"Footsteps of the Apostle Paul"
June 2-11, Greece
June 11-14, Rome (extension)
TOUR ITINERARY
TOUR BROCHURE:
TOUR CODE: MannaG826
DAY 1 (Monday, August 31):
Meet in Chicago and fly together overnight to Athens.
DAY 2 (Tuesday, September 1): We arrive in Athens mid-afternoon and fly to Thessaloniki. This is the city where Paul was received by Jason. Paul preached the Word of God here until he was rushed out of the city.
We transfer to our hotel for check-in and dinner.
DAY 3 (Wednesday, September 2): In the morning we start with the landmarks of Thessaloniki: the White Tower, the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the Roman Arch of Galerius and the Rotonda. Thessaloniki’s oldest and most admired Christian churches: the Basilicas of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia.
We then follow the route of the Via Egnatia and visit, like Paul and his companions, the area of Amphipolis, to see the famous funerary Lion of Amphipolis.
Then we travel to Philippi. There, we visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river, where Paul baptized his first convert in Europe. Also, we visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul” and the Theater.
Mid-afternoon, we drive to Kavala (Neapolis), Paul’s first step in bringing the Gospel to present-day Europe. A picturesque port, we view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4 (Thursday, September 3): After breakfast, we begin our journey to Athens. Along the way, we'll stop at the world-famous Byzantine monasteries perched atop gray rock peaks of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history dates back to the 14th century, when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves and later fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, which were later transformed into monasteries.
Afterwards, we continue to Athens where we will have dinner and overnight.
DAY 5 (Friday, September 4): We board our cruise ship and set sail on the Mediterranean Sea, leaving from Athens and sailing to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. At Mykonos, we'll disembark and enjoy the evening in town, walking the waterfront lined with shops and cafes. We'll stroll the charming walkways through a maze of white-washed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening activities.
No excursions are included today, as we will visit the island at our leisure.
DAY 6 (Saturday September 5): After an all night steam, we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey. We’ll disembark for a bus excursion to Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his ministry. The impressive remains of Ephesus include the Agora, the Theater, the Stadium, the Library of Celsus, the ruins of the Temple of Diana (one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”) and many more.
In the afternoon, we sail for the island of Patmos, then disembark for a bus excursion to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, the site where John wrote his apocalyptic book of Revelation. Afterwards, we walk up to the Monastery of St. John, on one of the island’s highest points, to explore this amazing ancient place.
DAY 7 (Sunday, September 6): After a second all-night cruise, we we arrive at Heraklion, Crete. In the morning we'll disembark for a bus excursion through the town of Heraklion and the Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete.
We also will visit the church where Titus pastored. Paul left Titus in Crete and gave instructions on appointing church leaders in the towns (Titus 1:5ff).
In the afternoon, we cruise to the isle of Santorini with option to disembark to visit the town. No excursion. Santorini is often referred to as the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands (with many cafes and shops). The exquisite, whitewashed villages, including the town of Fira or Thira, cling to volcanic cliffs, accessible by cable car, or mule.
DAY 8 (Monday, September 7): We disembark the cruise this morning in Piraeus. After disembarkation, we will continue our sightseeing with a visit to ancient Corinth. This is the once-glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. We’ll visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples, and the famous Bema, where Paul stood under judgment before Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth.
Then we drive to Cenchreae, the little harbor from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary journey. The rest of the day is spent back in Athens to shop, rest and get into our hotel rooms.
DAY 9 (Tuesday, September 8): On our last full day in Greece, we admire the architectural wonders of ancient Athens. We follow our guide to the world-renowned Acropolis, to see the Propylea, the Erechtheum and the Parthenon. We visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his speech on the “Unknown God.” Then we see the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians.
During the bus tour, we also see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium, and the Neoclassical Buildings of Athens. Dinner and overnight are in Athens.
Then we drive to Cenchreae, the little harbor from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary journey. The rest of the day is spent back in Athens to shop, rest and get into our hotel rooms.
DAY 10 (Wednesday, September 9): We transfer in the morning to Athens Airport. Some will head home and the rest to Rome.
Upon arrival, we'll meet our driver and tour Manager at the Rome airport for a sightseeing excursion to Ostia Antica, an ancient harbour city with Roman streets, shops, temples, baths,
After lunch, we'll walk the Appian Way, and tour Three Taverns / Forum of Appius. Then we'll check-in to our hotel and dinner.
DAY 11 (Thursday, September 10): We start our second day in Rome at the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, the celebrated Chapel of the Popes and the venue of the conclaves for Papal elections. It is one of the most splendid masterpieces in world art and is known worldwide for its magnificent ceiling, beautifully decorated by Michelangelo.
From here, our next stop is the Basilica of St. Peter, the largest church in the world, overlooking the enormous Piazza San Pietro. Following lunch, we'll return to the first century and the Pauline story, starting with a visit the Mamertine Prison where Paul was imprisoned.
Then we enjoy a walking tour through The Forum, visiting several sites related to Paul's time in Rome in the early AD 60s: Curia Julia, Basilica Julia, Rostra, Temple of Julius Caesar, Temple of Saturn, Arch of Titus, ending with a tour of the ancient Colosseum.
Then its back to the hotel for dinner and the evening.
DAY 12 (Friday, September 11): After breakfast at the hotel, today's excursion begins with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (built over the traditional burial site of Paul), one of Rome’s four major basilicas, with a stunning interior with medallions of every pope.
Then we visit the Tre Fontane (Three Fountains Abbey), the traditional execution site for Paul, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, the tour moves to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, where we explore tombs, tunnels, and early Christian carvings on the walls. We close our day with a stop at the Church of Santa Prisca, connected to Priscilla and Aquila.
We'll enjoy a Farewell dinner, pack our bags, and spend a final night in Rome.
DAY 13 (Saturday, September 12): We transfer in the morning to Rome Airport for our return flight to the U.S.A., arriving the same day.
Our travel partner:
