ASSOCIATION OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL Pilgrimage and Cruise Greece * Turkey October 28-November 7, 2014

Transcription

1 ASSOCIATION OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL Pilgrimage and Cruise Greece * Turkey October 28-November 7, 2014

2 Dear Fellow Pilgrim, Please consider this brochure as my invitation welcoming you to join in the Association of the Miraculous Medal fall pilgrimage for After planning the spring pilgrimage-cruise, I am delighted to offer a similar format in the fall. This time the cruise will cover another fabulous route, Greece and Turkey. It is really a fascinating and spiritual journey, covering places visited by St. Paul and other apostles and missionaries of the early Church. Of course, we will also see other historic sites from antiquity, as well as visit more modern destinations. Read the brochure and then please join us. Send back the reply form today. Many of the excursions, especially those with spiritual meaning, are included in the cost of the trip. All the shipboard meals, and many other meals, are included in the price of the trip. As you will see, it s a real value. Look over the brochure for more information, check the terms and conditions, and send in your reservation right away. I look forward to being with you and welcoming you on this fabulous trip. Sincerely yours in our Lady, Fr. Shelby ITINERARY ITINERARY DAY 1: Tues., Oct Newark/En Route Depart from Newark for your overnight trans-atlantic flight to Athens, Greece. DAY 2: Wed., Oct Athens D Welcome to Athens, the cradle of ancient civilization! You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. En route to the hotel you will take a panoramic tour of Athens. Panoramic Tour of Athens Athens is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today. You will admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens. Your tour starts with the world-renowned Acropolis, where you will see the Propylea, the Erectheum and the Parthenon. Visit Mars Hill where Paul delivered his speech on the Unknown God. View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. You will also see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the old Olympic Stadium and the Neoclassical buildings of Athens. Dinner: Enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner in the Plaka (old town). DAY 3: Thurs., Oct. 30 Athens/Corinth/Athens B,D AM: Tour of Ancient Corinth After your breakfast at the hotel you will depart for Ancient Corinth. This is the once glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Gospel. You will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples, and the famous Bema, where Paul stood before Gallio and preached. Continue to Cenchreae, the ancient port from where St. Paul departed for Ephesus. Return to Athens. PM: Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore this fascinating city on your own. Dinner: Enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the hotel. DAY 4: Fri., Oct. 31 Athens/(Embark ship) B,D Today you will be transferred to the pier to embark the ship, which will be your home for the next seven nights as you explore the famed Greek Islands. A country of myriad islands rising from the sea, Greece is a nation whose seafaring experience and skills can be traced back to the mists of history. On this magical cruise you will get to know the wonderful world of the Greek Islands and the great sites of Hellenistic and Roman culture. DAY 5: Sat., Nov. 1 - Cruising Thessaloniki, Greece The first port is Thessaloniki, the Queen of the North, where Paul addressed two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. Built by King Cassandros and named after the sister of Alexander the Great, the city flourished under the Byzantine Empire and its most important buildings date from those days. Today it is considered the second capital of Greece. Highlights of Thessaloniki Excursion Enjoy an excursion featuring Thessaloniki s most popular landmarks and highlights. From the pier, travel by air-conditioned motor coach into the City, where you will pause briefly for photos of the White Tower. An excellent example of post-byzantine architecture, this building stands today as a majestic symbol of Thessaloniki. At the Byzantine Museum, enjoy an hour perusing displays that feature artifacts from the Christian Era through the post-byzantine period. Pieces to admire include sculptures, mosaics, painted tombs, embroidered fabrics and religious icons. Back aboard your motor coach, continue past the International Trade Fair grounds and the Aristotelian University as you head to the Citadel. Enjoy a superb panoramic view of the city, with Mt. Olympus and the Thermaic Gulf in the background. Your next visit will be to the 5th century Basilica of St. Demetrius, the largest church in Greece. View an impressive display of mosaics and visit the basilica s crypt, where Demetrius, an officer of the guard, was confined. Before returning to the ship, travel along one of Thessaloniki s main avenues, past the Arch of Galerius and St. George s Rotunda. DAY 6: Sun., Nov. 2 - Cruising Kavala, Greece Today your ship cruises to picturesque Kavala, the ancient site of Neapolis,

