Piraeus is Greece's largest port and has been a gateway to the city of Athens, the cradle of Western democracy and culture.

Throughout the ages, Athens' lofty Acropolis ― the site of the world-famous Parthenon ― has been a source of inspiration. The ancient ruins scattered throughout this legendary city are reminders of Greece's great cultural heritage.

Just next to the Acropolis is Mars Hill, where St. Paul preached the gospel to the Greeks and converted St. Dionysius the Areopagite (Acts 17). This is one of many locations on this pilgrimage and cruise where you can stand in the very footsteps of St. Paul.

The port of Alexandria ― named after Alexander the Great ― is the gateway to Cairo.

Alexandria was an important center of early Christianity. St. Mark ― the author of the second Gospel ― is honored as the first patriarch of Alexandria and as one of the main missionaries who brought the Christian faith to Egypt. It was the home of numerous other saints as well, including St. Athanasius, St. Catherine, St. Cyril, St. Anthony (the founder of monasticism), and others.

Alexandria was also the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, as well as the famed Library of Alexandria, the largest library in the ancient world.

Cairo is not only the capital of modern Egypt, it is also the site of another of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is just across the Nile River from the city.

We hope you will join the Special Catholic Answers Excursion to the pyramids and the mysterious sphinx and learn how Egypt has been important in God's plan from the time of the Old Testament patriarchs, to the time of Moses and the Exodus, to the Child Jesus' flight from King Herod, and on into the Christian age.*

Ashdod, a city mentioned in the Old Testament, is the gateway to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

We hope that you will join the Special Catholic Answers Excursion to Bethlehem and Jerusalem, where we will walk in the very footsteps of Jesus, his Blessed Mother, and the apostles.*

While there we plan to visit Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane. We will perform the Way of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa and visit Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which contains both the hill of Golgotha, where Christ was crucified, and his tomb, where he rose from the dead.

Do not miss this opportunity to visit the places where our Savior was born, was crucified, and was raised for our salvation!

Haifa is Hebrew for "beautiful coast," and the shining coastline of Israel's largest Mediterranean port lives up to its name. But even more impressive are the slopes of Mt. Carmel, on which much of the city lies.

We hope you will join our Special Catholic Answers Excursion to Mt. Carmel, where we will see the cave of the prophet Elijah and the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.* We then plan to proceed to Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation, to Cana, where married couples can renew their wedding vows, and then to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, where we will see the house of St. Peter and the synagogue where Jesus preached.

Located on the Turkish Riviera, Antalya's scenery includes a crescent bay, cliffs, mountains, palm-lined boulevards, and a marina. In the old quarter, narrow streets and wooden houses huddle against the ancient city walls. The main square offers fantastic views of the bay and the distant mountain peaks, and it is home to the town's clock tower.

Best known of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is rich with natural beauty, architectural variety, and colorful history.

The city of Rhodes is architecturally one of the most varied in Europe. Hellenistic, Byzantine, medieval, and Turkish architectural styles freely intermingle.

Sunshine and dry air combine to cast a magnificent light over the island that was home to another of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes.

A lovely seaside resort on Turkey's Aegean coast, Kusadasi [koo-SHAH-dah-see] is the gateway to the biblical city of Ephesus, one of the world's greatest archaeological finds. Excavations continue in the 4,000-year-old city and it is believed that more than half of it still remains buried in the hillside. Its marble streets are lined with architectural masterpieces. The city played a significant role in the life of the Apostle Paul, who wrote an epistle to its people.

We hope you will join our Special Catholic Answers Excursion to Ephesus. We will visit the traditional house of Mary, and the excavations of ancient Ephesus.* We will visit the amphitheater where St. Paul's preaching caused a riot (Acts 19). We will also visit the site of the church where the third ecumenical council proclaimed Mary the Mother of God in A.D. 431, journey to the tomb of St. John, and see the last remnant of another of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis.

Of all the Cyclades Islands, Santorini is often considered the most dramatic. Once an active volcano, it was known as Stongyle, or the Round Island. In about 1500 B.C., the volcano erupted with such force that the center of the island literally exploded in an event that some archaeologists believe is the basis for the legend of Atlantis. Today the island is rent by a haunting, submerged crater into which our ship will sail. The island's small villages were preserved in the ashes, and recent excavations have uncovered a fascinating view of everyday life from 3,500 years ago.

Thíra, or Fira Town, is laid out along the edge of a cliff that partially forms the rim of the now-extinct caldera. A picturesque site, it exudes charm and an atmosphere of leisure that can be attributed to the easy-going Greek lifestyle.

While it hugs the coast of Africa, Tunisia is a relative stone's throw from Italy, giving it a distinctly Mediterranean identity. Indeed, the region has been under the rule of several influential powers of the north, including the Romans, French, and Turks.

During your visit to Gabes, however, there will be no doubt that you are in Africa. Two quintessentially African oases, one unfolding toward the sea and another stretching toward the desert, are nearby. The town itself is famous for its henna and for its bustling marketplace, where you can find an array of spices and locally-made baskets. Journey southwest and you might think you are on another planet: the cave dwellings in the village of Matmata served as a filming location for the blockbuster Star Wars.

The island nation of Malta is a treasure trove of cultures. Valletta, its fortified main city, rises dramatically from the water. This "City of Knights," a monument to the past, was founded in 1566 by the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John.

Sights not to be missed include the Magisterial Palace and St. John's Cathedral, which is lavishly decorated with the coats of arms and banners of the crusading knights. Beyond Valletta, the countryside, although austere and rocky, has a special charm. Malta provides an enduring fascination for all visitors.

Explore lovely medieval Messina with its historic churches and the cathedral where it is rumored Richard the Lionheart worshipped in 1190. Or discover ancient Tyndaris, founded in 396 B.C., with its fine mosaics, Roman baths, and impressive theater overlooking the sea.

Browse through the shops for linens, fine embroidery, and local crafts, including pottery and ceramics, and enjoy delicious pasta and seafood along with local wine and sumptuous pastries.

Visit beautiful Taormina and marvel at its famous Greek theater and the stunning view of Mt. Etna.

Civitavecchia was founded by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century. Today this port is noted for its fine seafood and attractive monuments.

Located ninety minutes away is the Eternal City of Rome. Steeped in 2,500 years of history, Rome was for many centuries the center of Western civilization. It was the capital of the Roman Empire and today houses the headquarters of the Catholic Church, the Vatican.

We hope you will join us for the special three-day Catholic Answers post-cruise event in Rome, in which we will tour ancient sites such as the catacombs, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. We will visit St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. We will also see the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and the Piazza Navona, as well as some of the most important and magnificent churches in Rome, such as St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Mary Major.