9-DAY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL IN GREECE With FR. LAURENCE GALLAGHER October 18 – 26, 2024/ 5-DAY ROME EXTENSION (OPTIONAL) October 26 - 30, 2024

Itinerary

9-DAY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL IN GREECE
With FR. LAURENCE GALLAGHER
October 18 – 26, 2024

DAY 1                                      Los Angeles – Thessalonica, Greece

Fr. Oct 18       • Depart LAX for a flight to Thessalonica, Greece.

DAY 2:                                    Thessalonica

Sa. Oct 19 • Arrive at Thessalonica airport in the evening and transfer to our hotel after the formalities. Dinner, and overnight Thessalonica.

DAY 3:                                    Thessalonica - Philippi - Kavala – Thessalonica (B, L)

Su. Oct 20     • After breakfast at the hotel, our pilgrimage begins with a drive to Philippi, where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity, Acts 16:11-12. Paul arrived here with Silas and Luke in the winter of AD 49 to AD 50. There, a woman named Lydia was the first Christian to receive baptism. They were later arrested and prosecuted but received God's help to escape from prison (Acts 16: 25-26). The next visit is the Roman Theatre, the probable site of the prison where Paul and Silas were arrested. Later, we drive towards Kavala, the ancient city of Neapolis (Acts 16:11), where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy, and Silas. It was later renamed Christopolis, the City of Christ, as the first European city to accept Christianity. We will also visit the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis before returning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Thessalonica.

DAY 4:                                    Thessalonica - Veria - Vergina – Kalambaka (B, D)

Mo. Oct 21     • Today, we will explore Thessalonica, where Paul preached the gospel in his second and third missionary journeys. Paul wrote many epistles, referred to as "To the Thessalonians," in the early Christian period. We will then continue to visit the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, the Patron Saint of the city, the Agora, the Church of Saint Sofia, the White Tower, and the Byzantine fortress. The next stop will be Veria (Berea), another town where Paul evangelized (Acts 17: 10-14). When Paul visited this town in AD 50, he came across a more "noble" Jewish community where he preached and built an influential Church. He also met Sopatros (or Sosipatros), who followed him on his return journey to Asia. Then, we will head to Vergina, the legendary burial site of the Macedonian kings. This place is considered a World Heritage Site, also known as the Royal Tombs, and houses the tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Later, we depart for Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5:                                    Kalambaka - Meteora – Delphi B, D)

Tu. Oct 22      • Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. We continue visiting the spectacular Meteora, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, a mountainous region of stunning scenery. We will see hundred-year-old Byzantine monasteries built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation on top of huge rocks during the Middle Ages. We will visit the most famous one, which is now a popular museum, the Great Meteoron, to admire superb icons, old manuscripts, unique mosaics, and frescoes. Later, we will continue to drive to Delphi for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6:                                    Delphi – Athens (B, D)

We. Oct 23    • We will explore Delphi, famous for the oracles, where the priestess of Apollo, Pitia, influenced the history of cities and states of antiquity with their prophecies. We will also visit the archaeological site and museum. The museum houses an impressive collection associated with ancient Delphi, including the earliest known notation of a melody, the famous Charioteer, and fragments of reliefs from the Siphnian Treasury. We can also see the inscription that mentions the Roman proconsul Gallio is close to the exit. The reference to Proconsul Gallio in the inscription provides an essential marker for developing a chronology of the life of Apostle Paul by relating it to the trial of Paul in Achaea mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (18:12-17). Dinner and overnight in Athens.

DAY 7:                                    Athens - Corinth – Cenchrea – Athens (B, D)

Th. Oct 24     • After breakfast, we will explore Athens, including visiting the Agora of Athens (Acts 17:16-34). Athens is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of Western civilization as we know it today. We will visit the main points of interest in the city: the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and The Areopagus Hill or Mars Hill, where Paul preached to the Gentile Nations about the unknown God. Then, we continue to drive toward ancient Corinth (Acts 18.1-18). In ancient Corinth, Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, and wrote two of the epistles, which are now part of the New Testament. We will see all the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio's seat, the pillars, stairs, and the place of public worship where Paul preached. All these visits will certainly enhance the understanding of Corinthians I and II. Before returning to Athens, we will pass by the ancient Greek port of Cenchrea (Acts 18:18. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Athens.

