Greece-Turkey-Italy with FR. ARMAND ROBLEZA, SDB

Upon your arrival in Athens, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking guide and start your Athens city tour. We drive to the center and visit the legendary Acropolis, the spectacular Parthenon and the Temple of the Winged Victory. Next, we will visit Areopagus on Mars Hill where Paul was brought before the council and made his famous “Men of Athens” speech. Then transfer to the hotel for check in. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in

This morning we will drive along the picturesque Corinthian Gulf via its historic Canal to Corinth, where Saint Paul lived and worked, and from where he sent his first and second letters to the Corinthians. We visit Footsteps of Saint Paul pilgrimage, the market place where Paul preached to the Corinthians. To stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps and place of public worship where Paul preached, will enhance your understanding and love of Corinthians I, II. We will also visit the sixth century BC Temple of Apollo, the Museum of Corinth and the Bema Seat of St. Paul. Lunch at a local restaurant. We continue on to Cenchreae, the ancient seaport from where the Apostle Paul set sail for Ephesus. Return back to Athens and overnight.

After early (or boxed) breakfast and check-out at the hotel, transfer to the Athens Port and take a ferry ride going to Santorini. Lunch on Ferry on your own account. This island was formed by the eruption of the volcano in 1600 BC. Meet and greet at Santorini port. Proceed to the hotel for check-in. Have a guided tour to visit the Black Beach and the Profitis Ilias. Then head to spectacular location of Pyrgos where “Santo Wines” winery is located. We will have wine-tasting as well as an introduction to the history of Santorinian wines. Rest of the time is free at your own leisure. Discover the main town with its shops and boutiques, or sit in a café and enjoy the view of the volcano. Dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a full-day tour of the island. We will experience a short cable car ride to the old port. Take a walking tour of Fira town, the capital town of the island. Wandering through the white cobbled streets of Fira, a town of about 2,000 inhabitants, one gets the feel of the old-world charm, blended in with the modern-day comforts. You will also find Gold Street where someone can pick the most interesting jewelry. Then we will visit one of the black beaches of the island at Kamari, Perivolos or Perissa and the Monolithos Village. After lunch, depart and drive north to the traditional settlement of Oia. Oia hosts the most magnificent views on Santorini and a picturesque road with cliffs on one side and sea on the other leads to this attractive town. Walk around and discover the typical Santorinian architecture with houses sunk deep into the volcanic soil, their whitewashed walls and blue domes sparkling under the sunlight. Proceed to Fira, Have some free time at your own leisure. Return to Santorini. Dinner at a local restaurant. Walk back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Have some free time for leisure and shopping. Dinner on Ferry on your own account. At the given time, we will transfer to Santorini port for our boat ride back to Athens. Proceed to the hotel for check-in and overnight.

Drive to Delphi, the center of the Ancient world, the "omphalos" (navel) of the earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, in a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty and majesty, lies the archaeological site of Delphi. We will visit the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the Archaeological Museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Lunch at a local restaurant. We then continue to Kalambaka. Overnight in Kalambaka.

Climb up to spectacular Meteora with its Meteora thousand-year-old Byzantine monasteries perched precariously on huge finger-like rocks. The view from here is breathtakingly beautiful. Then arrive in Thessaloniki where he sent his first and second letters to the Thessalonians. We will see the White Tower, the Triumphal Arch of Galerius standing on the Egnatian Way and the Rotunda. Lunch at A local restaurant. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

In the morning, we will depart for our destination Kavala. Continue along the coast into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where St. Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. We will visit Philippi where St. Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here, St. Paul baptized a "certain woman named Lydia" the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely excavated, is from after St. Paul's time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town's main road is the prison where St. Paul and Silas were thrown. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight Kavala.

In the morning, we will depart for our final destination Beria. Drive to Berea on the terraced foot of Mt. Vernon to see the Monument where Paul preached. We then take the way back to Athens. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Breakfast at the hotel. Have some free time before you meet your local assistant. Transfer to Athens airport for your flight to Istanbul. Lunch at the Athens airport on your own account. Upon your arrival, you will meet the local representative. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Visit to Blue Mosque, the most interesting and fascinating mosque in Istanbul. Next to the Blue Mosque lies the Hippodrome, the major centre of horse races, chariot rallies and all sorts of sporting events during the Byzantine era. St.Sophia, the ancient basilica built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the greatest architectural marvels of all the time. Then we will enjoy Bosphorus Cruise and experience the magnificent view between Asia and Europe. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Drive to Istanbul Airport and fly to IZMIR. Then transfer to ancient Smyrna. Smyrna was the second and one of the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor to which St. John the Divine wrote (Revelation l - 11). Then continue to Pergamon (Bergama). Visit the Acropolis with its pagan temples and Altar of Zeus. Continue to the healing center, Aesculapius. Overnight in Izmir.

Today, we will visit the Outlet Leather Factory & Center and watch the live fashion show of leather jackets. Then, we will continue to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, spectacularly situated above the ruins. Thereafter, we enter Ephesus, once the commercial center of the ancient world. See the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Temple of Artemis. Also visit the Church of St. John ‘s Basilica, which was erected in Byzantine times over the site of the Apostles tomb. Overnight in Kusdası.

Drive toward Pamukkale. We will visit the Textile Shopping. Continue to explore the antique city of Hierapolis, where calcareous thermal springs descending over cliffs have created a fascinating travertines in the form of white terrace and basins, also known as the Cotton Castle. After dinner, we may relax and enjoy soaking into an authentic thermal bath at the hotel. Overnight in Kusdası.

Early departure to Konya. We will stop to visit one of the largest caravanserais in the world, Sultan Hani Caravanserai. It was made in Seljuk Time and was used as an accommodation for the people, especially merchants, and as a defence for trade ways which was the first insurance system those times. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Early morning optional hot air balloon ride. Today starts with Love Valley, where you can discover the spectacular rock formations and magical fairy chimnies. We will also visit the Carpet School. Thereafter, visit Pasabaglari (Monk's Valley) where you can see chimnies with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. Then, drive to Avanos, the town famous for potteries from Hiities period. After lunch, we drive to Devrent Valley to see the fairy chimnies with mushroom and animal shapes. Then proceed to Urgup and Ortahisar rock-cut castle to view the old Greek house which was built in 1800’s. Proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescoes painted on the walls. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Visit Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches. Then visit Uchisar Castle, where storage caves can also be observed. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli Underground City where early christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back, visit the panoramic Pigeon Valley where pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure to fertilize the vineyard. You may also like to taste Cappadocia wine in a local winery. Then transfer to Kayseri Airport and fly to Rome via Istanbul. Upon arrival in Rome, transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight.

After breakfast, have a sightseeing guided tour to visit the Classical Rome which includes Venezia, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. In the afternoon, visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. Visit also the St. Peter Square, destination of all Catholics coming from all over the world. Dinner at a local restaurant before transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will have a guided tour to visit the San Paolo Alle Tre Fontane (St. Paul at the Three Fountains) located at the Tre Fontane Abbey. Then continue to visit the Church of Domine Quo Vadis. In the afternoon, we will also visit the Catacomb Domitilla. Have some free time for last minute shopping for souvenirs. Dinner at a local restaurant before transfer to the hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, have a half-day guided tour to visit the Basilica San Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, and the Holy Steps. Have some free time before transfer to Rome airport for your flight back to Manila.

“HOME SWEET HOME”