3 founded in the 7th century BC, where St. Paul set foot on the European Continent during his second missionary journey, establishing a thriving Christian church in the nearby city of Philippi. The famous Egnatian road, which once ran from Adriatic Sea to Byzantium (today Constantinople) passed by this city. Excursion to Neapolis and Philippi Depart the port by motor coach and travel a short distance to see the Aqueduct, built by Suleiman the Magnificent after the Roman style. From here, you will cross the city, giving you the opportunity to pass by the St. Silas Monastery named after one of St. Paul s companions. Arrive at the famous city of Philippi, one of the most interesting biblical and historical ancient cities. The city once known as Krinides, was renamed Philippoi after King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It is the place where Brutus and Cassius were defeated by Mark Antony and Octavian Augustus, granting the City of Philippi a great many privileges. From here, travel a short distance to the Baptistery and the River, where Lydia, the first European convert was baptized. Return to the archaeological site for a guided tour through the excavations, marveling at the upper and lower parts as well as the Forum, the Walls, the two Basilicas and the Theatre. Your guide will also point out the traditional prison, which once held St. Paul and St. Silas. Return to Kavala with a short stop at the place where a monument stands commemorating the landing of St. Paul in Neapolis. DAY 7: Mon., Nov. 3 - Cruising Istanbul, Turkey Today you will arrive in the fascinating city of Istanbul. Optional Tour of Istanbul: Your Istanbul tour starts from the Karakoy Ship port to the Old City area. On the way to the Old City you will see the Galata District, which was a capital of commerce during the Ottoman Empire, Galata Tower, Galata Bridge, Eminonu Square and the New Mosque. Your first stop will be the Ancient Hippodrome, which was a sporting and social center of Constantinople (Capital of Byzantine Empire). After the Hippodrome you will continue to the fabulous Blue Mosque. This mosque is well known with its handmade Iznik tiles. Your tour continues with the Hagia Sophia Museum, former church and mosque, which for 1000 years was the greatest church in Christendom. Before lunch you will visit the Topkapi Palace, a primary residence of the Ottoman Empire for approximately 400 years. You will have your lunch at the fourth courtyard of the palace at the Konyali Restaurant with a Bosphorus view. Lastly you will have a shopping opportunity at Grand Bazaar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3000 shops. Your tour will end after a long day at the Karakoy Ship Port. DAY 8: Tues., Nov. 4 - Cruising Dikili, Turkey Your ship arrives in the port of Dikili. Optional Excursion: Your tour starts from the Dikili port and your first stop will be the Acropolis. It is part of the ancient town Pergamon, the center of rule for the Roman Empire. This is one of the best preserved ancient sites in Turkey. After the Acropolis, you will visit the Red Basilica, which is one of the largest Roman structures still surviving in the Ancient Greek World. Then you will have lunch. Your last stop will be the Asklepion Ancient City. Your tour ends at the Dikili port. DAY 9: Wed., Nov. 5 - Cruising Kusadasi, Turkey This is a picturesque town and the starting point for a tour to the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, one of the most impressive and best preserved archaeological sites in Turkey, if not the world. Sightseeing Tour of Ephesus Your tour starts with a visit to the House of Virgin Mary. It is believed that the Virgin Mary spent her last days in the vicinity of Ephesus. After your visit, you will celebrate Mass here. Your next stop will be Ancient Ephesus, which was the trade center of the ancient world and a religious center of early Christianity. Proceed to the St. John Basilica. It is believed that the evangelist St. John spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and is buried on the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Continue to the Rug Village for lunch and a free carpet demonstration. Then you will visit the Miletus Ancient City, which was considered the greatest and wealthiest of Greek cities. Your tour ends at the Kusadasi port. DAY 10: Thurs., Nov. 6 - Cruising AM: Patmos, Greece This morning your ship cruises to Patmos. This is the beautiful, rocky island where the exiled St. John the Divine received the mystical Revelation, which forms the last book of the New Testament. The cave where he lived is near the Monastery of the Apocalypse. The Monastery of St. John has many beautiful icons. Sightseeing Tour of Patmos Your sightseeing tour takes you to the Monastery of St. John. The picturesque alleyways wind upwards, toward the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, founded in 1088 by St. Christodoulos. See the Monastery s yard and the old bakery. Of exquisite beauty is the tour of the Byzantine Church of St. John, which is adorned with a wood-carved icon screen, important frescoes from several periods, with both mosaic and other icons. Your next stop is the small museum that hosts religious treasures of inestimable value, like manuscripts, medieval textiles, sacerdotal vestments and others. Walking down the stairs, the religious energy that you will experience is soul touching. Behind the chapel of St. Anne lies the entrance to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. You will see the cross engraved by St. John the Evangelist, according to tradition, the triple fissure in the wall of the cave, from where St. John heard God dictating to him the Apocalypse. You will also see the spot where he lay down to sleep. PM: Syros, Greece In the afternoon your ship sets sail for Syros. Optional Tour of Syros: Your tour starts with Ano Syros, the island s oldest settlement. Walk around the cobblestone streets and visit the various churches and monasteries. You will find shops with traditional crafts and admire the view of Syros. Next, you will visit the Industrial Heritage Museum of Syros and then Karnagio Tarsanas to see the traditional builders build and repair wooden boats. Return to the city center for a walking tour of most important sites of Hermoupolis, including Town Hall, Miaouli Square with the small archaeological museum, the historical Archives, the cultural center with its art galleries, the municipal library, and the famous Apollo Theater. Further on lies the aristocratic neighborhood of Vaporia with the big Church of San Nicolas and the neoclassic buildings. The tour ends at the sea front where you can admire the old Customs building. DAY 11: Fri., Nov. 7 Athens/Newark B AM: This morning you will disembark the ship. Your fascinating cruise comes to an end as you are transferred to the airport for your return flight. You return home richly endowed with new insights, spiritual renewal, and vast cultural wealth. B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner

