Accommodation in 4 & 5 Star Hotels
Daily Breakfast and Dinner
Accredited local Guide
All entry fees
Luggage handling
Twin share room
Friday, May 15 - Day 1 - Sydney GROUP departure to Thessaloniki
Be excited, Enjoy the Journey
Saturday, May 16 - Day 2 - Thessaloniki
Welcome to Thessaloniki Airport - the second largest city in Greece - your bus is waiting to transfer the group to our gorgeous Hotel downtown. Check in - Orientation - Welcome group dinner - overnight. (D)
Sunday, May 17 - Day 3 – Veria, Thessaloniki
(Breakfast optional). We journey to Veria to attend the Liturgy at a most reverend Monastery, followed by visiting the city where St Paul preached. “On the steps of St Paul.” The city is known for its many Byzantine churches, earning it the nickname "Little Jerusalem." Group lunch and back to “Amazing Thessaloniki” to venerate the Patron Saint of the city, Saint Demetrios, the Myrrh-gusher, Holy great-Martyr, commander of the Roman forces in Thessaly. Free evening. (L)
Monday, May 18 - Day 4 - Thessaloniki
After breakfast, our local tour guide will take us on a Thessaloniki City Tour. It’s a vibrant City with significant historical and cultural charm. St Paul preached in the synagogue here for three consecutive Sabbaths, teaching about the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. His compelling words influenced many, leading to the establishment of a strong Christian community. We visit the old city walls built in the 4th century. We visit the landmark of Thessaloniki, the Rotunda, a circular structure initially built as a temple for Zeus, later converted into a Christian church. This is a very rich city of Saints; St Demetrios, St David of Thessaloniki, St Gregory Palamas, and many more, group lunch, then we travel to Saroti, to St John The Baptist Monastery to visit and venerate St Paisios relics. Return to the hotel, free evening. (L)
Tuesday May 19 - Day 5 - Philippi - Kavala - Thassos Island
After breakfast, we check out, bus journey thru the regions of Amphipolis and Apolliana on the way to Philippi where St Paul started his ministry. Among the gathered crowds, St Paul encountered a devout woman named Lydia. After he baptized her, she and played a huge role in spreading the Gospel. We visit the baptism site where a Church was built in her name. Philippi is also where St Paul and Silas were prosecuted, beaten and imprisoned in the Agora. By God’s intervention, an earthquake shook the jail and broke their chains. They did not escape to protect the jailer from punishment, so he rewarded them by attending to their wounds and took them to his home where all his house members were baptized. We then catch the Ferry to the beautiful Thassos Island. Resort check-in, group dinner and overnight. (D)
Wednesday, May 20 - Day 6 – Thassos
After breakfast, exploration day of Thassos. We travel by bus to visit two very Holy sites; St Michael’s Monastery, where they have the nail of the Cross, and the Monastery of Assumption, where they keep the icon of the Theotokos written by St Luke the Apostle himself, sister to the icon in Saidnaya. We also tour other interesting sites on the island before we return to our Hotel. Free evening.
Thursday, May 21 - Day 7 – Thassos
After breakfast, free day to luxuriate on Thassos Island. Free evening.
Friday, May 22 - Day 8 – Kavala, Kalambaka
After breakfast, check out, transfer to the port to catch the Ferry to Kavala where our bus is awaiting to take us on a journey to the magical Meteora. Arriving to our hotel in Kalambaka just in time for group dinner. Overnight.(D)
Saturday, May 23 - Day 9 – Meteora
After breakfast, our local guide will accompany us to the truly awesome sites of these beautiful Monasteries. We visit and venerate the relics of St. Stephen, the first martyr, and visit the Monastery of Great Meteoron. We may also visit the original site of the hermitages, or feel free to visit one of the museums such as the Geological museum. Overnight at Kalambaka. Free evening.
Sunday, May 24 - Day 10 – Kastraki, Delphi, Athens
(Breakfast optional). We attend the Liturgy at the Dormition of the Virgin Cathedral, in the village of Kastraki before we head to Athens, stopping on the way at Delphi, to visit the famous archeology site, once believed to be the center of the earth. We continue driving to the wondrous mosaic Monastery of St Luke, a real unforgettable experience. On to Athens, Check in to hotel, group dinner and overnight in Athens. (D)
Monday, May 25 - Day 11 – The Acropolis of Athens - Corinth
Breakfast. Following breakfast, we start the day by visiting the Acropolis (steep climb-optional outing) with a stop at St Paul’s Steps where he preached to the Athenians about Christ and His Resurrection. We then travel to Corinth the place of the letters of St Paul to the Corinthians. We will also visit the Corinth Channel cut by hand, an incredible achievement at that time. We then explore the charming streets of the Plaka where we get lost between coffee and ice-cream stops, restaurants and souvenirs shop. Farewell Group, folkloric, dinner party. D
Tuesday, May 26 - Day 12
After breakfast, we check out and transfer the group to ATHENS airport to catch the flight home.
Tuesday, May 26 - Day 1 - Catania - Syracuse
Breakfast, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Catania airport in Sicily, transfer to the hotel, Group Dinner, exploring the city and overnight.(D)
Wednesday May 27 - Day 2 - Catania
Exploring this beautiful city famous for its great food, excellent nightlife, and stunning views of Mt. Etna in the background. Will also explore the stunning Baroque architecture, beautiful churches, and tasty street food. Wine & Olive Oil tasting are also a great options. Group Lunch (L)
Thursday, May 28 - Day 3 - Taormina
Breakfast.The hamlet of Taormina was founded by the Greeks, and has always been a florid and wealthy center; its fame arose during the Nineteenth Century, when great philosophers and artists such as J. W. Goethe traveled all the way from Germany, France or England to admire the wonders of this charming destination. Will visit the only active volcano of Mt. Etna.
Friday, May 29 - Day 4 –Taormina
Breakfast. Today, we enjoy stunning beaches of the Ionian Sea, visit Taormina’s ancient Greek theater, and picturesque streets, this city has long been a magnet for tourists seeking out ‘la dolce vita’ in Sicily. (D)
Farewell, Group musical Dinner.
Saturday, May 30 - Day 5
Sunday, May 31 - Day 6
Monday, June 1st - Day 7
Tuesday, June 2nd, Day 8
Wednesday June 3rd, Day 9
Breakfast: Transfer to Malta airport to catch the flight home.
SAFE JOURNEY HOME
• All transfers airports as per itinerary by private motor-coach.
• Five Stars Hotel:
❖ 3 overnights in Thessaloniki.
❖ 2 Overnight in Meteora/ Kalambaka.
❖ 5 Overnight in Sicily
❖ 2 Overnights in Athens at 5* hotel.
❖ 3 Overnights on Thassos Island at 5* Seaside Resort.❖English-speaking local Guides
❖ Hotels City tax and VAT. (excluding the resilience tax at hotels)
❖ Flight to Sicily
❖ Thassos island Ferry tickets.
❖ Sightseeing tours as outlined in the itinerary:
❖ Daily breakfast, 7 Dinners and 2 lunches in various cities.
❖ All sea and land transportation.
❖ All VAT & Taxes, (excluding the resilience tax at the hotels)
www.tourswithmichael.com
