Our wonderful journey begins with an evening flight from Australia through to Dubai and onto Athens.

Overnight: In-Flight

3 NIGHTS

We transit through Dubai for our flight to Athens, the capital of Greece and the heart of its ancient empire. Athens was an important stop on St Paul’s missionary journey, and it is from here that we start our own travels in his footsteps.

On arrival in Athens, we will be meet and transferred to our hotel in the centre of the city. Relax and refresh before we enjoy our first Group dinner and get to know our fellow passengers.

Overnight: Athens

Our wonderful day of sightseeing begins with a visit the ancient citadel of the Acropolis which dominates the city skyline; these 5th Century BC ruins include several ancient buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon. Ascend the nearby Exterior, located just south of the ancient Agora or marketplace, to where Saint Paul delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech (Acts 17:15).

Visit Syntagma Square & Parliament and watch the famous Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Athen’s architectural legacy is incredible and spans millennia. See the Roman triumphal gate of Hadrian’s Arch, the ancient Temple of Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, the only marble stadium in the world and host of the first modern Olympic Games, as well as the neoclassical buildings of the 19th century – Academy of Athens, University, and National Library.

Overnight: Athens

Our day trip takes us to Corinth (Acts 18:1-18), a city that inspired Paul’s most familiar letter.

Enjoy a scenic drive along the Saronic Gulf before stopping to admire the engineering marvel that is the Corinth Canal; the canal is 6.4 km long and 23 meters wide, with nearly 80-metre-high walls and connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
Corinth is one of Greece’s most important ancient cities, dating back to the 8th century BCE; visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Temples, and walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Whilst there we’ll read some of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and visualise his address to the Gentiles as he began the task of building Corinth’s church.

Walk through the streets once bustling with traders and merchants and imagine where Aquila and Priscilla lived and where they had their tent making business.
Enjoy traditional Greek cuisine at a local taverna overlooking the Corinthian landscape.

Overnight: Athens

4 NIGHTS

After breakfast we transfer to the port of Lavrion to embark on our wonderful cruise. Our first port of call is Mykonos, an enchanting Cycladic Island known for its the whitewashed buildings and iconic windmills. Enjoy free time to walk the winding narrow streets and admire a beautiful sunset from the waterfront. Late in the evening we will depart and set sail for the Turkish city of Kusadasi.

Overnight: Celestyal Discovery

An early morning arrival in Kusasai from where we visit Ephesus, the most impressive archaeological site in Türkiye; its excavated remains give some idea of the original splendour of Ephesus and reflect centuries of history, from classical Greece to the Roman Empire to the spread of Christianity.

This World Heritage site was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis that was completed around 550BC. In the 1st Century AD, the Apostle Paul spent 3 years in Ephesus preaching the Gospel. This challenge to the worship of Artemis led to conflict with the temple’s followers, including a riot by silversmiths who made shrines for the goddess. We tour the Great Amphitheatre where the crowds chanted for two hours in protest of Paul’s message of Christianity. We also visit the legendary House of the Virgin Mary.

After lunch we cruise to the island of Patmos, known as the “Holy Island” for the Christian faith. We will see the Grotto of Apocalypse where, during his time of exile from Rome, St John the Evangelist received a vision from Jesus, after which John wrote the Book of Revelation. Visit the 11th Century Monastery and Church of St John, home to over 300 beautifully preserved early manuscripts, including a Gospel of Luke.

Overnight: Celestyal Discovery

Rhodes has been famous since antiquity as the site of Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. During the Crusades the Knights of St John, also known as the Knights Hospitaller, built an impressive citadel. Today the Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit the beautiful Monastery of Panagia Philerimos, built by the Knights in 15th Century, and the Byzantine Church of St George Hostos with its rare frescoes depicting the Hospitallers.

We return to the Old City to learn more about the Knights and how they were the last bastion of Christianity in a region dominated by the Ottomans. Wander the medieval Street of the Knights and visit the magnificent Kastello, the Palace of the Grand Masters.

