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7 Day Best of Italy Highlights – Visiting: Rome, Florence, Pompeii and more…

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:09:47 +0000

Nov. 7: Wednesday – Depart USA
for Rome

Tour members depart North America on our
US Air flight from Philadelphia to Rome. After
take-off, we will be served dinner according
to the airline’s schedule.
Nov. 8: Thursday – Arrive Rome,
Vatican & Sistine Chapel

We arrive Rome, Italy late morning. Upon arrival
at Rome Airport we meet our local escort
and driver. From there we travel to the
Eternal City-Rome. Our first visit will be to
the tiny Vatican city-state for a guided visit of
St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums
(including the Sistine Chapel, the celebrated
Chapel of the Popes and the venue of the
Conclaves for Papal Elections).
It is one of the world’s most splendid masterpieces
of art and is well known for its ceiling
decorated by Michelangelo. Martin Luther’s
visit to the Vatican in 1510 remains a tantalizing
mystery. Although he didn’t leave a written
journal of his trip, surely his experiences
in Rome contributed to the development of
the 95 Theses and his attempts to reform the
Church. Rome in those days was considered
to be a corrupt, unholy city. After the Vatican
tour we will have time for lunch nearby; your
guide will be able to make suggestions. After
hotel check-in, you will have the rest of the
afternoon to walk or rest. Dinner at the hotel
will be scheduled as early as possible so we
can get a good night’s sleep. Hotel: Nova
Domus or similar.
Nov. 9: Friday – Rome, Catacombs,
Colosseum, Trevi Fountain

This morning we begin with a visit to one of
Rome’s famous Catacombs. Not only places
of Christian burial, the Catacombs were secret
meeting places for early Christian worshipers.
Occasionally Roman troops stormed in
during services and executed the priests
(including at least one pope who was leading
a Mass at the
time). Next we visit
the Basilica of St.
Paul Outside the
Walls. The current
building dates only to
the mid-19th century
because of a catastrophic
fire during renovations
in 1823. However,
it is a grand
monument to the saint
whose bones rest under
the main altar. The architecture,
featuring a
long, open nave without
pews, reminds us
that originally a basilica
was a public building
with various commercial
and government
activities.
This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the Eternal
City-Rome. Travelling through the main
streets, we will marvel as we view the Colosseum,
Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain,
Spanish Steps. Here follow tradition by tossing
a coin into the fountain, promising to return
again and again. Also visit St. Peter in
Chains. This small church not only houses
the chains that bound St. Peter – it also is
home to Michelangelo’s famous statue of
Moses. Dine wherever you choose this evening.
Nov. 10: Saturday – Rome, Pompeii
excursion

This morning we drive south to Pompeii to
visit the spectacular ruins of
Pompeii, which were covered
by the eruption of Mt.
Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city
remained buried and undiscovered
for almost 1500
years until excavation began
in 1748. These excavations
continue today and provide
insight into life during the
Roman Empire. Before returning
to Rome, enjoy some
time in the beautiful coastal
resort town of Sorento.
Return to Rome and enjoy
dinner at your leisure this
evening.
Nov. 11: Sunday -
Rome, Florence

After breakfast, we drive to
the ancient city of Assisi.
The simple and deeply spiritual
life of St. Francis still speaks to us today.
Visit the three most important basilicas
(St. Francis, St. Clair, and St. Mary of
the Angels) with a local guide. You will have
some leisure time to explore this hilly town on
foot. Then continue to the elegant city of
Florence, which is nestled between a line of
hills and the banks of the Arno River. Dinner
and overnight in Florence at the Hotel
Mediterraneo or similar.
Nov. 12: Monday – Florence & Return
to Rome

This morning’s city tour features the Santa
Maria del Fiore Cathedral which houses
Michelangelo’s unfinished Pieta, the Baptistry
which features Ghiberti’s famous Gates
of Paradise (outside visit), and the Academy
of Fine Arts where you can view some of
Michelangelo’s finished and unfinished work,
including the awe-inspiring David. This afternoon
you will have time to enjoy the beautiful
gardens and stroll through the open-air markets.
Every street, every square and winding
alley of Florence is a showcase for Romanesque,
Gothic and Renaissance grandeur. In
the late afternoon we will bid farewell to Florence
and drive to a hotel near the airport in
Rome, for our farewell dinner and final night’s
sleep in Italy. (Holiday Inn Parco de Medici
or similar).
Nov. 13: Tuesday – Rome / USA

Morning transfer to Rome Airport for our return
flight back to the USA. After making our
connecting flights, we arrive back home the
same day. We return home full of life changing
memories, having Walked in the Footsteps of the
early Christians.

8 Day Ireland Highlights Clergy Familiarization Tour

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:54:51 +0000

Wednesday

Tour members meet in Newark, NJ for our Continental Airlines Flight that de-parts Newark at 7:00pm for Dublin, Ireland. After dinner is served, sit back and relax, enjoy the on-board entertainment as you prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime.
Thursday

Arrive Dublin Airport at approximately 7:00am, where we meet our professional driver/guide who will transfer the group to Ireland’s capital city. Here you will enjoy a half day tour including Trinity College and the Book of Kells Exhibition, St. Pat-rick’s Cathedral and Guinness Store-house. After lunch (not included) explore some of the shops on the famous Grafton Street before transferring to your hotel. Overnight Ashling Hotel, Dublin D,BB
Friday

After breakfast check out of your hotel and travel to Clonmacnoise, an early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th -13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collec-tion of early Christian grave slabs in West-ern Europe. The original high crosses and a selection of grave slabs are on display in the visitor centre.
Then onwards to one of Ireland’s most complete castles, Bunratty. Here you will tour the castle which was restored in the late 1960’s and furnished with 16th -18th century tapestries and furniture and then the adjoining folk park which recreates life in the 19th century. After checking into your nearby hotel, return to the castle for a medieval banquet. Overnight Bunratty Manor Hotel, Bunratty D, BB
Saturday

After breakfast travel to one of the pretti-est villages in Ireland, Adare – one of Lim-erick’s special places. With thatched roof cottages and Tudor style houses, beautiful gardens and ivy clad medieval churches in beautiful surroundings on both sides of the main street, this is a village that people return to time & again. After the visit travel to Killarney where jaunting cars (horse & carriage) will take you on a magi-cal journey through Killarney National Park and then back to your hotel in time to freshen up before sampling some of Killarney’s pubs or restaurants for dinner (dinner on your own tonight). Overnight Randles Court Hotel, Killarney BB
Sunday

After breakfast visit Blarney Castle where the famous Blarney Stone will be found. For those brave enough climb the ram-parts of the castle and kiss the stone which is said to grant the gift of eloquence.
Then travel to Cobh where thousands of emigrants departed for a better life during the famine years and which was the last port of call of the Titanic. After the visits take the short journey to Midleton where the Old Jameson’s Distillery is located and learn how this world famous whiskey is distilled and of course sample the golden nectre. Dinner on your own to-night, Overnight Randles Court Hotel, Killarney BB
Monday

Check out of your hotel and start your journey back to Dublin calling first at the iconic Rock of Cashel. Cashel’s rich his-tory is reflected in its built heritage, from prehistoric raths to mediaeval monasteries and fortified town houses. Then travel to Kilkenny and visit the castle, the original of which was built in the 12th century and
has now been restored. After lunch relax as you then we continue to Dublin. This evening is free for you to explore this amazing town, with its many pubs and res-taurants, many of which have live enter-tainment (dinner on your own tonight). Ashling Hotel, Dublin BB
Tuesday

After breakfast travel north to the only permanent exhibition in the world dedi-cated to Ireland’s Patron Saint, St. Patrick. Here you will visit the Saint Patrick Cen-tre and Down Cathedral where St. Pat-rick’s grave is located. Onwards then to Belfast where you will meet with a city guide who will take you around this vi-brant city and see such sights as Titanic Quarter and the newly opened Titanic Belfast, the famous Belfast Peace Wall, the political districts which have bore the brunt of conflict over the last thirty years and much more. After touring Belfast, re-lax on your journey back to Dublin where you will enjoy a farewell dinner followed by a show of traditional Irish music, song and dance. Overnight Ashling Hotel, Dublin D, BB
Wednesday OR Optional Northern Ireland Extension

