Biblical Lands Cruise Itinerary

Exciting Itinerary Update 10-13-2010

Dear Footprints of God Traveler:

We have adjusted the itinerary a bit and will now see all we previously planned, and more — with a partial day at Sea where I will kick off the cruise with my St. Paul overview talk to set the stage for the exciting week!  Thank you in advance for your flexibility as we work to make sure this is a memorable and wonderful Footprints of Paul Cruise.

We will now be sailing on a sister ship to the Cristal, called the Orient Queen. The Orient Queen was recently refurbished (in 2005) and our chartering agent tell us that with her modern classy public rooms, smooth sailing and excellent service, the passengers’ feedback is very positive. The ship is slightly smaller and will be carrying only pilgrims, so there will be none of the normal hedonistic distractions found on the major cruise lines.

Thank you for choosing the Footprints of God to see the lands of Paul! We look forward to greeting you in Athens!

Steve & Janet Ray

For more details on the Orient Queen, click here. For full details on the itinerary changes, see below.

Orient_queen

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
Depart USA		 Unique airfare prices available from your home city. Please inquire when making your reservation.
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
Arrive Athens		 Meet and greet at the Athens airport. Transfer to your hotel Divani Caravel for one night. Evening Mass at hotel.
Friday, Nov. 5, 2010
Corinth		 Tour ancient Corinth and celebrate Mass. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul lived including the remains of first-century shops, the agora, the magnificent Temple of Apollo, and the Judgement Seat where Paul was put on trial. Visit the museum.  Drive to Patras for overnight at the beautiful Porto Rion Resort.
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010
At Sea		 Embark from Katakolon port on the Orient Queen for a day at sea with lectures, activities and entertainment.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010
Patmos		 Disembark on the Island of Patmos, a “Sacred Island” for Christians. Here St. John received his apocalyptic vision of Revelation written during his exile. We will visit the cave and the monastery of St. John. Mass site to be announced. Tour of Miletus where Paul gave a farewell address to the Ephesians. The ship will overnight at the port of Kusadasi for passengers to enjoy.
Monday, Nov. 8, 2010
Ephesus		 Start tour Ephesus, the most impressive archeological site in Turkey. Sit in the Great Amphitheater where Paul probably preached. Mass at Mary’s House. Free lunch and demonstration at a Turkish rug factory. Time permitting, visit ruins of St. John’s Basilica and tomb of John and the Council Church of 431 and visit Pergamum. and re-embark the ship at the port of Dikili.
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010
Istanbul		 In the morning we arrive in Istanbul, one of the world’s greatest historic cities. Formerly Constantinople, the center of the Eastern Roman Empire. Istanbul sits astride the continents of Europe and Asia and here East meets West. Lunch aboard the ship. Then to the gem of Istanbul, St. Hagia Sofia the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years. Mass site to be announced.
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010
Philippi		 After our Greek Party Buffet Lunch on board we arrive port of Kavala, (biblical Neapolis) where Paul, Timothy and Silas first landed on European soil. From there, visit Philippi where Paul preached and was imprisoned and the Baptistery of Lydia, where where the first European convert was baptized. Mass site to be announced.
Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010
Thessaloniki		 In Thessaloniki visit the ancient walls, the House of Jason where Paul stayed and the Agora where he preached. Then to Veria (Beroea in the Bible) seeing remains of the ancient Roman Road and the memorial to Paul’s preaching to the local Jews around 51 AD. Mass site to be announced. Sail in the afternoon for Pireaus port.
Friday, Nov. 12, 2010
Athens		 Disembark the cruise ship and begin our tour of Athens. Visit the Parthenon atop the Acropolis, masterpiece of the “Golden Age.” Then we will walk through the Agora where Socrates, Plato and Aristotle taught. Climb up to Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the Athenians. Mass at Athens Cathedral. Overnight night in Athens, for those not continuing on to Rome. Return to USA on November 13, 2010.
Optional Rome Extension Drive to Patras port to embark the ferry to Bari, Italy. Overnight on ferry ship.
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010
Pompeii/Rome		 Disembark and tour Pompeii and the spectacular ruins discovered under the lava from Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The city remained buried and undiscovered for almost 1500 years. Gain insight into life during the Roman Empire. Drive to Rome for overnight. Mass site to be announced.
Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010
Imperial Rome		 A day to discover Imperial Rome. Peter arrived here early on and Paul wrote to these Christians and later arrived in chains. Experience the
glory of Imperial Rome when you visit the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Titus and the Mammertine Prison where Peter and Paul were imprisoned. Time permitting visit San Stefano Rotundo to discuss martyrdom in the early Church, then see 1st century Rome under San Clemente Church as well as the tomb of Apostolic Fathers Ignatius and Clement. Mass site to be announced. If possible, we will be in St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s Angelus and blessing.
Monday, Nov. 15, 2010
Christian Rome		 Tour St. Peter’s Basilica where Michelangelo’s “Pieta” will be just one of many highlights. Travel along the famous Apian Way. Celebrate Mass in the Catacombs of San Sebastian. Visit Tre Fontane, where Apostle Paul was beheaded and St Paul outside the Walls where he bones are today. See the Chair of Peter at St. John Lateran.
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010
Return to USA		 All good things come to an end. At Least you’ll have a keepsake DVD to share your experiences with your family and friends.
*Itinerary is scheduled by subject to change

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