Highlights of the Missionary Journeys of Apostle Paul
DAY 1 Istanbul
Upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport, meet your professional escort/guide and transfer to your hotel for room allocation and some time at your disposal to relax
Afternoon boat tour along the Bosphorus visiting both the Asian and European shores of Istanbul…Return to hotel for dinner and overnight
DAY 2 Istanbul / Izmir / Ephesus
Full day Istanbul tour with your guide: The Roman Hippodrome Square, the Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles, St. Sophia Church, a World Heritage sites, built by Constantine the Great and restored by Justinian in the 6th century, and Topkapi Palace, the Imperial Residential Palace of the Ottoman sultans between the 16th and the 19th centuries, Topkapi is the oldest and largest palace in the world and hosts priceless collections of jewelry, porcelain and the sultans’ accoutrements. Reboard your bus and transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight from Istanbul to Izmir…Then to the hotel for room allocation and some time to relax. Dinner and overnight
DAY 3 Pergamos / Sardis / Smyrna ( Izmir) / Ephesus
Depart early in the morning and drive north to visit one of the most important cities of the Seven Churches… Pergamos .. The origin of the city is unknown. When the Book of Revelations was written, Pergamos was one of the capitals of the Roman Province of Asia.
Among the ruins are the impressive Theatre built into the hillside with perfect acoustics and seventy- eight rows of seats… the remains of the Temple of Athena, the Famous Library, the Agora and the Altar of Zeus.. Continue towards Sardis … which was an impregnable city until it fell to Cyrus of Persia in 546 BC… Alexandre the Great founded the Temple of Artemis in 334 BC and Herotodus tells that sheepskins put in the river here trapped specks of gold, creating the legend of the Golden Fleece…St John challenged the self-satisfaction of this opulent city, saying that those who win the victory will be clothed in white
The last city you will visit today is Smyrna – Izmir , important because the persecution of the Christians began here ….Short orientation tour and visit of the Agora. Return to Ephesus for dinner and overnight
DAY 4 Ephesus / Ephesus
Paul visited Ephesus on his 2nd missionary journey , arriving with Priscilla and Aquila….. And during his 3rd journey he lived in Ephesus for three years, preaching in the synagogue and in the lecture hall. His teaching appeared threatening to the cult of Artemis and those who made a living from it, and a riot ensued…. Visit the archeological site which during the times of Paul, was the great Temple of Goddess Artemis, Visit St. John’s Basilica built over the supposed burial place of John the Apostle and as an optionl, visit the House of Virgin Mary… Tradition has it that St. John brought Mary to Ephesus after the death of Jesus…. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5 Miletus / Samos
Morning transfer to the ancient seaport by the river Meander, where on his 3rd Missionary Journey, St. Paul passionately addressed he Ephesus Elders on the beach, before sailing away to Jerusalem.. Travel to Kusadasi port and catch the Hydrofoil across the Aegean Sea to reach Samos Island in 1,5 hrs time. Then transfer to your hotel for room allocation , dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 Samos / Patmos / Samos
A day by boat and coach to visit St. John’s famous Island of the Apocalypse…. Patmos ….Depart from Samos harbor after breakfast ,on the ferry across the blue Aegean…. Upon arrival transfer by coach to the Cave of Apocalypse…. Located on the small island’s highest hill, this is the traditional location where John received the Book of Revelations…. Then retreat to a quiet bay area on the rear of the island for reflection….. Return to the shores with time to browse in the local shops and cafés before returning in the mid-afternoon to sail back to Samos Dinner at your hotel and overnight…..
DAY 7 Samos / Athens
Morning flight from Samos to Athens…. Upon arrival at the airport, have a full day guided tour of the city…… See the Roman Agorà..: The largest building found measures 111 x 98 mt. It has an east Ionic propylon and a west Doric propylon, known as the Gate of Athena Archegetis… Stop at Mars Hill , to see the rock where Paul addressed the councilors and philosophes of the day - a short stairway leads to the summit See the Acropolis….. a stunning location , masterpiece of classical Greek art, with the Parthenon , the Propylea, the Erechtheum , the Temple of Athena Nike….Ample time at disposal to explore and enjoy the views…..before dinner and overnight at your hotel………
DAY 8 Athens/ Corinth / Ferry to Italy
Depart Athens soon after breakfast….. Reach Corinth and stop to learn the history of this famous man-made construction which is one of the seven wonders of the modern world….
