sign in sign up
<<
Home , Beroea, Meteora

10 NIGHTS In Paul’s Footsteps Your photo here The will come alive as we go out with Paul and his companions to rediscover the faith and struggles of the early Christian communities. Be prepared to capture afresh the fervour and spirit of the Church’s greatest evangelist.

Cost Estimate* • Corinth • Meteora • Beroea • • • • • Kusadasi • $6490 Ex Australia • Optional Wonders of Malta Extension

Come follow me ! In Paul’s Footsteps

10 Nights / 13 Days Athens (2 Nights) / Corinth / Meteora (2) / Beroea / Kavala (1) / Philippi / Thessaloniki (1) / Patmos (2) / Kusadasi (2) / Ephesus

Plus Optional Malta Extension – 3 Nights

*Cost Inclusions: The listed price estimate has been based on the following specific package criteria (to be modified based on your specific requirements):

§ Return Economy Class airfares flying Emirates (Low season) - Inclusive of Airlines taxes and fees / departing from key Australian airports § Internal European airfares (as required) § Accommodation in central moderate 3 - 4 star Hotels (all subject to availability at the time of booking) § Breakfast and Dinner daily § Deluxe Air-Conditioned Motor Coach throughout the itinerary § Deluxe ferry crossing from Athens to Patmos and private charter ferry from Patmos to Kusadasi. § Local border crossing and port taxes where applicable (NB: Visa fees are not included in the tour price) § Escorted by experienced local pilgrimage Guide and Footprints Tour Escort from Australia § All sightseeing and entrance fees as per detailed itinerary § Estimated costs listed are based on a group size of 30 paying passengers with two complimentary places (air and land) for Spiritual Leader and Assistant (NB: price will be modified higher or lower dependent on your preferred group size and final number of free places required) Eg. We can provide costs for 15/20/25/30/35/40 persons etc. § Porterage at hotels where applicable § Optional stipend and/or fundraising to be levied (if required) § NB: “Tipping Made Easy” - an additional surcharge per person/per day will be added

Phone: 1300 131 337 [email protected] ITINERARY

© Copyright 2017 – 2018 Footprints Travel DAY 1: MONDAY - DEPART FOR

DAY 2: TUESDAY - ARRIVE ATHENS

Theme: The Athenians

Athens today is the thriving capital of Greece, but, more importantly, we have entered into the world of the where Paul and his companions established the first Christian communities throughout his four missionary journeys.

On arrival in Athens we will be met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. This evening we will celebrate our first group devotional time together. Athens overnight (D)

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY - ATHENS & CORINTH

Theme: The Corinthians

HIGHPOINTS • Walk amongst the ancient sites of Athens • Outdoor Service in

When the Apostle Paul first came to Athens it was predominantly a city which worshipped pagan gods. Paul was taken before the city council at the Areopagus Hill, a rough outcrop of limestone rock from which he preached the message to the Athenian philosophers (:16-21).

We begin our pilgrimage with a tour of Christian Athens including the Acropolis, the Areopagus where St Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of "the Unknown God" (Acts 17:15-34). Visit the Ancient Agora where Paul preached about and the resurrection, the Plaka (Old Greece), and explore the Parthenon. Also see the Kallimármaro Stadium, dating back to 330BC and restored for the first modern Olympic Games held here in 1896.

Journey out to Ancient Corinth this afternoon where the apostle Paul lived for almost two years, teaching the people the Word of God and converting many. On arrival we will view the Erastus inscription dating back to the first century AD and concerning a Christian convert, Erastus (Rom 16:24) who was the ‘director of public works’ in Corinth.

We visit the ancient ruins and see the site where he preached the Gospel from the Rostrum. See the Peirene fountain, and the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo before an outdoor Church Service together in this stunning pilgrimage setting.

