Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises 10-Day Coastal Cruise throughout Greece & Turkey  (Fri): ARRIVAL ATHENS - Arrive in Athens. Meet and greet at the airport. Drive to Piraeus Port and board your cruise ship.(Sat): THESSALONIKI - VERIA - When Paul was unable to go in person to the new church at Thessalonica he wrote the letters to the Thessalonians. Visit the Byzantine Walls, the House of Jason where Paul lived and the agora, an open marketplace, where he preached. Travel to Veria - ancient Beroea. In 54AD, on Paul's second journey, he taught in the local synagogue that Jesus was the hoped for Messiah (Acts 17:10-14).  (Sun): KAVALA - PHILIPPI - On his first voyage to Europe, Paul landed in Kavala (ancient Neapolis). We visit the river location where Paul met a group of women to whom he preached the gospel. Lydia, a merchant, believed Paul's message and was baptized with members of her household, making hers the first baptism on European soil. Visit the jail where Paul and Silas were held. Perhaps not the exact location, but it represents the flogging and imprisonment they endured. During the night, a violent earthquake shook the prison and the jailer feared they might have escaped. After learning neither had fled, the Philippian jailer put his faith in Christ and was baptized with his family.(Mon): ISTANBUL - Formerly Byzantium, the center of the Eastern Roman Empire, Istanbul is built on seven green hills and situated astride two continents. We visit the Topkapi Palace, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years. See its harem and fabulous treasure chambers, the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque with its six minarets, and St. Sofia, converted to a mosque from a Christian basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. (Tue): DIKILI - PERGAMON - Arrive at the port of Dikili and tour of the antique city of Pergamon. Pergamos was one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation and is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in Turkey. We will visit Sardis, the most picturesque of the Seven Churches.  (Wed): KUSADASI - EPHESUS - MILETUS - Arrive at Kusadasi. Visit Ephesus, an impressive archeological site in Turkey, and home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It took 120 years to build. We visit the Great Amphitheater where Paul spoke to the Ephesians. An afternoon tour to Miletus, where in 57 AD Paul met with the elders of the church of Ephesus near the end of his Third Missionary Journey andpredicted his death (Acts 20:15-38). It is believed that Paul stopped by Great Harbour Monument and sat on its steps. He may have met the Ephesian elders there and then bid them farewell on the nearby beach.(Thu): PATMOS - Patmos, the "Holy Island" for the Christian faith. Visit the Monastery of St. John “The Theologian” and the Cave of the Apocalypse, believed to mark the spot where John of Patmos received his visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation. Both sites were declared World Heritage Sites in 199 by UNESCO. (Fri): ATHENS - Disembark the cruise ship and begin the tour of Athens. Follow your guide on a journey to the ancient Acropolis where you will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where Paul preached the gospel to the intellectual Athenian community of his day and the ruins of the Agora. Visit Corinth a city that inspired of St. Paul 's most familiar letter. You will visit the Archeological Museum , the Market Place, and Temples. Overnight and/or return to U.S. Optional 3-day extension $700 pp (Sat): POMPEII - Drive to Patras port to embark the ferry to Bari, Italy. Disembark the ferry and begin the tour of Pompeii, where you will visit the spectacular ruins that were covered by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The city remained buried and undiscovered for almost 1500 years until excavation began in 1748. These excavations continue today, providing insight into life during the Roman Empire. Drive to Rome for overnight. (Sun): IMPERIAL ROME - This morning you will discover Imperial Rome. Paul wrote to the Christians of Rome and he eventually went there where his ministry continued, although he was technically a prisoner. You will experience the glory of Imperial Rome when you visit the Coliseum, famous as a place of spectacle and death. Gladiators died here as thousands looked on. See the Circus Maximus, built during the reign of Nero. This huge stadium was able to seat 250,000 spectators for chariot races and other spectacles. See the Roman Forum, an ancient meeting place, market place, religious and political centre. View the Arch of Titus that commemorates Titus' conquest of Judea. You'll visit the Mamertina Prison, where it is believed that both Peter and Paul were imprisoned. (Mon): CHRISTIAN ROME - You'll discover the Vatican Museum, home to many of the world's masterpieces. Enter the Sistine Chapel and view Michelangelo's frescoes, which have been restored to their full, colourful glory. Tour St. Peter's Basilica where Michelangelo's "Pieta" -- the only work signed by the master -- will be just one of many highlights. Travel along the famous Apian Way. Walk through the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Visit Tre Fontane, where Apostle Paul was beheaded. Walk through Via Del Corso, Piazza de Spagnia, and enjoy the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. (Tue): DEPARTURE Who was Paul? - a brief synopsis   Category 3 Cabin - Outside cabin, porthole, 2 beds or queen, bathroom/shower, TV  Category 5 Cabin - Outside cabin, window, 2 beds or queen, bathroom/shower, TV, sofaCruise includes all tours listed and all meals. Request dates & availability. |
