Arrival in Athens, the birthplace of Western Civilization and a vibrant city! After your transfer to the hotel, check in and enjoy free time to explore the city. The Athens lights will lead you to streets filled with history and colors, and by night, stroll through the numerous alleys and discover the rich culinary tradition. Be sure to save some room for dinner at the hotel.

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After breakfast, enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Athens. Climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis, the sacred rock of Athens and the citadel of the city in antiquity. We become time travelers by visiting the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Then, we go to the nearby Mars' Hill (Areopagus) to read Acts 17:22 where Paul gave his famous speech to the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:18-34) and spoke about “an unknown god.” We view the ancient Agora of Athens from the Acropolis, before visiting the Acropolis museum, which was built to house every artifact found on the Acropolis, from the Greek Bronze Age to the Roman and Byzantine periods. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament House, the Academy, the University of Athens, the National Library, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and much more. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city of Athens. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

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Today we depart for our excursion out of Athens, which takes us by the Saronic Gulf, where, in 480 BC, the course of history was changed! The small Grecian fleet managed to defeat the enormously powerful armada of the Persians. We arrive at ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) via the historic Corinthian Canal. It was to this megalopolis where the Apostle Paul came and worked, establishing a thriving church, and subsequently sending two of his epistles, now part of the New Testament. Here, we see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an absolute must! Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Athens via Kechries, an ancient port where Paul sailed for Ephesus. Transfer directly to the port and set sail for your 7-day cruise “In the Steps of the Apostle Paul.” Dinner and overnight on board.

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Our cruise ship docks in Thessaloniki. Following the path of the Apostle Paul's Second Missionary trip in Europe - leads you beyond the imposing Byzantine walls that guard the sophisticated port city of Thessaloniki. The architecture and streets are a pleasure to explore. Join your expert guide to hear all about Apostle Paul's tribulations as he tried to win over the noble Jews who lived here. On our way, we stop in Berea (Acts 17:10-15) to see the mosaic monument commemorating the Apostle Paul's preaching. Paul and Silas traveled along the Via Egnatia and entered Berea, a town of Greeks, Jews, and Romans. It became a pulpit for Paul’s preaching for three weeks until he left, and Silas and Timothy stayed. The city was praised for evaluating preaching by comparing it with the scriptures. Then, sail for Kavala. overnight and dinner on board.

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Arrive in Kavala to start the tour in Philippi, the site where Apostle Paul established a strong church. His letter, Acts 16:9-33, was sent to this congregation. We see the river where Lydia (the first person to be baptized in Europe) was baptized, the ruins of a prison where Apostle Paul and Sylas had been kept, the Agora, 5-6th century AD Basilica, and the Theater. After the visit, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11), and then sail to Istanbul, Turkey. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.

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Arrive in Istanbul. The vibrant city of Istanbul straddles the continents of Europe and Asia via the Bosphorus Strait. Here you can visit the lavish Byzantine and Imperial mosques which pierce Istanbul's skyline with their towering minarets. The iconic Sultanahment mosque (the blue mosque), the Romanesque Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the world-famous Basilica of Hagia Sophia - are just a few of the enigmatic attractions to admire. Depart for Diliki, Turkey. Overnight on board.

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Arrival in Dikili. Snaking its way along the beautiful coastline of Turkey's seafront, the city of Dikili is a lush landscape of green forestry and expansive golden sands. Pergamum, actually called Bergama, is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia (Rev. 1:11; 2:12). Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theater in the world, the Asklepieion, the famous medical center of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the "throne of Satan" in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was a longtime rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment. Afterwards, we sail to Kusadasi.

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We dock in Kusadasi port in Turkey. This is the starting point for our tour of Ancient Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21). The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians, and lived and worked here for several years. We tour the spectacular ruins in the city which was founded in the 10th century B.C. After the visit, we return to the port to re-embark the ship at lunchtime, then sail to Patmos. Arrive in Patmos (Rev 1:9) in the afternoon and enjoy an optional tour to the Monastery of St. John where he was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation (Cave of Apocalypse). Afterward, we sail at 11:30 pm to Patmos, Greece. Overnight on board.

Arrive in Patmos (Rev 1:9), the smallest of the Greek Dodecanese islands and the most spiritual. The tranquil island is famously known for being the location where John the Apostle experienced the vision that inspired the Book of Revelation. Enjoy a tour to the Monastery of St. John where he was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation (Cave of Apocalypse) before embarking on the cruise ship. Then we sail for Athens. overnight on board.

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Arrive in Athens and disembark after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.

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Optional: Add an extension to Rome.

Arrive at Rome International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel for check-in. During this wonderful tour, you will visit a few inspiring sites and experience Rome’s magnificent religious heritage! Our journey begins with a visit of St. Peter's in Chains, the Roman and Imperial Forum with the Mamertine Prison (Acts 27-28). Continue with a visit to the Colosseum and see the Arch of Titus (Matthew 24:1-2). Enjoy free time for lunch, and in the afternoon start a walking tour in Baroque Rome with the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. Overnight in Rome.

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Today we start our tour with a visit to the Roman Catholic Abbey of Tres Fontane, currently held by the Trappist Fathers of the Cistercian Order. Continue visiting the Church of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome's four ancient Papal, major basilicas. Enjoy free time for lunch and in the afternoon visit the Catacombs, Via Appia and Quo Vadis Domine.

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In the morning we visit St. Peter’s Basilica within Vatican City and continue to St. Peter’s Square, where Peter was crucified (John 21:18-19). We also visit Ara Pacis, the altar dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of Peace. The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure for personal activities, individual visits, or shopping. Overnight in Rome.

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Transfer to Rome International Airport for your departure flight, taking with you the most memorable experiences!

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