ITINERARY FOR THE PILGRIMAGE TO GREECE

May 1-15, 2011 (inclusive of a 4 day Aegean Tour)

 

Day 01.  Sunday, May 1, 2011

Group gathers together at the airport and departs for Greece

 

Day 02.  Monday, May 2, 2011

Arrival to Thessaloniki. Transfer to the hotel. Lunch. Rest. Based on the time of arrival - possible evening tour of the city.  Dinner.

 

Day 03.  Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Today we will explore the second largest city of Greece. We will start our day with a

visit and prayer service at the Basilica of St. Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, heavenly patron of the city. From there on we will continue the exploration of the city that will include visits to the historical parts of the city with the remains of the imposing Roman Ruins and Byzantine fortifications (the White Tower is the most famous among them).

 

Day 04.  Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Today we will continue the exploration of the city. We will visit the Archeological Museum, one of the finest in all of Greece and will venerate the relics of St. Gregory Palamas, the great teacher and defender of Orthodoxy, mighty church of St. Sophia and Osios David Monastery with the splendid Roman mosaic depicting Christ as eternal youth. From here we will travel a bit SW to explore the archeological park of Vergina, with the decorated tombs of Macedonian royalty, father of Alexander of Macedon who created one of the mightiest Empires our world had ever known. For o/n we will transfer to Kalampaka, at the foot of the Meteora cliffs.

 

Day 05.  Thursday, May 5, 2011

This morning we will explore one of the most beautiful and holy places of Greece, the Meteora. Monasteries and convents sit on top of huge rock formations almost as bird nests. There are a number of them in the area and we will several most important of them. In the afternoon we will transfer some hours south to the vicinity of the renowned Ancient Greeks site of Delphi

 

Day 06.  Friday, May 6, 2011

Today we will explore two magnificent sites that serve as remarkable complexes to two distinctively different period of history of Greece. One is the complex of the Delphi Oracle Temple, most famous place in all of Ancient Greece. Museum on the ground hold a remarkable collection of antiquities found by the archeologists on site. Another complex is that of the Monastery of Saint Luke (Hosios Lukas) named after 11 century ascetic founder of the Monastery. The main church is splendidly decorated by mosaics, some of the best in all of Greece. Due to it special architecture and the art work, monastery was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. For overnight we will transfer to the city of Patras.

 

Day 07.  Saturday, May 7, 2011

Our day we will start with a visit to the largest Cathedral in all of Greece, dedicated to St. Andrew the First Called, the Apostle of our Lord. The mighty marble cathedral houses part of the relics of the Apostle (his skull) and part of the "X" shaped cross upon which he was crucified. In the afternoon we will continue on to Olympia - the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Not much remains from the once magnificent site. However, some archeological remains, exhibits and finds in the local museum will help you to imagine the magnitude of the events that were happening here thousands of years ago.

 

Day 08.  Sunday, May 8, 2011

Today will be our last day in southern Greece. We will visit two important sites, namely the ruins of Corinth, where Apostle Paul preached, and ruins of Mycenae, the capital city of arguably the oldest civilization of ancient Greece. We hope that due to the proximity of the sites, we will be also able to visit the splendid ruins of Epidaurus, famed for its grand theater, with near perfect acoustics.

 

Day 09.  Monday, May 9, 2011

Piraeus (Athens), Greece 11:00

Mykonos, Greece *18:00 - 23:00

 

Day 10.  Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Kusadasi, Turkey  07:00-12:00

(Optional tour of Ephesus, one of the largest cities of Antiquities, home to St. John the Theologian and Virgin Mary, and host city of two Ecumenical Councils)

Patmos, Greece * 16:00-21:00

(Optional tour of Patmos, an island, where in exile St. John the Theologian saw the vision that he recorded in his book of Revelation)

 

Day 11.  Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Rhodes, Greece  07:00-18:00

(Optional tour of the old city and fortifications of the castle of the knights of St. John)

Day 12.  Thursday, May 12, 2011

Heraklion (Crete), Greece 07:00-11:30

(Optional tour to the excavations of Ancient Knossos, the largest center of the Minoan civilization)

Santorini, Greece * 16:30-21:00

 

Day 13.  Friday, May 13, 2011

Piraeus (Athens), Greece 06:00

Athens is on the 'must see' list of every traveler. Who does not know how hauntingly majestic the Parthenon looks? We will visit that "Wonder of the World", and then we will explore ancient sites nearby. We will walk through Plaka, with multiple churches, old Cathedral among them, markets, and other various curious spots. In the afternoon we will plan to visit the National Museum of Greece, with doubtlessly best collection of Greek Antiquities in the World.

