Paul’s final journey and the early Church

DAY 1 - NEW YORK / ROME

Tour members are welcomed this evening at JFK International Airport for our departing flight to Rome via Jumbo Jet arriving the next day.  Meals served on board.

DAY 2   ROME / POZZUOLI

Upon arrival we meet our escort and travel south on the “Sun Highway”. We will stop to visit the ruins of this well-preserved  Roman village located along the Appian Way, which St. Paul would travelled through during his trip to Rome. Continue north passing along the sites of Foro Appio and Tres Tabernaes - Three Taverns, still on the Appian Way, you reach Pozzuoli. This is the same port where Paul landed…and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli. (Acts 28:13).

This afternoon we visit the area of the sea-port and the Roman Amphitheater in order to get a sense of what Paul experienced once he arrived on the mainland of the “Roman Empire”. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3    POMPEI /  MINTURNO / FORO APPIO

This morning we go to Pompeii, and have an archeological journey through the ancient city. Pompeii, which was buried under a layer of lava by a sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D., is a town whose daily life of the Imperial Age has been petrified. It is as if it were under a spell in its gestures, secrets and in the panic felt by its inhabitants during its last moments. Visiting the “frozen city” creates a feeling similar to that experienced by Paul when he walked through similar streets from his time. Then we will visit the houses, shops, temples, squares, streets and also the “Lupanare” (which was a house of prostitutes with its frescos showing erotic scenes) and the “Suburbane Therm” (with erotic frescos, among which the only saffico-picture of the Roman world). Now you understand the anger of Paul shouting aloud against corruption and perdition of the Romans. Romans 1, 26…. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature

DAY 4    FORO APPIO / TRES TABERNAE/ ROME

After breakfast, board boats, similar to the ones used during the times of Paul. This was a swamp when Paul arrived here,

Go up the river, full of historical and spiritual meanings.  Foro Appio, at “Mansio Hotel” is located in the same place where an ancient Roman “posta” (place where travelers could rest and change their tired horses before continuing their journey). This might be the place where the Sacred Writings remind us of the meeting of Paul with the Christian Communities Acts 28:14 (..."And so we came to Rome. The brothers there had heard that we were coming and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us.")

Depart   Foro Appio   late in   the   morning and travel towards Rome, stopping a few minutes at the Church of St. Paul (built in the place where he met the Christian Community) of TRES TABERNE – Three Taverns …and so we went toward Rome. (Acts 28:14.) Then we will continue to Minturno. Arrive Rome in the late afternoon and check into our hotel for dinner and overnight

DAY 5  PAUL’S DAY

This morning we will visit the most interesting sites which are linked with the life of the Apostle Paul in Rome.  Insula di San Paolo alla Regola. Tradition has it that Paul used to live in this area during the years of his first imprisonment. Paul worked as a leather tanner. Here Paul met with the first Christians in Rome. 1245, we find the words “In loco qui dicitur Pauli” (In the place called “of Paul”). CHURCH OF SANTA PRISCA. Now Prisca came from a rich Roman family and Aquila, her husband was probably Greek. Paul spent a couple of years with them in  Corinth  and  this is very often  mentioned  in his Letters and the Book of  Acts  ( see Rom 16,1-23, Rom 16, 3-5 and Act 18, 1-3). visit the church where you can still see the big Doric Capital used by Apostle Peter to baptize Prisca. CATACOMBS OF SAN SEBASTIAN  is Located  on the  Ancient Appian Way, this is the place where the bodies of Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter  where kept during the Christian persecution of Valeriano ( 253 – 260 AC) There are a lot of “grafiti” in Latin and Aramaic in the catacombs  and in the Basilica of San Sebastian. ABBEY OF THE THREE FOUNTAINS is the place of Paul’s martyrdom, where tradition has it that three different springs gushed out at each spot touched when Paul’s head fell down. ST PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS St. Paul outside the Walls is a Benedictine Abbey which shares its name, origins and centuries of history, both joyful and sorrowful, with the adjoining basilica. Visit the Basilica where the bones of Paul have recently been found and you will leave Rome with the real spirit of first Christians in your mind and in your Heart Return to hotel for dinner and overnight…

DAY 6     ANCIENT ROME  / FOUNTAINS AND SQUARES

This morning you have a walking tour through the real core of Ancient Rome. See the great “power” of Rome and Emperors who demanded divinity for themselves. This was mainly what Paul preached against in Romans 1, 25 …. And worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. See the Trajan's Column, jewel of architecture and sculpture made by Apollodorus of Damascus, go along the Via dei Fori Imperiali(street of the Imperial Fora), the ruins of the fori that the great emperors built as lasting memory of their power. See the Forum of Trajan, the biggest and most splendid of all, and then reach the Capitoline Hill,once political and religious center of the town, which today is the seat of the Municipality. Go to the Piazza del Campidoglio, the magnificent result of a single project by Michelangelo, the statue of Marcus Aurelius. Continue to the Roman Forumits important buildings, the Curia, seat of the Roman Senate, the State Archive, the basilicas, palaces of justice, the temple of Vesta, and the House of the Vestals, the virgins in charge of keeping the sacred fire always alive, and all around temples and columns and arches of triumph erected to commemorate gods of Roman history. Romans 1, 23…and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man…

Visit the fabulous origins of Rome: the Palatine. Here Romolusfounded the town in the year 753 B.C. and starting with Augustusthe great emperors settled here, admire the Domus Tiberianaonly partially explored and the ruins of the Imperial Palaces. We will find the Arch of Constantine, erected to commemorate the victory of the emperor over  Maxentius in the 4^th century A.D  (tradition says  that before the battle the Emperor saw a brilliant cross  in the sky  and  said the famous words “in hoc signo vinces”). We will end our day at the Colosseum everlasting symbol of the greatness of Rome and the stage for the historical fights of the gladiators.