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5 TOTAL COST P/PERSON FROM NEWARK: Inside cabins: $ double occupancy $ single occupancy Outside cabins: $ double occupancy $ single occupancy The price includes all air taxes and fuel surcharges. Cruise port charges are additional. COST INCLUDES Air: Round-trip airfare from Newark Hotels: 2 nights in first class hotel, all rooms with private facilities Cruise: 7 nights in inside cabin Meals: In Athens: Breakfast daily and 2 dinners; On board: 3 meals daily Sightseeing: Extensive as per itinerary * All sightseeing in private deluxe motor coaches and includes the services of expert English speaking guides and entrance fees Excursions on the cruise to Thessaloniki, Kavala, Ephesus, and Patmos are included. NOTE: All other shore excursions offered by the cruise ship are optional and may be purchased at additional cost Tour Director: Experienced English speaking Tour Director will accompany group throughout Greece and Turkey Transportation & Transfers: In private deluxe motor coaches Miscellaneous: Hotel taxes and service charges * Baggage handling and porterage at the hotels TOUR CONDITIONS RESPONSIBILITY: FAR HORIZONS, a division of Travel Leaders, and/or their agents, give notice that all tickets issued by them and all arrangements for transport or for hotel accommodations made by them, are made by them as agents for the passenger upon the express condition REGISTRATION AND DEPOSITS: A deposit of $1000 p/person is that they shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or required at time of registration, along with a signed registration form. You irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect of any vewill be billed for the balance which is due on or before June 1, hicle conveying the passenger or through the act of default or any company or persons engaged in carrying out the arrangements of the tour, or othercancellation TERMS: wise in connection therewith, or of any hotel, or employee. FH and/or their Cancellations received: agents can accept no responsibility for losses or accidental expenses due to Prior to June 1, 2014: $200 p/person delay or changes in schedules, defaults or overbookings by hotels, sickness, From June 2-June 30, 2014: $500 p/person weather, strike, war, acts of terrorism or other causes. All such losses or July 1-July 31, 2014: $1000 p/person expenses will have to be borne by the passenger. Baggage is at owner s From August 1, 2014 onward: No refund risk throughout the tour unless insured. FH reserves the right to withdraw All cancellations must be received in writing. the tour, or any part of it, to make such alternations in the itinerary as they NOTE: Comprehensive insurance is available to cover trip cancellation deem necessary or desirable. FH has no special knowledge or information and interruption, baggage protection, medical, accidental death & disregarding any supplier insolvency, unsafe conditions, terrorist or social memberment and emergency evacuation and repatriation. A descripunrest, health hazards or weather hazards, other than what has appeared in tive booklet will be mailed to you upon receipt of your deposit. the public media. For information about possible dangers at your destination please call the Travel Advisory Section of the State Dept. at (202) AIR TRANSPORTATION: Economy class via any regular IATA carrier For medical information contact the CDC at (877) Any cancellation, itinerary change or failure to use confirmed air space may You hereby release FH from any claims arising from any causes not within be subject to penalties levied by the airlines at the time of ticketing. Air our control. By using your tickets, you acknowledge that you have read the tickets, once issued, are non-refundable. This is in addition to above foregoing and agree to it. Cancellation Terms. AIRLINE CLAUSE: Any airlines concerned are not to be held responsible PASSPORT/VISA REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for all for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft. The airline tickets when issued shall constitute the sole tour members. U.S. citizens do not require visas for travel to Greece. If you contract between airline and the purchaser of these tickets/and or passenare not a U.S. citizen call the Consulate of EVERY country you will enter ger. Air carriers reserve the right to change equipment and schedules (even in-transit when changing planes) to check on visa requirements. ALL passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date of the tour. without prior notice or passenger approval. We must agree to this upon acceptance of group contracts. We have the option of cancelling the contract without penalty, however, we would need to protect the group TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Passport, visa, insurance and on alternate flights. This is not always possible as changes can occur up cruise port charges. All items of a personal nature, beverages and meals to the day of departure. not included in the tour. Gratuities to guides, bus drivers, and tour escort. Optional tours, excess baggage charges, and gratuities to ship s crew. There FAR HORIZONS is no refund for unused land arrangements or any cost incurred through ab30 Two Bridges Road, Suite 250, Fairfield, NJ sence or deviation from the stated itinerary for any reason, including illness. Telephone: or , Fax: info@fhorizons.com TOUR PRICE: Tour price is based upon current tariff and exchange rates and is subject to change. It is based upon a minimum of 20 fully paid passengers. In the event this minimum is not met a surcharge will be levied.

