Join fellow young Catholics and Fr. Richard Boyle on this incredible journey touring significant historical and religious sites of Greece and Turkey! Walk in the footsteps of St. Paul as you visit sites related to this great Apostle in Athens, Corinth, Philippi, and Thessaloniki. Embark on a 3-Night Aegean Sea Cruise and discover the beauty and history of several Greek islands. Experience Mykonos, renowned for its windmills and stunning architecture. In Ephesus, see the Library of Celsus, its famous theater, and the house where the Blessed Virgin Mary lived with St. John the Apostle. Visit the Monastery and cave where St. John wrote the Apocalypse in Patmos, and take in the stunning scenery of Santorini. Finally, spend two nights in Istanbul, the former center of the Eastern Roman Empire, and visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia. Attend daily Holy Mass, travel with like-minded traditional Catholic youth, and enjoy the ease and comfort of group travel!

** For single youth between 18 and 35 years old. **

Visiting the churches in Greece
In Greece, the churches we will visit are predominantly Greek Orthodox since the population is mostly Greek Orthodox. However, the sites hold great Catholic significance due to St. Paul's apostolate there. As pilgrims, we will still have the opportunity to learn about the early Christian Church and appreciate the rich Catholic heritage of these places.

HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE

Athens: Sites related to St. Paul including the Acropolis and the Agora

Corinth: Agora & Ruins of ancient city where St. Paul lived for two years

3-night Aegean Sea Cruise: Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Heraklion, and Santorini
Mykonos: Most famous island on the Aegean Sea, known for its windmills & incredible architecture
Ephesus: Library of Celsus, its famous theater & the house where the Blessed Virgin Mary lived with St. John the Apostle
Patmos: Monastery & cave where St. John wrote the Apocalypse
Santorini: Known for its beautiful beaches, ancient cities, amazing restaurants & active volcano

Thessaloniki: Second largest city of Greece featuring the church of Agios Demetrios (the largest church in Greece) and Agia Sophia

Philippi: Where St. Paul lived, preached & was imprisoned, including the Baptistry of Lydia & ancient ruins

Istanbul: Former center of the Eastern Roman Empire, including the Basilica of St. Sophia

CONTACT US TO REGISTER

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL TERMS/CONDITIONS

TRAVEL INSURANCE

ITINERARY

Day 1. Monday, June 29: Transatlantic Flight to Athens

Board your transatlantic flight to Athens, Greece.

Day 2. Tuesday, June 30: Athens

Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic view of the most important monuments and landmarks of Athens, including the Panathinaikon stadium, the Zappeion, the temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament, the Academy, and the National Library. Enjoy some free time in Athens before checking into your hotel for a welcome dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 3. Wednesday, July 1: Athens

Begin your day in Athens with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, one of the best museums in Europe. Then, visit the magnificent Acropolis (the Upper City) complex that contains the famous Parthenon. View the ruins of the Agora, the ancient market place and center of Athenian public life, where St. Paul preached to the Athenians, and ascend Aeropagus Hill, where he delivered his sermon “on the unknown God” and gained his first convert, Dionysius the Aeropagite, who became the patron saint of Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens. (BB, D)

Day 4. Thursday, July 2: Athens – Corinth – Athens

Follow the coastal road towards ancient Corinth. Here, under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first-century shops, the agora where St Paul was on trial at the Bema, the Fountain of Peirene, and Temple of Apollo. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 5. Friday, July 3: Athens – 3-Night Cruise – Mykonos

In Port of Lavrio, board your ship for a 3-night Aegean Sea cruise. Your first stop will be in Mykonos, the most famous island in the Aegean Sea and a most popular destination in Greece. Sparkling white with a blue Aegean backdrop, the island’s architecture is one of a kind. Stroll through a maze of white-washed alleyways, admire elegant villas, and marvel at its famous windmills, which stand facing the sea and at night are beautifully lit up. Enjoy a bit of free time on this beautiful island before returning to your ship for dinner and overnight. (BB, L, D)

