Program

Day 1 Holy Thursday 17/4: Larnaca – Athens – Isthmus of Corinth – Messolonghi – Amfilochia – Arta
Gathering at Larnaca airport and departure for Athens. Arrival and boarding the bus. Our first stop is at the Isthmus of Corinth. Since ancient times, it has been the most strategic point in the Greek territory and one of the most important in the Eastern Mediterranean. We continue our journey along the Gulf of Corinth, to the Rio Antirrio connection – through the bridge – a unique construction achievement of the 21st century, which unites the Peloponnese with Central Greece. Arriving in Central Greece, we head to Messolonghi, a sacred place that welcomes us to the beauty and richness of its lagoon, which together with the Delta of the Acheloos and Evinos rivers constitutes one of the largest wetlands in the Mediterranean. We will see the lush garden of heroes, the tombs of the fighters of the Revolution of 1821 and Lord Byron, which was created in 1830 by order of Governor Kapodistrias. We then visit the picturesque town of Amfilochia, built in the early 19th century by Ali Pasha, between two hills inside the Amvrakikos Gulf. We end up at our hotel in Arta and settle into our rooms. Free time to stroll around the city, known for its bridge that crosses the Arachthos River. At first glance, we will notice its craftsmanship, tradition and unique architecture. On its left bank, we will see the historic plane tree of the bridge from whose branches Ali Pasha hung Christians and which has been declared a protected natural monument since 1976. Overnight stay.

Day 2 Good Friday 18/4: Arta – Igoumenitsa – Corfu – Epitaph Parade
Breakfast and we leave Arta for Igoumenitsa. Arrival at the port and boarding the ship for Corfu. Arrival at the island of Phaeacia and transfer to the city of Corfu where its world-famous philharmonic orchestras and choirs give a special dimension to this mournful day. We arrive at the hotel, check into our rooms and have free time. Late in the afternoon we will transfer to the city of Corfu to watch the procession of the imposing Epitaph of the Metropolis in SPIANADA and LISTON. Candles are placed everywhere, fixed on small bases, and are lit during its procession, all in a long, straight, bright line. It is accompanied by all the Priests, the Authorities of the city, the magnificent and numerous philharmonics and choirs. Return to the hotel. Dinner with fasting and non-fasting dishes. Overnight.

Day 3 Holy Saturday 19/4: Corfu (First and Great Resurrection) – Kanoni – Achilleion
Breakfast and we depart for the city of Corfu to watch the Litany of Saint Spyridon and the Epitaph accompanied by the Philharmonic. The first Resurrection follows at 11.00 with the traditional breaking of the jugs, the “boots”. Then we head towards Garitsa and after a short and picturesque route we reach Kanoni. From there we will see Pontikonisi (optional transfer), the green islet located in front of Corfu airport in the bay of Halikiopoulos. A few meters further on we find Panagia of Vlacherna, one of the most famous landmarks of the city, located on the islet of Vlacherna and connected to the mainland by a small footbridge. We continue our journey to admire the Achilleion Palace, which was built from 1888 to 1891 for the Empress of Austria, Elisabeth. Inside, we can admire paintings by Italian and Austrian painters and in the rooms the personal belongings of Elisabeth and Wilhelm, furniture, jewelry, etc., statues as well as portraits and ceramics. Return to the hotel and free time. Dinner with fasting and non-fasting dishes where the traditional magieritsa will also be served. Then, transfer to the city's central Spianada square to watch the famous Corfiot Resurrection. A fantastic sight, all the windows and balconies of the surrounding houses open with candles lit, while the composition of a magnificent image is the square illuminated by the thousands of candles of the faithful, who are watching the Resurrection ceremony in the largest square in Greece. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 4 Easter Sunday 21/4: Festive feast – Paleokastritsa
CHRIST IS RISEN!!!
After breakfast, free time. Afterwards, pre-lunch snacks with ouzo will be offered at our hotel and then the Easter festive feast and entertainment with music and a folklore group will follow. In the afternoon, departure for the famous Paleokastritsa, an area of ​​unparalleled beauty with 6 dreamy picturesque coves. It took its name from the neighboring Angelokastro, the oldest castle on the island. Nature painted a magnificent landscape with centuries-old olive groves, pines and cypresses. First we visit a factory for processing and bottling kumquat into liqueur and sweets respectively. Then we will visit the male monastery of Panagia of Paleokastritsa, which is built on the top of a lush hill and offers a stunning view. The monastery dates back to 1228 and is built on a steep rock at the highest point of the village. The monastery museum has Byzantine icons, holy books, vestments and ecclesiastical relics of unique value. The view of the Ionian Sea from the monastery is breathtaking and many go to enjoy the sunset. Visitors can also see the monastery's traditional olive press up close, stroll through the beautiful courtyard, and throw coins into the monastery's well to make their wishes come true. Return to the hotel and free time to enjoy as you wish. Overnight.