After our final Irish breakfast depart the hotel for Dublin Airport for our return flight departing at 9:00am (we will arriving in time to complete check-in formalities and that last minute duty free shopping). We arrive back into Newark, NJ at approximately 11:40am. OPTIONAL EXTENSION: This morning travel to the Boyne Valley and visit the Neolithic tomb at New-
grange. Onwards then to the ancient capi-tal of Ulster, Armagh, also known as the City of St. Patrick, and was the birthplace of Brian Boru as well as being the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. Then to Omagh, a 17th century market town that has now developed into the county town of Tyrone. Following a short walking tour of this town, continue on to Derry, also known as Londonderry (dinner on your own tonight). Overnight City Hotel, Derry BB
Thursday

This morning meet with a local guide and take a walking tour of this historic city, the only walled city in Ireland. Then travel to the Ulster American Folk Park which is an outdoor museum telling the story of Irish emigration to North America during the famine years (dinner on your own to-night). Overnight City Hotel, Derry BB
Friday

Check out of your hotel and travel along the northern coastline to the oldest work-ing distillery in Ireland, Bushmills, where you can sample their goods following a tour of the distillery,. Then the short jour-ney to the World Heritage site of Giant’s Causeway which was formed millions of years ago by a violent volcanic eruption which formed the unique columns of the causeway. Finally for today, enjoy the scenery as you travel to Belfast. Overnight Europa Hotel, Belfast D, BB
Saturday

After breakfast transfer to the Belfast Air-port for our return flight back to the USA.

The Cradle of the Reformation 9 Day tour of Germany

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:44:39 +0000

Tuesday, 13 November

Depart North America on our flight to Frankfurt. After making our connecting flights in, we board our non-stop flight to Frankfurt, Germany. After take-off, we will be served dinner accordingly to the airline’s schedule.
Wednesday, 14 November

Upon arrival in Frankfurt/Mainz, we will be wel-comed by Biblical Tours and our local guide. We will board our coach and drive to the quaint and charming village of Rudesheim, which dates back to before the Roman era. We’ll enjoy an orienta-tion tour of the city including its history in wine-making, and then a relaxing sightseeing cruise along the Rhine River (weather permitting), one of the most picturesque stretches of this majestic waterway. We’ll sail past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley rock. We will proceed to Mainz area and check-in to our hotel for one overnight.
Thursday, 15 November

This morning we will tour and visit the birthplace of printing, the Gutenberg Museum: the evolution of printing is documented, and Gutenberg’s first Bible is on display, also the world‘s tiniest Bible. Then on to St. Martin’s Cathedral, built in the 8th century and towering in all its might and gran-deur. Seven king’s coronations took place in the course of the centuries in the Mainz cathedral. We will continue to Worms: thought to be one of the oldest towns in Germany. We will visit the world’s largest Memorial to the Reformation and the Church of the Holy Trinity, Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery also known as the Holy Sands. We visit St. Peter’s Cathedral, situated on the highest elevation of the inner city. The cathedral is one of the most exquisite examples of Roman-esque architecture. The Cathedral was the scene of several milestones of European history: In 1048, Bruno of Egisheim-Dagsburg was elected pope Leo IX; here and in 1521, Martin Luther was summoned by emperor Charles V to recant his teachings before the Diet of Worms, a historic assembly that was to change the history of Christianity. We will continue to Speyer for one over-night.
Friday, 16 November

Following breakfast we will tour the city and visit the Cathedral, the biggest historic architectural
monument of its time and burial place of the Salian emperors. We will continue to the ruins of the synagogue which are the oldest visible re-mains of a synagogue in Central Europe and the Mikwe. Then on to Augsburg: its magnificent Renaissance buildings – dated from the 15th and 16th centuries -give the city its unique character. Martin Luther stayed at the monastery of St. Anna Church in 1518, during his confrontation with Cardinal Cajetan. We also visit the oldest social settlement in existence in the world “The Fug-gerei”, founded by Jacob Fugger in 1521 as a resi-dential settlement for Augsburg citizens in need. The annual (net) rent for an apartment in the Fuggerei still today is the nominal value of the Rhenish Guilder, at present 0.88 Euro together with prayers three times a day for the founder and his family. About 150 people live at present in the 140 apartments in 67 houses. Probably the most famous resident of the Fuggerei was the Master Mason Franz Mozart, the great-grandfather of the composer W. A. Mozart. Over-night and dinner in Augsburg.
Saturday, 17 November

We will depart Augsburg for Coburg. We will visit the famous Veste Coburg, the fortress where
Luther took refuge and lived during the Augsburg Confession. While visiting the castle we’ll see the Luther Room, the art treasures in the various col-
lections and the royal building with the Luther Chapel. We will continue to Eisenach for over-night and dinner.
Sunday, 18 November

We begin our sightseeing with a visit to St. George’s Church where St. Elisabeth was married and J.S. Bach baptized. We will tour the Luther House where Luther lived as a student and the Luther exhibition documenting his life and theologies. On to the Bach-House where J.S. Bach was born. The next stop will take us to the magnificent Wartburg Castle for a tour of the Palas (Great Hall), Art exhibition, the Elisabeth Hallway and the Luther Room where “Junker Jörg” (the Knight George) translated the New Testament into German. After lunch we continue to Erfurt, the spiritual home of Martin Luther. It was here that Luther obtained a degree in 1502 and a doc-torate in philosophy in 1505 and where he took the decisive step to turn to theology and the monastic life. Our walking tour will begin in the historical section of the city including St. Mary’s Cathedral, where Luther was ordained as a priest, the Augustinian Monastery with a permanent exhibit depicting Luther’s life as a monk in Erfurt and the church of St. Severus. Overnight and dinner in Erfurt.
Monday, 19 November

In the morning we will continue on to Eisleben and tour the house where Luther was born in 1483. We will also see the house where he died in 1546 (the Death House is closed for construction works until 2012), St. Peter’s Church where Lu-ther was baptized and St. Andrews Church where Luther preached his last four sermons and where his body was laid in state. We will board our coach for a drive north to Wittenberg. From 1508, Wittenberg was the main workplace of Martin Lu-ther. We visit Luther Hall, the Augustinian monas-tery where Luther lived as a monk and later, in 1525, as owner with his wife and family (Luther Hall is the largest museum of Reformation history in the world), the Market Square and Town Hall; tour All Saints Church (Schlosskirche), famous site where Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Castle Church door sparking the beginning of the Reformation (it is here that Luther is buried alongside his fellow reformer, Philipp Melanch-thon); St. Mary’s Church, where Luther did the majority of his preaching. Overnight and dinner in Wittenberg.
Tuesday, 20 November

This morning we will drive to Berlin, the capital of the re-unified Germany and tour the city by coach -featuring the city center with the Kaiser Wilhelm Church, Nikolai Quarter, Unter den Lin-den, Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Museum Island and more. Time at lei-sure in the afternoon. Overnight and dinner in Berlin.
Wednesday, 21 November

Transfer to Berlin airport for our departure back to the USA. We arrive home with a greater under-standing of Martin Luther and the early Christian Church.

