JOURNEYS IN THE STEPS OF ST. PAUL

DAY 2 - THE AEGEAN COAST
Arrival in Milan and connect with - FLIGHT AZ706 - MXP/IST 0950-1335
Connect in Istanbul with FLIGHT TK326 IST/IZM 1500-1600
Then to the hotel for room allocation and time to relax.
Dinner & Overnight By EPHESUS:

DAY 3 - THE 7 CHURCHES
Pergamos -
Follow the coast north to visit this important city of the Seven Churches -
The origin of the city is unknown. When the Book of Revelation was written, Pergamos was one of the Capitals of the Roman Province of Asia.
Amongst the helpful excavations to be seen 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.
The Book of Revelation Chapter 2 vs 12-17 refers to this Community.
Sardis -
The protecting spur of Mount Tmolus made this city of Croesus seem impregnable until it fell to Cyrus of Persia in 546 B.C. Alexander the Great founded the Temple of Artemis in 334 B.C. The Royal Road leads to an early synagogue and a stately Roman gymnasium. Herodotus 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 Book of Revelation Chapter 3 vs 1-6 refers to this Community.
Smyrna (Izmir) -
An short stop for orientation and visit to the Agora.
Polycarp was an early member of the Christian Church in Smyrna and was Bishop from 115 to 156 A.D., where he was burned at the stake for his faith. The persecution of the Christians began in Smyrna and there is a record of eleven Christians, mostly from Philadelphia, being thrown to the lions in the presence of the Proconsul Statius Quadratus.
The Book of Revelation Chapter 2 vs 8-11 refers to this Christian Community.
Continue to the Aegean coast and the hotel for room allocation.
Dinner & Overnight by EPHESUS:

DAY 4 - MIGHTY EPHESUS
A day at this major site -
St. Paul -
Paul visited Ephesus on his 2nd Missionary Journey, arriving with Priscilla and Aquila, whom he had met in Corinth (Acts 18:18-22). During his 3rd Missionary Journey he lived in Ephesus for some 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 (Acts 19:1-41). From here he wrote to the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 15:32, 16:8).
St. John's Basilica -
Built by the Emperor Justinian over the supposed burial place of John the Apostle and the location affords a fine panorama of the whole original site.
The Archaeological Site -
The widespread excavations have been accompanied by careful restoration work, including marble-paved streets;
two theatres; the magnificent Library of Celsus; the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian.
The Virgin Mary's home -
is located in a tranquil afforested area and in a modest stone building. Tradition has it that St. John brought Mary to Ephesus after the death of Jesus.
Dinner & Overnight by EPHESUS:

DAY 5 - St. Paul's Island SAMOS
The Morning.
Miletus -
A visit to this ancient sea port by the river Meander where on his 3rd Missionary journey, St. Paul passionately addressed the Ephesus Elders on the beach, before sailing away to Jerusalem.
The Afternoon.
Samos -
Travel to Kusadasi port and catch the Hydrofoil across the Aegean Sea to Samos Island - (1.5 hours) then to the hotel to settle in.
Dinner & Overnight in SAMOS:

DAY 6 - St. John's Island PATMOS
A day by boat and coach to visit St. John's famous Island of the Apocalypse.
Sailing to Patmos -
Depart Samos harbour after breakfast on the ferry across the blue Aegean.
Dock in the quaint harbour and join the coach for;
The Cave of Apocalypse -
Located on the small Islands highest hill, the traditional location where John received the Book of Revelation. Then retreat to a quiet bay area on the rear of the island for reflection.
Patmos Town -
return to the shores with time to browse round the local shops and cafe's before returning in the mid-afternoon sail back to Samos.
Dinner & Overnight in SAMOS:

DAY 7 - PAUL'S CITY ATHENS
Morning Flight -
Samos to Athens
Flight OA751 SMI/ATH DEPART 07.10 ARRIVE 08.10
The Roman Agora -
The largest building found measures 111 x 98 m., comprising a spacious rectangular courtyard surrounded by stoas, shops and storerooms. It has an east, Ionic propylon and a west, Doric propylon, known as the Gate of Athena Archegetis.
It was built between 19 and 11 B.C. with a donation of Julius Caesar and Augustus. During the reign of Hadrian the court was paved with slabs.
Mars Hill -
Stop at the rock location where Paul addressed the councillors and philosophers of the day - a short stairway leads to the summit.
The Acropolis -
A stunning location,
masterpieces of classical Greek art with the the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum the Temple of Athena Nike.
Ample time is allocated to explore and enjoy the views.
The Plaka -
Some time before dinner for a stroll through the old sector of Athens.
Dinner and Overnight in Athens.

