Footsteps of Paul & John

Price Per person double occupancy

Date	Price	Single Supplement
October 27 – November 6, 2027	$5,799*	$1,485
*Includes estimated roundtrip airfare from Dulles, to be confirmed Dec. 2026 Reservation Due: May 24, 2027 Final Payment Due: July 29, 2027

Included

Roundtrip airfare from Dulles including taxes and fees (air taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change), Internal flight from Athens to Rome, 7 nights lodging at hotels, 2 nights on Celestyal cruise in standard inside cabin, Breakfast and dinner daily at hotels, all meals while on cruise, Cruise - Unlimited filtered coffee, tea, water, juice during restaurant hours (6:30A-10P), Cruise – Unlimited free-pour sodas with meals in main restaurants (Thalassa & Taverna), Full time tour guides in Turkey & Greece, assistant on cruise, escort & local guides in Italy, All touring and entrances as listed on itinerary, All transportation by modern air-conditioned motor coach, Tips to guides, drivers, cruise rep, & hotel staff, Patmos shore excursion, Whisper listening devices, Pilgrim Payment Processing for check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover

Not Included

All lunches and drinks with meals except on cruise, Optional Santorini Excursion to Oia Village – currently +$100/person, Optional Travel Insurance – 7.95% or 10.85% of tour cost (rates current as of quote date), Mandatory New Greece Government Tax – Fees range from €1 to €20 per person, depending on port and date.

Day 1 – Wednesday, Oct. 27: Departure from US

Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Izmir. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!

Day 2 – Thursday, Oct. 28: Arrival Izmir

We transfer to our hotel in the lovely port city of Kusadasi, Turkey for the next two evenings. The remainder of your day is free to relax, sightsee on your own and enjoy your hotel facilities.

Day 3 – Friday, Oct. 29: Ephesus

We travel to the nearby town of Selcuk for a visit of ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was once a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city. We view the Library, Agora, theatre, colorful mosaics in the aristocratic Terrace Houses, and a panoramic outlook of the surrounding ancient port area (including a wealth of church history and cultural insight). Then we continue with a visit to the Basilica Church of St. John, which houses an immersion baptismal and is believed to be resting place of John. From here we have an excellent overview of the Ephesus harbor, the Mosque of Jesus, and see the site of the Temple of Artemis, which is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. If time allows, may wish to visit a local Turkish rugmaking factory.

Day 4 – Saturday, Oct. 30: Isle of Patmos

This morning, we embark our cruise ship and sail for a visit to the beautiful Isle of Patmos, which is under statutory protection as a historic monument. Here we have a tour to see the fortified monastery of St. John and the cave claimed to be where John received the Revelation. Back on the ship, enjoy dinner before settling into your cabin for the night.

Day 5 – Sunday, Oct. 31: Santorini

Today enjoy an optional (+$100 per person) visit to the island of Santorini, which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The panoramic bus tour offers views of some of the most spectacular scenery of the Aegean. Travel through countless villages and settlements with delicate architecture and beauties eventually arriving in Oia. During your time in Oia, visit the many narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques. Upon returning to the ship, we view the lace-like caldera, the little islands of Thirasia, Palea, & Nea Kameni. We arrive at the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.

Day 6 – Monday, Nov. 1: Disembark Cruise – Ancient Corinth & Cenchreae

We disembark the cruise this morning and travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. Next, we visit ancient Corinth, the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters and is a highlight for the New Testament scholar. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love for the Bible. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period. We travel on to the top of the nearby Acropolis where our guide will speak on the worship practices and point out the bird’s eye view of what was a bustling city of around 800,000 during Paul’s stay. Another important stop is a visit to Diolkos where we view the paved trackway which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth and served as a life line for Corinth. This shortcut allowed ancient vessels to avoid the long and dangerous circumnavigation of the Peloponnese peninsula. Before returning to Athens, we will visit Cenchreae, the ancient port region of Corinth. Acts 18:18 states the Apostle Paul stopped at Cenchreae during his second missionary journey, where he had his hair cut to fulfill a vow.

Day 7 – Tuesday, Nov. 2: Athens

Following breakfast this morning we tour Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. From atop Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. Additional sites viewed during our panoramic bus tour are, the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. An option later this afternoon is a visit to the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes.

Day 8 – Wednesday, Nov. 3: Arrive Rome

We fly from Athens to the Rome airport, and transfer our lodging for the next three nights. This afternoon we will take an afternoon tour of the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries.

Day 9 – Thursday, Nov. 4: Forum, Mamertine, Coliseum, Ostia Antica

We begin our walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where our guide will divulge its secrets. We will visit the Arch of Titus which commemorated the sack of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70. We will visit the Mamertine Prison, where tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. The Roman church would say that Peter was imprisoned here as well, but there is no imperial evidence that Peter was ever in Rome. Next, we visit the Coliseum, where thousands of people and animals perished during gladiatorial games. The Coliseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100 days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughter of both humans and animals continued for three more centuries. Historians believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on how close the seating was. The floor has recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessible for people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories of the games that have fascinated people for hundreds of years. We conclude our day at the ruins of Ostia Antica, which provides an excellent example of city life in classical times and the Ostian Gate, today called the Gate of St. Paul. This evening we enjoy the opportunity to purchase dinner on our own at a restaurant of our choice.

Day 10 – Friday, Nov. 5: Vatican Museums, St. Peter's, Scala Santa, Abbey of Three Fountains, St. Paul Outside the Wall

After breakfast you will begin a full day of sightseeing. First visit Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn. After some free time for lunch, you will stop at The Abbey of the Three Fountains, the traditional site of Paul's martyrdom and the ancient street that he walked on. Next, visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the site of Paul’s tomb, and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museum houses the Steps from Pilot's Judgment Hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. Additional sights include the Arches of Constantine and Titus, Circus Maximus and the beautiful marble monument called the Wedding Cake.

Day 11 – Saturday, Nov. 6: Home

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.