Day 6. Saturday, July 4: 3-Night Cruise – Kusadasi (Ephesus) – Patmos

After docking in Kusadasi, Turkey, visit the famous archaeological site of nearby Ephesus, where St. Paul preached against the idols. Ephesus is the most significant monument of antiquity, boasting the largest Greek Roman excavations in the Mediterranean. There, visit the Library of Celsus, its famous Theater, and the house where the Blessed Virgin Mary lived with St. John the Apostle. On the Greek island of Patmos, visit the monastery and cave where St. John wrote the Book of the Apocalypse. Return to your ship for dinner and overnight. (BB, L, D)

Day 7. Sunday, July 5: 3-Night Cruise – Heraklion – Santorini

In the morning, arrive at the port of Heraklion (Crete) to explore the town, or join an optional excursion to visit the Palace of Knossos (optional excursions are not included in the trip cost). Continue to visit the breathtaking island of Santorini (Greece) with its beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery, ancient cities, amazing restaurants, some of the world's best wine, and an active volcano. Return to your ship for an overnight sail back to the Port of Lavrio. (BB, D)

Day 8. Monday, July 6: Port of Lavrio – Thessaloniki

After disembarking at Port of Lavrio, head to Athens airport for a flight to Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece. It features the richest collection of Byzantine churches in Greece. Upon arrival, have an orientation tour of the city, including views of the White Tower, its beautiful seafront, and other major city highlights, including Roman period ruins, which recall the presence of St. Paul. Your guided sightseeing includes a visit to the church of Agios Demetrios, the largest church in Greece. It marks the site of martyrdom and tomb of St. Demetrius, patron saint of Thessaloniki. Next, visit Agia Sophia. This church contains many mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Tonight, dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. (BB, D)

Day 9. Tuesday, July 7: Thessaloniki – Philippi – Kavala – Thessaloniki

Your excursion today will take you to Philippi where St. Paul lived, preached, and was imprisoned, and the Baptistery of Lydia, where the first baptism on European soil took place. Visit the ancient ruins, the baptismal site, and the ancient forum. Time permitting, journey to Kavala (ancient Neapolis), the site where St. Paul, St. Timothy, and St. Silas landed on the coast of Thrace. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 10. Wednesday, July 8: Thessaloniki – Istanbul

This morning, transfer to Thessaloniki airport for a flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Formerly Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul was the center of the Eastern Roman Empire, and is situated astride Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation drive along the scenic Bosphorus Strait and through the historic Sultanahmet (Old City) area. In the afternoon, have a brief orientation for two of Istanbul's most iconic markets: the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. Take advantage of some free time to explore these vibrant attractions before heading to your hotel in Istanbul for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 11. Thursday, July 9: Istanbul

A full day in historic Istanbul. Visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Sophia, which was the largest church in the world and the heart of Orthodox Christianity within the Byzantine Empire for nearly 1,000 years. It was converted into a mosque after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The rest of the day is free. You may choose to visit Yerebatan Underground Cistern: the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city, the remains of the Hippodrome, Hagia Irene: the first Christian church built in Constantinople by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, the Topkapi Palace, or take a cruise along the Bosphorus. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (BB, D)

Day 12. Friday, July 10: Istanbul – Fly Home

Early transfer to Istanbul airport for your homebound flight.

(BB) Buffet breakfast; (L) Lunch; (D) Dinner

* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.

CHAPLAIN

Fr. Richard Boyle grew up in New Jersey and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Richmond, MI. He entered St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood on June 19, 2009. His first priestly assignment was in Denver, CO; then he served as Principal at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Oak Grove, MN. He was then transferred to his Alma Mater in Michigan for two years as Prior and Principal, and today he is the Prior and Principal of Mater Dei Academy in Warners, NY.