DAY 8:                                    Athens (B)

Fr. Oct 25      • Free day. Enjoy your day at leisure or your opportunity for shopping. We have arranged a special farewell dinner in the evening and enjoy the Traditional Greek Cultural Dance. Overnight in Athens

DAY 9:                                    Athens – Los Angeles (B)

Sa. Oct 26     • Transferred to the Airport for your flight home for those who decide not to extend the Pilgrimage to Rome. You will arrive home on the same day. WELCOME HOME
Otherwise, you will continue your PILGRIMAGE to ROME

5-DAY ROME EXTENSION (OPTIONAL)
October 26, 30, 2024

DAY 1:                        Athens – Rome (B, D)

Sa. Oct 26  • Depart Athens for a flight to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome, we will proceed to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, followed by a visit to St. Peter's Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Rome

DAY 2:                       Rome (B)

Su. Oct 27    • After breakfast at the hotel, welcome to the Imperial Rome. A leap into the Roman Age. Welcome to one of the most incredible avenues of the world: Via dei Fori Imperiali. It begins from the slopes of Capitol Hill, behind Venice Square. We start by visiting one of Rome's most impressive, unknown corners, the ruin of Trajan Market (from the outside). It is the first monumental, historical commercial area and was a shopping center for the Romans! Leaving the markets and the Trajan Columns recounting the Roman victory in the Dacia region, we continue walking along the Imperial Forum, admiring the Augustus Forum, Tito's Arch, Settimio Severo's Arch, Ulpia'a Basilica, Caesar's Forum, and Massenzio's Basilica; therefore, we come to the magnificent Colosseum, the Flavius Amphitheatre. Once, it was entirely covered by white marble, surrounded by columns and statues, and a vast velario (a tent) protecting the public attending the gladiators' show from the sun. On the central platform covered by sand, the sad exhibition of the gladiators fighting to survive against the lions, all around terraces for the ordinary people, the balcony for the Emperor and the Senators, all for the delight of the spectators. Overnight in Rome.

Note: On Sundays at noon, the Pope usually (if he's in town) appears at the second window from the right of the Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus and bless the crowd in the Square. We will participate in this event on this Sunday.

DAY 3:       Rome (B)

Mo. Oct 28 • After breakfast, meet the guide at the hotel and start the Christian tour with the Basilicas of Rome and the Catacomb. The history of these Basilicas comes together with the history of Rome, scaring the religious path, the social events, and the artistic experience: St John's Lateran Basilica, the Cathedral of Rome, and the most ancient Basilica of the Western world. It was funded by Constantine I as the main Church of Rome and subsequently converted to the Baroque style by Francesco Borromini. All Popes were crowned here until the 19th century. Today, it's the official seat of the Roman Bishop. The large complex around the Church embraces the Lateran Palace, the Major Pontifical Roman Seminary, and the Pontifical Lateran University. Stop to visit the Holy Stairs on the left side of the Square. According to Christian tradition, Jesus climbed the stairs to reach the interrogation room with Pontius Pilate before the crucifixion. The 28 steps have been implemented, starting from the highest, to avoid the builders walking on them and allowing only the Pilgrims to kneel on the Stairs. Later, we proceed to St Paul Outside the Walls Basilica, rising on the legendary burial site of St Paul the Apostle in the middle of an ancient guesthouse on the long way to Ostia. The Basilica, rebuilt after the fire in 1823, is the second largest Church after St Peter at the Vatican. Here, under the main altar, is the tomb of St Paul Apostles, and for this reason, this Basilica has always been a pilgrimage destination; since the 1300 date of the first Holy Year, it has been part of the Jubilee itinerary and seat of the Holy Door's opening ceremony. After St. Paul outside the Wall Basilica, we'll visit the Three Fountain Abbey, raised on the spot where St. Paul was beheaded by the order of Emperor Nero. Legend accounts for the three springs (fountain), asserting that, when severed from Paul's body, his head bounced and struck the earth in three different places, from which fountains sprang up. We will end our tour with a visit to one of the Catacombs of Rome. They are authentic archives of the primitive Church, an attestation of the costumes and rituals of how the Christian doctrine was meant and applied.

