An inspiring journey to the actual places where the Apostle Paul lived and preached God’s word!
This amazing man, moved by the Holy Spirit preached the “Good News” to Jews and Gentiles.
Traveling along the major trade routes of the Roman Empire and visiting large thriving communities of Asia Minor and Greece his mission was accomplished; Christianity become the most widespread religion in the world.
Travel with our Bible-oriented guides down timeless roads, take time to pray and rejoice in the ancient biblical sites, visit thousand-year-old churches and temples, and encounter a unique spiritual experience that will help you to better understand the miracle of Christianity.
Presented by Carolyn Fenderson, Enchanting Excursions
Special Guest, Pastor Gregory Thomas, St. Paul AME Church is honored to travel with you on our professional guided tour leading morning prayer as you travel in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.
HAVE A QUESTION?
Contact 1.844.777.1517 or info@luthertours.com
B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
ITINERARY
Day 1, Depart USA to Athens, Greece
Day 2, Arrival Athens (D)
Upon arrival at Athens airport, you will collect your checked luggage, complete the immigrations and passport check, and be met by our professional tour manager who will be waiting for your group.
Our tour manager will accompany the group to the awaiting private motor coach for your transfer to Athens and accompany the group throughout the Greece land tour. Along the way the tour manager will point out some of the major historic sites and landmarks of Athens. You will check in to the hotel and have time to refresh before meeting this evening for our welcome to Greece group dinner. Overnight Athens
Day 3, Delphi, Kalambaka (B, D)
Today we travel north to Kalambaka; along the way you will visit the land of legends Delphi- the center of the ancient world and location of the Temple of Apollo. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of this ancient temple. We visit the archeological site and museum. We continue on to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight. Overnight Kalambaka
Day 4, Meteora, Vergina, Thessaloniki (B, D)
After breakfast we will visit the spectacular Meteora, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a mountainous region of stunning scenery. You will see hundred-year-old cliff-top Byzantine monasteries from the Middle Ages, first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation. After our visit to the great monastery, we drive to Vergina, a World Heritage Site and location of the legendary burial site of the Macedonian Kings, and location of the tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great and conqueror of Greek territories. Our journey continues to Thessaloniki, an early center for Christianity and location where Paul visited and preached the Gospel during his missionary journey of 49-50A.D. and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. It was here Paul proclaimed Scriptures to the Jews, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying: “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ” Acts 17:1-3. Overnight Thessaloniki
Day 5, Philippi, Kavala (B, D)
After breakfast we depart for Philippi the town where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. “And from there (He went) to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony...” (Acts 16:12-18). Here the first Christian baptism was performed, of a woman named Lydia. We will visit the Roman Theatre, known to be the site of the prison where Paul and Silas were held. We will continue towards the city of Kavala and the ancient city of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. It was later renamed Christoupolis, meaning city of God, because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. We will visit the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis. Afterwards, we return to Thessaloniki to visit the Byzantine Cathedral of Saint Demetrios- the protector of the city and the White Tower. Overnight Thessaloniki
Day 6, Veria, Athens (B, D)
Today our guide will lead us on a visit to the Church of Saint Sofia, the Church of Prophet Elias, the Byzantine fortress of the city, and finally to the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Next, we drive to Veria, another town evangelized by Paul, where he preached to the Jewish community and created an important church. We visit the ancient synagogue to view the mosaic commemorating his preaching. We continue on the Athens for the night. Overnight Athens
Day 7, 4-Night Celestyal Cruises Greek Island Cruise, Mykonos (B, L, D)
After breakfast our group will be transferred to the Athens port to board the ship for a 4-night Greek Island and Ephesus cruise.
To learn more about Celestyal Cruises visit https://celestyal.com/
The first port of call will be at the mountainous island of Mykonos. You may disembark the ship to explore the island on your own or purchase an optional guided shore excursion. After our visit we return to the ship for dinner and the evening entertainment. Overnight Sea-View Cabin
Day 8, Ephesus, Turkey, Patmos including Shore Excursions (B, L, D)
Today we visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi, and enjoy the included excursion to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, whose inhabitants were the recipients of Apostle Paul’s famous epistle (Acts 18:19-26). We will also visit to the House of Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days.
Return to the ship early afternoon as we continue our cruise to Patmos. In Patmos, we will disembark the ship for an included excursion to the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John the Evangelist wrote the Book of the Revelation during his exile (Rev. 1:9-11). 2 shore excursions, Overnight ship
Day 9, Rhodes (B, L, D)
Our travels today take us to the unique island of Rhodes. A selection of shore excursions offered by the cruise line will be available for you to purchase; including a visit to the place where Paul stopped on his way back to Palestine (Acts 21: 1) for his trial and imprisonment. Or, you may enjoy the island at your leisure to shop in the marketplace or sunbathing at the beach. Return to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment. Overnight ship
Day 10, Crete including shore excursion, Santorini (B, L, D)
Our ship arrives at the island of Crete. It was here Paul arrived as a prisoner on his way to Rome and the final chapter of his life. Paul revisited the island of Crete before his death, placing Titus in charge of the church he founded. This afternoon we cruise to the picturesque island of Santorini, an island in the Cyclades also known as Thira. You may choose to purchase a shore excursion such as the cable car ride to the city perched high on top of a cliff to watch a Santorini sunset which some consider the most beautiful anywhere on the planet! We return to the ship after sunset for another delicious dinner on board before the ship sets sail to Athens. Overnight ship
Day 11, Corinth, Athens (B, D)
We complete our journey in ancient Corinth where Paul came and worked, established a thriving church and wrote 2 of the epistles. You visit the sites where he walked and preached: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the roman Odeon and the Bema. The group returns to Athens to visit the Acropolis, the ruins of the Parthenon, ascend Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about “the one and only God” and behold an excellent view of the ancient Agora of Athens. This evening we enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Athens. Overnight Athens
Day 12, Departure to Athens Airport, Tour Ends (B)
Group will depart hotel to Athens Airport for return flight to U.S.A.
