0723 Rev. Manke & Rev. Bulgerin Footsteps of Paul 2023

Departure ORD on our way to Athens, Greece

Upon arrival at Athens airport meet our guide at the for an orientation tour of the city, with a stop in the Panathenaic Stadium. Drop off at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Athens. (D)

We begin our day of sightseeing in Athens with a visit to the world-famous Athens Acropolis.  On this sacred hill, you will see exquisite monuments such as the Propylae Gates, the breathtaking Parthenon and the Erechtheion and the Acropolis Museum.  We also view the Areios Pagos Hill where Paul the Apostle preached.   After your tour, you have the rest of your day free to explore this captivating city.   Dinner on your own.  Overnight  Athens.  (B)

Today we drive to the Peloponnese and begin our tour in Corinth, where we visit the ruins of the ancient city, which is perched on a hill above the modern town of Corinth.  In this ancient city of Corinth where St. Paul lived for two years with Aquila and Priscilla, he preached the Gospel to Corinth’s early church which was the recipient of Paul’s two Corinthian epistles.  Visit Apollo’s Temple and the Agora – Market Place.  We return to our hotel. Dinner at hotel. Overnight Athens. (B,D)

Check out from our hotel and transfer to Piraeus Port, where we set off on a 3-day cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey.  We arrive in Mykonos in the afternoon, a marvelous cosmopolitan holiday destination that combines activity and scenic beauty.  You can stroll Mykonos Town to admire the whitewashed houses and flowered balconies along with a visit to the beautiful church of Panagia Paraportiani.  Other attractions in Mykonos Town include the island’s trademark windmills and the charming area of Alefkandra, Mykonos’ Little Venice.  Back on board we sail overnight to Kusadasi.  (B,L,D)

We reach Kusadasi in the morning.  Our excursion takes us to the ancient city of Ephesus.  Here the first Christian community was started by St. John and developed by St. Paul.  Paul came here to fulfill the promise that he had given on his brief visit when returning from Corinth, and stayed for over three years.  The church of Ephesus, established by Paul, became the head of the Seven Churches in western Asia Minor.  Ephesus is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Here the Apostle Paul encountered temples devoted to the worship of idols.  In the afternoon, we arrive in Patmos where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation.  We make our way to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and to the Holy Grotto of the Revelation.  Sail overnight to the island of Crete.  (B,L,D)

We arrive in the port of Heraklion – the capital of the island of Crete where the Minoan population had blossomed.  Our next port of call is Santorini, famous for its volcano/caldera.   An optional excursion to Thira and Oia areas give you the opportunity to see one of the most famous islands of Greece.  Overnight sail to Piraeus Port.  (B,L,D)

Early checkout from the cruise ship after breakfast. Bus will pick us up from the port of Piraeus to the Athens city center for free time and then drop off at the airport for departure for our flight to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome, our tour escort will meet us and transfer us to our hotel. Dinner at Hotel. Overnight Rome. (B,D)

Today we will proceed to the Vatican where we are met by our private guide.  Our entry will be scheduled earlier than the public opening time for the museums.  We will have a private tour of the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.  Afternoon visit the Abbey of the Three Fountains is the site where Paul was martyred and in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is the tomb where the apostle is buried.  Dinner at restaurant Overnight Rome.  (B, D)

This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of the Ancient Rome, including the Coliseum (entrance booked at 9:20 AM), St Peter in Vincoli, Forum, Capitol Hill, Mamertime Prison. In the afternoon, we will stroll through the Piazza Navona, site of Bernini’s “Fountain of the Four Rivers” and visit the Augustinian monastery. We will visit architectural landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon. Afterward, we go to the ancient church called St. Paul alla Regola (or Santa Maria in via Lata) where we visit the room (now a chapel) where Paul wrote part of his letters to the Romans. Dinner on your own. Overnight Rome. (B)

Depart Rome on our return trip to Chicago.  (B)