Finally, we come to Cenchreae, the ancient port from where St Paul said farewell to the believers and departed for Ephesus (:18). Athens overnight (BD)

Phone: 1300 131 337 [email protected] DAY 4: THURSDAY – VIA TO METEORA

Theme: The Byzantines

HIGHPOINTS th • Explore the peaceful setting of the 11 century Hosios Loukas

We travel north today to the remarkable Byzantine of Hosios Loukas, built in the 11th century on the slopes of Mt Helikon. In 1990 UNESCO included this site on their World Heritage List. On arrival we will have a group devotional and prayer time here in the grounds of the Monastery and be taken on a guided tour of the Churches, crypt and surrounds where we admire the amazing frescoes and mosaics.

We continue north this afternoon to the small town of Kalambaka built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks of Meteora. Kalambaka overnight (BD)

DAY 5: FRIDAY – METEORA EXPLORATION

Theme: The Monastics

HIGHPOINTS • Explore the built atop the columns of the sky • Be uplifted by the prayerful atmosphere

We spend some time today marvelling at this unique phenomenon of nature – 24 perpendicular rocks where 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to worship God and build their cave-like Monastic community of Meteora. We will visit some of these living monasteries by foot and view the extraordinary collection of priceless religious frescoes and other treasures that will make this a remarkable day.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon. Kalambaka overnight (BD)

DAY 6: SATURDAY - VIA BEROEA TO KAVALA

Theme: The

HIGHPOINTS • Discover the ‘hidden churches’ of Beroea • Journey in the pathways of Paul

Today we journey north by coach to Beroea (modern ). The “Bema” - an impressive monument to Paul - is believed to incorporate the steps from the original from which he preached the gospel to the , who welcomed the word of God and began to study the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-12). A small church was established here and we will also view the ‘hidden churches’, a collection of about 20 Byzantine structures, camouflaged in the form of barns from the invading Ottoman Turks.

Continue east along the ancient route of the Apostle Paul to the port city of Kavala (ancient Neapolis), once named "Christoupolis" after being the first European city to accept Christianity. It was here that Paul, St Timothy and St first landed from Troas (:11), one of the great moments in the history of Christianity. Kavala overnight (BD)

Phone: 1300 131 337 [email protected] DAY 7: SUNDAY – VIA PHILIPPI TO THESSALONIKI

Theme: The Philippians

HIGHPOINTS • Church at the stunning Baptistery of Lydia

• Explore Ancient Philippi

Journey out to Philippi, named after Philip II, father of . It was here that Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:12-40). Visit the Baptistery of Lydia for a beautiful outdoor Church service in this breathtaking oasis on the River Zygaktis, and to renew our Baptismal vows. Visit the market place (where Paul and Silas were brought before the rulers) and the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where Paul was imprisoned. In the ancient theatre we will hear the story of Paul’s arrest, imprisonment and miraculous release.

We depart Philippi and journey east along the ancient route of the Apostle Paul via (Acts 17:1) where we view the ruins of many Christian basilicas.

Finally we arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, founded in 315 BC, and where Paul preached during the winters of 49-50AD and wrote the two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. It was here that he established the first Christian Church in Europe. Thessaloniki overnight (BD)

DAY 8: MONDAY – THESSALONIKI & TRAVEL TO PATMOS

Theme: The Thessalonians

HIGHPOINTS • Visit sites associated with Paul’s time in Thessaloniki

Our visit this morning will include the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius, as well as the Rotunda where we can see pieces of the pulpit from which Paul preached. View the Roman Agora where he also preached. Nearby we shall visit St Demetrios’ Church dedicated to a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity, and was later martyred. View its valuable mosaics and frescoes before descending in to the crypt where we find the remains of some ancient Roman baths and streets.

We then ascend to the ‘ano poli’ (old town) to the Byzantine Vlatadon Monastery, built over Jason’s house (Acts 17:5) where Paul stayed during his time in Thessaloniki.