10 Day Complete Biblical Tour of Israel Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:37:41 +0000

NOV 26: DEPART USA

We are on our way from our various embarkation points to the land of Israel and a journey through the pages of the Bible. Enjoy the in-flight meals and entertainment, and rest at the beginning of the flight in order to take full ad-vantage of our arrival time.
NOV 27: ARRIVE TEL AVIV, VALLEY OF ELAH, DEAD SEA

We arrive at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport in the after-noon. The tour company will have a personal representa-tive to meet us, help us get our luggage, and make our way through customs to where we will meet our expert guide and driver. Israeli guides are legendary for their knowledge and dedication. Ours will escort us throughout our tour for these next eight days, and be an invaluable help in gaining a deeper understanding of Israel’s history, archeology, culture, and modern life. We will proceed south to begin in the wilderness regions. Our first stop will be in the valley of Elah, where David faced the giant Goliath and our overnight will be in Ein Bokek, a resort area along the Dead Sea. Our journey into the Scriptures has begun! Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.
NOV 28: DEAD SEA – WILDERNESS OF ZIN

This is a day of exploration of Israel’s southern, desert re-gions. We visit the Negev, where Moses led the children of Israel after their failure at Kadesh Barnea. We’ll see the wilderness of Zin, and possibly see the settlement and burial site of David Ben Gurion—modern Israel’s first prime minister, who wanted to see this desert bloom. We’ll make our way through various places in the wilderness to-ward the Dead Sea. Along the way we will experience Bedouin hospitality similar to that of Abraham’s day. The desert was a training ground for the patriarchs and for Is-rael, and we’ll consider how the exodus and wilderness experiences foreshadowed the life and work of Jesus. We return to the Dead Sea, where you can finish your day with a float on the water (good water shoes are recommended). Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.
NOV 29: DEAD SEA, MASADA, EN GEDI,
QUMRAN, RIVER JORDAN, GALILEE

Heading forward in history today, we begin with a tour of Masada, Herod the Greats’ impressive mountain fortress where Jewish zealots made their last stand against their Roman conquerors in AD 73. Back to the Old Testament, we visit the oasis and springs of En Gedi, David’s hiding place from Saul, and then onward. Then we head to Qum-ran, where Old Testament manuscripts dating to the 2nd century were part of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls discovery.
NOV 30: GALILEE

“Galilee” of the Gentiles will come alive today, as we head north to Tel Dan, the northern-most point in ancient Israel—one of the two places where Jero-boam erected a calf for the northern tribes to wor-ship. From this ancient city we’ll make our way to Caesarea Philippi, a site of idol worship from Baal in the OT to the Greek god Pan during the NT times, and the place of Peter’s great confession of Christ. We’ll explore the Golan Heights, and have lunch stop at a Druze Restaurant, before re-turning to the shores of Galilee, for possible further exploration! Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
DEC 1: GALILEE

We continue to explore the Gali-lee. We’ll see a boat from Je-sus’ day and take a ride on the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the multiplication of loaves and fish, Bethsaida—they all bear witness to the ministry of Jesus. We’ll stop to experience St. Peter’s fish for lunch (not included), and then head toward Cana, where we will have an opportu-nity for those interested to have a renewal of their wed-ding vows. A short drive takes us to Nazareth, where we can see a re-creation of the village from the first century. We’ll also visit Zippori, the major cultural center near Nazareth, and explore the possible links between this place and Jesus’ early years. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
DEC 2: MEGIDDO, CAESAREA MARITIMA, JERUSALEM

We head to the center of the Holy Land today, beginning with our trip to Megiddo, site of the fortified city of Solo-mon and Ahab and overlooking the Plain of Jezreel—Armageddon. We will then go to the Monastery of St. George, near the place where Elijah would confront the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. We then travel to the coast, where we visit Caesarea Maritima. This was the Roman capital and port for the province, and both Herod and Pilate lived here. It is also the place where the gospel came to the Ro-man centurion, Cornelius, opening the door of faith to Gentiles every-where. We’ll explore the ruins of Herod’s day, a Crusader fortress, and see an aqueduct that brought water to the city. We then make our way to the true heart of the land—Jerusalem. Dinner and over-night in Jerusalem the next three nights.
DEC 3 & 4 JERUSALEM & BETHLEHEM

Jerusalem beckons and we will an-swer! Our activities will be gov-erned by the times of availability of these sites, but we will experience this city fully. We’ll visit the Mt. of Olives, upon which Jesus taught of the coming judgments, from which Jesus ascended, and where he will return to earth! We’ll make our way down the Palm Sunday Road, stopping in the Garden of Geth-semane. We’ll visit the Southern steps of the Temple, and we’ll walk the traditional Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) through the Old City, seeing St. Anne’s Crusader Church, the Stone Pavement under the Sisters of Zion Con-vent, and ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, likely site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. There will be a visit to the Western Wall—Judaism’s holiest site; and to Temple Mount (conditions permitting). Of great inter-est will be the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu — built over the site of the High Priest’s home where Jesus was tried, and where Peter denied the Lord. We’ll walk the streets and shop in the Old City, visiting trusted vendors for sou-venirs. We’ll make a trip to the City of David, seeing the recent excavations of David’s palace and much more, offering the chance to go through Hezekiah’s Tunnel—an ingenious water delivery system to the pool of Siloam—bring water shoes and be ready to get wet if you go. One evening we’ll walk through the Western Wall Tunnel and see the very foundations of that structure. We will also make the trip to Bethlehem, where we’ll see the Church of the Nativity, and view the Shepherd Fields. We conclude our sightseeing with a special visit to the Garden Tomb, where we will have time of fellowship and where reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus, optional communion service. Farewell dinner and evening transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight back to the USA.
DEC 5: ARRIVE BACK TO USA

Traveling home, we’ll reflect on what we’ve seen and marvel at how much we have grown in our understanding of our faith. The close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.

8-Days Walk in the Footsteps of Paul Visiting Greece – with Optional Rome, Italy Extension

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:23:23 +0000

Nov 7: Depart USA for Greece

Embark upon your journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Thessaloniki. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight. Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostle Paul walked!
Nov 8: Thessaloniki arrival

Arrive in Thessaloniki, the city where Paul was received by Jason. Paul was preaching the Word of God here, until he was rushed out of the city. You will transfer to your hotel in Thessaloniki for check-in and dinner.
Nov 9: Philippi / Kavala

We will follow the route of the Via Egnatia and visit, like Paul and his companions, the area of Amphipolis, to see the famous funer-ary Lion of Amphipolis. Then we travel onto Philippi. There, you visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river, where Paul baptized her. Lydia was the first convert of Paul on Euro-pean soil and the conversion of the jailer fol-lowed. Also, visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul” and the Theater. Drive to Kavala (Neapolis), Paul’s first step in bringing the Gospel to present day Europe. A picturesque port. View the Byzantine Castle and the Ro-man Aqueduct. Return to Thessaloniki for din-ner and overnight.
Nov 10: Thessaloniki

In the morning, drive in Thessaloniki to see the landmark of the city, the White Tower, the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the Ro-man Arch of Galerius and the Rotonda. Visit two of the city’s oldest and most admired Christian churches, the Basilicas of St. De-metrius and St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom). A stop will be made in Berea to view the Bema surrounded by newly placed mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the “more noble” church. We will continue to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.
Nov 11: Kalambaka, Athens

This morning you see the world famous Byzan-tine monasteries that are perched precari-ously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff-side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, which were later transformed into monasteries. Continue to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Nov 12: Corinth & Cenchrea

After breakfast we drive for Ancient Corinth. This is the once glorious city near the Isth-mus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. You visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema, where Paul stood before Gallio, ac-cused by the Jews of Corinth. Then, you drive to Cenchrea, the little harbor from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary journey.
Nov 13: Athens, Mars Hill & Acropolis -
Parthenon

In the morning, admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens, as you follow your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis, to see the Propylea, the Erechtheum and the Parthe-non. Visit Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his ingenious speech on the “Unknown God”. View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. During the bus tour, you see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the Neo-classical Buildings of Athens. Time permitting we will include a visit to the incredible new Athens Acropolis Museum. We end our day with our farewell dinner and overnight in Athens.
Nov 14: Return Flight Home OR Athens flight to Rome

Return home with a new insight into Paul’s life and teachings. OPTIONAL ROME EXTENSION: After breakfast we transfer to Athens Air port for our short flight to Rome. After claiming our luggage we meet our guide and driver. From here we travel to the Eternal City-Rome. Travelling through the main streets, we will marvel as we view the in credible Coliseum, Piazza Venezia, Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, here follow tra dition by tossing a coin into the fountain, promising to return again and again. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Nov 15: Rome: Vatican & Sistine Chapel,
Coliseum

After our breakfast this morning, we visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, the celebrated Chapel of the Popes and the venue of the Conclaves for Papal Elections. It is one of the most splendid masterpieces in the history of worlds art and is well known for its ceiling beautiful decorated by Michelangelo. From here we continue to the Basilica of St. Peter, the largest church in the world which overlooks the enormous Piazza San Pietro. Then we visit the all over the world famous Coliseum and
Roman Forum. Late in the afternoon return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Nov 16: Rome, Catacombs, St. John Lateran, Basilica of St. Paul, St. Peter in Chains

Today we enjoy our sightseeing tour to include a special visit to the Catacombs where we will explore tunnels and see the carvings on the walls from early Christians. From here we continue for a visit to St. John Lateran, visit the “Sacred Steps” (as a monk, Martin Luther climbed these steps on his knees, try- ing to merit forgiveness). Afterwards we make a special visit to St. Paul’s Church where tra- dition believes the Apostle Paul is buried. We conclude our day with a stop to see the Forum with visit and St. Peter in Chains. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Nov 17: Rome – USA

Morning transfer to the airport for our
Return flight to the USA. We return home full of life changing memories, having Walked in the Footsteps of Apostle Paul.

