Greece: In the Footsteps of St. Paul
Presented by St. Paul The Apostle Church

Day 1: Thursday, October 14, 2010
Overnight Flight
St. Paul the Apostle, the prolific writer of the New Testament letters, was one of the first Christian missionaries. Trace his journey through the ancient cities and pastoral countryside of Greece.

Day 2: Friday, October 15, 2010
Athens - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Greece’s lively capital, Athens. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.
Today Dinner is included.

Day 3: Saturday, October 16, 2010
Athens - Thessaloniki
Depart Athens and venture north to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, sitting on the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. Founded in 315 B.C.E. by King Kassandros, the city grew to be an important hub for trade in the ancient world. It was also an early center for Christianity, where St. Paul visited and preached during the winters of 49-50 A.D. and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. During a panoramic tour, see its iconic White Tower, St. George’s Church, the Arch of Galerius, the old city and the fortress.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 4: Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thessaloniki - Kavala - Thessaloniki
Travel to the coastal town of Kavala where St. Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, he delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site, Philippi, named after Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Discover monuments spanning the Ancient, Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where St. Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized St. Lydia, the first Christian in Europe. On your return to Thessaloniki, visit the Basilica of St. Demetrius, the city’s revered patron saint.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 5: Monday, October 18, 2010
Thessaloniki - Kalambaka
This morning, visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki where you’ll uncover fascinating treasures that date from prehistoric to Roman times. Then, stop at Berea and behold its beautiful modern mosaic of the Apostle. Continue your journey to Vergina. Nearby lay the ruins of ancient Aigai, where the Macedonian kings were interred. Visit the royal tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, and explore the area’s evocative historic sites. Proceed through the fertile Thessalian Valley - the breadbasket of Greece - to Kalambaka, a small town at the foot of the dramatic Meteora, for a two night stay.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 6: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Kalambaka - Meteora - Kalambaka
A short drive brings you to the spectacular Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These dark, sandstone pinnacles rise abruptly from the plain of Thessaly, with six historic monasteries perched upon their peaks. Beginning in the 10th century C.E., hermits, monks and ascetics sought solitude and spiritual solace in these dramatic crags. Visit two of the amazing monasteries* renowned for their intricate construction and exquisite Byzantine art.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 7: Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Kalambaka - Delphi
Travel through scenic mountain terrain to Delphi, one of the most moving sites of the ancient world. Once considered the “navel of the world,” Delphi is nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. Pilgrims once came from all over the ancient world to consult its mysterious oracle. Make your own trek through this enchanting place during a guided tour that takes you along the Sacred Way to see the Doric Temple and the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasuries, and the intriguing Archaeological Museum with its staggering collection of ancient artifacts.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 8: Thursday, October 21, 2010
Delphi - Corinth - Athens
Travel to Corinth, a large and prosperous Roman city with two busy ports. Ancient Corinth bustled with people from all corners of the Mediterranean when St. Paul lived and preached here for two years between 52 and 53 C.E. and again between 57 and 58 C.E.. Explore ancient Corinth on a guided tour featuring the Agora, where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place and its myriad of important structures; the Temple of Apollo; the Fountain of Pierene; the Lechaion Road; and the Bema, where St. Paul was brought before the tribunal, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. See the famous Corinth canal, the narrow waterway slicing through the Isthmus of Corinth, before departing for Athens.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 9: Friday, October 22, 2010
Athens
Today, embark on a memorable journey through Athens, the birthplace of democracy and western civilization. Explore this city as St. Paul once did, seeing the hill of Areopagus (Mars Hill) where he delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech. Visit the incomparable Acropolis; see the Old Olympic Stadium, where the first modern games were held in 1896; the Temple of Zeus; the Presidential Palace, and the Parliament. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner in Athens’ historic district - the Plaka - a lively historic neighborhood nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Feast on local cuisine and enjoy fine wine in a traditional taverna, while Greek entertainment creates the lively and wonderful ambiance around you.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 10: Saturday, October 23, 2010
Athens - Tour Ends
You’ve explored the ancient land where St. Paul made missionary journeys. You’ve seen the places to which he sent his famous epistles – Corinthians, Philippians and Thessalonians – and seen many of the places described in the Acts of the Apostles. Return home inspired and rested by Greece’s incredible, soothing landscapes and the words and deeds of St. Paul.
Today Breakfast is included.

Collette Logo
October 14 - October 23, 2010

Highlights...
Thessaloniki • Archaeological Museum • St. Demetrius Basilica • Kavala • Philippi • Vergina • Kalambaka • Meteora • Delphi • Corinth • Athens • Acropolis • Taverna Dinner Show •

10 Days • 15 Meals:
8 Breakfasts • 7 Dinners

Per Person Rates*:
Double $2949
Single $3399
Triple $2919

*Included in Price: Round Trip Air from Philadelphia Intl Airport, Hotel Transfers, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $160 (subject to increase until paid in full).
Click Here for Details
 *Not Included in Price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $200 per person.

YOUR ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY 1
  Overnight Flight
DAY 2
  Crowne Plaza City Center, Athens
DAY 3 - 4
  Capsis Hotel, Thessaloniki
DAY 5 - 6
  Hotel Famissi Eden, Kalambaka
DAY 7
  Hotel Anemolia, Delphi
DAY 8 - 9
  Crowne Plaza City Center, Athens

On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Experience It!
Philippi

Toward the end of the year 52 C.E., St. Paul arrived in the ancient city of Philippi to preach the new faith. Philippi was a bustling and prosperous Roman garrison town on an important trade route between Italy and Persia. Its population’s religions reflected the diversity of such a busy settlement. Residents worshipped Greek, Roman, Phrygian and Egyptian gods and there was a small Jewish population as well. It was here that St. Paul met Lydia, a local woman and merchant of purple cloth, who became the first European Christian. Paul’s time in Philippi is described in the Acts of the Apostles, and his ongoing relationship with the city’s residents and growing Christian population is revealed in his Epistles to the Philippians. Philippi is considered to be the most important archaeological site of eastern Macedonia. Explore the impressive site with a local guide and see where St. Paul baptized St. Lydia and where he was held prisoner by Roman authorities.

Click here for: Important Reservation Information.

For more information call
Jeanne Rittle
 St. Paul The Apostle Church
717-867-1525
jrittle@hbgdiocese.org

Please Note:
• Passport is required.
• To complete your vacation, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing Collette airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
• *In order to enter the monasteries in Meteora, women must wear skirts that cover the knees and men must wear long trousers and for both sexes, shoulders must be covered. Museum visits and shopping may be affected with observance of religious or local holidays.
• The days and order of sightseeing may change to best utilize your time on tour.
• Please note that single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
• This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.