Traveler Information
for Greece & Turkey

Our pilgrimages to Greece and Turkey explore sites related to the early church and the culture that existed during this era. In Greece, we’ll explore Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kalambaka (Meteora), Corinth, and Athens. In Turkey, you can visit Ephesus, Istanbul, and smaller towns related to St. Paul’s missionary journeys. You’ll be surrounded by thousands of years of secular and religious history; fertile ground for your own religious and spiritual experience. Here are some tips to prepare for your pilgrimage.

Weather

Greece and Turkey have Mediterranean climates, which are generally hot and dry during the summer with cold and wet winters. Athens and Istanbul are hot, with summer averages in the mid 80s, though 100+ degree days aren’t uncommon. Thessaloniki and Ephesus are cooler, due to their proximity to the ocean.

Currently in Athens
61°
Mostly Cloudy

Packing

One pilgrimage practice is simplicity, so we recommend packing light. You should also be able to manage your own luggage between the airport, bus, and hotels. You can wear clothes multiple times, do a little laundry in the sink, or send a few items out for laundry through the hotel. We recommend packing clothing that can be layered for warm days and cool nights. Unless specifically mentioned, you won't need to dress up for dinners or other occasions. Some other things for your packing list include:

o Wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
o Sunscreen
o Swimsuit for hotel pools and cruise
o Cooling towel (especially in summer months)
o C-type power adapters
o Quick-drying washcloth (washcloths are often not provided at hotels)
o Women: Long skirt for visiting Meteora monasteries and scarf for headcovering at Istanbul mosques

Cruise Information and Free Time

Many of our pilgrimages to Greece include a cruise from Athens. The cruises are on the Celestyal Discovery, a 1200 passenger ship. The itinerary generally includes stops at Mykonos, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Patmos, Heraklion, and Santorini. At Kusadasi and Patmos we have excursions together as a group; at other ports you may opt for free time or join excursions offered by Celestyal. All your meals on the boat are included, but we encourage you to enjoy local cuisine in every port. The currency on the boat is the euro, and while you can use your card or cruise ID for any onboard purchases, we encourage you to bring some cash for tipping. Laundry is available on the cruise, as is duty-free. Upgraded drink packages are also available for purchase onboard.

Our pilgrimages tend to be structured with few large blocks of free time for independent exploration. If your itinerary indicates a free morning or afternoon, you can expect to have at least 3-4 hours of time. We’ll do our best to clarify when that free time begins as the details of your itinerary become firm. You may wish to use this time to shop and explore independently, or for some rest and reflection time. If you want to do even more, here are some links to sites that we don't usually include on our itineraries. Some might require prebooking tickets:

Greece and Istanbul

Cruise Excursions

Beyond your included excursions with Progressive Pilgrimage, Celestyal offers excursions at Mykonos, Heraklion (Crete), and Santorini. Options vary seasonally, so we’ll send direct informaton about excursions on your cruise. Meanwhile, you can see sample cruise itineraries and excursions HERE.

Money

Staying Connected

In Greece, credit cards are widely accepted, but many places prefer cash. Paying in cash might offer a chance to negotiate prices on larger purchases. The currency is the Euro and is available from your bank before departure or from ATMs on arrival. ATMs are easy to find, including at the airport.

In Turkey, credit cards are widely accepted, but cash is quite popular. As with Greece, paying with cash provides an opportunity to negotiate prices. The currency is the Turkish Lira, and while some tourist areas will accept Euros, it’s best to have Lira if you plan to pay in cash. In both countries, avoid processing transactions at ATMs or other checkouts in dollars, as you’ll be charged significant conversion fees. Always process transactions in the local currency.

In Greece, tipping is not expected, but is becoming more common. You might round up your bill for a beer or glass of wine to the nearest Euro, or leave a 5-10% tip at a restaurant, if you receive exceptional service. Many restaurants and bars do not offer the option to add a tip to a credit card transaction.

In Turkey, tipping is more common, especially for restaurants and bars that cater to tourists. A tip of 10-20% is most welcome, but certainly not expected as it is in the United States. You can also give a small tip to taxi drivers and tour guides (for private tours or extra activities).

Your pilgrimage includes all gratuities for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and meals taken together. Hotel gratuities are split among all staff, so if you want to tip a particular staff member, give them the tip directly. Housekeeping tips can be left in the room upon checkout.

Being disconnected from the constant onslaught of information and communication can be refreshing during a pilgrimage, so consider limiting your use of the internet during the day. You can expect wi-fi in all of your hotel accommodations but not usually on buses or coaches. Wi-fi packages are available for purchase on the cruise.

If you wish to have cellular or data connectivity during your pilgrimage, please contact your carrier to find out more about the cost of international roaming and the level of coverage you can expect. If your phone is unlocked you can also purchase a local SIM or eSIM for a less expensive option. Some SIM plans offer only data while others provide calling, too. SIMs purchased in the airport are generally over priced compared to visiting a neighborhood shop

All of our pilgrimages use WhatsApp to communicate with group members during your travels together. Be sure to download and install WhatsApp on your smartphone at least a week before departure so we can add you to the group for your pilgrimage.

WhatsApp is also a great way to stay connected with family and friends at home since it allows you to call and text over a wi-fi connection

Educational Resources

Travelers who do a little bit of preparation often have a richer experience on their pilgrimage. We send all our travelers a series of short articles about two months before your departure to help orient your journey in its historical and spiritual context. About a month in advance of the trip, we'll also send a print journal you can use during your pilgrimage. In addition to these resources, you might enjoy one or two selections from our extended reading list.