DAY 8 - PAUL'S CORINTH
Leave after breakfast for our first visit to -
The Corinth Canal -
Time to stop and learn the history of this famous man-made construction - one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.
Corinth - Acts 18: 1-4
Home of Aquila and Priscilla. The site includes the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Agora, the Bema Courthouse, the Roman Lechaion Road and the lower Fountain.
Cenchreae - Acts 18:18
Visit the location where St. Paul took a vow and shaved his head, then and the remains of the old harbour from where he sailed to Ephesus. Phoebe was a 'servant of the church' in Cenchreae (Rom:16v1).
Dinner & Overnight in ATHENS:

DAY 9 - PAULINE JOURNEY TO ROME
THE MORNING
Flight from Athens via Rome to Naples -
FLIGHT AZ717 ATH/FCO 0705-0810 and connect to AZ1263 FCO/NAP 0955-1050
Group can meet driver and escort at Rome' airport and travel by coach to POMPEI.to arrive there by 12.00 HRS. Time at leisure for lunch. Visit the frozen city of Pompei with a guide. This city will help us understand the life in a typical Roman city from the time of Paul. Also the fossilized remains of people and animals can also help us in understanding the story of Lot's wfe who turned into a pillar of salt. Continue towards POZZUOLI. Visit the port of the ancient Petuoli where Paul disembarked from his sea journey from Rhegium.
Acts. 28.13 (and from there we sailed round the coast and arrived at Rhegium. After a day, a south wind came up and in two days we reached Puteoli.) Accomodation at hotel in Pozzuoli
Dinner and Overninght

DAY 10 - Via Consularis
Leaving Puteoli by the Consular Way to Capua, where Paul would have struck into the Via Appia, one hundred and fifty-one miles from Rome.
Minturno -
This well preserved Ancient Roman city is located on the Appian Way. It is still possible to walk on the Roman road and see the Roman carriage wheels' track We can imagine that Paul might have stopped here during its journey towards Rome. We take few minutes to sit on the stairs of the ancient amphitheater and speak about the Travels of Paul
Pontine Marshes -
Near to Terracina, advancing in the direction of Rome, Paul would have travelled through Pontine Marshes by means of a canal and sailed up as far as Forum Appii.
Forum Appii -
Appii Forum was a town of the Volsei, and named the Forum of Appius from Appius Claudius, who founded here a market for the convenience of the country people when he made the Appian Way, 312 BC. This hamlet in the area of Pontinia is located at the beginning of the Pontine Marshes where Christians from Rome came out halfway for some forty miles to greet Paul.
Some fragments of ruins and forty-third milestone are all that remain of Appii Forum.(Acts 28:15).
Three Taverns -
This little town, known today as Cisterna di Latina, on the Via Appia some 33 miles from the capital was an ancient way-station of the Queen of roads. Here, Paul took courage when he was greeted by more Christian brethren from the Capital (Acts 28:15).
Alban Hills -
After ascending the slope of Alban Hills, and from above the Vale of Ariccia the apostle Paul would get his first glimpse of Imperial Rome, far away in the Campagua beyond, its buildings glistering in the summer sun.
Rome Arrival
To the hotel for room allocation and dinner.
Dinner & Overnight In ROME:

DAY 11 - PAUL'S ROME
A day in central Rome -
Roman Forum & Imperial Forum - Basilica Julia
Planned by Julius Caesar during his campaigns, and opened by him in 46 BC. It was the seat of the administration of justice and the site of public meetings. Here in all likelihood took place Paul's trial. "I am now standing before Caesar's court." (Acts 25:10)
Marmertine Prison
North-west of the Roman forum, built some 2500 years ago and probably where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned.
Temple of Divus Julius
The temple was dedicated to Divus Julius, the Deified Caesar in 29AD by Augustus. "A beast had ten horns and seven heads. On each head a blasphemous name." (Rev.13:1) "The seven heads are seven kings." (Rev. 17:9-10)
Via Sacra
The path that was normally taken for a Roman triumphal procession. An illustration of Paul's statement given in 2 Cor. 2:14-16. "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession."
Colosseum Valley and Esquiline Hill - Flavian Amphitheatre
Little else in Rome is likely to compare with one's first sight of the Colosseum, once the scene of gladiatorial combat and other entertainment and now the Rome's most majestic and awe inspiring ancient monument. The Colosseum was built in 70 AD where Nero had sited the lake in the gardens of his Domus Aurea.
San Clement
One of Rome's most remarkable church buildings. Not only is the building home to the city's loveliest medieval interior but it also contains a Roman house that is believed to belong to a wealthy Roman Christian. This Christian, so one theory goes, went by the name Clement, and found a church on the site. If this Clement is the same as the one recorded in Phil 3:3, then the house of Clement was most likely one of the five meeting places for the early Christian's in Rome, mentioned in Romans 16.
Scala Santa
The stairs which Martin Luther climbed for his salvation.
Aventine Hill - Circus Maximus
It was the largest of the Roman circuses, and served as a model for all the others. 200,000 spectators could thrill to chariot races, held fifty times a year in the Circus.
San Prisca
This church building, possibly dating from the 4C, is said to occupy the site of the house of Aquila and Priscilla. If there is any truth in this tradition, then this is one of five earliest Christian meeting places in Rome recorded in Romans 16.
Catacombs -
The oldest concrete evidence concerning the Roman martyrs and the early Roman Christians is preserved in eloquent abundance in the Roman catacombs.
Dinner & Overnight in ROME

DAY 12 - VATICAN CITY & ROME
The tour starts visiting the Abbey of Three Fountains. The traditional place where they cutted off the head of Paul and he tradition also states that where his head fell the three springs emerged.Continue visiting the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the walls,
Your day continue at
St. Peter’s Basilica
The Vatican Museums
Piazzza Navona
Campo dei Fiori
Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
Piazza di Spagna
Dinner & Overnight in ROME

DAY 13 - RETURN FLIGHT
Fly Rome back to the USA - AZ604 FCO/JFK 1220-1600