FROM THE PORT SYRACUSE- TO THE GATES OF ROME

Day 1 - Flight arrival
And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there days. Acts 28:12
Arrive at Sicily's Cantania airport and travel by private coach to the hotle in Syrause for room allocation and dinner.
Evening overview of the Pauline journey to Rome.
Dinner and overnight in Syracuse.

Day 2 - Paul' Port
A day exploring regions of Syracuse from the sea- a private sail to view the coastline old port as Paul would have seen it as he arrived from Malta.
Time on the boat for reflection and appropriate readings.

In the Port- A stroll through the old quarter by the city walls to visit a church commemorating Paul's arrival and time at the spring that Paul would have known.
At the site-A visit of Paul's day with its huge Greek and Roman theaters and stone quarry.
See some Mikvah baths and visit a church commemorating Paul's visit to eh Island.
Dinner & overnight in Syracuse.

Day 3 - Catania-Etna- Villa Roman
A day by coach on trails that Paul would have known-Markets & Bazaars- stop to see the colorful oriental fish markets and bazaars-much like the souk in Jerusalem's old city.
Mount Etna- Travel north and ascend the slopes of the mountain-Sicily's mount Hermon and the same heights as Hermon.
Fine views frim the summit of this still active volcano.
Villa Romana "Del Casale"
Continue west to reach the village of piazza Armerina and visit the worldwide famous Villa Romana del Casale famed for its well preserved mosaics. Late in the afternoon, continue our trip towards Palermo, (3 hrs drive)
Dinner & overnight in Palermo

Day 4 - Monreale-Cefalu
Mornigh transfer to monreale to visit the fine Cathedral with impressive mosaics reflecting the Gospel story and life of Paul.
Continue driving along the Thyrrnian coast. Stop in Cefalu, a pleasant resort which reflects Greek, Phoenician, Byzantinr and Roman influence. The Normans took the town in 1063, and a period of great splendour began for Cefalu, which culminated in the foundation of the bishopric in 1131. There's a fine Cathedral in the town. Proceed to Capo d'Orlandor and Tindari to admire the magnificent view of the sand-tongues.
Arrive in Messina. Dinner at a restaurant and embark the ship for the overnight sail.
Overnight on board ship.

Day 5
…….and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli. Acts28:13

Disemabark-
Arrive at Salerno port and after breakfast, depart the ship by coach.
Vesuvius & Pompeii
Visit the remains of this great city which flourished in Paul's day but only a few years later, destroyed and devastated by the eruption of Vesuvius.
Naploi-Puteoli Port
North to this fine city and stop at the port where landed on the ship from Alexandria by the Three Taverns.
Free time for lunch.
Continue north to reach the Roman site of Minturno and stop to visit the Roman Village and portion of that same old "Appian Way" that aul would have seen.
Dinner & overnight in Gaeta.

Day 6 - The Appian Way to Rome
The Appian Way-
……..and so we went toward Rome. Acts 28:14
On by coach to arrive in the great city and prepare for the next day's visits.
On the way to Rome, stop at Foro Appio where the Sacred writings remond us of the meting of Paul with the Christan Communities.
On board of small boats similar to those used to the times of the swamp, it is possible to sail the river and see how the landscape was at the time of Paul.
A traditional lunch will be served at hotel Foro Appio. Continue towards Rome, stopping just few minutes at the church of St. Paul (built in the place where he met the Christian Community of Tres Taberne- three Travens.
Once in Rome, visit the Three Fountains th traditional site of the martyrdom of Paul.
Dinner & Overnight in Rome.

Day 7 - Paul's Rome
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of guard: but was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. Acts 28:16
By coach and foot to see the Rome that Paul knew-The Maritime prison- see the prison area where many believe that St Paul was held and wrote his letters.
The Colosseum-
Visit the huge of Imperial Rome wherethe oar of the crowds would have been heard by Paul.
The Forum-
Walk through Rome's main market place of Paul's day and central for public speaking, banking, trading, shopping and marketing.
St. Clementine's Church-
Enter the underground rooms of this ancient building where the early believers met and worshiped.
St Paul outside the Walls
Stop for visit to the Basilica of At. Paul. This is Rome's 2nd largest church.
Dinner & overnight in Rome

Day 8 - Flight departure
By coach to Rome airport and return flight home