10-Day Walk in the Footsteps of Paul Includes a 3-Day Greek Isles Cruise with an optional 3-Night Rome Extension

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:05:30 +0000

Depart USA for Greece

Embark upon your journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Thessaloniki. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight. Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostle Paul walked!
Thessaloniki arrival

Arrive in Thessaloniki, the city where Paul was received by Jason. Paul was preaching the Word of God here, until he was rushed out of the city. You will transfer to your hotel for check-in and dinner.
Philippi / Kavala

We will follow the route of the Via Egnatia and visit, like Paul and his companions, the area of Amphipolis, to see the famous funerary Lion of Amphipolis. Then we travel onto Philippi. There, you visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river, where Paul baptized her. Lydia was the first con-vert of Paul on European soil and the conversion of the jailer followed. Also, visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul” and the Theater. Drive to Kavala (Neapolis), Paul’s first step in bringing the Gospel to present day Europe. A picturesque port. View the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Thessaloniki

In the morning, drive in Thessaloniki to see the landmark of the city, the White Tower, the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the Roman Arch of Galerius and the Rotonda. Visit two of the city’s oldest and most admired Christian churches, the Basilicas of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom). A stop will be made in Berea to view the Bema surrounded by newly placed mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the “more noble” church. We will continue to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.
Kalambaka

This morning you see the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff-side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, which were later trans-formed into monasteries. Continue to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Start our 3-Day Mediterranean Cruise

We sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. Experience the waterfront lined with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of white-washed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening ac-tivities.
Kusadasi, Patmos

In the morning you will arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey and drive to Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his ministry. The impressive remains of Ephesus include the Agora, the Theater, the Stadium, the Library of Celsius, the ruins of the Temple of Diana (one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”) and many more. Later, you will sail for the island of Patmos, where you will visit the Monastery of St. John, on one of the is-land’s highest points. From there, you will walk down to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of St. John the Divine.
Crete & Santorini

In the morning disembark at Heraklion, Crete, where you can choose to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home to king Minos and his legendary beast, the Minotaur. In the Archaeological Mu-seum of Heraklion you can find the unbelievable works of art (pieces of sculpture and pottery, jew-elry, arms, frescoes), that have been found in a number of Minoan sites all over Crete. Then, sail north to the isle of Santorini and disembark, the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands. The exquisite whitewashed villages, including the town of Fira, or Thira, cling to volcanic cliffs, ac-cessible by cable-car, or mule.
Optional guided tours are available but not in-cluded in the price.
Athens and Corinth

In the morning, admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens, as you follow your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis, to see the Propylea, the Erechtheum and the Parthenon. Visit Mars
Hill, where Paul delivered his ingenious speech on the “Unknown God”. View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. During the bus tour, you see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the Neoclassical Buildings of Athens. Then you continue your trip to Ancient Corinth. This is the once glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. You visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema, where Paul stood before Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth. Then, you drive to Cenchreae, the little harbor from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary journey.
Return Flight Home or OPTIONAL ROME EXTENSION – Athens and Corinth & Overnight Ferry to Bari

Return home with a new insight into Paul’s life and teachings, or with extension, We have sightseeing with the group as listed above Day 09 and then we say our good-byes at the end of the day and transfer to Patras Pier for our high speed overnight Ferry to Bari, Italy. Pri-vate cabins and dinner is included on board our overnight Ferry.
Arrive Bari, Pompeii, Rome

We arrive to Bari, Italy. After our breakfast we disembark and we meet our Italian representa- tive and driver and continue our travel North for Pompeii to visit the spectacular ruins of Pompeii, which were covered by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city remained buried and undiscovered for almost 1500 years until ex- cavation began in 1748. These excavations con- tinue today and provide insight into life during the Roman Empire. We make our way to Rome in time for dinner and overnight.
Rome, Vatican & Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Forum

Our first visit will be to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, the celebrated Chapel of the Popes and the venue of the Conclaves for Papal elections. It is one of the most splendid masterpieces in the history of world art and is well known around the world for its magnificent ceiling, beautifully decorated by Michelangelo. From here, your next visit will be to the Basilica of St. Peter, the largest church in the world, which overlooks the enormous Piazza San Pietro. We then start our sightseeing of the eternal city. Driving through the main streets of Rome, you will marvel at the monuments of this great capital. Visit the Colosseum, which symbolizes the eternity of the Roman civilization, the Forum and the Piazza Venezia, dominated by the impos- ing monument to Vittorio Emanuel II. Before we return to our hotel, we stop near the Fontana di Trevi, following tradition by tossing a coin into the fountain, promising the return to Rome. Din ner and overnight in Rome.
Rome, Catacombs, St. John Lateran,
Basilica of St. Paul, St. Peter in Chains

Today we enjoy our sightseeing tour, including a special visit to the Catacombs where we will explore tunnels and see the carvings on the walls from early Christians. From here we con- tinue for a visit to St. John Lateran, visit the “Sacred Steps” (as a monk, Martin Luther climbed these steps on his knees, trying to merit forgive- ness). Afterwards we make a special visit to St. Paul’s Church where tradition believes the Apos tle Paul is buried. We conclude our day with a stop to see the Forum with visit and St. Peter in Chains. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Athens, USA

Morning transfer to Rome Airport for return flight back to the USA; arrive home same day.

10 Day Biblical Tour of Israel & Turkey with Optional Istanbul & Ephesus, Turkey Extension

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:54:36 +0000

MON: DEPART USA

Tour members depart on a late flight from Chicago to
Istanbul via Turkish Airlines. After dinner is served, sit
back and relax, enjoying the on-board entertainment as
you prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime.
TUE: ISTANBUL

We arrive in Istanbul and meet our agent who assists us
through customs and security. We are then transferred
to our motor coach. We begin our sightseeing with discovering
Istanbul with a short boat ride on the Bosphorus
Sea, time permitting we will have a visit to the famous
Spice Market where bargaining is a must. Dinner and
overnight in Istanbul.
WED: ISTANBUL, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

After breakfast we start our day of sightseeing with a
visit to St. Sophia Church, the church of all times, the
Byzantine Hippodrome, the impressive Blue Mosque
unique for its six minarets and interior tile decoration.
Afterwards we continue to Topkapi Palace, the imperial
residence of the Sultans to see the collections of
Treasury and Porcelain. We transfer to Istanbul Airport
for our one-hour and twenty minute flight to Tel Aviv,
Israel where we will walk where Jesus walked. Upon arrival
at Ben Gurion Airport we meet our local Israel representative
who helps assist us with baggage and transfers
us to our motorcoach for a short drive to our hotel
in Tel Aviv in time for our welcome dinner and overnight
beside the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
THU: CAESAREA, MEGIDDO, MT. CARMEL, DRUZE VILLAGE, NAZARETH, GALILEE

Today we depart for the Galilee, visiting the following
Biblical sites: Caesarea where Peter proclaimed the
Good News to the Roman Centurion (Acts 9 & 25), Megiddo,
Mt. Carmel where Elijah prayed and God defeated
450 prophets of Baal with fire from heaven (1 Kings 18).
Time permitting we’ll stop at the Druze Village for a
short lunch break (not included). We continue to Nazareth
(Luke 1 & 2) and Cana (John 2). We’ll arrive in Tiberias
for dinner and overnight on the shore of the Sea
of Galilee.
FRI: GALILEE, NAZARETH VILLAGE, TABGHA, MT. OF BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM, BOAT RIDE, BETHSAIDA, JORDAN RIVER

