September 15 - 27, 2025
Greece
The Journey of St. Paul by Land and Sea
Venture on this once in a lifetime scenic pilgrimage to Greece in the footsteps of St. Paul. Visit some of the country's most picturesque islands and coastal cities while deepening your understanding of our Catholic faith, savoring delicious Greek cuisine, and exploring sites of cultural significance!
This tour will be led by Monica & Aaron Richards and Amber & Dan DeMatte of Damascus, and spiritual director Father Patrick Schultz.
INCLUSIONS
• Two nights’ accommodations at a five-star hotel in Athens
• Nine nights’ accommodations aboard the Celebrity Infinity
• Two continental breakfasts in Athens
• Two group dinners in Athens
• Meals onboard the ship
• Classic Beverage Package onboard the ship offering an incredible array of beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, and wine
• Welcome and farewell cocktail parties
• Luxury air-conditioned motor coach for touring
• Local, Catholic tour manager while on tour
• Tour manager from the USA
• Sightseeing and entrance fees
• Local guides according to the itinerary
• Arrangements of daily Mass including donations in historical churches or onboard ship Hotel & city taxes and porterage for 1 piece of luggage
• Basic Wi-Fi Package onboard the ship
• Hotel & city taxes and porterage for 1 piece of luggage
• Gratuities paid to onboard cruise staff : room steward, waiter, and busboy
• Gratuities paid to local guides and drivers while on tour in Athens and visiting ports
PILGRIMAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Airfare; this tour is sold land only
• $124 per person mandatory taxes, fees, and port expenses
• Airport transfers to the hotel in Athens
• Meals unless specifically identified
• Beverages with meals unless specified
• Other personal expenses
• Items not specifically mentioned above
Itinerary
Day 1: Monday, September 15: Depart for Athens
Depart on indepentent flights to Athens, Greece.
Day 2: Tuesday, September 16 - Athens
Arrive in Athens and head to your hotel for check-in. Take time to explore the area, rest, or freshen up. Celebrate Mass at the Catholic Cathedral and gather for a group welcome dinner. Overnight in Athens.
Day 3: Wednesday, September 17 - Corinth | Athens
Your first full day begins with a morning trip to Corinth, a hub of activity when St. Paul visited and preached. Explore ancient Corinth with a guided tour, discovering its remarkable landmarks like the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Peirene fountain, the Lechaion Road, and the Bema, where St. Paul faced the tribunal. Celebrate an outdoor Mass, then return to Athens and experience Greek cuisine with dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Athens.
Day 4: Thursday, September 18 - Areopagus Hill | Acropolis | Athens (Piraeus) Embarkation
Check out of the hotel to explore Athens as St. Paul once did, seeing the hill of Areopagus where he delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech. Visit the incomparable Acropolis, the epitome of Ancient Greece. Celebrate Mass before transferring to Piraeus for embarkation on the Celebrity Infinity. Dinner and overnight on the ship.
Day 5: Friday, September 19 - Conference at Sea
Enjoy a day at sea, celebrating Mass on the ship, along with a group reflection. Explore the ship amenities, including the restaurants, shows, pools, and onboard activities. Overnight onboard the ship.
Day 6: Sunday, September 20 - Santorini | Shore Excursion
Take a tender boat to the enchanting island of Santorini and be transported to the picturesque town of Fira via a delightful cable car ride. There, you’ll be greeted by the iconic Greek seascape, featuring charming, whitewashed houses with stunning sea-blue rooftops. Celebrate Mass and enjoy free time for shopping and exploring. Return to the ship for overnight.
Day 7: Sunday, September 21- Kusadasi | Ephesus
The ship docks in the morning at the port of Kusadasi, where you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Ephesus, a historically significant site mentioned in Acts 19. The first stop will be the House of Mary, a revered pilgrimage site, to celebrate Mass. Next, explore the captivating ancient city of Ephesus, home to remarkable landmarks such as the 24,000-seat theater. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Monday, September 22 - Mykonos | Shore Excursion
Arrive at the island of Mykonos, known for its whitewashed villages sprinkled with blue and jade green. Celebrate Mass onboard the ship before tendering for free time to explore and relax on the sandy beaches. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Tuesday, September 23 - Volos | Meteora
Celebrate Mass onboard the ship. Then, begin the day with a private excursion to Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at the dark, sandstone pinnacles soaring dramatically from the Thessaly plain, crowned with six historic monasteries that seem to defy gravity. Explore two of the incredible monasteries and return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Wednesday, September 24 - Thessaloniki | Veria/Berea | Vergina
Embark on a captivating tour of Thessaloniki, the city of the Thessalonians, to whom St. Paul addressed two of his epistles. Explore the places where St. Paul lived and preached. After celebrating Mass at the Cathedral, journey to Veria/ Berea, where St. Paul’s influence is still evident. Continue to Vergina, the resting place of Macedonian kings. Explore the historic sites surrounding the area and return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Thursday, September 25 - Kavala | Philippi
Travel to the coastal town of Kavala, where St. Paul first set foot on European soil en route to Philippi. Guided by a local expert, explore the rich history and captivating archaeological site of Philippi, discovering monuments spanning the Ancient, Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where St. Paul was held prisoner and St. Lydia’s baptismal site. Celebrate Mass at Lydia’s Spring, then return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Friday, September 26 - Conference at Sea
Enjoy a day at sea celebrating Mass on the ship and a group reflection. Explore the ship amenities, including the restaurants, shows, pools, and onboard activities. Overnight onboard the ship.
Day 13: Saturday, September 27 - Disembark at Athens (Piraeus)
Upon disembarking, transfer to the Athens airport for your return flights home.
Itinerary is tentative and subject to change
PRICING
Inside cabins starting at $4,399*
Balcony cabins starting at $6,449*
Concierge cabins starting at $6,759*
Please see brochue for all available cabins.
*Pricing assumes double occupancy.
TRAVEL PROTECTION:
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel protection is highly recommended.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION TERMS:
Deposit: $500 per person due upon registration
Second Deposit: 1/3 of balance due January 10, 2025
Third Deposit: 1/3 of the balance due March 10, 2025
Final Payment: Balance due June 1, 2025
Please note late payments will incur a $50 late fee.
All cancellations must be received in writing. Payments are non-refundable and subject to CTS Terms and Conditions, including the CTS Liability Release. CTS reserves the right to cancel any reservation if payments are not made according to the payment schedule. A $25 fee will be added to any reinstated reservation.
BY REGISTERING FOR THIS PILGRIMAGE YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO CORPORATE TRAVEL’S TERMS & CONDITIONS
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