2024 Pilgrimage

April 3, 2024 All Day Event

Kirk Pilgrimage 2024: Following the Footsteps of St. Paul

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Kirk in the Hills is planning our next pilgrimage of spiritual growth and enrichment! From April 3rd - April 13th, 2024, pilgrims will have the unique experience of visiting some of the places visited by the apostle Paul during his missionary journeys.

We will be using the Viking Ocean Cruise, Ancient Mediterranean Treasures as the basis for our pilgrimage, with excursions in each port. Pilgrims have the option to select the excursions that best suit their needs and have a $200 ship credit to apply if desired. Witness the origin of Western civilization as you cruise the fabled Aegean Sea, with an additional two nights in Athens at the start of the pilgrimage. Our accompanying pastor will conclude each day with an in-depth exposition of one of Paul’s letters and reflections on places visited, along with daily devotionals.

Kirk members will have the first option to book, although non-Kirk members rooming with a Kirk member are very welcome! The price, including international airfare and two nights in the Conrad (formerly the Hilton) in Athens is approximately $5,600, based on double occupancy. Viking offers a $250 discount for single occupancy.



The Itinerary Includes:

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 - Depart Detroit for Athens, Greece

Thursday, April 4, 2024 - Arrive in Athens, Greece

Friday, April 5, 2024 - Athens, Greece
First full day in the city with an optional excursion through the Ruins of Corinth and a canal tour, or a leisurely day exploring the city on your own. Paul visited Corinth at the end of AD 51 and spent 18 months with Aquila and Priscilla, establishing a church there. (Acts 17:16-34) The day ends with a group dinner together at a local restaurant in the evening (dinner not included in price).

Saturday, April 6, 2024 - Athens, Greece
Walking tour of the iconic Acropolis, Parthenon, Mars Hill and the Ancient Agora. Paul came to Athens and preached the Gospel on Mars Hill as well as meeting with God fearing Jews and Gentiles in the Agora. In the afternoon, board the Viking ship. As we remain in port overnight, you will have time to enjoy dinner in town.

Sunday, April 7, 2024 - Athens, Greece
Today, you will have the entire day to journey into ancient Athens via a panoramic drive, passing the promenade at Mikrolimano Marina as you enter the city’s heart. There, you will see the Hellenic Parliament, Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and the iconic Acropolis. Explore the bustling Plaka District at the base of the Acropolis. Or, as an option, explore the interior of this UNESCO Site; climb 80 steps to the entrance for an unforgettable view of the Parthenon at its peak.

* Events scheduled in and around Athens are subject to change. Please visit the Viking Cruises website for a list of optional excursions available.

Monday, April 8, 2024 - Heraklion, Greece
Call on fabled Crete today, home to the Minoans, Europe’s oldest recorded civilization. Here, you will uncover local remnants of the Venetian Empire, which brought great wealth to the capital of Heraklion. Admire the Koules Fortress—known to the Venetians as the Rocca al Mare, or “fortress by the sea”—at the Old Port’s entrance. Explore the café-lined Lions Square and the arched gallery of the celebrated Loggia. Early church tradition suggests that Paul, after his release from his first imprisonment in Rome, stopped at the Island of Crete. There is an imposing monument called Apostle Paul’s Podium in Veria, where it is said Paul stood and preached. (Acts 27:7)

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 - Rhodes, Greece
Discover the Old Town of Rhodes today. This “Island of Knights” prospered from the wealth brought here from the Holy Land by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. Follow the Street of the Knights to the most imposing building in Rhodes: the Palace of the Grand Masters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour this fascinating building, which was first a castle, then a royal palace. You may visit the Acropolis of Lindos, the spot where Paul is said to have landed on the island. (Acts 21:1)

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - Ephesus (Kuşadasi), Turkey
One of antiquity’s best-preserved cities, Ephesus offers an unparalleled look into the lives of the ancients. Many of its ruins have endured from the time Ephesus was one of the largest metropolises of the ancient world. Excavations reach back to the 10th Century BC, when this city hosted one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—the Temple of Artemis. Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years and three months. He visited the synagogues and established the church which became the head of the seven churches in Western Asia Minor. Ephesus was famous for the Temple to the Goddess Artemis/Diana. (Acts 19:23-41)

Thursday, April 11, 2024 - Troy, Turkey
Located on the Dardanelles, a key waterway linking the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea, Çanakkale was an object of desire dating back to the ancient Greeks. Today, explore Çanakkale or the nearby ruins of Troy, once a powerhouse of Asia Minor. The remarkably preserved structures of this UNESCO World Heritage Site provide a glimpse of the region’s former glory and offer hints of life here in the days of Alexander the Great and the Roman emperor Augustus.

Friday, April 12, 2024 - Istanbul, Turkey
Discover where East meets West as you arrive today in Istanbul. Take time to admire this city that straddles two continents across the Bosphorus Strait, with its Old Quarter skyline of domes and minarets and the twinkling lights of modern Istanbul across the water. Sample delicious cuisine for a taste of this fusion, combining fresh Mediterranean fare with spices from the Far East and Asia. Enjoy a wealth of religious sites, such as the spectacular “Blue Mosque” and the legendary Hagia Sophia.

Saturday, April 13, 2024 - Istanbul, Turkey
Awake in Istanbul, where you will disembark your ship. 

Pilgrimages are a great source of spiritual blessing, education and camaraderie. Please prayerfully consider joining us for this amazing adventure!

For additional information or questions, please contact Ruth Reading at 248-875-1371 or at or Megan Habig at or phone 248-420-3628

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Additional Information, Terms & Conditions:

  • Final Payment
    • Final payment depends on when trip is booked and the offers that are currently in place.

  • Cancellation Policy
    • A $100 cancellation fee is applicable if cancelled 120 days prior to the sailing. Full cancellation policy is included in guests booking confirmation document - terms and conditions available HERE

  • Insurance Information
    • Insurance is HIGHLY recommended and available through Viking or purchased independently. 
    • Viking, or other, pre-existing condition policies must be purchased within 15 days of your initial trip deposit. 
    • By purchasing the plan, you help protect your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly - you, in the event that unforeseen circumstances arise before or during your trip. Take advantage of Viking's “pre-existing condition” coverage when you add Travel protection within 15 days of your Initial Trip Payment and that you are medically able to travel at the time of your plan purchase.  This plan must be added and paid for prior to your final payment date. To review full plan details online and Important Disclosures, please go to: http://www.tripmate.com/wpGR625V.https://www.tripmate.com/wpGR625V

  • Passports and Visas information
    • Important: You must have a valid U.S. passport to travel on this voyage. Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your planned trip dates. For the most up-to-date visa information, all guests including non-US citizens and green card holders should seek advice from their respective embassy, consulate or Travel Agent to determine which documents are needed prior to departure. US Passport: For current processing times, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html
    • Visa required for: Turkey (ETA, Electronic Travel Authority) when embarking or disembarking in Turkey and/or participating in pre- or post-cruise extension program.

  • Upgrading your Stateroom
    • To upgrade your Staterooms from the DV6 category (deck 3) - please click here to check the Viking website for Stateroom specifics. 
       
  • Arrival Dates
    • Guests have the option to book air through Viking or independently. Please note, guests will need to arrive in Athens no later than April 4th. 

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