There is nothing like watching a sunrise on the Sea of
Galilee from our hotel. We begin our sightseeing with a
drive to Nazareth to visit the ―Nazareth Village‖ with
detailed explanations of what life was like during the
time of Jesus. From here we have a short drive to the
Mt. of Precipice, before we make our way to Tabgha,
Primacy of Peter, and the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-
7), with time for reflection and worship. We make our
way to Capernaum (Jesus’ base for His early ministry.),
then board a replica wooden ―Jesus Boat‖ for our boat
ride on the Sea of Galilee. We will also have an opportunity
to see the recently excavated boat from the time of
Jesus.
Our lunch stop includes the option of the special St. Peter’s
Fish for those interested (not included). Afterwards
we see Gadara and if time permits we’ll include a short
visit to Bethsaida, before we make our way to the River
Jordan, for an opportunity to see and touch this special
river. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.(Psalm 122:1-2 NASB)
SAT: GOLAN HEIGHTS, CAESAREA PHILIPPI, TEL DAN, BEIT SHEAN, JERUSALEM

After breakfast we travel north for the Golan Heights
and view the area from a special lookout. We drive to
Caesarea Philippi, where Peter made the good confession
of Christ as “the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-
16.). We will have a short hike/walk to Tel Dan where
we will see the altar of Jeroboam and then a short drive
takes us to Gideon Springs. Afterwards, we will visit Beit
Shean, one of the best preserved Decapolis Roman cities.
In Beit Shean, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were
hung from the city walls (1 Samuel 31:10-12) after they
were defeated by the Philistines. We then ascend to the
majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight.
“I was glad when they said to me, „Let us go to
the house of the Lord.‟ Our feet are standing within
your gates, O Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:1-2 NASB)
SUN: MT. OF OLIVES, PALM SUNDAY ROAD, GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, JEWISH QUARTER, TEMPLE MOUNT, SOUTHERN STEPS, BETHLEHEM

We begin the day on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold
the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our
pilgrimage will proceed down the Old Palm Sunday Road
to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive
grove, and the Church of Agony, where tradition holds
that Jesus prayed. We will enter Jerusalem through the
Zion Gate, and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish
world, the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod’s temple.
Beyond the wall lies the 35 acre temple area purchased
by King David (2 Samuel. 24:18-25). On this site now
stands El-Aksa Mosque, and the magnificent Dome of the
Rock (the third holiest shrine in Islam). From the temple
area, we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate, to walk
the Via Dolorosa – including St. Anne’s Crusader Church,
Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood
while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the
ancient Cardo. We continue to the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre. A short walk takes us to stand on the original
steps that Jesus walked on as he entered the Temple
area. We conclude our sightseeing with a visit to Bethlehem.
We pass by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts, and visit
the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field. We will
have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
MON: QUMRAN, EIN GEDI, MASADA, DEAD SEA — SWIM/FLOAT

After breakfast, we drive to Qumran and the settlement
of the first century sect known as the Essenes, authors of
the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here we drive to Ein Gedi
where David hid from King Saul. Following the road
south along the western shore of the Dead Sea, we visit
Masada, ascending the wilderness mountain by way of
cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. Here we
survey the ruins of fortifications, waterworks, synagogue,
temples and palaces. We will make a special
stop at the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on earth) for a
short swim. Time and conditions permitting, we’ll include
a short visit to Jericho. The road from the Dead
Sea area to Jerusalem is an ascent of 4,000 feet in 13
miles. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
TUE: RABBINICAL TUNNEL, ST. PETER GALLICANTU, SHRINE OF THE BOOK, MODEL CITY, GARDEN TOMB

After breakfast we begin our sightseeing with a visit to
the Western Wall to visit the Rabbis’ Tunnel. From here
we continue to the Church of Agony at St. Peter Gallicantu.
We then drive for our visit to the Shrine of the
Book Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed.
You will be fascinated by the 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem
as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Afterwards
we visit Golgotha and the Garden Tomb for a private
communion service. Farewell Dinner and overnight
in Jerusalem.
WED: DEPART TEL AVIV FOR U.S.A.

After an early morning breakfast our Israel-only passengers
transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight
to the USA.
OPTIONAL TURKEY EXTENSION – WED: TEL AVIV, ISTANBUL, IZMIR

After an early morning breakfast, we transfer to Ben
Gurion Airport for our flight to Istanbul. After arriving
in Istanbul, we change planes and fly on to Izmir, to
begin our sightseeing with a visit to Pergamum, where
we see the majestic Acropolis with the Altar of Zeus
(Throne of Satan), Red Sea Church and the Aesculapium,
the earliest healing center in Asia Minor. Continue
to Thyatira, to see the remains of one of the
Seven Churches of Revelation. After stopping for
lunch, we continue to Sardis, the ancient capital of
Lydian Kingdom,(Alexander the Great camped here before
heading east). We will visit the recently restored
Gymnasium, Artemis Temple, one of the Seven
Churches remains, and the largest Synagogue in Asia
Minor. Return to Izmir area for dinner and overnight.
THU: IZMIR, EPHESUS, ISTANBUL

After breakfast we visit Ephesus, once renowned for its
gleaming Temple of Diana, the archaeologist site of
Ephesus is famous for the missionary work of St. Paul,
and as one of the Churches addressed by St. John.
Ephesus was founded in the 10th century B.C. Walk
through the streets of this historic town and see many
wonderful public buildings, among them, the Baths of
Scholastics, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian
and the Theater. After stopping for lunch, we
transfer to Izmir Airport for our return flight to Istanbul.
Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
FRI: ISTANBUL / USA

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for our return flight home.

8-Day Walk in the Footsteps of Paul with Optional 4-Night Greek Isles Cruise

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:03:11 +0000

Monday, Depart USA for Istanbul

Tour members depart USA for our flight to Istanbul. After take-off, meals will be served according to flight schedule.
Tuesday, Arrival Istanbul, Turkey

Arrival in Istanbul (Constantinople), the city which strad-dles two continents. Istanbul was once the capital of the Byzantine Empire for more than one thousand years and capital of the Ottoman Empire for more than five hundred years. Istanbul is famous for many beautiful places and museums, which you will have the opportunity to see the next day. You will be met by your tour guide and trans-ferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Wednesday, Istanbul Highlights

Begin your “Istanbul City tour”. The tour starts with the Blue Mosque, the most splendid mosque in the city, which is distinguished by six slender minarets and the interior decorated with blue Iznik tile. Continue with a walk through the Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine civic life, housing three ancient monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Visit St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom), one of the greatest churches in the world, built by the Byzantine Em-peror Justinian. After the conquest of the city in 1453, it was transformed into a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror and into a museum by Ataturk in 1934 . In the afternoon, visit the famous Topkapi Palace, where the rich collection of Ottoman Treasures can be seen. This palace, with a base area of 700,000 sq. meters, is spread over the promontory called the Seraglio Point. View the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. This legendary maze of buildings was the residence of the Ottoman sul-tans and the administrative heart of the Empire. Nowa-days, it is one of the world’s greatest museums. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Thursday, Istanbul, Turkey / Kavala, Greece

You leave Istanbul and are transferred to the Turkish-Greek borders. After the necessary procedure at the check point there, you say good-bye to Turkey and you continue to Greece. You will be met by your Greek guide and driver and continue to Kavala (Neapolis), a picturesque city-port where you will view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. Dinner overnight in Kavala.
Friday, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Meteora

This morning you start your day by visiting the site of Phi-lippi. There, you visit the Baptistry of Lydia near the river where Paul baptized her. Lydia was the first convert of Paul on European soil. Also visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul”, and the Theater. Then you continue to Thessaloniki and see the White Tower, the Rotunda, the Roman Arch of Galerius, and the Byzantine Acropolis. Your journey will continue to Kalambaka, in central Greece. Here you find scenery of unique and striking beauty. On top of huge granite pinnacles, you see the ageless Meteora Monaster-ies, which are full of treasures of Christian art. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
Saturday, Meteora, Athens