Itinerary subject to change.
SPACE IS LIMITED- register today to guarantee your reservation on this epic journey and to confirm your preferred stateroom category aboard the cruise.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
TRAVEL DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS
All travelers must travel with a passport valid for at least 6-months beyond your return travel date. Non-US passport holders contact LT regarding credentials required for this itinerary.
Country and travel provider protocols and travel entry requirements around COVID-19 can and likely will continue to change between the time you register for a tour and the tour travel date. Continue to verify requirements for travel up to the day of departure.
TOUR LEVEL: MODERATE ACTIVE TRAVELER, WALKING SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Most sightseeing tours are walking tours 3-4 miles per day. The historic sites you will visit date back hundreds of years and may not provide elevators and ramps, and may require walking on uneven ground of stones and dirt. If you, or you will be traveling with someone who has special needs (use a wheelchair, walker), hearing or visually impaired please contact LutherTours.
PRIVATE GROUP TOUR
A custom-designed itinerary offering a comprehensive group travel experience.
LAND TOUR INCLUDES
Professional Tour Manager will escort the group throughout the Land Tour
6-Night First-Class Hotel Accommodations
Hotel Tax
Life Enriching Sightseeing daily including entrance fees and admissions
Private Guided Sightseeing Tours by Professional Local Guides
Private Guided Museum and Ruin Visits
Professional Driver and Deluxe Air-Conditioned Motor Coach throughout the tour
Group Airport Transfer in Athens, Greece
Breakfast and Dinner Daily
Baggage Handling for 1 bag throughout land tour
CRUISE INCLUDES
Celestyal Cruises http://americas.celestyalcruises.com/en
4-Nights Sea View Stateroom, Category XA Lower Deck 2-twin beds or 1-double bed ~ see below for stateroom upgrades
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Drinks Daily
Ship Gratuities
Port Charges
Cruise Taxes
3- Shore Excursions-1 each Ephesus, Patmos and Crete
TOUR and CRUISE PRICE is per person based on double occupancy
$3,290 with 30 travelers / $3,390 with 25+ travelers / $3,490 with 20+ travelers
Prices are subject to currency fluctuation.
Single Occupancy is available on a limited basis. Singles Add from $1,190 based on stateroom category selected. Contact LutherTours/Christian Travel Planners for availability and pricing.
CRUISE STATEROOM UPGRADES AVAILABLE (space is limited, reserve early to confirm your preferred stateroom choice)
Category XC Standard Stateroom Upper Deck add $150 per person
Category SJ Junior Suite Larger Stateroom Upper Deck add $250 per person
Category SB Private Balcony Suite Larger Stateroom Upper Deck add $550 per person
FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS - Airfare is additional to tour price
Airfare is available. Contact LutherTours for details.
Group airport transfers in Europe are included with group flight arrangements.
For those not arriving/departing at the same time as the group flights, private transfers are available. Contact LT for price.
PAYMENT
Deposit of $350 per person due at time of registration (see link below)
Final Payment due no later than 75 days prior to departure. Payments may be made prior to the final payment due date. Contact LutherTours for monthly credit card payments.
Global COVID-19 conditions are dynamic.
Those (including but not limited to U.S. citizens) who choose to travel internationally may encounter mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations and testing requirements, quarantines, travel restrictions, and closed borders. Foreign governments in any country may implement restrictions with little notice. Any cost related to required travel regulations is the responsibility of the traveler. Continue to check requirements up to the day of departure and while on tour.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories and Alert Update
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
For the most recent travel alerts and to enroll in S.T.E.P Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive travel alerts and register to ensure you can be located in an emergency.
Booking Agreement Terms and Conditions of Travel
We highly recommend that you read the LutherTours Booking Agreement Terms and Conditions of Travel which includes the trip cancellation and change policy. Up to 100% cancellation fee will apply. To view click here or call 1.844.777.1517 to request a copy.
LT and its partners reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary. Prices subject to change due to currency fluctuation.
Cancellation, Interruption and Medical Insurance- learn more about the benefits, coverage and limitations of purchasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan.
NOT INCLUDED
Travel Insurance, Land Tour Gratuities for Greece Tour Manager, Local Tour Guides, Motor Coach Driver. Passport fee, Visa fee for non-US passport holders; meals and beverages not listed in itinerary; personal items such as internet, Wi-Fi charges, phone calls. Additional cost related to new travel regulations or requirements.
QUESTIONS? Call 1.844.777.1517 or email info@luthertours.com
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