Overnight: Celestyal Discovery

Crete was once the centre of the Minoan civilization (2700 to 1600BC), an empire that stretched to other Aegean Islands such as Santorini. Heraklion is Crete’s largest city and one of Greece’s major urban centres. Titus travelled here from Corinth to present the Apostle Paul’s fundraising letter, and it is believed that he remained in the city of Candia (present day Heraklion) until his death. Today Heraklion is best known for the impressive fortifications that surround the old city; first constructed in the Middle Ages the city walls were completely rebuilt by the Republic of Venice and resisted the Ottoman Turkish forces for 22 years in the 1600s.

This afternoon we will travel to Santorini, a breathtakingly beautiful island believed to be the lost continent of Atlantis. In the evening, we will embark the ship for the return trip to Athens.

Overnight: Celestyal Discovery

After disembarkation we start our tour to Northern Greece. Here we visit Delphi, whose famed temple and oracle was so important in the ancient world that the site was known as the “Omphalos” (navel) or centre of the earth. We visit the various ancient ruins including the Sanctuary of Apollo, Athenian Treasury, Pythios and theatre, all set in a landscape of unparalleled beauty on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Learn more about Ancient Greece at the Delphi Archaeological Museum.

Travel through the picturesque landscapes of Central Greece and Thessaly to Kalambaka, a charming town located at the foot of the incredible rock formations of Meteora.

Overnight: Kalambaka

2 NIGHTS

This morning, we visit the famed Meteora Monasteries, one of the most important religious complexes in Greece. Set on top of a series of giant sandstone pillars, the monasteries appear to be suspended in mid-air. Dating from the 11th Century these are still active religious communities and offer us insights into the historic church as well as exquisite examples of Byzantine art.

Drive through hills and lush valleys to Veria (ancient Berea), visiting the Bema memorial that commemorates Paul’s preaching to the local Jews in 54AD (Acts 17). Stroll through the Old Jewish Quarter (Barbouta) with its charming stone houses and try the local speciality Revani, a famous traditional dessert. We travel on to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second- largest city, where we will stay for the next two nights.

Overnight: Thessaloniki

We wake up in Thessaloniki, a very special place to start our Sunday. Paul first came to Thessaloniki in 50-51 AD during his second missionary journey and it was here that he established the second Christian community in Europe (after Philippi) and wrote his letter to the Thessalonians. This morning, we will Byzantine Churches, including the Church of St. Dimetrius, the largest church in Greece, the Citadel and the impressive Vlatadon Monastery which has magnificent views to the city. The Monastery was built on the site of the “house of Jason” (Acts 17:5) where Paul, Silas and Timothy found refuge.

We travel to Philippi where Paul delivered a sermon that sowed the seeds of Christianity. A moving and special time will be spent remembering the baptism of Lydia, the first baptism on European soil, as well as the imprisonment and conversion of the Philippian gaoler (Acts 16:11-15;16- 34). Amongst the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town’s main road is the actual site of the prison where Paul and Silas were thrown. This is the Bible truly coming alive and we spend time today in private worship as the “Church of the Travelling Saints”.

From Philippi we continue to the modern port city of Kavala, once ancient Neapolis. It was here that Paul first set foot in Europe, accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy. Back in Thessaloniki we visit the Agora where Paul preached as well as the Roman Market, theatre, baths and Arch of Galerius.

Overnight: Thessaloniki

6 NIGHTS

We fly to Rome, an important part of Paul’s Missionary journeys and where he was eventually martyred for his faith. Our home for the next 6-nights is Domus Australia, a pilgrim guest house offering a calm and welcoming refuge from the busy tourist pace of the Eternal City.

Centrally located, within walking distance of many of the main sights, Domus offers a private chapel and a beautiful rooftop terrace along with all the home comforts of tea / coffee facilities in your room and a buffet breakfast with Vegemite!