After your breakfast you visit the breathtaking Meteora Monasteries. After that visit, drive through the mainland of Greece and arrive in the capital city of Athens for dinner and overnight.
Sunday, Acropolis, Mars Hill & Ancient Corinth

In the morning, admire the architectural miracles of an-cient Athens, as you follow your guide to the world re-nown Acropolis. There you will see the Propylea, the Erectheum and the Parthenon. Visit Mars Hill where Paul delivered his speech on the “Unknown God”. View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city where Paul preached to the skeptical Athe-nians. During the bus tour, you see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Un-known Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the Neoclassical buildings of Athens. Then, you continue your trip to Ancient Corinth. This is the once glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Gospel. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema, where Paul stood be-fore Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth. Then, you drive to Cenchreae, the little harbour from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary journey. Back to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Monday, Depart Athens for return back to USA

Fly back home with a new insight into Paul’s life and teachings.
OPTIONAL 4-NIGHT GREEK ISLES CRUISE – Monday: Piraeus & Mykonos

Arrive early Monday morning at the port of Piraeus for an 11 am departure on our 4-night Greek Isles Cruise. Our first port-of-call is Mykonos. Mykonos uniquely combines luxury and sophistication with the simple and yet charming life of a Cycladic Island. Stroll the winding narrow streets full of boutiques, visit tiny chapels, and take pictures of the famous windmills. Or perhaps just sit by the waterfront and enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Tuesday: Kusadasi (Ephesus) & Patmos

In the morning we arrive at Kusadasi – a lovely Turkish port and the gateway to the Ancient city of Ephesus, a city often visited by St. Paul and is one of the seven churches of Revela-tion. Optional Excursion to Ancient Ephesus. Drive along the coast to reach Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of Diana – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and later the home of the Apostle John. You will see the monuments such as the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Bath of Scolastika. You will also see the magnificent open-air Great Theatre, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period, which seated 24,000 people. Walk back to the motor coach along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Driving back to Kusadasi, view the Basilica of St. John – just downhill lies the site of the famous Temple of Diana, today in ruins. We also visit the Church of the Virgin Mary.
By late afternoon we arrive on Patmos, the island where the Apostle John was exiled. Visit the cave where John wrote the book of Revelation (Rev 1:9)! Optional Excursion to St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Departing the port of Scala by motor coach, you will enjoy the short drive up to the magnificent Monastery of St. John, within the walls of a strong fortification and with spectacular views of the island. Walk uphill towards the entrance of the Monastery. View the courtyard, the Monks’ quarters, and the main church with its outstanding frescoes and the small but beautiful museum. Visit the nearby Church of the Apocalypse and walk down a few steps to the Grotto of the Apocalypse.
Wednesday: Rhodes & Lindos

Visit the Island of Rhodes. The ship enters the port, which was once dominated by the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Optional Excursion to Rhodes and Lindos. We drive along the southeastern coastline on our way to Lindos, the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. Visit the Acropolis of Lindos, overlooking the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s Bay. After the visit, spend some free time in the small attractive village with the little shops and narrow streets. We drive back to the City of Rhodes for our walking tour of the City. Stroll through the Medieval Old City, down through Chevaliers Road, and view the Palace of the Knights of St. John.
Thursday: Crete & Santorini

Spend a morning in Crete, the largest and most rugged of the Greek Islands. It is also the ancient home of the great Minoans and the mythological god, Zeus. Optional Excursion to Knossos Palace and Heraklion City. After a short drive through the town of Heraklion, arrive at the Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete. Paul left Titus in Crete and gave instructions on appointing church leaders in the towns (Titus 1:5ff).
Spend an evening on what many would consider the most spectacular of all the Greek islands – Santorini. Optional Excursion to Thira & Oia Village. Following a scenic coastal drive along the Aegean, arrive in Oia and enjoy a guided walking tour of the village. The walk takes you along the cobbled streets to view up close the whitewashed homes, which characterize the ancient Cycladic architectural style. Continue via coach to Thira, an attractive town perched on the Caldera rim. Here you will have time to stroll the cobbled lanes of this fascinating town or simply relax over coffee, as you gaze down upon Kamenes, the two volcanic islets in the Caldera Bay. A short cable car ride will take you down to the pier where you will rejoin the ship.
Friday: Piraeus, Athens, USA

We arrive early morning at the Port of Piraeus. Disembark and transfer to Athens airport for return flight back to the USA.

10-Day Churches of Revelation – Walk in the Footsteps of Paul Tour with an Optional Pompeii & Rome Extension

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:50:44 +0000

Monday, Depart USA for Istanbul

Tour members depart USA for our flight to Istanbul. After take-off, meals will be served according to flight schedule.
Tuesday, Arrival Istanbul, Turkey

Arrival in Istanbul (Constantinople), the city which straddles two continents. Istanbul was once the capital of the Byzantine Em-pire for more than one thousand years and capital of the Otto-man Empire for more than five hundred years. Istanbul is fa-mous for many beautiful places and museums, which you will have the opportunity to see the next day. You will be met by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Dinner and over-night in Istanbul.
Wednesday, Istanbul Highlights

Begin your “Istanbul City tour”. The tour starts with the Blue Mosque, the most splendid mosque in the city, which is distin-guished by six slender minarets and the interior decorated with blue Iznik tile. Continue with a walk through the Hippodrome, the centre of Byzantine civic life, housing three ancient monu-ments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Visit St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom), one of the greatest churches in the world, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. After the conquest of the city in 1453, it was transformed into a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror and into a museum by Ataturk in 1934. In the afternoon, visit the famous Topkapi Palace, where the rich collection of Ottoman Treasures can be seen. This palace, with a base area of 700,000 sq. meters, is spread over the promontory called the Seraglio Point. View the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. This legendary maze of buildings was the residence of the Ottoman sultans and the administrative heart of the Empire. Nowadays, it is one of the world’s greatest museums. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Thursday, Istanbul, fly to Izmir, Ephesus

We leave Istanbul and are transferred to Istanbul Airport for our short flight to Izmir. We Arrive Izmir and we begin our sightsee-ing as we tour ancient Ephesus, where we can begin to focus our hearts and minds as walk the massive ruin of ancient Ephesus “the church that has left their first love”. Walking the great, marble Ephesian road will take us by the Church of the Virgin Mary—the site of the council of Ephesus–‐ the great amphithea‐tre where the rioters against Paul cried, “Great is the Diana of Ephesians!” the spectacular and famous Celsus Library, the Ag‐ora (marketplace) and the city bath ruins. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.
Friday, Izmir, Turkey – fly to Athens, Greece: Acropolis, Mars Hill, Plaka area

After breakfast we transfer to Izmir Airport for our short flight to Athens, Greece. We meet our Greek guide and board our motor-coach for our sightseeing tour of Athens, where we admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens, as you follow your guide to the world renowned Acropolis. There you will see the Propylea, the Erectheum and the Parthenon. We will then visit Mars Hill where Paul delivered his speech on the “Unknown God”. View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city where Paul preached to the skeptical Athe-nians. During the bus tour, you see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the Neoclassical buildings of Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Saturday, Athens & Corinth

After breakfast we begin our touring and make our way to an-cient Corinth. This is the once glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Gospel. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Fo-rum, the Temples and the famous Bema, where Paul stood be-fore Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth. After stopping for lunch, we then drive to Cenchreae, the little harbour from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary jour-ney. Back to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Sunday, Meteora, Kalambaka

This morning we depart Athens for Meteora in Western Thessaly where the world famous Byzantine monasteries perch precari-ously on top of strange rock formations. Meteora is a cluster of gigantic large rocks of varied and beautiful shapes. We will visit some of the monasteries. This is an awe-inspiring experi-ence. Some time for shopping. Dinner and our overnight stay will be in Kalambaka.
Monday, Berea, Thessaloniki