DAY 7     VATICAN & EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

We start at the Vatican Museum. Passing through the Court of the Pigna, designed by Bramante in the 16th century, you will enter the Belvedere Palace to reach the heart of the museum, the Belvedere Courtyard,  reach the Greek Cross Room where the splendid Sarcophagi of St. Helene and St. Constance are housed. Continue to the Galleries of the Candelabra, the Maps and the Tapestries you will reach the Apostolic Palace on to the Apartments of Julius II, splendidly decorated by Raphael the Sistine Chapel, where you will admire one of the highest masterpieces of art by Michelangelo. Go to the Basilica of St. Peter, which gathers 2000 years of history and famous works of art such as the Pietà by Michelangelo.

The visit ends at St. Peter’s Square, which is embraced by the colonnade and "Cuppolone", as the Romans call Michelangelo's dome.

This afternoon visit two of the most important Churches of Rome…San John di Lateran and the Holy Cross of Jerusalem.  Visit also the Santa Scala, the Holy Steps, which are reputed to be the steps that Christ went up when he was called for a meeting with Pontius Pilate. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight

DAY 8    ROME / NEW YORK

We will be taken to the airport for our flight home. We will cherish the memories of Paul the Apostles life that changed the course of man.

POST EXTENSION TO

NORTHERN ITALY

COST: $1,500

DAY 8    ROME / ASSISI / FLORENCE

This morning we will go through the Umbrian green hills covered in olive groves and vineyards to reach Assisi. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and 

start an unforgettable walk through the narrow streets of the ancient town which sweeps the flanks of Monte Subasio. You will visit the Church of Santa Chiara, the site where St. Francis was born and then on to see the house where he spent the first years of his life. Then, near the ancient city walls, you will visit the Basilica of St Francis, which houses the tomb of the Saint. Bus to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli to visit the small Portiuncola chapel and the site where St. Francis died in 1226.  This afternoon we continue north to Florence. Check in your hotel for dinner and overnight

DAY 9  FLORENCE

This morning discover the cradle of the Renaissance, where one breathes art in the medieval streets, in the craftsmen's workshops, and in the Renaissance Palaces. Visit the Baptistery of St. John, the religious essence of the city, the Duomo with the Medici Chapel, the Church of St. Lorenzo, Piazza della Signoria and the Basilica of Santa Croce, a masterpiece of Gothic art and the pantheon of famous Italians such as Michelangelo. Visit the Accademia Gallery, which hosts Michelangelo’s famous David.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore additional treasures of Florence and shop on your own. The outdoor Market of San Lorenzo boasts leather products, and the Ponte Vecchio, covered since medieval times with goldsmiths' shops, is a must for Florence's other specialty, gold jewelry. Dinner and overnight in Florence

DAY 10   SIENA / VENICE

Depart Florence after breakfast and drive through the scenic Tuscan countryside to reach Siena. Famed for the rich red color of its cityscape,  Siena is home of the  Palio, a horse race dating from medieval times and which takes place each July in Siena's central square!

Enjoy Siena's major treasures, including its fabulous marble gothic cathedral. Proceed through the cypress groves and vineyards of  Chianti country to reach the highway and travel towards the north and reach Venice  for check in at your hotel and dinner and overnight

DAY 11   VENICE

Soon after breakfast, transfer to central Venice by private motor-boat to tour the magnificent Piazza and Basilica of St. Mark's, its marvelous           Byzantine-style architecture studded with colored marbles and glittering gold mosaics and housing the tomb of the Evangelist Mark. Visit also the elaborate Doge's Palace, sumptuous home of the former Venetian rulers with its famous Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners crossed before being led to the dungeons, some time at leisure for an optional gondola ride or for shopping

In the afternoon you might have a visit to the permanent historical exhibition called : “The Waldesian: eight centuries of history” in the centrally located “Palazzo Cavagni. The Waldesian Church of Italy is the oldest protestant Church of the world.  Or walk on your own throughout the “calle” (streets) and squares where the Italian Reformer Paolo Vergerio used to make speeches against the Church of Rome. Return to your hotel in the late evening, dinner and overnight

DAY 12   Venice / Verona / Milan / Maggiore Lake

This moroning we go to  Verona. The first glimpse of the city is love at first sight. “There is no world without Verona walls" pens William Shakespeare has lent Verona fame and immortality with his tale of two star-crossed lovers, Romeo Montecchi (Montagu) and Juliet Capuleti (Capulet). Reboard our bus and continue to Milan, Italy's fashion and business capital. You'll enjoy a panoramic tour, highlighted by the enormous gothic cathedral known as "Il Duomo" and perhaps the world's premier opera house, the Teatro alla La Scala.  Visit  Santa Mariadelle Grazie, which  houses one of the world's most celebrated works: Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper". Board your bus to reach your hotel  located on the Maggiore Lake. Dinner and overnight

DAY 13    Waldesian Day :  TORRE PELLICE 

This morning we will visit the  Waldesian Communities of Europe. Upon arrival at Torre Pellice , visit the Waldesian sites around the city of Turin. You will be warmly welcomed by the Waldesian Cultural Center. The Foundation is situated in Torre Pellice, in the heart of the Waldesian Valley, a borderland district within the context of the growing European reality; it is intended to be a meeting place for dialogue and exchange in the spirit of cultural pluralism. The Foundation has strong links with the surrounding area, the present-day Italian society and with the Protestant churches in Italy and abroad. You will have a guided tour throughout the most important museums, churches and sites of the Waldesian Valley.  Return to your hotel on the Maggiore Lake in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight

DAY 14    MILAN / NEW YORK

Early morning transfer to the airport  for our flight back home. We have walked where Paul and Peter ministered to the early church and to us as well.