Overnight: Rome

Benvenuti a Roma (Welcome to Rome)! This morning, we orientate ourselves in this wonderful city with a guided walking tour of the main sights. Included is a visit the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings which was converted from a Roman temple into a church in 609 AD. No visit to Rome is complete without seeing the famous Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain – legend says that tossing a coin into the waters ensures that this trip to Rome won’t be your last!

We finish our day in the immense Catacombs of St. Callixtus, the burial place of tens of martyrs, 16 popes and countless Christians.

Overnight: Rome

A wonderful day of sightseeing awaits us, from famous ancient Roman sites to locations directly connected to St Paul. Explore the incredible Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palantine Hill with a local guide and view the Circus Maximus, site of the persecution of many Christians, and the Arch of Titus, upon which the Romans carved symbols showing the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.

Our day ends with a visit to the Mamertine Prison. Mamertine is where both the Apostles Peter and Paul were imprisoned and from where they started their journey to martyrdom, Peter towards the Circus of Nero, near the Vatican, and Paul towards the Aquae Salviae.

Overnight: Rome

Today we visit Vatican City, the home of the Pope and headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Be amazed at the iconic art and architecture displayed within the Vatican Museum including the famous Sistine Chapel. Not to be missed is the immense St Peter’s Square, which is flanked by hundreds of columns topped by Bernini statues, and St Peter’s Basilica. As the burial site of St. Peter, the Basilica is considered one of the holiest sites of Christianity; it is richly decorated to reflect this status and has the tallest dome in the world.

We travel to the site of Paul’s execution to visit the Three Fountains Abbey as well as his burial place, the magnificent Saint Paul Outside the Walls Basilica.

Overnight: Rome

Our excursion today is a fascinating step back in time. We stop off at the ancient port city of Puteoli (Pozzuoli) where Paul, as a prisoner, landed on his way to Rome (Acts 28:13–14). Here we visit Italy’s third largest Amphitheatre and the city’s incredible Cathedral of Rione Terra. Twentieth century renovations now reveal the whole history of the church site to us, from ancient Greek fortress to Roman temple and Baroque church.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the everyday life of the ancient Rome Empire when we visit Pompeii. This once thriving Roman town was buried in volcanic ash following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD and today the excavated archaeological site is considered by scholars as the best in the world. Enjoy a guided tour of the excavations, a place where extraordinary new discoveries are still being made, centuries after the entombed town was first uncovered.

Our delightful day ends with dinner in a local farmhouse before we travel back to Rome along the Via Appia (Appian Way), once again following in the “footsteps” of Paul.

Overnight: Rome

Today is totally free for you to explore, to shop for souvenirs or to simply sit back with a coffee or a gelato and watch the world go by – “When in Rome do as the Romans do “ !
You may wish to also visit St Paolo alla Regola, a church built over the site where Paul lived under house arrest and wrote many of the letters contained in the Holy Bible.
Over dinner we can catch up with everyone to swap stories about our last wonderful day in Rome.

Overnight: Rome

2 NIGHTS

On final day in the “Eternal City” falls on a Sunday and we are blessed to be able to share worship and fellowship with a local congregation. After the service and refreshments, we say “Arrivederci” to Roma and board an afternoon flight to Dubai. On arrival in Dubai we will be transferred to our hotel for two nights.

Overnight: Dubai

Enjoy a full day of leisure in Dubai. You might like to visit the famous Dubai Mall, explore the Gold and Spice Souks or see the city view from the Dubai Frame.
Tonight, we will enjoy a final Group Dinner and reflect on this wonderful experience of faith and the fellowship we have shared.

Overnight: Dubai

After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for our final flight home to Australia.

Overnight: In-Flight

We arrive in Australia in the early morning. Our holiday may be at an end, but we hope that your personal spiritual journey has been enhanced by following in the steps of the Apostle Paul.