Today we travel to Veria (Berea). The Apostle Paul came here after having been in Thessaloniki (Acts 17:10-15). He went to the synagogue and preached to them about Jesus. He found them to be open-minded and listened with eagerness. Many of them believed, also many Greek women and men came to be-lieve. We will visit a monument dedicated to the Apostle Paul. On one side it depicts the voice Paul heard when he was in Troas “come over to Macedonia and help us”. On the other side there is Paul speaking to people about Jesus. In the center is a beautiful Mosaic of the Apostle Paul with steps in front. Some think this is built over the place where the synagogue was. St. Paul visited Berea twice on his second missionary journey (49-52
AD) and then on his third missionary journey (53-58 AD). Berea is a fascinating town with over 70 churches – some call it “Little Jerusalem”. Today Veria is the center of a vast peach-growing industry and also wine made from grapes are famous ex-ports. We hope to visit one of the churches. At the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord, a talented painter Georgios Kallier-gis painted the walls in 1315 AAD. We now travel to Thessalo-niki. The Apostle Paul came to Thessaloniki from Philippi (Acts 17:1-9) to preach the Gospel. He first went to the synagogue and quoted scriptures to them and pointed out to them about Jesus who did suffer and rise from the dead and truly is the Mes-siah. Many believed in what he preached and confessed Jesus as Savior. Others were hostile to him and started an uproar so that he did leave Thessaloniki and went to Berea. We tour fifth century church of Agios Dimitrios. Dimitrios was born in the city in the third century and became an eminent scholar and Chris-tian convert. He was martyred by order of Galerius. The church is Greece’s largest. There are five eighth century mosaics. We plan (time permitting) to visit the church of Agia Sophia. The dome has a striking mosaic of the Ascension. Time permitting we will also visit the Archaeological Museum. We will have dinner and stay overnight in Thessaloniki.
Tuesday, Philippi, Kavala

After breakfast we travel to Philippi. The Apostle Paul with Silas, Timothy and Luke came from Troas to Neapolis (Kavala). They then went to Philippi (Acts 16:12-15) by the banks of the Gang-ites River where people gathered for prayer. Paul preached to them about Jesus. Lydia, a businesswoman from Thyatira heard Paul’s message. She and her household believed and were bap-tized. We will first go to this site and remember this event. There is a small amphitheater for us to gather. Close by is a baptistery where today baptisms take place. Next we go to Philippi and visit excavations – the tribunal (bema) where Paul was beaten (Acts 16:16-22) and the prison where Paul and Silas were held in wooden stocks (Acts 16:23-34). A church was built over this prison. This is a good place for meditation. Next we visit two church Basilicas and the Theatre. There is a small shop for cards and books. We leave for Kavala and visit a Greek or-thodox church. We will have lunch and visit the harbor in Kavala and return to Thessaloniki. We will have dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Wednesday, USA

Early morning we board our flight from Thessaloniki back to Ath-ens and then connect to our international flight back to the USA. We arrive the same day with our hearts full of wonderful memories.
OPTIONAL ROME EXTENSION: Thessaloniki fly Rome: Catacombs, Basilica of St. Paul, St. Peter in Chains

Morning transfer to airport for our flight to Rome. Today we enjoy our sightseeing tour to include a special visit to the Catacombs where we will explore tunnels and see the carvings on the walls from early Chris-tians. Afterwards we make a special visit to St. Paul’s Church where tradition believes the Apostle Paul is buried. We conclude our day with a stop to see the Forum with visit and St. Peter in Chains. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Rome, Vatican & Sistine Chapel, Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, Forum

Our first visit will be to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, the celebrated Chapel of the Popes and the venue of the Conclaves for Papal elections. It is one of the most splendid masterpieces in the history of world art and is well known around the world for its magnificent ceiling, beautifully decorated by Michelangelo. From here, your next visit will be to the Basilica of St. Peter, the largest church in the world, which overlooks the enormous Piazza San Pietro. We then start our sightseeing of the eternal city. Driving through the main streets of Rome, you will marvel at the monuments of this great capital. Visit the Colosseum, which symbolizes the eternity of the Roman civilization, the Forum and the Piazza Venezia, dominated by the imposing monument to Vittorio Emanuel II. Before we return to our hotel, we stop near the Fontana di Trevi, here, following tradition by tossing a coin into the fountain, promising the return to Rome. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Rome – excursion to Pompeii, Rome

After breakfast we board our coach and make our drive to Pompeii to visit the spectacular ruins of Pompeii, which were covered by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city remained buried and un-discovered for almost 1500 years until excavation began in 1748. These excavations continue today and provide insight into life during the Roman Empire. We make our way back to Rome in time for dinner and overnight.
Rome, USA

Morning transfer to Rome Airport for return flight back to the USA; arrive home same day.

Mediterranean: 8-Day Walk in the Footsteps of Paul w/ Optional 4-Night Greek Isles Cruise

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:44:31 +0000

Monday, Depart USA for Istanbul

Tour members depart USA for our flight to Istanbul. After take-off, meals will be served according to flight schedule.
Tuesday, Arrival Istanbul, Turkey

Arrival in Istanbul (Constantinople), the city which strad-dles two continents. Istanbul was once the capital of the Byzantine Empire for more than one thousand years and capital of the Ottoman Empire for more than five hundred years. Istanbul is famous for many beautiful places and museums, which you will have the opportunity to see the next day. You will be met by your tour guide and trans-ferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Wednesday, Istanbul Highlights

Begin your “Istanbul City tour”. The tour starts with the Blue Mosque, the most splendid mosque in the city, which is distinguished by six slender minarets and the interior decorated with blue Iznik tile. Continue with a walk through the Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine civic life, housing three ancient monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Visit St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom), one of the greatest churches in the world, built by the Byzantine Em-peror Justinian. After the conquest of the city in 1453, it was transformed into a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror and into a museum by Ataturk in 1934 . In the afternoon, visit the famous Topkapi Palace, where the rich collection of Ottoman Treasures can be seen. This palace, with a base area of 700,000 sq. meters, is spread over the promontory called the Seraglio Point. View the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. This legendary maze of buildings was the residence of the Ottoman sul-tans and the administrative heart of the Empire. Nowa-days, it is one of the world’s greatest museums. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Thursday, Istanbul, Turkey / Kavala, Greece

You leave Istanbul and are transferred to the Turkish-Greek borders. After the necessary procedure at the check point there, you say good-bye to Turkey and you continue to Greece. You will be met by your Greek guide and driver and continue to Kavala (Neapolis), a picturesque city-port where you will view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. Dinner overnight in Kavala.
Friday, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Meteora

This morning you start your day by visiting the site of Phi-lippi. There, you visit the Baptistry of Lydia near the river where Paul baptized her. Lydia was the first convert of Paul on European soil. Also visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul”, and the Theater. Then you continue to Thessaloniki and see the White Tower, the Rotunda, the Roman Arch of Galerius, and the Byzantine Acropolis. Your journey will continue to Kalambaka, in central Greece. Here you find scenery of unique and striking beauty. On top of huge granite pinnacles, you see the ageless Meteora Monaster-ies, which are full of treasures of Christian art. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
Saturday, Meteora, Athens

After your breakfast you visit the breathtaking Meteora Monasteries. After that visit, drive through the mainland of Greece and arrive in the capital city of Athens for dinner and overnight.
Sunday, Acropolis, Mars Hill & Ancient Corinth

In the morning, admire the architectural miracles of an-cient Athens, as you follow your guide to the world re-nown Acropolis. There you will see the Propylea, the Erectheum and the Parthenon. Visit Mars Hill where Paul delivered his speech on the “Unknown God”. View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city where Paul preached to the skeptical Athe-nians. During the bus tour, you see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Un-known Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the Neoclassical buildings of Athens. Then, you continue your trip to Ancient Corinth. This is the once glorious city near the Isthmus, where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Gospel. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema, where Paul stood be-fore Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth. Then, you drive to Cenchreae, the little harbour from which Paul sailed back to Asia, thus ending his second missionary journey. Back to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Monday, Depart Athens for return back to USA OR Optional 4-Night Green Isles Cruise: Piraeus & Mykonos

Fly back home with a new insight into Paul’s life and teachings. OPTIONAL Greek Isles Cruise: Arrive early Monday morning at the port of Piraeus for an 11 am departure on our 4-night Greek Isles Cruise. Our first port-of-call is Mykonos. Mykonos uniquely combines luxury and sophistication with the simple and yet charming life of a Cycladic Island. Stroll the winding narrow streets full of boutiques, visit tiny chapels, and take pictures of the famous windmills. Or perhaps just sit by the waterfront and enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Tuesday: Kusadasi (Ephesus) & Patmos

