Pilgrimage to Greece & Turkey

PILGRIMAGE TO GREECE AND TURKEY
with Father Michael Gallagher.
June 15-24, 2023

Day 1. Thursday, June 15, 2023
Depart on an overnight flight from Dulles/Washington to Athens. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2. Friday, June 16, 2023 ATHENS
Arrive in Athens in the morning and meet our English speaking Greek guide who will
accompany us during the land portion of the trip. Stop at the Church of St. Dennis where Father will celebrate Mass for us. Afterward, check into the hotel and enjoy dinner before getting a well deserved night of rest. Overnight Athens. (B, D)

Day 3: Saturday, June 17, 2023. DELPHI AND LOUKAS
Following breakfast, depart for Delphi, the center of the ancient world and “navel” of the earth. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the pagan Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios.

Continue for a visit to the Orthodox Port Monastery of Osios Loukas, dedicated to the local hermit and healer, Holy Luke. The monastery is considered one of the most beautiful in Greece with a treasury of priceless icons. Father will celebrate Mass when we return to Athens.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Athens. (B,D)

Day 4: Sunday, June 18, 2023. ATHENS
Following Mass with the local Catholic faithful in Athens, embark on a city tour. Athens is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it. Visit the rock that has dominated the panorama of Athens for twenty-five centuries, the Acropolis, along with the ruins of the Parthenon, Erechtheum, and Propylaea. Ascend Mars Hill, where Saint Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God (Acts 17:22). See the ancient Agora, the former public center of Athenian life. Afternoon and dinner are at leisure to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Athens. (B)

Day 5: Monday, June 19, 2023
ATHENS – 4-DAY AEGEAN CRUISE: MYKONOS
Following breakfast, proceed to the Port to board our 4-day cruise aboard the Celestyal Olympia. Settle into our cabins and explore the ship. Beverages are included so be sure to grab a cool drink and meet on the deck as we depart the mainland to enjoy the beautiful views of the city.

The first stop will be the Island of Mykonos, the most cosmopolitan of the Greek islands
that attract visitors from all over the world. After docking, transfer to Hora, the island’s capital, where you’ll have time at leisure to explore the narrow, cobbled streets of the city. Pass by chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs, and whitewashed houses to arrive in Alefkandra. This section of Mykonos is known as the “Venice of Mykonos” as the homes with wooden balconies are built on the sea. Historically, these homes were of the wealthy merchants and captains. Father will celebrate Mass before returning to our ship for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Tuesday, June 20, 2023. CRUISE: KUSADASI – EPHESUS (MARY’S HOUSE) – PATMOS
After breakfast on board, arrive at the lively Turkish port of Kusadasi and transfer to our bus which takes us to the small village of Mt. Koressos. We visit Meryemana Evi, a small stone chapel on the site where the Virgin Mary spent her last days following Christ’s crucifixion.
You’ll have time for prayer before Father celebrates Mass.

Continue to ancient Ephesus and enjoy a walking tour which takes us through the most
magnificent excavations in the world. Stop at the Great Theater, with a capacity of 25,000
people and where Saint Paul preached. On the return follow the exact route that Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession via the Arcadian Way. This main street runs from the Great Theatre to the main city’s harbor. Upon arrival in Kusadasi, enjoy free time to explore on our own before returning to the ship.

