A Pilgrimage In the Footsteps of Ss Peter and Paul The earliest Christian writing preserved in the Scriptures is from the Apostle Paul, dating back to the early 50 s AD and pre-dates the earliest Gospel of Mark by some 10-15 years. His first Epistle was written to the community at Thessalonica, reminding them of the great gift of life promised them by the Lord, not to lose heart as a community waiting in joyful hope for the return of the Lord. Paul had visited the community of Thessalonica, and wrote back to them after he had moved on to Athens and Corinth. In this Holy Year of Mercy, you are invited to join Fr. Richard and Dr. Sieverding on a pilgrimage to the land of Saints Peter and Paul. We will become a community of pilgrims as we travel, pray and break bread together on our journey which begins in the north of Greece where St. Paul first preached the gospel on the European continent, and it concludes in City of Rome where the two apostles were martyred.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 Sunday, April 10, 2016 ~ Departure Your Escape Artists tour leader, Nani Bush will escort the group of pilgrims from LAX to Thessaloniki, Greece. She will remain with the group for the duration of the pilgrimage. Day 1 ~ Monday, April 11 ~ Arrival ~ Thessaloniki, Greece 8:00 PM Arrival in Thessaloniki and transfer to hotel for a 2 night stay. Transportation Services: Private airport transfer Accommodation: 4**** Hotel in Thessaloniki Meals: Light dinner at hotel Day 2 ~ Tuesday, April 12 ~ Philippi ~ Kavala Driving time: Thessaloniki to Philippi approx. 2 hours Philippi to Kavala approx. 30 mins. After morning Eucharist and breakfast, we ll depart with our guide to Kavala and drive through the famous Egnatia Road. On the way, we will stop in Philippi, one of the greatest cities in ancient Greece. The city was named after King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, and it was here in Philippi, Paul baptized the first Christian convert in Europe, a woman named Lydia. Off the town s main road and among the ruins, we ll see the cell where Paul and Silas were imprisoned. We ll be guided to the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site, where we will also visit the ruins of two Basilicas, the Theater, St Lydia's Baptistery, and visit the completely excavated roman forum. After lunch, we ll continue to Kavala, the ancient site of Neapolis, the very same place where St.Paul set foot on the European continent during his second missionary journey. The tour will include a visit to the House Mohamed and the Aqueduct. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight at the hotel. Transportation Services: Private coach with A/C Daily Excursion: FD Private guided tours Accommodation: 4**** Hotel in Thessaloniki Meals: B, L, D
Day 3 Wednesday, April 13 ~ Thessaloniki ~ Kalabaka Driving time: Thessaloniki to Kalabaka approx. 2.5 hours After morning Eucharist, breakfast and hotel check-out, we ll tour the city of Thessaloniki which will include the White Tower, the symbol of the city, and the Archaeological Museum to see the unique collection of the Gold of Macedons and important finds from the archaic, classical and roman periods. Then off to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina) where we ll have lunch and visit the town. Vergina is the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, with the most important remains of the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century BC. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world. Proceed to Kalabaka and hotel check-in and one night stay. Transportation Services: Private coach with A/C Daily Excursion: FD Private guided tours Accommodation: 4**** Hotel in Kalabaka Meals: B, L, D Day 4 ~ Thursday, April 14 ~ Meteora ~ Thermopylae ~ Athens Driving time: Kalambaka to Meteora- 3.5 km/10min - Thermopylae 156km/ 2hr 15 mins - Athens 200km/2 hrs After breakfast and hotel check-out, we ll visit nearby Meteora for a tour of the clifftop monasteries and visit two different byzantine monasteries built on top of rock towers and providing fantastic views over the plain. Meteora is another town included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For centuries, these monasteries provided totally inaccessible retreats for the monks. Meteora is considered one of the most beautiful area of mainland Greece, and its monasteries are one of the country's most unique attractions. Father Richard will have an opportunity to celebrate Mass in the monastery.