We will then be transferred to the airport for our flight to Athens. On arrival we will be transferred directly to the Athenian port of Piraeus to embark our deluxe boat transfer to the Dodecanese island of Patmos, where St John the Beloved wrote the Book of Revelation. Patmos overnight (BD)

DAY 9: TUESDAY – PATMOS DAY

Theme: St John of Revelations

HIGHPOINTS • Pray in the Cave of Revelation • Explore the maze-like narrow streets of Chora

Lying between the islands of Leros and Ikaria is the 'ascetic shaped' Patmos, called the ‘ of the Aegean’ due to the overwhelming atmosphere of the island during the great celebrations of Christianity.

We begin our day with a walking tour of the main square of the village of Chora. This is the traditional settlement

Phone: 1300 131 337 [email protected] and capital of Patmos, where the narrow streets were designed to ward off pirates over the centuries. Ascend to the Monastery of John the Beloved, a huge fortress-like building dating from the 11th century, for a visit. Our exploration of this living monastery will culminate with time in the actual Cave of Revelation where God chose to reveal to John the beloved those mysteries of the last book of the - Revelations. The cave is now at the foot of the monastery, which houses priceless icons and manuscripts, sacred relics, vestments embroiled with silver or gold threads and bejeweled with precious stones. Patmos overnight (BD)

DAY 10: WEDNESDAY – PATMOS TO KUSADASI

Depart Patmos this morning by private Charter Vessel to Kusadasi, doorway to Ephesus, the Churches of Revelation and Gallipoli.

On arrival in Kusadasi we will be met and transferred by coach to our centrally located hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure. Kusadasi overnight (BD)

DAY 11: THURSDAY – EPHESUS DAY

Theme: The Ephesians

HIGHPOINTS • Explore Ancient Ephesus

We travel directly to Ephesus this morning, the most famous of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev 2:1-7) where Paul spent more than two years in the course of his third missionary journey. It was to the Christian church of Ephesus that Paul wrote his greatest and most challenging letter (the epistle to the Ephesians) and also succeeded in converting many away from worship of the god Artemis.

Our visit today will include the ruins where St Paul lived and preached. See the prison of Paul; walk through the ancient marble streets founded in the 10th century BC and see this most 'complete’ Roman city providing us with an excellent window into Imperial Rome. Pass the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the enormous amphitheatre (:29-31), and finally come to the ruins of the Christian Basilica.We ascend the hill to the House of the Mary the Mother of Jesus where it is said she spent the later years of her life. Kusadasi overnight (BD)

DAY 12: FRIDAY – DEPART TURKEY

Today we will be transferred to Izmir airport for our homebound flight connections or onward pilgrimage extensions. (B)

DAY 13: SATURDAY - IN TRANSIT

DAY 14: SUNDAY – ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

Meal Codes (B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner)

© Copyright 2017 – 2018 Footprints Travel All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of this itinerary in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.

Phone: 1300 131 337 [email protected]

Optional 3 Night Malta Extension

DAY 12: FRIDAY - FLY TO MALTA

Today we will be transferred to Izmir airport for our flight connections to Malta. Upon arrival at Malta International Airport we will be met and transferred to our hotel for check-in. Christianity has existed almost 2,000 years in Malta, brought to the island by no less than the Apostle Paul himself in 60 AD. Malta overnight (BD)

DAY 13: SATURDAY – PAUL’S ISLAND – RABAT – MDINA

HIGHPOINTS • Boat ride to where Paul was shipwrecked • Rabat – Visit Paul’s Grotto where he lived

Today we proceed to Paul’s Bay where a short boat trip takes us to the island where the Apostle was shipwrecked. After some time here we return to the mainland where we view Paul’s Bonfire Church.

En route to Rabat visit the miraculous Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Mosta where a miracle occurred in World War II when a 500 kilogram bomb penetrated the dome and hit the inside of the church. Continue to Rabat to enter Paul’s Grotto where Paul lived during his short stay in Malta. We will have devotions here and visit the catacombs dedicated to the Apostle Paul.