 

Day 14.  Saturday, May 14, 2011

Your last day in Greece may be at leisure as Athens offer a wealth of sites to see and countless cultural places to visit. Alternatively, we will invite to travel to the Cape Sounion, where the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon stand on the cliff surrounded by water on three sides. This is the favorite sunset spot of Athens, if not in all of Greece. A tour there will be organized in the evening to watch the sunset and to have dinner at one of the local taverns.

 

Day 15.  Sunday, May 15, 2011

After breakfast and check-out from the hotel we will depart for the airport to catch our plane to get back home, to the US.

 

Important: the itinerary may be adjusted to satisfy the interests of the group to the best extent possible; i.e. services, rest, additional time spent in the most important places of worship and prayer.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOUR:

 

Financial arrangements:

The current cost of the trip is about $3000* per person, based on double occupancy in a group of 26 people. The additional fee for single accommodations is about $500.

*The price may be adjusted due to the fluctuating exchange rate of the US Dollar vs. Euro or in case of imposition of some unforeseen government taxes. Our hope is that the price of the tour will remain essentially the same. In any case you'll be informed right away of any financial changes or adjustments.

 

Price includes:

• Accommodation in good Tourist-Class Hotels (good 3***) with breakfasts daily
• Second meal daily (Dinner or Lunch)
• Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach for the transfers all along the tour, according to the program
• Road and local taxes for the tourist bus
• Four days/nights cruise of the Aegean
• Tours as per the itinerary above
• English-speaking guide/escort for the entire duration of the pilgrimage
• Entrance tickets to the museums and donations for the entrance to the churches and monasteries as per itinerary

 

* The hotels that we offer for this tour are local equivalent of 3*** and in some places the best available. Please note that, the level of accommodations and services may be different from the expectations of similarly rated hotels in Western Europe or North America.

 

Price does NOT include:

 

• Air Fare
• Personal medical/travel insurance
• Meals other than specified
• Beverages during meals
• Entrance fees other than specified
• Land excursions during the cruise
• Any port/embarkation fees that may be due or applicable during the cruise
• Porterage, gratuities and extras
• Optional tours, excursions, entry fees on Day 14 (Free day)
• Anything not specifically mentioned in "Price includes"

 

Sign up and Payment:

We would request $600.00 deposit at the time of signing up for the trip. Deposit is non-refundable. The deadline for signing up for the trip is December 31, 2010. The entire amount is requested no later than February 1, 2011.

All payments should be made by check to the "Palomnik, LLC" and mailed to attention of Rev. Ilya Gotlinsky to: 53 Baxter Street, Binghamton, NY 13905. Any returned checks are subject to $20 fee. Special arrangements can be made for those who desire to pay by major Credit Card via PayPal system.

 

Special requests:

All special requests, concerns and suggestions must be submitted in writing to Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky no later than the date of the final payment (February 1, 2011).

Cancellation:

In the unlikely event of cancellation, the charges, in addition to the full amount of the deposit are*:

• No penalties over 91 days to departure
• 50% of the tour cost, 90 to 31 days prior to the departure
• 100% of the tour cost 30 days prior to the departure

All the cancellations must be in writing and sent directly to agent/coordinator - Fr. llya Gotlinsky, and must be received for reimbursement by the dates shown in the cancellation schedule.