The next stop is Patmos, where we visit the monastery of Saint John the Theologian.
This marvelous structure was built nine hundred years ago and continues to be supported by the walls of a strong fortification. In addition to the stunning main church that contains outstanding frescoes, we will view the beautiful courtyard, dining room, and bakery. Our tour continues to the small museum, where we can see priceless ecclesiastical treasures such as books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons, textiles, vestments, and jewelry.
Board the bus, which will take us to the Monastery and Grotto of the Apocalypse. In
this grotto, experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the site of where the Book of Revelation was written. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Wednesday, June 21, 2023. CRUISE: RHODES – THE ISLAND OF KNIGHTS OF ST.JOHN
The Island of Rhodes is a mix of Roman and Byzantine architectural styles. Rhodes was one of the most important seafaring and trading centers in the Eastern Mediterranean, during ancient times in 1309 by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, it is now under the protection of UNESCO. A tour of Rhodes is included in the morning along with time at leisure to explore on our own. You can return to the ship for an included lunch or enjoy lunch on our own in town before Father celebrates Mass at SantaMaria Catholic Church of Rhodes (a 5-minute walk from the port). Optional excursion to Lindos may be purchased on the ship. Dinner and overnight on the ship. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Thursday, June 22, 2023. CRUISE: CRETE (HERAKLION) – SANTORINI
This morning, we transfer to the largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion, where we see the ancient ruins of the Palace of Knossos. These ruins were discovered in 1899, and the palace is currently partially reconstructed. This ancient palace is believed to have been the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. Additionally, it is the site where Saint Paul met the owner and captain of the ship who warned him of continuing his journey to spread Christianity in Rome.
Return to the ship to sail to the idyllic island of Santorini, definitively the most
breathtaking island of all the Greek Islands. Disembark via tender upon arrival in Santorini and take the cable car to visit Thira with its iconic white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques that cling to steep cliffs. Father will celebrate Mass at St. John Catholic Church before returning to the ship for our last dinner and overnight on our cruise. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Friday, June 23, 2023. ATHENS – CORINTH
After disembarkation, drive to ancient Corinth where Saint Paul lived for two years. While
here, Saint Paul felt great grief over the way that the Gentile Church in Corinth had become. As a result, he was prompted to write four letters, all with the overarching theme of love. In Corinth, we will have the opportunity to view the remains of the first century shops, the site of Saint Paul’s trial by Gallio, the Fountain of Peirene, and the Temple of Apollo. Father will celebrate Mass at the Steps of St. Paul in ancient Corinth. In the late afternoon return to Athens for a farewell dinner with Greek folklore dancing. (B, Special dinner)

Day 10: Saturday, June 24, 2023. RETURN to USA
Saying our heartfelt farewells to a journey that will last in our memory forever, we
transfer to the airport for our return flight home to Dulles. (B)

$4495.00

Prices are valid only if the deposit is received no later than March 1, 2023
Final payment due April 14, 2023
Land Only: $3495.00
Solo Traveler (Additional Cost) $1190.00

INCLUDED WITH YOUR PRICE

• Roundtrip airfare from Dulles Washington
• Airport taxes and fuel surcharges
• First-class hotels for 4 nights
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Buffet breakfast daily
• 2 hotel dinners at the hotels (standard 3-course menu, beverages available at an additional cost)
• Farewell dinner in a restaurant with wine
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight buffet on the ship
• Beverage package on the cruise: Unlimited coffee, tea, soda, alcoholic beverages on the ship
• All transfers with a private A/C motor coach as per itinerary
• Professional English speaking Tour Guide for the land portion of the trip only
• Sightseeing tours as per itinerary
• 4 night Greek Island cruise in outside cabins
• Private shore excursion for the group in Ephesus in Patmos
• Ship excursions in Rhodes and Crete as per the itinerary
• Entrance fees included to sites specifically listed (outside view means no entrance is included)
• Luggage handling at hotels (one piece per person in / out)
• Select International Tours Travel Portfolio
• Confirmation of daily Mass
• Port taxes
• All tips on the ship, plus the for the guide and driver on the land package
• Whisper sets (earphones) for the land package
• We recommend you consider purchasing CFAR Travel Protection

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE

• Personal expenses
• Medical Insurance
• Any items not explicitly mentioned in the listed inclusions
• Beverages at meals unless otherwise noted
• Church donations

BAGGAGE CHARGES NOT INCLUDED IN TRIP COST:

• Any airline baggage charges
• Baggage handling at train stations, airports, and hotels in excess of one suitcase per person
• Any charges incurred due to excessive luggage including the cost of an additional baggage vehicle or portage charges

NOTE: This active program covers a good amount of ground each day. You need to be able to walk for 60 minutes straight and on uneven surfaces. Some stairs will be encountered

Deposits and final payment:
A deposit of $500.00 per person is required to hold your place.
Final payment is due by April 14, 2023. PLEASE ASK FOR FULL TERMS.

Please make your check out to Select International Tours and mail to:

Select International Tours,
85 Park Ave.
Flemington, NJ 08822
Attn: Mirela Krstic,

Questions: Call Mirela at 800-842-4842
or Email: mirela@select-intl.com