Corinth is the place were Paul met Aquila and Priscilla who remained his good friend also during his days in Rome…….
Embark the overnight ferry to Italy….. Dinner and overnight on board…
DAY 9 Bari / Pompei / Pozzuoli
Upon arrival in Bari, meet your professional Italian tour escort and travel north to reach
Pompei in approx 3 hrs drive…. Meet your local guide to have an archeological journey through the ancient city. Buried under a layer of ashes and lapilli by a sudden eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D., after 1700 years the excavations have brought to light Pompeii, a town whose daily life of the Imperial Age has been petrified , as under a spell, in its gestures, secrets, in the panic felt by its inhabitants during the last moments. Visiting the “frozen city” would create a feeling similar to that experienced by Paul when he walked through similar streets from his time period ….You will visit houses, shops, temples, squares, streets and also the “Lupanare” ( 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) … So you will understand the anger of Paul shouting aloud against corruption and perdition of the Romans……Reboard your bus and proceed towards the north to reach Pozzuoli You are exactly in the same location where Paul landed…….Some time at leisure to relax at hotel, before moving to the centre of the village……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”…Take a break to taste a real Napolitano coffee or a pizza before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 10 Minturno / Foro Appio / Three Taberns / Preaeneste / Rome
Depart Pozzuoli soon after breakfast and l reach Minturno in approx 2 hrs drive. Stop for lunch in Foro Appio, at “ Mansio Hotel” which 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 Reboard your bus and on the way to Rome, stop at Three Taverns for a visit to the Church dedicated at Saint Paul…..Before arriving in Rome, stop in the city of Palestrina - Praeneste was chiefly famed for its great Temple of Fortuna Primigenia connected with the oracle known as the Praenestine lots (sortes praenestinae). The temple included a spectacular series of terraces, exedras and porticos on four levels down the hillside, linked by monumental stairs and ramps.
The inspiration for this feat of unified urbanistic design lay, not in republican Rome, but in the Hellenistic monarchies of the eastern Mediterranean. This is the reason why this temple can be related to those of Pergamus and Ephesus. But among the three, the Prenestine one is the best preserved as its monumental remains were revealed only in recent times, as a result of the American Bombing of German positions in World Was II…….Visiting the temple and the finds inside the museum, you will learn more about the ancient habit of doing business in the name of gods and goddesses and you will understand why the words of Paul caused the riot of Ephesus ….Continue towards Rome where you will arrive in approx . 1 hour time……Room allocation, dinner and overnight.
DAY 11 Paul’s Rome
This tour is a combination of 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. As the majority of the people living there, Paul worked as a leather tanner . Here Paul met with the first Christians in Rome. This area became known by the name of “Contrada Pauli” ( Paul’s district) In a legal document of the year 1245, we find the words “ In loco qui dicitur Pauli” ( In that place called “ of Paul”) With the reconstruction of the Constantinian Age, the walls were strengthened and one storey was filled with earth in order to protect the buildings from the flood waters of the Tiber. After a period of use, the buildings were abandoned and fell into ruin.In 366 AC, Pope Damaso wanted to build a church over the ruins and dedicated it to Saint Paul. Visiting the church, you will see the oratory which has been created using the room where Paul lived and on the main beam you can read the following: “ This is the place where the Apostle Paul lived and taught.” A second place which tradition says to have been another site of Paul, is the church dedicated to Santa Prisca on the Aventino Hill. 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 and Rom 16, 3-5) and ( Act 18, 1-3)
The House on the Aventino Hill where Paul lived is named in a legal document of the 5th century, as “Titulus Priscae.” Today it is possible to visit the church where you can still see the big Doric Capital used by Apostle Peter to baptize Prisca. CATACOMBS OF SAN SEBASTIAN
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) which gave the first Christians the opportunity to venerate the tombs of the two Apostles. This is the reason why this place is still today called MEMORIA APOSTOLORUM To prove this, there are a lot of “grafiti” in Latin and Aramaic in the catacombs and in the Basilica of San Sebastian, as well. The Basilica itself was built over the catacombs during the “Costantinianum Peace” in the name of the two Apostles.