After a short walk into Mdina, visit Paul’s Cathedral which will be another highlight of our day’s trip. Malta overnight (BD)

DAY 14: SUNDAY - GOZO DAY TRIP

HIGHPOINT • Admire views of Gozo from the Citadel • Church at Georges Basillica

Travel by ferry to the sister island of Gozo. Visit the Church of John La Rotunda, and walk up the steps to the Gozo Citadel which is a medieval city and the capital of Gozo.

Visit George’s Basilica, then on to the miraculous Ta'Pinu Shrine for a church Service Malta overnight (BD)

Phone: 1300 131 337 [email protected]

DAY 15: MONDAY - DEPART MALTA

HIGHPOINTS • Be amazed at John’s Co-Cathedral

Today we visit Valletta. After a drive around the city to admire its bastions, we enter the city by foot and see the Auberges built by the Knights and St John. We enter the Apostle John’s Co-Cathedral, and view the impressive and miraculous Crucifix at Ta’Giezu Church. Continue to the Paul Shipwreck Church where we will view two relics of St Paul.

Transfer to the airport in time for our homebound or ongoing flight connections. (B)

DAY 16: TUESDAY – IN TRANSIT

DAY 17: WEDNESDAY – ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

THREE WAYS TO PROCEED:

1 – Complete the Group Request Form below and return by Email or Fax To:

Email: [email protected] Fax: (02) 9390 5480

OR

2 – Return back now to the covering email letter and click Group Request Form to transact an instant electronic response.

OR

3 – Call 1300 131 137 and talk with one of our expert Group Travel Specialists to arrange a customized itinerary and quote.

Phone: 1300 131 337 [email protected] GROUP REQUEST FORM

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM IN BLOCK LETTERS

ITINERARY CHOICE (Tick) CUSTOM ITINERARY BRIEF (Optional)

A. Life of Jesus (11 Nights) Destination (Order of preference) No. of Nights + Petra Extension Option (2 nights) 1. B. Road to Jerusalem (8 Nights) 2. + Jordan Extension Option (3 nights)

C. In Paul’s Footsteps (10 Nights) 3.

+ Malta Extension Option (3 nights) 4.

D. Design/Customise your own itinerary 5. (Please attach further details) 6.

PASTORAL LEADER / ORGANISER 7.

Title 8.

Surname Additional information (or attach further details)

First name

Church or Community Name

Suburb/State

Your mobile SIMPLE QUOTATION PROCESS

Your email 1. Complete and return this Group Request Form to: [email protected] or Fax to (02) 9390 5480

2. A Groups Manager will contact you to further GROUP SPECIFICATIONS discuss your customised requirements.

Preferred departure date 3. A written Quotation and Itinerary will be sent to you within 7–10 days. Departure city 4. On acceptance of the quotation our Group Manager will develop a personalised itinerary ⃝ 15–19 ⃝ 20–24 Estimated group size and promotional flyer for your approval. ⃝ 25–29 ⃝ 30–34 ⃝ 35+ 5. Once finalised, you will receive copies of the flyer Number of free leader ⃝ Nil ⃝ One ⃝ Two and booking form for distribution and promotion. places required? Footprints Escort to 6. A Footprints Consultant will be assigned ⃝ Yes ⃝ No ⃝ Maybe accompany group? to assist all participants with bookings and any additional requirements (eg. pre or post tours, accommodation, cruises, insurance etc).

Accommodation Standard Preferred: (Please tick) 7. Your Groups Manager will keep you updated on ⃝ Basic ⃝ Moderate ⃝ Premium the progress of group bookings and be available for any support needed along the way.

11th Floor, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia-wide: 1300 131 337 Email: [email protected] Fax: (02) 9390 5480 Mail: PO Box 21207, World Square NSW 2002