 04, 2027 - Milos: Tour to Catacombs

Upon disembarkation meet your guide and visit The Catacombs of Milos, an ancient Christrian burial site, dating back to the 1st to 5th century AD. Located near the contemporary village of Trypiti, these catacombs lie adjacent to the agora of the ancient city of Melos and approximately 200 meters east of the ancient theater. The name Trypiti reflects the area's numerous caves carved into the solid volcanic rock, which locals still utilize for storage and as stables. Historically, these caves served as family burial chambers, featuring galleries that vary in width from 1 to 5 meters and in height from 1.6 to 2.5 meters. In addition to the wall-cut tombs, the site also contains numerous graves set onto the ground, covered with irregularly shaped unworked stones.

Day 8: Thursday, August 05, 2027 - Kusadasi (Turkey): Tour to the House of Virgin Mary, Ancient Ephesus & St. John’s Basilica

Drive to Ephesus, towards Bulbul Mountain to see the house believed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary is said to have come here in the company of St. John towards the end of her life, around 40 A.D. The site remained undiscovered and unvisited for 1800 years until being described in visions by a German nun who had not previously seen nor visited the house. Each year, Christians and Muslims who honor 'Meryemana' as the mother of a great prophet make religious pilgrimages to the site. Beneath the house is a fountain where a sacred spring feeds three fonts, each bestowing a unique blessing upon visitors. From here, re-board your coach and continue for the drive to Ephesus.

Leaving the House of the Virgin Mary, resume your drive to Selçuk and the upper entrance of Ephesus, Turkey's most celebrated site of antiquity, and among the best places in the world to experience a step back into Roman times. As you follow your guide down the marble-paved Curetes Street and Sacred Way, experience a step back into Roman times. View the remains of civic buildings and temples. Admire the splendid façade of the Celsus Library and the impressive tiers of the Grand Theatre. Then proceed to Saint John’s Vasilica, the burial place of Jesus beloved disciple.

After your visit, re-board your coach for lunch at a local restaurant before you return to the ship.

Day 9: Friday, August 06, 2027 - Mykonos: Tour to Delos

Experience the ancient beauty and ruins of Delos during a scenic and informative half-day discovery of this sacred island. Depart the ship for the brief transfer to the local ferry dock, then board a ferry for the 45-minute ride to the tiny, uninhabited island of Delos. Upon arrival, your tour continues foot.

Although Delos Island only has an area of approximately 1.5 square-miles (about four square-kilometers), it was once a very important religious, cultural and commercial center. Today, the island is covered with ruins from fallen columns, sections of the famous mosaics that adorned the houses of the wealthy, a stadium and seats from a theatre. A row of five marble lions also stands amidst these ruins. Other interesting monuments found at the site and spread over a wide area include the Agora, the treasuries of the various cities, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Theatre, the Sanctuary of the Foreign Gods, and the sacred Mt. Cynthus. After your visit, re-board the boat for the approximate 45-minute return ride to Mykonos. Upon arrival, you may opt to return directly to the pier via shuttle bus or remain in town to explore picturesque Chora and return to the ship at your own convenience.

Day 10: Saturday, August 07, 2027 - Athens

Upon disembarkation, transfer to hotel for check-in at the Grande Bretagne Hotel 5* (or similar) and free time to explore Athens.

Day 11: Sunday, August 08, 2027 - Return home

After breakfast, board your coach for your transfer to the Airport of Athens to take your flight back home.

Itinerary is tentative and subject to change.