In the morning we arrive at Kusadasi – a lovely Turkish port and the gateway to the Ancient city of Ephesus, a city often visited by St. Paul and is one of the seven churches of Revela-tion. Optional Excursion to Ancient Ephesus $93.00 per person. Drive along the coast to reach Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of Diana – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and later the home of the Apostle John. You will see the monuments such as the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Bath of Scolastika. You will also see the magnificent open-air Great Theatre, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period, which seated 24,000 people. Walk back to the motor coach along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Driving back to Kusadasi, view the Basilica of St. John – just downhill lies the site of the famous Temple of Diana, today in ruins. We also visit the Church of the Virgin Mary.
By late afternoon we arrive on Patmos, the island where the Apostle John was exiled. Visit the cave where John wrote the book of Revelation (Rev 1:9)! Optional Excursion to St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse $77.00 per person. Depart-ing the port of Scala by motor coach, you will enjoy the short drive up to the magnificent Monastery of St. John, within the walls of a strong fortification and with spectacular views of the island. Walk uphill towards the entrance of the Monastery. View the courtyard, the Monks’ quarters, and the main church with its outstanding frescoes and the small but beautiful museum. Visit the nearby Church of the Apocalypse and walk down a few steps to the Grotto of the Apocalypse.
Wednesday: Rhodes & Lindos

Visit the Island of Rhodes. The ship enters the port, which was once dominated by the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Optional Excursion to Rhodes and Lindos: $77.00 per person. We drive along the southeastern coastline on our way to Lindos, the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. Visit the Acropolis of Lindos, overlooking the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s Bay. After the visit, spend some free time in the small attractive village with the little shops and narrow streets. We drive back to the City of Rhodes for our walking tour of the City. Stroll through the Medieval Old City, down through Chevaliers Road, and view the Palace of the Knights of St. John.
Thursday: Crete & Santorini

Spend a morning in Crete, the largest and most rugged of the Greek Islands. It is also the ancient home of the great Minoans and the mythological god, Zeus. Optional Excursion to Knos-sos Palace and Heraklion City: $84.00 per person. After a short drive through the town of Heraklion, arrive at the Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete. Paul left Titus in Crete and gave instructions on appointing church leaders in the towns (Titus 1:5ff).
Spend an evening on what many would consider the most spectacular of all the Greek islands – Santorini. Optional Excursion to Thira & Oia Village: $77.00 per person. Following a scenic coastal drive along the Aegean, arrive in Oia and enjoy a guided walking tour of the village. The walk takes you along the cobbled streets to view up close the whitewashed homes, which characterize the ancient Cycladic architectural style. Continue via coach to Thira, an attractive town perched on the Caldera rim. Here you will have time to stroll the cobbled lanes of this fascinating town or simply relax over coffee, as you gaze down upon Kamenes, the two volcanic islets in the Caldera Bay. A short cable car ride will take you down to the pier where you will rejoin the ship.
Friday: Piraeus, Athens, USA

We arrive early morning at the Port of Piraeus. Disembark and transfer to Athens airport for return flight back to the USA.

Imagine Tours & Travel » Tours

7 Day Best of Italy Highlights – Visiting: Rome, Florence, Pompeii and more…

Nov. 7: Wednesday – Depart USA for Rome

Nov. 8: Thursday – Arrive Rome, Vatican & Sistine Chapel

Nov. 9: Friday – Rome, Catacombs, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain

Nov. 10: Saturday – Rome, Pompeii excursion

Nov. 11: Sunday - Rome, Florence

Nov. 12: Monday – Florence & Return to Rome

Nov. 13: Tuesday – Rome / USA

8 Day Ireland Highlights Clergy Familiarization Tour

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday OR Optional Northern Ireland Extension

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

The Cradle of the Reformation 9 Day tour of Germany

Tuesday, 13 November

Wednesday, 14 November

Thursday, 15 November

Friday, 16 November

Saturday, 17 November

Sunday, 18 November

Monday, 19 November

Tuesday, 20 November

Wednesday, 21 November

10 Day Complete Biblical Tour of Israel Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus

NOV 26: DEPART USA

NOV 27: ARRIVE TEL AVIV, VALLEY OF ELAH, DEAD SEA

NOV 28: DEAD SEA – WILDERNESS OF ZIN

NOV 29: DEAD SEA, MASADA, EN GEDI, QUMRAN, RIVER JORDAN, GALILEE

NOV 30: GALILEE

DEC 1: GALILEE

DEC 2: MEGIDDO, CAESAREA MARITIMA, JERUSALEM

DEC 3 & 4 JERUSALEM & BETHLEHEM

DEC 5: ARRIVE BACK TO USA

8-Days Walk in the Footsteps of Paul Visiting Greece – with Optional Rome, Italy Extension

Nov 7: Depart USA for Greece

Nov 8: Thessaloniki arrival

Nov 9: Philippi / Kavala

Nov 10: Thessaloniki

Nov 11: Kalambaka, Athens

Nov 12: Corinth & Cenchrea

Nov 13: Athens, Mars Hill & Acropolis - Parthenon

Nov 14: Return Flight Home OR Athens flight to Rome

Nov 15: Rome: Vatican & Sistine Chapel, Coliseum

Nov 16: Rome, Catacombs, St. John Lateran, Basilica of St. Paul, St. Peter in Chains

Nov 17: Rome – USA

10-Day Walk in the Footsteps of Paul Includes a 3-Day Greek Isles Cruise with an optional 3-Night Rome Extension

Depart USA for Greece

Thessaloniki arrival

Philippi / Kavala

Thessaloniki

Kalambaka

Start our 3-Day Mediterranean Cruise

Kusadasi, Patmos

Crete & Santorini

Athens and Corinth

Return Flight Home or OPTIONAL ROME EXTENSION – Athens and Corinth & Overnight Ferry to Bari

Arrive Bari, Pompeii, Rome

Rome, Vatican & Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Forum

Rome, Catacombs, St. John Lateran, Basilica of St. Paul, St. Peter in Chains

Athens, USA

10 Day Biblical Tour of Israel & Turkey with Optional Istanbul & Ephesus, Turkey Extension

MON: DEPART USA

TUE: ISTANBUL

WED: ISTANBUL, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

THU: CAESAREA, MEGIDDO, MT. CARMEL, DRUZE VILLAGE, NAZARETH, GALILEE

FRI: GALILEE, NAZARETH VILLAGE, TABGHA, MT. OF BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM, BOAT RIDE, BETHSAIDA, JORDAN RIVER

SAT: GOLAN HEIGHTS, CAESAREA PHILIPPI, TEL DAN, BEIT SHEAN, JERUSALEM

SUN: MT. OF OLIVES, PALM SUNDAY ROAD, GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, JEWISH QUARTER, TEMPLE MOUNT, SOUTHERN STEPS, BETHLEHEM

MON: QUMRAN, EIN GEDI, MASADA, DEAD SEA — SWIM/FLOAT

TUE: RABBINICAL TUNNEL, ST. PETER GALLICANTU, SHRINE OF THE BOOK, MODEL CITY, GARDEN TOMB

WED: DEPART TEL AVIV FOR U.S.A.

OPTIONAL TURKEY EXTENSION – WED: TEL AVIV, ISTANBUL, IZMIR

Nov. 7: Wednesday – Depart USA
for Rome

Nov. 8: Thursday – Arrive Rome,
Vatican & Sistine Chapel

Nov. 9: Friday – Rome, Catacombs,
Colosseum, Trevi Fountain

Nov. 10: Saturday – Rome, Pompeii
excursion

Nov. 11: Sunday -
Rome, Florence

Nov. 12: Monday – Florence & Return
to Rome

NOV 29: DEAD SEA, MASADA, EN GEDI,
QUMRAN, RIVER JORDAN, GALILEE

Nov 13: Athens, Mars Hill & Acropolis -
Parthenon

Nov 15: Rome: Vatican & Sistine Chapel,
Coliseum

Rome, Catacombs, St. John Lateran,
Basilica of St. Paul, St. Peter in Chains