In the Footsteps of Saint Paul
In the Footsteps of Saint Paul
Tour with the Reverend Dr. Michael Jensen
Join us for a 15 Day Pilgrimage to Turkey – Greece – Italy
25 April - 09 May 2023
Email: info@faithjourneys.co.nz for more details
Experience In the Footsteps of Saint Paul with a Believer, not just a Guide
DAY 01: ISTANBUL
Tour starts in Istanbul, Turkey. Coach departs for Iznik formerly known as Nicaea - originally an important Roman and Byzantine town where the first Council of Nicaea was held during the reign of Constantine, in 325AD. The Council defined more clearly the concept of the Trinity and drafted the Nicene Creed.
DAY 02: ISTANBUL - KAYSERI - CAPPADOCIA
Today is spent in Istanbul viewing - The Roman Hippodrome Square; the Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles; Saint Sophia Church (pictured), a World Heritage site, built by Constantine the Great and restored by Justinian. We continue to Topkapi Palace - the Imperial Residential Palace of the Ottoman sultans between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight from Istanbul to Kayseri, then onwards to Cappadocia.
DAY 03: CAPPADOCIA
Visit the Kaymakli Underground City, explore the Monastic Center of Goreme, visit Ortahisar to see its gorgeous valleys and stop at the Three Beauties, the most famous of the region’s many iconic rock formations. Walk through the valley of Zelve - see its hundreds of carved-from-rock houses and chapels and we will visit Pasabag Valley, also known as Monks Valley, to explore its tower-shaped Hermitage Pottery Studio in Avanos - a town established by the Hittites on the banks of the Halys River. Return to Cappadocia.
DAY 04: CAPPADOCIA - IZMIR
Depart early in the morning (flight to Izmir). Upon arrival in Izmir, transfer to Bergama - visit one of the most important cities of the Seven Churches, Pergamos. We visit the impressive amphitheatre built into the hillside with perfect acoustics and seventy-eight rows of seats, the remains of the Temple of Athena, the famous Library in Ephesus (pictured) which was believed to contain 200,000 volumes, and the Agora and the Altar of Zeus. Continue towards Sardis to view another of the Seven Churches.
Continue towards Smyrna for a short orientation tour before returning to Izmir.
DAY 05: IZMIR - KUSADASI
Visit the Agora (pictured) - The ancient Agora was ruined in an earthquake in AD 178 but rebuilt by order of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Visit Ephesus - Paul visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey, arriving with Priscilla and Aquila. Visit the Archeological Site - which during the times of Paul was the great Temple of Goddess Artemis. Visit Saint John’s Basilica built over the supposed burial place of John the Apostle. Continue to Kusadasi.
DAY 06: KUSADASI
Today we leave Kusadasi to travel by private boat on the beautiful blue Aegean to visit Saint John’s famous Island of the Apocalypse, Patmos. After lunch we will spend time touring Patmos - including the Cave of Apocalypse. Located on the small island’s highest hill, this is the traditional location where John received the Book of Revelation Retreat to a quiet bay area on the rear of the island for reflection.
DAY 07: KUSADASI - ATHENS
Today we depart for Athens for a panoramic orientation tour of the city. Explore the New Acropolis Museum displaying over 200 years of archaeological excavations on the Rock of the Acropolis. Check-in to accommodation.
DAY 08: ATHENS
Visit The Roman Agora - comprising a spacious rectangular courtyard surrounded by stoas, shops and storerooms. Visit Mars Hill - Stop at the rock location where Paul addressed the councillors and philosophers of the day - a short stairway leads to the summit. Visit The Acropolis (pictured) - A stunning location, masterpieces of classical Greek art with the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena Nike. Ample time is allocated to explore and enjoy the views. Visit The Plaka - stroll through the old sector of Athens.
DAY 9: ATHENS - CORINTH - PATRAS
Breakfast and check out of accommodation Depart for Corinth View Corinth Canal - We will stop and learn the history of this famous man-made construction — one of the seven wonders of the modern world. View the Home of Aquila and Priscilla - the site includes the Temple of Apollo (pictured), the Roman Agora, the Bema Courthouse, the Roman Lechaion Road and the Lower Fountain. Visit Cenchreae - the location where Saint Paul took a vow and shaved his head. Also see the remains of the old harbour from where he sailed to Ephesus. Continue to Patras. Board overnight ferry to Bari.
DAY 10: BARI - POMPEII - NAPLES
Depart for Pompeii - our guide will take you on an archaeological journey through the ancient city. Visiting the “frozen” city would create a feeling similar to that felt by Paul when he walked through similar streets from his time period. We will still visit houses, shops, temples, squares, streets and also the “Lupanare” (house of frescoes) and the “Suburban Bath” (with frescoes, among which is the only saffico-picture of the Roman world).
DAY 11: NAPLES - VIA FORO APPIO
Visit the Harbour of Pozzuoli – the Roman Puteoli, where Paul Landed on his final journey to Rome, visiting an ancient amphitheatre in order to recall a small touch of what Paul may have experienced when he arrived.
Drive along the Appian Way (pictured) - Paul had to walk up as a prisoner accompanied by the Roman soldier from Gaul heading up to Rome, stopping at the partially restored ruins of the Roman village of Minturno.
DAY 12: VIA FORO APPIO - ROME
Depart for Rome - Following some of the high points of Roman history, the Emperor Trajan's Column, walk along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the Forum of Trajan, Capitoline Hill - the former political and religious centre of the town. Behind Piazza del Campidoglio a natural terrace will offer us the best panoramic view of the valley of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Visit The Roman Forum and especially the Curia (seat of the Roman Senate) - the palaces of justice, temple of Vesta. Here the mythical Romulus founded the town in the year 753B.C. Our visit to the Arch of Constantine. Visit the Basilica of San Clemente.
DAY 13: ROME
Today we spend in Rome and visit the Insula di San Paolo alla Regola and “Abbey of the Three Fountains” - the place of Paul’s martyrdom. We will also visit Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Catacombs of Santa Domitilla and Basilica of San John di Lateran (pictured).
DAY 14: ROME
Visit the Vatican Museums - passing through the Court of the Pigna, designed by Bramante in the 16th century. Walking through the Galleries of the Candelabra, the Maps and the Tapestries, you will reach the Apostolic Palace, the oldest section of the complex of the Vatican Palaces. Leaving the Sistine Chapel and going down the Royal Stairway, the guide will conduct you to the Basilica of St. Peter, the most important temple of Christianity, which gathers inside 2000 years of history and famous works of art such as Pietà by Michelangelo. The visit ends at St Peter’s Square, which is embraced by the colonnade, an architectural masterpiece by Bernini, under the symbolic protection of the “Cuppolone”, as the Romans call Michelangelo’s dome.
In the morning you will have free time and then head home.
