Last Paul Tour Reboot

DAY 1 – Monday, April 8, 20242024

LOS ANGELES / FRANKFURT
Today we will meet at Los Angeles International airport for our connecting flights to Amman via wide-body aircraft arriving the next day. Meals served on board.

FRANKFURT / MALTA
This morning we arrive in Frankfurt where we board our connecting flight to Malta. Upon arrival in Valletta we will be met and transferd by coach to our hotel in Sliema for dinner and overnight.

MALTA – RABAT / MDINA
“Once safely on shore, we found that the island was called Malta.The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold . . .” (Acts 28:1-2) After breakfast, we depart for a full day’s excursion to Rabat and Mdina. First stop at Mosta, which today is a busy market town. At its center is the magnificent domed church called the “Mosta Rotunda”. On the way to Rabat, next stop will be at Ta’ Qali, where visitors are able to enjoy seeing the local craftsmen at work. Continue towards Rabat and stop to visit St. Paul Church (founded in 1575) and the Grotto. Beneath the church is Paul’s Grotto, where, according to tradition, the Apostle Paul was held captive by the Romans for three months following his shipwreck on the Islands in AD 60. Then we stop at a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch break, we will visit The Roman Domus. This museum houses remains of Malta’s roman period. Finally, we will walk through the streets of Mdina, Malta’s first capital. Today it is known as the Silent City. We will visit the Cathedral dedicated to Peter and Paul which is the masterpiece of the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà. We return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

MALTA / SICILY – POZZALLO / TAORMINA
This morning we board our bus to begin our journey to Sicily. “After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered on the island. It was on an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days…..” (Acts 28:11) We make our way to Pozzallo, in the province of Ragusa, Sicily in southern Italy and on the city of Siracusa, site of Paul’s arrival in Sicily en route from Malta to Rome. Today, Siracusa is the site of well-preserved Roman ruins as well as a vibrant Italian seaport. Circumnavigating the base of Mt. Etna, we will continue to Taormina – a hillside sea resort on the Eastern coast of Sicily. Our escort will assist us to explore this beautiful destination. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

TAORMINA / MINORI
“From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium; the next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them ….” (Acts 28:13-14). This morning we board our bus and travel to Messina where we board our ferry for a trip north along the western coast of Italy, through the regions of Calabria and Campania. Upon our arrival in Calabria continue on to Minori on the beautiful Amalfi Coast where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

MINORI / AMALFI / SORRENTO
This morning we check out of the hotel and have the day free to explore this beautiful Amalfi Coast area on our own. We will meet later this afternoon and board our bus and transfer to Sorrento. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

SORRENTO / CAPRIS / SORRENTO
Take a hydrofoil for the nearby Isle of Capri, a popular resort since Roman times. Explore cozy Capri town and visit the terraced Gardens of Augustus featuring stunning views of the azure sea. Enjoy free time to explore on your own before meeting a local family for lunch in their home. Return to Sorrento early afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner on your own this evening.

SORRENTO /POMPEII / SORRENTO
This morning travel north us to the evocative World Heritage site of Pompeii (by Scafati), where we have a special guided tour of the city that faced the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Walk along ancient streets, view the remains of homes and shops, and learn about the ongoing archaeological work. Late this afternoon gather for a hands-on Neopolitan cuisine cooking lesson, followed by dinner to savor the fruits of your labors. Return to the hotel for overnight.

SORRENTO / POZZOULI / GAETA
After breakfasts we check out of the hotel and continue towards Pozzuoli. “…and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli.” (Acts 28:13) Stop at the old port where Paul landed on the ship from Alexandria by the Three Taverns. Our last stop will be in Minturno to visit the ruins of this well preserved roman village located along the Appian Way, which is the same that Paul would have seen during his trip to Rome. Continue on to Gaeta where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

GAETA / APPIAN WAY / ROME
“……and so we went toward Rome.” (Acts 28:14). After breakfast we depart Foro Appio continuing north along the site of Tres Tabernaes, still on the Appian Way. . “……and so we went toward Rome.” (Acts 28:14) The brothers there had heard that we were coming and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us… “(Acts 28:15). Continue on to Rome where we have a short orienation tour of the city before checking into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

ROME / MAMERTINE PRISON / ROMAN FORUM / COLISEUM
“When we got to Rome. Paul as allowed to leave by himself with a soldier to guard him ……. “ (Acts 28:16). Breakfast at the hotel and board your bus and transfer to central Rome for a walk through the very core of Roman antiquity. We see Trajan’s Market, Nero’s Golden House, Trajan’s Forum and Column, Arch of Constantine, House of Knights of Rhodes. We visit the Mamertine Prisons, where Peter was held prisoner, and then continue our visit with the Roman Forum, the civic heart of Republican Rome. Proceed along Via Fori Imperiali to see Arch of Titus, the Emperor who destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70. We will also visit St. Peter in Vincoli – see the Michelangelo’s Moses and Coliseum. Then drive through the Ancient Appian Way and visit the St. Sebastian’s Catacombs where the bodies of Paul and Peter were laid before moving them to Peter’s and Paul’s churches. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

ROME /CHURCH OF PAUL / BASILICA OF PAUL
Salutate Prisca and Aquila, my collaborators in Christ Jesus in order to save life to me they has risked their head 4 and to they I am not only pleasing, but all the Churches of the Kind ones… 5 greeted also the community that gathers in their house…. Letters to Romans 16, 3 – 5. This morning we will visit the most interesting sites which are linked with the life of the Apostle Paul in Rome beginning with the Church of Paul Within the Walls, the first Protestant Church in Rome and then on to Insula di San Paolo alla Regola. Tradition has it that this is the area for Paul’s first visit and house arrest in about 62CE. Then on to the “Mitreo” in the church of “Santa Prisca”, where Paul lived with his Greek friends Aquila and Prisca. Continue on to the Abbey of the Three Fountains, the place of Paul’s martyrdom, where tradition has it that three different springs gushed out at each spot touched when Paul’s head fell down. Next we visit St. Paul Outside the Walls and the adjoining Basilica where the bones of Paul have recently been found. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

ROME / VATICAN MUSEUMS / FREE
Morning breakfast at our hotel then visit the Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of Peter. This afternoon is free to explore the city on your own, shop, or to relax at the hotel. This evening we meet at the hotel and proceed to a local restaurant for a farewell dinner. Overnight at our hotel.

ROME / USA
We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.