DAY 4        Rome (B, D)

Tu. Oct 29   • Today, we will have the day to explore Rome on our own or some time to shop before going home. Later in the evening, enjoy a Special Farewell dinner with a musical performance. Overnight in Rome.

DAY 5        Rome – Los Angeles

We. Oct 30                          • It's time to say, "Arrivederci Roma." Check out the hotel and transfer to the Airport for our flight home. We will arrive home on the same day. Welcome home!

END OF PILGRIMAGE

REMARKS:

B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

9-DAY GREECE PILGRIMAGE, OCTOBER 18 – 26, 2024

PRICE INCLUDES:

¨        Round-trip, Economy class airfare between LAX Airport and Greece

¨        Airline taxes & fees

¨        Basic economy class seat assignment (upgrade for fees)

¨        One carry-on bag; one checked bag (max.50 lbs) according to the airline baggage rules

¨        Airport transfers in Greece

¨        First-class hotels in Greece

¨        Local government rooms & taxes

¨        Daily breakfast, one lunch, and most dinners

¨        Admission fees and donations during the site visits, as stated in the itinerary.

¨        Service of a local English-speaking tour guide during site visits

¨        Service a Spiritual Director, Fr. Laurence Gallagher, throughout the Pilgrimage

¨        Service of a Tour Director throughout the Pilgrimage.

¨        Daily masses, when and where available

NOT INCLUDED,

¨        All other expenses that are not mentioned in the itinerary.

¨        Trip insurance (strongly recommended)

¨        Tips to local tour guides & drivers. (Suggestions: Driver: €5 per person per day. Tour guides: €8 per person per day

¨        Church collections during Masses

5-DAY ROME EXTENSION (OPTIONAL), OCTOBER 26 –30, 2023)

PRICE INCLUDES:

¨        Economy class airfare from Athens to Rome

¨        All air taxes and fees

¨        Basic economy class seat assignment (upgrade for fees)

¨        Accommodation, Casa Ravasco Saint Pietro, Rome, managed by the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (in support of their ministry in Rome). https://www.casaravascosanpietro.com/en

¨        Daily breakfast and some dinners

¨        Airport – Hotel - Airport transfers in Rome

¨        Tours and visits important sites in Rome and the Vatican City.

¨        Admission fees and donations during the site visits, as stated in the itinerary.

¨        Daily Masses, when and where available

¨        Service of local English-speaking tour guides during site visits.

¨        Service a Spiritual Director, Fr. Laurence Gallagher, throughout the Pilgrimage

¨        Service of a Tour Director throughout the Pilgrimage.

NOT INCLUDED,

¨        All other expenses that are not mentioned in the itinerary.

¨        Trip insurance (strongly recommended)

¨        Tips to local tour guides & drivers. (Suggestions: Driver: €7 per person per day. Tour guides: €10 per person per day

¨        Church collections during Masses

• Every effort will be made to keep the itinerary as stated. However, the tour operator has the right to alter the itinerary, if necessary, according to the local conditions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

LORI OR RIC OCHOA

Mobile: (562) 833-5902

Or

Immaculate Tours & Pilgrimages

(Ron Tindage)

Office: +1.310.331.8123

Mobile: +1. 310.877.5487

Registered with the Attorney General's Office

California Seller of Travel, SOT #2122146-50