GREECE IN THE STEPS OF PAUL WITH ROME
Rome • Vatican • Kavala • Philippi • Corinth • Athens
13 DAYS
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TOUR
- Fully Escorted in Europe
- Roundtrip Airfare from New York
- First Class Hotels
- Breakfast and Dinner Daily
- Deluxe Air-conditioned Motorcoaches
- Audience with the Pope in Rome
- Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s
- Visit Kavala and Philippi
- Visit Corinth and the Acropolis.
- Comprehensive Sightseeing throughout Italy
DAY 1 – USA • ROME
Depart from the USA on our flight to Rome. Meals and overnight on board. After dinner relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.
DAY 2 – ROME
Rome Morning arrival at Rome Airport where we are met and transferred to our hotel. This afternoon visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major which was built on Esquilino Hill in 352 A.D., Basilica of St. John Lateran, and the Cathedral of Rome and of the Catholic World. Next we will visit the Holy Stairs (brought from Jerusalem) which were climbed by Christ on the day of his Passion, St John’s Gate, Via Latina, Old Appia Way, Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis?”, Catacombs of St. Callixtus or St. Sebastian, the site of over 125,000 martyrdoms. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 3 – ROME PAPAL AUDIENCE
Ancient Rome This morning attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness (Wednesdays). Later tour “Ancient Rome” including visits to the Roman Forum, the imposing Colosseum where gladiators fought for life and glory, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside The Walls and the Church of St. Peter In Chains. Overnight in Rome.
DAY 4 – ROME • VATICAN • SISTINE CHAPEL
This morning visit the Vatican Museum and Art Galleries, the Vatican Gardens, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Round Hall, the tomb of St. Helen and St. Constance, the Sistine Chapel with the works of Michelangelo, Gallery of the Chandeliers, Gallery of the Tapestries and the Geographical Maps, and the Library Hall. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5 – ROME • THESSALONIKI
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Thessaloniki. Arrive Thessaloniki and transfer to the hotel. We begin with a brief tour of the Biblical Thessaloniki where Paul founded the Church in 49-50 A.D. “And from there we went to Philippi which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia…” (Acts 16: 12-18). Drive along the ancient route of Paul, through mountain passes and plains to Amphipolis for a short stop to view the ancient Lion Statue. Continue to Ancient Philippi where we find two early Christian basilicas, traces of the Egnatian Way which Paul followed from the harbor of Neapolis (ancient port of Philippi) on his first visit on European soil. View the Roman Forum, the Citadel, the ancient theater, and the Ledia’s brook. Continue on a short drive to Kavala on the site of ancient Neapolis where Paul landed on the way to Philippi. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 – THESSALONIKI • VERIA • DELPHI
This morning we drive through the plains of Thessaly, visit the legendary home of the Greek Gods, continue on to Veria where Paul remained for several days and the scriptures say the people were ‘more noble than in Thessaloniki’. End the day in Delphi for overnight.
DAY 7 – DELPHI • ATHENS
This morning we visit the God Apollo’s sanctuary where the oracle delivered her famous prophesies in ancient times. Visit the museum housing the bronze statue of the Charioteer, one of the masterpieces of ancient Greek art. Then proceed through the sacred way to the archaeological site visiting the different treasures, the Temple of Apollo, the theater, the stadium where festivals and games were held in honor of the sun god and the Spring of Castalia. Return to Athens via Arachova, Levadia and Thebes for overnight.
DAY 8 – ATHENS CITY TOUR
Today’s tour will touch the highlights of this center of one of the world’s greatest civilizations and the cradle of Western civilization. First visit the Acropolis and wander through the ruins of some of the most architecturally perfect buildings ever constructed. We’ll see the Propylaea, the Temple of the Wingless Victory, the Erechtheum with its peerless Porch of Maidens and Mars Hill where Paul was brought before the council. Finally, we reach the ‘harmony between matter and spirit’, the monument that ‘puts order in the mind’, the Parthenon. On a drive through the city we’ll see the National Library, the University, the Academy, the Presidential Palace, the Stadium, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. The afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 9 – CORINTH • ATHENS
Today we tour to Corinth driving through Daphni and Eleusis. After crossing the Corinthian Canal which connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas, we will arrive in ancient Corinth. We visit the ruins of Corinth where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. Included are the First Century shops, the Agora, Temple of Apollo and the Bema Seat. Still gurgling under the ruins is the water of the springs of the mighty Acropolis above, which once fed the Fountain of Pirene. Continue your drive up to Acrocorinth, in Paul’s time site of the great Temple of Aphrodite. Return to Athens where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 10 – ATHENS • USA
This morning we transfer to the airport. Depart Rome on our flight back home with wonderful memories of Italy and Greece.
We can customize any itinerary of your choosing for groups of 20 or more.
Please contact us to obtain a competitive customized price for this tour from your home city (800) 213 9155. Lowest airfares from your home town!
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