Day 5 Easter Monday 22/4: Corfu – Igoumenitsa – Parga – Preveza – Patras
Breakfast at the hotel and we head to the port of Corfu with destination Igoumenitsa. Arrival and heading along the coastline of the Ionian Sea we reach the cosmopolitan town of Parga, the so-called "nymph of Epirus". It is built amphitheatrically on the eastern side of a small peninsula, in a central and two smaller bays, where the eye can feast its eyes on the blue of the Ionian Sea and the green of the pine trees. Its street layout, the colorful houses, the cobblestoned picturesque alleys that climb to the top of the hill, the castle (originally built by the Normans and perfected as a fortress by the Venetians), the incredible view of the Ionian Sea and the lush green island of Panagia that is reflected in the waters of the harbor, will enchant you. Our next stop is in the picturesque city of Preveza with an island atmosphere. Facing the Amvrakikos Gulf and the Ionian Sea, with a wonderful waterfront, a marina full of sailboats, dozens of restaurants and taverns, pedestrian streets and sophisticated shops, it will charm you. We continue our route and in the afternoon we arrive in Patras, the financial, commercial and cultural center of the Peloponnese and the third largest city in Greece. Check-in to the rooms and free time to stroll along the coastal road, Vasileos Georgiou Square and the Rigas Feraios pedestrian street. Overnight stay.

Day 6 Easter Tuesday 23/4: Patras – Loutraki – Osios Patapios – Discount Village – Athens Airport – Larnaca
Breakfast at the hotel and free time for a pilgrimage to the Holy Church of Saint Andrew. The old church was built between 1836 and 1843 at the site where the Apostle Andrew was martyred. The new magnificent church was founded in 1908 by George I, inaugurated in 1974 by the Metropolitan of Patras Nikodimos, it is the largest in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe. Its height exceeds 46m. and its capacity is 5,500 people. Next to the church, the well of Saint Andrew, the place where he taught and where he was crucified, has survived to this day. Then we leave Patras. Following a route along the Gulf of Corinth, we arrive at Loutraki, Corinth, a tourist resort in the prefecture of Corinth and famous for its springs of natural mineral and thermal water. It is spread out on the coastline of the Gulf of Corinth and above it the Geraneia Mountains dominate. In its center, the church of Panagia Giatrissa, Megalochari, looms imposingly, as an unshakable pillar of the faith of the residents. Inside it is kept the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. Not far from Loutraki we will find the women's I.M. of Saint Patapios, which performs great charitable and social work. In the cave of Saint Patapios, his holy relic is kept in a shrine, as well as the casket of Saint Patapios. There are Byzantine hagiographies by unknown hagiographers, probably made in the 15th century AD. There is also a spring with holy water, adjacent to the cave of the Saint. The view and the natural and spiritual beauty of the monastery rewards the pilgrim - visitor. We continue our journey towards the "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport of Athens (with an intermediate stop for coffee, food or shopping at the discount village located nearby) and the return trip to Cyprus with our suitcases full of beautiful memories from our six-day stay in Greece.