Pilgrimage Cruise to Italy, Croatia, Greece & Istanbul
Date
Activity Level
Moderate – High
Book By
Group Limit
30
Pilgrimage Cruise to Italy, Croatia, Greece & Istanbul
Pilgrimage Overview
Join Fr. Agustin Opalalic on a pilgrimage cruise through Italy, Croatia, Greece & Istanbul.
Book With Confidence
Book With Confidence
All new travel bookings automatically come with our Book with Confidence Travel Plan*—free of charge. This plan gives pilgrims the ability to move their booking to another destination or simply a different available departure date in our vast travel portfolio, no questions asked. They just need to let us know 120 days* before departure and we’ll waive all penalties and get them booked on a new pilgrimage.
*The Book with Confidence Travel Plan allows for any new booking made with Holy Land Travel Center to be changed to a different destination or to another available departure date. Notice of change in travel plans must be given 120 days before departure; standard cancellation penalties will apply for full cancellation without rebooking or changes made within 120 days to departure. Applicable price and eligible promotions for the new tour will apply; if new trip is less expensive, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference in price. Cannot be applied to Passion Play Pilgrimages. No cash value. Credit is fully transferable. Offer reliant on space availability. Effective 10.7.2020. May be withdrawn at any time. Additional restrictions may apply; see Travel Terms & Conditions for details.
Itinerary
Itinerary
DAY 1
Depart USA
Today we depart on our transatlantic flights to Venice. We enjoy inflight movies and meals aloft.
DAY 2
Arrive Venice
Upon arrival in Venice, we are greeted by our representative and immediately transfer to your hotel in Mestre (Venice) for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Mestre (Venice) (D)
DAY 3
Venice
After breakfast we take our private boat to San Marc’s Square and explore Venice, nicknamed “La Serenissima”. We begin with a guided walking tour of St. Mark’s Square, one of the largest open spaces in Venice. We visit two of its landmark buildings, the Basilica of San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. Free time on your own to explore Venice! Overnight: Mestre (Venice) (B, D)
DAY 4
Padua
After breakfast we visit the beautiful church of St Anthony of Padua. This basilica is run by the friars of the Franciscan order to which St Anthony belonged. To many people around the world St Anthony is well known as the doctor of the church, patron saint of finding things or lost people and the patron saint of Padua. We tour the church and view the body of St Anthony. The Chapel of the Saint is the most beautiful and spiritual center of the basilica, which houses the Altar and Tomb of St. Anthony. We will celebrate Mass here. We then continue to the port to board our cruise ship. Dinner on board before we embark. Overnight: Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 5
Split
Today after we exit our cruise ship, we will depart to Medjugorje. Upon arrival, we will have a few hours to attend Mass at the Church of St. James and visit Apparition Hill. After free time on our own for lunch and private devotion, we will return to the ship for our hotel and overnight. Overnight: Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 6
Dubrovnik
Visit several of Old Town’s most iconic sites. Enter Old Town through the Historic Pile Gate where we will then have a guided tour to see the most important sites in Old Town, starting with the Franciscan Monastery. Afterwards, explore Old Town on our own before returning to our Cruise Ship in the early afternoon. Overnight: Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 7
Corfu
Experience Corfu’s most enchanting landmarks, colorful villages and breathtaking views of the island on this delightful tour. After an approximate 30-minute drive, you’ll first stop at the beautiful spot of Paleokastritsa that offers splendid views of the area’s multiple bays. It’s said that Odysseus met Nausica after he washed ashore at one of these bays. Here you’ll visit the Monastery of the Virgin and its small museum. Your tour will continue towards the village of Lakones where you can look down on the Paleokastritsa and take memorable pictures. We head to the Old Town of Corfu, you’ll have the chance to admire from the comfort of your motor coach, the architecture of the beautiful mansions, the Byzantine churches, the old fortress, the Palaces of St. Michael and St. George and the lively Esplanade Square, before your return to the pier. Overnight: Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 8
Santorini Island
After tendering to the port of Athinios, you’ll drive to Pyrgos village, one of the oldest settlements and the highest village on the island. Admire the Venetian fortress crowned by several churches and from the highest point of the island the views out over the calera are majestic. Head to the picturesque, Village of Oia for more magnificent views of the caldera. With its cobblestone streets and beautiful old homes perched on the cliffside, you’ll appreciate why the traditional Cycladic architecture is so appealing and a perfect complement to the natural beauty of the area. Here, you’ll have free time to stroll and explore this charming village. Overnight: Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 9
Kusadasi/ Patmos
This morning you will arrive at the Turkish port city of Kusadasi. From here you will travel to Ephesus, where the blessed Virgin Mary lived with St. John in a small house on the hill behind the city. Here you will have Mass before traveling down to the ancient city where you can walk the marble roads rutted by wheels of countless chariots and pass the ruins of architectural masterpieces. It is here that St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and where he was arrested and cast out of the city. In the afternoon you will visit the island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the apocalyptic book of Revelations. On our excursion we will visit the cave where he lived, now the site of a monastery housing priceless icons and manuscripts. Overnight: Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 10
Athens
Today we will be visiting and exploring the city of Athens (Acts 17: 16-34). Visit the Acropolis with Parthenon the greatest monument of antiquity, dedicated to the goddess Athena, from here one can see Aeropagus (areios Pagoes = Hill of Area) visited by Pope John Paul II, same hill where St. Paul gave his famous sermon of “Unknown God”. Afternoon at leisure in the Plaka to explore this old and interesting district. Overnight: Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 11
Volos
Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for the monasteries which are built on pillars of rock and seem to float in the air. As you drive up after the last village look at the caves of hermits presents and past in the rock pillars. Important: Visitors are asked to dress appropriately with arms and legs covered. Afterwards we will enjoy some free time in Kalabaka before returning to our cruise ship. Overnight: Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 12
Istanbul
This morning we head to the Sultanahmet district. This World Heritage-listed district is crammed with historic buildings and enough magical atmospheres to keep you enthralled for days. Full day visits to the Topkapi Palace; overlooking the Sea of Marmara and containing numerous chambers, courtyards and royal treasures, the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque with its six minarets and thousands of blue tiles, the Basilica of St. Sofia (Church of the Sacred Wisdom,) now a museum, converted to a mosque from a Christian basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Next, we see the Hippodrome and the Obelisk brought from Egypt. Overnight: Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (B, D)
DAY 13
Return USA
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 4-5 Star Hotels
- Roundtrip Flights
- 9 Night European Cruise
- Unlimited Beverage Package
- Dining Package
- Air-conditioned Motor Coach
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide
- One Checked Bag
- Accommodations (based on double occupancy)
- Entrance Fees as per itinerary
- Meals (per itinerary)
- Excursions (per itinerary)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Passport and Visas (Refer to the section below for Passports or Visas help)
- Gratuities
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend that all travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect themselves and their trip investment. Travel protection plans can provide coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, baggage delay, and more. Please go to the link below to learn more, get a quote, or enroll. Click here for Travel Insurance Details.
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