Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight.

You will arrive in Athens, Greece, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to the port to board the Celebrity Infinity cruise ship.

Visit Philippi, where Paul, intending to find a place to pray by the riverside, spoke to women who had gathered there, among whom was Lydia, the seller of purple, and whose heart the Lord opened to hear the words that he spoke. Lydia was the first Christian to be baptized on European soil. Visit the place where this event is remembered and see a crypt dating from the Roman period, which is thought to have served as a prison for the Apostle Paul. See the famous agora, the basilica, and the theater.

Discover Thessaloniki, the “Queen of the North,” where Paul was accused of turning the world upside down with his preaching of Christ (Acts 17: 3-6). As you explore St. George Basilica, believed to be built over the synagogue where Paul preached, reflect on the two epistles the Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church here. Stroll through the archaeological museum and the beautiful basilicas of St. Sophia and St. Demetrios. St. Demetrios is dedicated to a distinguished Roman proconsul martyred for his Christian faith. Look upon the Roman agora, the center of political and public life, constructed in the 1st century AD. Along the Via Egnatia stands the Galerius Arch, where you can look out over the second-largest city in Greece from the Old City Ramparts, some dating back to Roman times.

Ephesus was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and was once a bustling port town with wide, colonnade-bordered streets and a population of 250,000. Spectacular excavations in the last 110 years have revealed much of the glory of ancient Ephesus, including the huge agora and the Library, but much has been lost. Explore the ancient site virtually at the Ephesus Experience Museum where you will see life in Paul’s time. We will view the terrace houses, also known as “the houses of the rich,” which give a true impression of the ancient lifestyle. The ancient world once declared the Temple of Artemis one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but today, only a single column remains to mark its site. After enjoying Ephesus, you will embark on another Turkish experience at the carpet factory for a local lunch and a presentation.

At Sea

Go deep into Cyprus’ history as you explore the island today. This beautiful port town is known for its seafood, pottery, leather goods, and traditional lace works. Take the coastal route through the Phassouri citrus groves and vineyards to the ancient city-kingdom of Curium with its well-preserved mosaics in the house of Eustolios, its theatre, and basilica. Wander around the old fishing harbor near the medieval fort. Visit Paul’s Pillar, which, according to tradition, is where he was tied and whipped by the Romans. Shore excursions today will be booked directly through Celebrity and are not included.

At Sea

Get the real, authentic Rhodes experience by exploring it on foot. Your walking tour will begin in the picturesque Old Town, where you will pass through and learn all about Agora and Collachium, where the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem lived and worked. Marvel at the stunning churches, exquisite Jewish quarter, the Inns of the Knights, and the Palace of the Grand Masters. You will then tour the palace interior and down the Street of the Knights — its path paved with impressive marble and mosaics. Exploring Rhodes on foot will inevitably leave a lasting impression on you.

Whether you visit Heraklion, Crete to admire the remains of the ancient civilization or simply to soak in the rays on some of the best beaches in Europe, the city is guaranteed to delight and amaze you. Don’t miss one of the most popular attractions of Crete: the 3000-year-old Palace of Knossos located south of Heraklion. The Palace of Knossos was the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization. Shore excursions today will be booked directly through Celebrity and are not included.

Discover the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as you explore the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheum. Stand on Mars Hill as the Apostle Paul did when he proclaimed, “I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Also view the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This afternoon, tour the city of Corinth, where the Apostle Paul met fellow tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla and received a vision from the Lord saying, “I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city”. As Paul spoke, Crispus (chief ruler of the synagogue) and many others believed and were baptized, establishing the church at Corinth to whom Paul later wrote his two epistles. Discover the archaeological museum, marketplace and temples. As you walk among the ruins, stand on the Bema, where the Apostle Paul stood before Gallio to face charges brought against him by the Jews.

Return to the USA or Enjoy an Extension.