Rules on the road:

• It is strongly suggested for a traveler to obtain insurance covering medical needs and coverage regarding personal property;
• be aware that all medical needs will be sole responsibility of the traveler;
• act in a manner consistent with the surrounding environment;
• make arrangement to have sufficient funds to cover personal needs and unexpected happenings.

 

The places that we will be visiting may not have the same amenities that one may be accustomed to. Medical facilities in some areas are limited. Because of the difference in language and customs, it is expected that the traveler will follow the directions of the Tour Director at all times.

The Director reserves the right to restrict a person's participation in the group's activities, including exclusion from the group, when, in the opinion of the Director, such action is appropriate.

 

Please note: The Director of the trip (Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky) does not hold any legal responsibilities concerning any of the arrangements. He plays only the role of an agent/coordinator.

Passport and Visa:

A valid passport is needed to travel to Greece. The passport must be until your return.  US citizens do not need a visa to travel to Greece or Turkey (for those who would like to go on the cruise). However, if you are not a US citizen, please contact Greek Embassy or Consulate General to see if you do need a visa to travel to Greece.

 

Security:

Greece is known as one of the world's prime tourist destinations and considered to be a tourist friendly and safe country. However, petty street crime such as pick pocketing is quite widely spread, especially in large cities and in "tourist traps". Don't keep all of your cash in one place, and carry important documents (like your passport) with you in a hidden pocket or secure bag. You don't want to be in a foreign land without money or travel documents. Expensive jewelry and fancy clothes are best left at home.

Medication:

Greece has a good health system and drugs are widely available at many pharmacies. However, we still would recommend that you bring whatever medications you think you may need, and especially prescription drugs. No special vaccinations are needed when traveling to that part of Europe, but please remember that due to the climate and time change, hectic itinerary and lots of walking, your body will need extra care.  It is very easy to become dehydrated on a trip like this. Make sure to drink lots of liquids (pure water is the best choice). In case of hot weather, please be prepared adequately and don't take your chances with heat and sun. In most places in Greece it is safe to drink tap water, but we always recommend to inquire about that with the clerk of the hotel or some local personnel.

 

Church and services:

We are going to visit a lot of churches, cathedrals and monasteries. While the dress code is generally loose, travelers are encourage to show modesty and respect. People in shorts and open shouldered outfits most likely will not be allowed in monasteries and churches. Monastic and clergy will treat tourists and pilgrims very differently. While I understand your desire to wear shorts and something cool in a hot climate, I encourage you not to spoil the visit for the rest of the group. Skirts and head coverings are the appropriate dress code for women at some of the places we will visit. Several services will be scheduled during our pilgrimage. However, at this time I'm not giving you an exact time or place since all that is very flexible and can change many times. The very pattern of our days may be changed to fit the services in. Services are open to all who want to attend, but are not mandatory. Those Orthodox travelers who would like to receive Holy Communion during the Divine Liturgy must get the dispensation from their parish priest.

 

Currency:

Many stores in Greece accept credit cards (mostly Visa or MasterCard, no Discover or American Express). However, if you plan to shop at the markets or at the souvenir stands, you will need cash. The easiest way to obtain cash is to use the ATM machine. For ATMs use your debit card because you won't be charged any interest on cash withdrawals. On your credit card purchase or with your debit card cash withdrawal, you get the best exchange rate, that of the day.

 

It is a good idea to let your bank or credit company (the one whose card you will be using) know that you are traveling overseas. Without such a notice some companies may "freeze" your account in an attempt to prevent foreign card fraud. Whenever you shop, especially at the markets and kiosks, try to bargain. The fact that you are a foreigner, and most likely from the US will be quite easily noted by locals and vendors may attempt to overcharge you. So, shop smart!

 

Be sure to bring:

An alarm clock; alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wet wipes; Kleenex; film and extra batteries for your camera or memory cards (at the tourist places they are widely available but significantly more expensive); comfortable shoes for a lot of walking (do not start the trip with new shoes). An electric outlet adapter/voltage converter is necessary if you plan to use any electric gadgets from the US.  A hat or a head cover, sun protection lotion and a bottle of water (can be purchased along the way) are absolutely "must have" things on this trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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