Christian pilgrimage tour operator Journeys Unlimited unveiled a program called Paul’s Pilgrimage of Faith to Greece and Turkey, which retraces some of the apostle’s steps through the region two millennia ago. The itinerary focuses on Christian heritage and history while exposing participants to local cultures and cuisine.
The 11-day package will take place Oct. 12-22 and will including a seven-day cruise aboard the M/V Zenith with calls in Santorini, Marmais, Izmir, Ephesus, Istanbul, Mykonos and Athens. The itinerary will commence in Athens, where it will include visits to the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Erechteum, Propylea and Mars Hill, where Paul preached. The cruise will depart the next day for Santorini.
In Turkey, the itinerary includes Ephesus, where some believe the early Christian church began. In Ephesus the trip will include visits to the Basilica of John, the site of the Temple of Diana, the Synagogue and the Library. The group will visit Miletus, where Paul said farewell to the Ephesian elders on his Third Missionary Journey. The tour also visits Istanbul, where it explores a series of sites, including the Church of St. Saviour, the Byzantine Hippodrome, St. Sophia Church, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
On the island of Mykonos the tour will visit some Christian churches. After returning to Athens, participants will visit Corinth, where Paul lived for a year and a half, and visit the Archeological Museum, the historic platform from which Paul preached to the Corinthians, the Market Place and the Temples.
The package, which is priced from $3,798, includes roundtrip airfare from New York, seven nights’ accommodations aboard the MV Zenith, two nights’ hotel accommodations in Athens, all sightseeing with English-speaking tour guide and most meals.