6 ASSOCIATION OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL Pilgrimage and Cruise Greece * Turkey October 28-November 7, 2014 RESERVATION REQUEST Send this form with a check payable to: FAR HORIZONS FAR HORIZONS, 30 Two Bridges Road, Suite 250, Fairfield, NJ Telephone: or , Fax: , info@fhorizons.com Enclosed is my/our deposit of $ p/person for the above pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey. Homeland Security rules require that you provide us with your exact name as it appears on your PASSPORT and your date of birth. Name: (1) Date of Birth: (1) Name: (2) Date of Birth: (2) Street: City: State: Zip: Tel: Fax: Please select the cabin category below: Inside cabin double occupancy $3699 Inside cabin single occupancy $4599 Outside cabin double occupancy $3999 Outside cabin single occupancy $4999 I plan to share a twin-bedded room with: I would like Far Horizons to select a roommate (if available) to share a twin-bedded room with me. If not available, I understand that I will be charged the single supplement. Your reservation will be considered official only after your full payment has been received. Should you cancel after your reservation has been received, the cancellation penalties in the Tour Conditions apply. I/We have read and agree to the terms and conditions which apply to this tour, especially noting the cancellation and responsibility clauses. Signature: Date:

7 Supplemental Terms & Conditions The Association of the Miraculous Medal is not the tour operator for this pilgrimage nor the employer of any of the tour operation providers. Rather, Association staff members serve as Spiritual Guides for the tour. The Association assumes no responsibility for issues that might arise with tour participants, particularly for any injury, damage, or loss to person or property. The liability waivers stated for Far Horizons in the Terms & Conditions apply equally to the Association. Tour participants must be able to care for themselves during the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage involves significant walking, some in areas where the terrain is rough and uneven including cobblestone streets and gravel paths. The pilgrimage also involves climbing stairs and walking up hills. The Association and its service providers cannot provide individual assistance to pilgrims. Pilgrims certify that they are capable of independently caring for themselves on the tour. If you will need assistance on the pilgrimage for your personal care, you must bring someone with you on the pilgrimage to provide that care. AY FOR PR AVE RECOURSE TO TH OH EE WH US ASSOCIATION OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL 1811 West Saint Joseph Street Perryville, MO CONCEIVED WITHO ARY UT OM SIN On the pilgrimage, photos will be taken which may include you. By joining the pilgrimage you consent to letting the Association use your photo in its publicity and communications with its members.