Paul's Missionary Travels

A 16 day tour from 27th September to 12th October 2008 enabling you to gain a remarkable insight into the life of Paul and his ministry in Asia Minor, Greece and Italy.

The theme of this tour is: "What Helped Them to Remain Faithful"

SMYRNA, EPHESUS, SARDIS, PERGAMUM.

NEAPOLIS, PHILLIPI, THESSALONICA, BEROEA, ATHENS, CORINTH.

POMPEII, ROME.

Saturday 27th September

Day 1 : London - Izmir

From London you arrive in Izmir known in the Bible as Smyrna. You are transferred for a two nights stay to a hotel facing the Aegean Sea in Kusadasi.

Sunday 28th September

Day 2: Ephesus

Visiting Ephesus is a highlight. (Revelation 1:1-7). Here you see the impressive Theatre, (Acts 19: 22), the Agora and the Library.

Monday 29th September

Day 3: Sardis

Visit the beautiful reconstructed site of Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6). The message to the congregation in this city will not only have deeper meaning, but will encourage us to remain faithful when facing problems. Though imprisoned, early Christians in Smyrna were urged not to be afraid (Revelation 2: 8 – 11). Overnight stay in Izmir.

Tuesday 30th September

Day 4: Pergamum

Today you visit the impressive ruins of Pergamum (Revelation 2: 12 – 17), highlighting, the reason why the Bible says the “throne of Satan” was here. Our hotel in Canakkale is on the banks of the Bosporus.

Wednesday 1st October

Day 5: Neapolis - Macedonia - Acts 16:11

A short ferry trip across the Black Sea and then on to Upsala, the Turkish/ Greek border. Arrive in Kavalla, known in the Bible as Neapolis, where Paul first entered Europe in response to the call, “Step over into Macedonia”. We stay here for two nights. As from today and for the next 6 days we follow Paul’s missionary travels recorded in Acts 16:11 - 18:17.

Thursday 2nd October

Day 6: Philippi - Acts 16:12 - 40

A tour following in the footsteps of Paul starts here. You need your “Kingdom Interlinear of the Christian Greek Scriptures”. You don’t have to read Greek to use this valuable publication. We visit Philippi, the first city in Europe to accept Christianity. We see the river where Lydia was baptised and the possible site of Paul and Silas’ imprisonment. Afternoon free. Opportunity to relax on the sandy beach of the hotel.

Friday 3rd October

Day 7: Thessalonica - Acts 17:1 - 9

Pass through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica (Salonica) for two nights stay. As from today, dinner is not included. Instead, at more economical prices, sample the delights of the local Greek and Italian cuisine.

Saturday 4th October

Day 8: Pella - Beroea - Acts 17: 10 - 14

We travel through Pella (birthplace of Alexander the Great) and on to an old synagogue in Beroea.

Sunday 5th October

Day 9: Thermopylae - Athens - Dan 11: 2

Depart from Thessalonica, stopping at Thermopylae, where the Medo–Persians led by Ahasuerus battled with the Spartans. We arrive at the hotel in Athens for a three nights stay.

Monday 6th October

Day 10: Athens - Acts 17: 16 - 34

Acropolis, Parthenon and Areopagus are highlights of our tour. We see the Market Place where Paul answered the philosophers’ questions and helped some to serve faithfully.

Tuesday 7th October

Day 11: Free day in Athens

Wednesday 8th October

Day 12: Corinth - Patres - Acts 18:1 - 18

A breathtaking human achievement is the Corinth Canal. What helped early Corinthian Christians to remain faithful? We visit the Museum, the Theatre (1 Corinthians 4:9), the Judgement Seat and the Pavement of Erastus (Romans 16:23). Next stop is the site of the Isthmian Games, which Paul had in mind when writing his striking illustration in 1 Corinthians 9:17–24. At Patres we board a ship for an exciting overnight cruise on the beautiful Adriatic Sea to Italy.

Thursday 9th October

Day 13: Bari - Pompeii - Rome

After breakfast we disembark at Bari in Italy. Our coach takes us to Pompeii, where time stood still on 29th August 74 C.E. In the evening we arrive in Rome, our home until the end of the tour.

Friday 10th October

Day 14: Rome

Sightseeing tour of Rome, the "Eternal city". From here Paul wrote six letters encouraging his brothers to remain faithful.

Saturday 11th October

Day 15: Rome

Free day to shop, relax or explore. This is our last evening together so appropriately we have a farewell get-together at our hotel.

Sunday 12th October

Day 16: Rome - London

Spiritually up built you depart from Rome to London.