ABBEY OF THE THREE FOUNTAINS
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 12 Ancient Rome / Early Christian Churches
This morning you have a walking tour through the real core of Ancient Rome. This tour will show you the great “power” of Rome and Emperors who demanded divinity for themselves ….. This was mainly what Paul preached against in Roman 1-25. From the Trajan's Column, jewel of architecture and sculpture made by Apollodorus of Damascus, our guide will show you along the Via dei Fori Imperiali (street of the Imperial Fora), the ruins of the fori that the great emperors Built as lasingmemoryoftheirpower.
You will see the Forum of Trajan, the biggest and most splendid of all, whose markets, true forerunners of the modern commercial centers, offered to the Roman citizen any goods to be found at that time. On foot you will reach the Capitoline Hill , once political and religious center of the town, which today is the seat of the Municipality. The stairway will lead you to the Piazza del Campidoglio, the magnificent result of a single project by Michelangelo, with a copy of the most famous equestrian statue in the world, the statue of Marcus Aurelius, in the middle. Behind Piazza del Campidoglio you will find a natural terrace providing the best panoramic point over the valley of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Built as lasing memory of their power.
Walking through the valley of the Roman Forum the great Rome with its important buildings will revive before your eyes; 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.
From the Forum the guide will show you to the place linked to the fabulous origins of Rome: the Palatine. Here Romolus founded the town in the year 753 B.C. and starting with Augustus the great emperors settled here. From the valley of the Roman Forum you will admire the Domus Tiberiana only partially explored and the ruins of the Imperial Palaces. Leaving the Roman Forum you will find the Arch of Constantine, erected to commemorate the victory of the emperor over Maxentius in the 4th 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”) The tour ends at the Colosseum everlasting symbol of the greatness of Rome and the stage for the historical fights of the gladiators.
The afternoon is dedicated to the visit of two among the most important Christians Churches of Rome….. San John di Lateran and the Holy Cross of Jerusalem. These churches are symbolic of the importance that Constantine placed on his adopted new faith….. The properties for both were donated by Constantine’s family, signifying that importance. You will 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.
A visit to these steps was recorded as one of the sites that Martin Luther visited when he was called by the Pope to Rome. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight
DAY 13 Vatican / Fountains and Squares
Meet the guide at your hotel and transfer to 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.
Proceeding with the visit you will quickly pass the secondary galleries to reach the Greek Cross Room where the splendid Sarcophagi of St. Helene and St. Constance are housed.
Walking through the Galleries of the Candelabra, of the Maps and of the Tapestries you will reach the Apostolic Palace, the oldest section of the complex of the Vatican Palaces. Your guide will show you the Apartments of Julius II, splendidly decorated by Raphael and his assistants, and then the Sistine Chapel, where you will admire one of the highest masterpieces of art: the Genesis and the Last Judgement by Michelangelo, that have gained their original splendour after the latest restorations.
Leaving the Sistine Chapel and going down the Royal Stairway, projected by Bernini, the guide will conduct you to the Basilica of St. Peter, the most important temple of Christianity, which gathers inside 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, an architectural masterpiece by Bernini, under the symbolic protection of the "Cuppolone", as the Romans call Michelangelo's dome. The rest of the day is at leisure to have the opportunity to discover the Baroque center of Rome on your own……. You can see the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps……
Relax in a coffee bar or do shopping in the fashion district around via Condotti …..
DAY 14 Departure
Early morning transfer to the airport of Milano for your flight back home….
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