P.O. Box 53419 Atlanta, GA  30355 (404) 467-8041 FAX (404) 467-8042 Coordinator@catholicpilgrimoffice.com

Celebrating our 32nd Year Providing Superior Catholic Pilgrimages

Providing Superior Catholic Pilgrimages to Rome, Italy, Fatima, Lourdes, Medjugorje, Pope John Paul II, Steps of Paul, the Holy Land, World Youth Day, the Passion Play & more!

The Catholic Pilgrim Office operates tours for pre-formed groups of 15 or more from U.S. departure cities. Call us about details and generous host benefits!

The Catholic Pilgrim Office and

The Quest Travel Group

Day 1: USA - EUROPE.  Tour members will gather at the ticket counter at the airport two hours prior to their departure to Europe. Dinner and breakfast will be served in-flight. 

Day 2: ROME - ATHENS.  Breakfast in-flight before arrival in Rome.  We then connect to our convenient lunch flight to Athens, Greece. Personal meeting and private motor coach transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight. 

Day 3: ATHENS.  This morning our tour will give us an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city.  Our expert guide will take us to see the center of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma). the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the fine neoclassical buildings on Venizelou Avenue;  the Academy, the University and the National Library.  Driving down Herod Atticus Street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace and then you will visit the Byzantine Monastery of Kaissariani at the foot of Mt. Hymettus.  On your way to the Acropolis, you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896) and the Athens of the 2nd century A.D., the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Adrian's Arch.  At the Acropolis visit it's Museum and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and, finally, "the harmony between matter and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon.  Return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure or you may wish to join an optional tour to the Archaeological Museum of Athens.  Dinner and overnight in your hotel.

Day 04: CORINTH - MYCENAE - NAUPLIA - EPIDAURUS.  Depart in our private motor coach to Corinth, where the Apostle Paul spent 18 months and penned his first epistle.  The tribune (Bema), where it is said he spoke, is pointed out along with other surviving Grecian and Roman ruins.  Continue into northeastern Peloponnese to where one of the great Bronze Age fortress-palaces stood guarding the pass between Corinth and Argos.  See Cyclopean stonework, the Lion Gate, and the underground beehive-shaped tombs where Bronze Age Greeks - Homer's Argives - buried royalty.  Drive south to beautiful Nauplia on the sea, home of fishermen. Continue east into the hills of the Argos, where stood the greatest temple of healing, the Sanctuary of Asclepius.  The foundations of a hospital dormitory with cubicles can be seen today.  In the Epidaurus Museum see healing testimonials.  Archaeologists also unearthed here inscriptions recording the healing of ailments.  Then visit the best preserved, most magnificent theater in the ancient world - the Epidaurus Theater, built over 2,300 years ago.  Then, as today, perfect acoustics take every whisper to a perfect fan of 14,000 seats.  Return to Athens and our hotel.

Day 5: ATHENS - PIRAEUS - CRUISING - MYKONOS.  This morning we will be transferred to the Port of Piraeus for our three day Greek Isles and Turkey cruise.  Air-conditioned cabins await you aboard ship as does a sumptuous lunch.  Tonight, enjoy the Captain's Party and grand buffet.  Of course, there will be time for a delightful stroll around Mykonos, an island of uninhibited pleasure that attracts and captivates some of the most interesting people in the world.

Day 6: CRUISING - RHODES.  Early morning glide into the attractive harbor of medieval Rhodes.  "The Island of Roses" is the most beautiful of all the 1,400 Greek Isles.  There's a full day to participate in the optional comprehensive sightseeing of the town and even take the special trip to the beautiful town and acropolis of Lindos.  Truly a breathtaking coastal drive and the Temple of Athena is incredible. 

Day 7: CRUISING - KUSADASI - PATMOS.  Dock early this morning in scenic Kusadasi.  You can take the optional excursion to biblical Ephesus where St. Paul preached.  It's Temple of Artemis is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  Lunch aboard ship while cruising to the delightful island of Patmos.  Charming terraced villages and craggy hills are in view.  You may wish to visit the lofty monastery where St. John wrote "The Book of Revelations".  The last night aboard the ship is a joyous one.

Day 8: PIRAEUS - ATHENS.  This morning we return to Piraeus and disembark to our private motor coach.  This afternoon is at leisure to explore Athens on your own.  Revisit the Acropolis, go shopping, it is up to you.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 9: ATHENS - ROME.  After breakfast we board our motor coach proceeding to the Athens Airport for our flight to Rome, Italy.  Upon arrival at the Leonardo da Vinci Airport, personal meeting and private motor coach transfer to our hotel.  Welcome to "The Eternal City" of Rome.

Day 10: ROME - PAPAL AUDIENCE.  Today we will have a Papal Audience.

Day 11: ROME.  Our tour will take us along the Via Veneto (the fashionable street of Rome) past the American Embassy, Moses' Fountain and the Piazza Della Republica to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, built in 432 A.D. on the Esquiline Hill.  Continue to the Vatican City, St. Peter in Chains with the famous statue of Moses by Michelangelo, the Roman Forum, Arch of Titus, the Coliseum and the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Wall.  This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the city as you like.  Perhaps visit the Vatican Museum, the Catacombs or simply relax.

Day 12: ROME - USA.  Time is allowed for last minute shopping before an afternoon departure flight from Rome to North America - the end of our enjoyable tour.

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