About the Pilgrimage

Ten Biblical Sites on the Cruise!  Also Idylic Island Excursions

Pricing is based on the type of cabin you choose and if you choose group air or arrange your own flights. For info call Corporate Travel Services or click on the registration link for options.

Tips and taxes included, wine with dinners, biblical day excursion price is included!

We developed this itinerary with to share the story of the Bible with you. If the Church was born in Israel, it grew up in Turkey and Greece. Step back in time and walk in the footprints of St. Paul!

St. Paul and the New Testament will come alive. I have chosen the specialized itinerary for our groups with our own guides and drivers.  I (Steve Ray) will be giving talks along the way. Our priest and I will conduct a mini-seminar at sea on the ship.

Food and drinks? Just wait and taste. Turkey and Greece are big surprises for people with the exotic culture, friendly people, and the most delicious food.

We only do this Mediterranean Cruise every two years.  We have done this cruise 12 times and it keeps getting better each time! Join us!

Check out what popular priest Fr. Larry Richards said about our cruise when he joined us.

Contact our Reservations Team at 866-557-2364, or write them at FootprintsOfGod@ctscentral.net.

The prices include airfare and the daily biblical excursions ashore and meals – and ALL tips!

For an interactive map, a full itinerary of the 10 biblical sites we will visit and a lot more, click HERE .

Remember that this is not just a pilgrimage and a cruise but also a “SEMINAR AT SEA.” We have several afternoons free on the ship. Steve will give his popular talk “The Life of St. Paul,” We have much to share on this voyage on the Seas of St. Paul! Steve will also be sharing at each of the biblical sites along the way.

Explore 10 Biblical Sites in Greece and Ephesus with Steve & Janet Ray on their Mediterranean pilgrimage cruise and “Seminar at Sea” in the Footsteps of St. Paul

Steve Ray Land & Sea Pilgrimage Itinerary (tentative and subject to change)

 Day 1 | Wednesday, October 21: Depart USA

Depart on overnight flights to Athens, Greece.

Day 2 | Thursday, October 22: Arrive in Athens

Upon arrival in Athens, meet Steve and Janet Ray, along with your Catholic tour guides. Depart for the hotel for check-in. Celebrate an opening Mass followed by a Welcome Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Athens.

Day 3 | Friday, October 23: Athens

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Dionysius. Guided tour of the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Climb Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the Athenians and hear Steve’s talk on Paul’s methods of evangelization (Acts 17:1623). Enjoy lunch on your own along the treelined pedestrian street. Depart for cruise port to begin our 10-night cruise. Dinner aboard the ship.

Day 4 | Saturday, October 24: Chania (Souda), Crete

Enjoy breakfast aboard the ship. Celebrate Mass at Cathedral of the Assumption. Enjoy the northern coast of Crete, where Steve will share on St. Paul visiting Crete, leaving Titus to be the bishop there. St. Paul later wrote to him the Epistle to Titus. “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5) This afternoon, optional tour of Monastery Katholiko and the Cave of St. John the Hermit. Return to ship for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 | Sunday, October 25: Day at Sea

Enjoy a day at sea aboard the cruise. Celebrate Mass followed by a Seminar at Sea. All meals included on ship. There are many amenities to explore. Overnight on ship.

Day 6 | Monday, October 26: Rhodes

This morning, the ship ports in Rhodes as you enjoy breakfast. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis. Visit St. Paul’s Bay where St. Paul’ ship made a short stop on his way to Rome to preach to the people of Rhodes near the village of Lindos. The bay is surrounded by stunning cliffs and offers a serene atmosphere, with the ancient Acropolis of Lindos overlooking it. Lunch on own followed by a free afternoon. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 | Tuesday, October 27: Kusadasi/Ephesus

Port in Kusadasi then drive to Ephesus (Acts 19). Visit the House of Mary and celebrate Mass there. Tour the ancient city of Ephesus including the 24,000 seat theatre for Steve’s talk on Paul in Ephesus. Group picture at Celsius Library. See the ancient toilets, and the temples. Visit ruins of St. Mary’s Church, home of the 3rd Ecumenical Council for Steve’s talk on “Mary, Mother of God.” Enjoy lunch and a demonstration of rugs at Sultankoy Turistik Rug factory. Visit the tomb of St. John the Apostle in the ruins of St. John’s Church. Return to the ship to enjoy the ship’s entertainment and the lovely sights of the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner aboard the ship.

Day 8 | Wednesday, October 28: Santorini

Celebrate Mass aboard the ship followed by a Seminar at Sea. Today is free to enjoy the ship, explore Santorini on your own, or purchase a Santorini Shore Excursion package from the cruise line. Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.

Day 9 | Thursday, October 29: Mykonos

Celebrate Mass aboard the ship followed by a Seminar at Sea. Today is free to enjoy the ship, explore Mykonos on your own, or purchase a Mykonos Shore Excursion package from the cruise line. Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.

Day 10 | Friday, October 30: Philippi/Kavala (biblical Neapolis)

Travel to Philippi, where Paul first preached the Gospel on European soil (Acts 16:12ff). Celebrate Mass outdoors on the river’s edge where Paul baptized Lydia, his first European convert. View the beautiful Orthodox Church of St. Lydia. Tour Ancient Philippi where Paul and Silas preached and see the prison where they were imprisoned. Sit in the Roman theatre for Steve’s talk “What Must I Do To Be Saved” (Acts 16:30-31). Stop to walk on the actual stones of the Egnatian Road, which Paul walked on. Late group lunch. Visit Kavala (Neapolis in Acts 16:11) where Paul, Silas, Luka and Timothy first set foot in Europe and see mosaic of Paul’s visit. Dinner and overnight on the ship.

Day 11 | Saturday, October 31: Thessaloniki/Veria (biblical Berea)

Tour Thessaloniki (Acts 17:1-9), a city St. Paul addressed in two of his epistles. Visit the White Tower, Church of St. George, statue of Alexander the Great. Celebrate Mass at the Thessaloniki Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Drive to Berea where Paul preached and the Bereans “studied the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17: 10 – 15) Lunch included. Steve’s talk on “Sola Scripture”. Dinner on the ship.

Day 12 | Sunday, November 1: Day at Sea

Enjoy a day at sea aboard the cruise. Celebrate Mass followed by a Seminar at Sea. All meals included on ship. There are many amenities to explore. Overnight on ship.

Day 13 | Monday, November 2: Athens | Ancient Corinth

Disembark from ship and board our private motorcoach. Drive along the beautiful coastal road to Corinth, home to Paul for 18 months (Acts 18: 1-22). Cross over the amazing Corinthian Canal dug between two seas. Guided tour of the streets of Ancient Corinth walked by St. Paul. Outdoor Mass at the Bema (Judgment Seat) where Paul was presented for judgment. See the amazing Erastus Stone (Rom. 16:23) and hear Steve’s talk “We Can Trust the Bible.” (The walk to see the Erastus Stone is strenuous.) Return to Athens in the afternoon for free time and a Great Greek Farewell dinner. Overnight in Athens.

Day 14 | Tuesday, November 3: Return Home

Depart to the airport for your return flights. Early morning Mass if time allows.

 

Price below is starting price for full pricing options download the brochure below for pricing information. 

Contact our Reservations Team at 866.557.2364 or FootprintsOfGod@ctscentral.net