After lunch, we ll visit a factory of Byzantine style icons and then continue on to Athens, passing by the heroic monument of Leonidas king of Sparta in Thermopylae. Late afternoon hotel check-in for a 2 night stay Transportation Services: Private coach with A/C Daily Excursion: FD Private guided tours Accommodation: 4**** Hotel in Athens Meals: B, L, D Day 5 ~ Friday, April 15 ~ Athens Morning Eucharist and breakfast then enjoy a half day tour of the highlights of Athens. First a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble, then pass by Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. As we continue on to National Garden, Hadrian s Arc, St. Paul s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, Russian Orthodox Church, and finally ACROPOLIS (visit Propylae, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion from the Porch of Maidens). After lunch if time permits, we depart to the coastal National Highway, and make a short stop at the Corinth Canal. Transportation Services: Private coach with A/C Daily Excursion: FD Private guided tours Accommodation: 4**** Hotel in Athens Meals: B, L
Day 6 ~ Saturday, April 16 ~ Depart Athens ~ Arrive Rome Flight time: 2 hrs After breakfast and Communion, we ll be transferred to Athens airport and take a flight to Rome where we will be met by Elizabeth Condelli and we ll transfer to Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli, a fully restored sixteenth century monastery where we will stay for the next four days.. Enjoy a free afternoon of rest, shopping or individual interests and exploration. Transportation Services: Transfers to and from airport in Athens and Rome Accommodation: Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli or similar Meals: B Day 7 ~ Sunday, April 17 ~ Rome ~ Free Day Before we start this portion of the pilgrimage, everyone will need a day of rest. Sunday is the day for the Angelus, but we hope to attend Mass with Pope Francis in the Basilica on April 18. (TBD) Options: Cooking Experience in the Castelli Countryside Sensory Experience in Genzano Appian Way Private Food and Wine Tour of Rome Roman Catacombs Hadrian s Villa - Villa d Estes (Tivoli) Pantheon, Roman Forum Outlet Shopping Private Designer Shopping Accommodation: Villa Donna Savelli or similar Meals: B
Day 8 ~ Monday, April 18 ~ Vatican City ~ Museum ~ Basilica ~ Sistine Chapel ~ Scavi In the morning, we visit Vatican City to attend the Mass with Pope Francis (pending papal schedule or, as an alternative, if on a Wednesday, the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Francis). 2016 has been designated as the Jubilee Year which will be dedicated to the virtue of Mercy, which begins on December 8, 2015, until November 20, 2016. Many activities will be announced as we get closer to April. Invitations will be required for Mass once the date has been identified. Vatican Museums, a group of most impressive edifices with hundreds of galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms, and the most overwhelming the Sistine Chapel (we can arrange a Night Tour is you prefer), Michelangelo's Masterpiece, and the restored mural of the Last Judgment. Later, enter the largest church in Christendom, St Peter's Basilica built on the site where St Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, where pilgrims come from around the world, St Peters is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel at Michelangelo s Pieta, and Bernini's amazing Baldacchino. We ll also visit the grave of Pope John Paul II located in the Vatican. Father Richard will celebrate Mass at the Tomb of Pope John XXIII. After lunch at L Insalata Ricca, we will visit the Vatican Necropolis (known as the Scavi) which lies under the Vatican City, at depths varying between 5 12 meters below Saint Peter's Basilica. Here the tomb of Saint Peter is located. The Vatican sponsored archeological excavations under Saint Peter's in the years 1940 1949, revealed parts of a necropolis dating to Imperial times. The work was undertaken at the request of Pope Pius XI who wished to be buried as close as possible to Peter the Apostle. Now you have the rest of the day for shopping or individual interests, or simply at leisure to explore your own paths, to shop, or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by. Daily Excursion: FD Private guided walking tour of Vatican City Accommodation: Villa Donna Savelli or similar Meals: B, L
Day 9 ~ Tuesday, April 19 ~ Vatican City ~Rome ~ Beauty in the Origins After breakfast and Mass we ll have a full day of guided tours including the Holy Stairs brought to Rome by St. Helen, St John Lateran the seat of the bishop in Rome, St Clements one of the earliest Christian basilicas in Rome (d99 AD), Santa Maria Maggiore the church of the miraculous snowfall, St. Peter in Chains, houses the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter while imprisoned in Jerusalem, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, founded by Emperor Constantine, is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle. Daily Excursion: FD guided tour of the Basilicas of Rome Accommodation: Villa Donna Savelli or similar Meals: B, L, D Day 10 ~ Tuesday, April 19 ~ Trastevere ~ Roman Artisans ~ Sant Egidio Breakfast and Mass at hotel before visiting the Trastevere, one of oldest community in Rome, where we ll have a local artisan experience and visit the Community of Sant Egidio in Trastevere and have a special charity dinner with local wines and entertainment. Daily Excursion: HD Private tour of Trastervere Accommodation: Villa Donna Savelli or similar Meals: B, L, D
Day 11 ~ Thursday, April 21 ~ Rome ~ USA flight to the USA. Hotel check-out and breakfast before departing from the hotel to FCO for our return Transportation Services: Airport transfer Meals: B End of Escape Artists Services
Pricing and Booking Details The approximate pricing listed below is for the above Pilgrimage to Greece and Rome and is based on 35 people traveling together. Please note that all rates quoted are subject to change until all services and accommodations have been secured once deposit has been received. Pilgrimage Cost: $4,595 Double Occupancy $1,100 Single Supplement 25 % Deposit: $800.00 Due: October 15, 2015 Balance Due: 90 days prior to departure Save My Spot: $350.00 (refundable 90 days prior to departure) Included in Land Price: Accommodations, room categories airfare from Athens to Rome, and meals as mentioned in itinerary, privately arrange airport transfers, to and from your accommodations, excursions and sightseeing tours with licensed English-speaking guides, all entrance fees, planning and operational costs for this custom designed pilgrimage. Not included in Land Price: All international and domestic/regional air unless specified above. Optional Activities, meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary, incidentals arranged or requested outside of the contents of this itinerary, costs associated with passport and visa, travel insurance, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages unless mention under included," room service and any other services not listed under included. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Should the unexpected occur, Escape Artists strongly recommends being protected prior to and during your travels to ensure your travel investment and well being are covered. Please discuss with your credit card company the options available to you, or consider purchasing travel insurance specifically tailored for our travelers through our associate in Chicago Travelex. Classic Coverage Options include: Trip Cancellation Missed Connection Loss or Damage to Luggage Baggage Delay Emergency Medical and Dental Emergency Medical Transportation TO CONFIRM THIS ITINERARY
DEPOSIT To avoid disappointment and to secure your preferred program inclusions, a deposit of 25% of the Program Price is required to process your bookings. FINAL PAYMENT: Final payment is due on or before 90 days prior to departure. Reservations made less than 90 days prior to departure are to be paid in full at time of booking. CANCELLATION POLICY In the event of subsequent cancellation, the following will be assessed based on the date of notice prior to departure: Number of Days Before Departure Total Cancellation of Travel Program Cost 90 days or longer $350 administration Fee Per Person 89-61 20% 60-31 50% 30 days or less 100%