Father Boyle has extensive travel experience, and has accompanied several pilgrimages to France, Italy & Ireland. He is very much looking forward to accompanying the youth on this pilgrimage!

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Currently, there are no restrictions to travel to the visited countries. For current travel advisories by country, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

It is projected that in the 4th quarter of 2026, non-European Union (EU) tourists planning to visit Europe’s Schengen Zone (most of Europe) will need to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This new requirement affects travelers from visa-exempt countries, aiming to boost security measures while making the process smoother for short-term visitors. While the ETIAS is not a visa, it does require non-EU tourists to get pre-approval before their trip. (Information taken from www.etias.com)

The ETIAS will cost 20 Euros per person and should be a very quick process; however, we will ask travelers to obtain it at least six weeks prior to travel.

Currently, there is no ETIAS registration site yet. We will be monitoring this new travel requirement, and when applicable, we will notify travelers and ask them to acquire their ETIAS independently.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations for this pilgrimage are in first-class hotels.

Athens (3 nights): Ilisia Hotel or similar

Thessaloniki (2 nights): Capsis Hotel or similar

Istanbul (2 nights): Midtown Hotel or similar

Rooms in double occupancy are for two people to share, having two twin beds. Rooms in single occupancy have a single bed and are for one person to occupy; a “single supplement fee” is added for single occupancy rooms.

Cruise cabins included in the trip price are inside cabins (no window) aboard Celestyal Cruises Discovery ship.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

The current main group air reservation is listed below. Please do not purchase any air tickets until we notify that the group is fully formed with a minimum of 20 passengers. The group air schedule could undergo minor changes from the airlines; if a major change occurs, we will modify the listed flight schedule and notify registered passengers.

29JUN American Airlines flight 160 Chicago (ORD) - Athens (ATH) 5:05PM - 11:10AM 30JUN
10JUL British Airways flight 721 Istanbul (IST) - London (LHR) 8:20AM - 10:30AM
10JUL British Airways flight 299 London (LHR) - Chicago (ORD) 1:10PM - 3:55PM

TRIP PACE

The pace for this pilgrimage is “on the go”. There is daily walking and standing. Pilgrims must be in active enough condition to walk 3-4 hours and stand for 2-3 hours per day. We strongly recommend preparing oneself by walking before the trip, building up to at least 2-3 miles per day.

Sometimes walking is up or down slopes, and at times sidewalks and terrain will be uneven. Pilgrims must have full mobility and be able to climb several stairs, since many of the visited places have no other access. A certain pace must be kept by all pilgrims in order to cover the scheduled sightseeing. Some days may have several hours on the motor-coach.

Also see the “PHYSICAL HEALTH & FITNESS” section in the General Terms & Conditions.

PRICING INFORMATION

Pilgrimage price per person (pp) with group air from Chicago (includes estimated air taxes & surcharges): $4,995 pp
Land-only pilgrimage price in double occupancy: $4,120 pp
Single supplement: $1,120
Registration by January 15, 2026: Non-refundable deposit of $600 pp
Late registration by February 15, 2026: Non-refundable deposit of $700 pp
Installment payment by February 15, 2026: $1,000 pp
Balance due by: March 31, 2026

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Scheduled roundtrip transatlantic flights (included when purchasing the air-inclusive package)
Internal flights Athens-Thessaloniki and Thessaloniki-Istanbul (included in all packages)
Accommodations in four-star hotels
3-Day cruise with Celestyal Cruises in an inside cabin. Included meals: all meals onboard the ship. Included drinks: coffee, tea, water and juice, during restaurant hours; unlimited free pour sodas with meals in main restaurants; no alcoholic beverages included. Included tips: for the cruise staff.
Daily Holy Mass
Deluxe motor-coach for scheduled transfers and sightseeing
Daily meals per the itinerary
Services of a professional English-speaking tour escort
Admission fees for all included sightseeing
Service charges, government fees
What’s not included: