9 Days Greece and Italy

DAY 1 – Friday: Departure

Today you will start your journey on flight to Athens.

Meals served on board.

DAY 2 – Saturday: Athens

Arrival in Athens. Transfer to Hotel.

Dinner and overnight

DAY 3 – Sunday: Athens / Corinth

This morning we start our tour of Athens by visiting the important modern and archaeological sites in the city of Athens, the Acropolis. While driving through the main streets of Athens, we have an opportunity to see other places of interest such as the University, the Academy, the National Library, the Temple of Zeus, the Panathenian Stadium, Omonia Square, Constitution Square and the Royal Palace. This afternoon we drive along the coastal road to Corinth. Continue along the wonderful beach of Kinetta, make a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, then on to ancient Corinth to visit the Museum, the Bema of St. Paul, the Doric Temple of Apollo, the Askeleion, Agora, Lechaion Road, and the Peirene Fountain. Return to our hotel for dinner overnight.

DAY 4 – Monday: Athens, Mycenae, Patras  

This morning we board our bus and begin our journey to Mycenae. The Mycenaean’s were fierce warriors and great engineers who designed and built remarkable bridges, fortification walls, and beehive-shaped tombs, all employing Cyclopean masonry and elaborate drainage and irrigation systems. Their palatial centers, “Mycenae rich in gold” and “sandy Pylos,” are immortalized in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. This afternoon drive to Patras port to board our cruise to Bari, Italy.

Dinner and overnight on cruise

DAY 5 – Tuesday: Bari, Pozzuoli  

This morning we will disembark our ship and head to Foro Appio and Tres Tabernaes – Three Taverns, still on the Appian Way, you reach Pozzuoli. This is the same port where Paul landed…and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli. (Acts 28:13). This afternoon we visit the area of the sea-port and the Roman Amphitheater in order to get a sense of what Paul experienced once he arrived on the mainland of the “Roman Empire”. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6 – Wednesday: Pompei, Minturno, Foro, Appio  

This morning we travel to Pompeii, and have an archeological journey through the ancient

city. Pompeii, which was buried under a layer of ash and pumice by a sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D., is a town whose daily life of the Imperial Age has been petrified. It is as if it were under a spell in its gestures, secrets and in the panic felt by its inhabitants during its last moments. Visiting the “frozen city” creates a feeling similar to that experienced by Paul when he walked through similar streets from his time. Then we will visit the houses, shops, temples, squares, streets and also the “Lupanare” (which was a brothel with its frescos showing erotic scenes) and the “Suburbane Therm” (with erotic frescoes, among which the only saffico-picture of the Roman world). Now you understand the anger of Paul shouting aloud against corruption and perdition of the Romans. Romans 1, 26…. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. From Pompeii we go to Minturno, then to Foro Appio for a typical dinner and overnight.

DAY 7 – Thursday: Foro, Appio, Tres Tabernae, Rome

After breakfast we will have time to meditate on Paul. This was a swamp when Paul arrived here. Stand by the river, full of historical and spiritual meanings. Foro Appio, at “Mansio Hotel” is located in the same place where an ancient Roman “posta” (place where travelers could rest and change their tired horses before continuing their journey). This might be the place where the Sacred Writings remind us of the meeting of Paul with the Christian Communities Acts 28:14 (…”And so we came to Rome. 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.”) Depart Foro Appio late in the morning and travel towards Rome, stopping a few minutes at the Church of St. Paul (built in the place where he met the Christian Community) of TRES TABERNE – Three Taverns …and so we went toward Rome. (Acts 28:14.) Then we will continue to Rome. We arrive in Rome in the late morning. Later today we will visit the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Mamertine Prison, where Paul was held.

Breakfast and Dinner   Overnight.

DAY 8 – Friday: Rome ,Vatican City, Catatombs, Apostle Paul

This morning we visit the Vatican Museum and Gallery (and if time permits Raphael’s Rooms with their wonderful frescoes) the Sistine Chapel – where Michelangelo’s recently restored masterpieces adorn the ceilings and walls – and Pincio Garden. We continue into St.Peter’s Basilica and view Vatican City. This afternoon we visit St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls and the Church of St. Peter in Chains with the famed statue of Moses by Michelangelo. We visit the Old Appian Way and the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, then returnto our hotel for dinner.

DAY 9 – Saturday:Home

We will be taken to the airport for our flight home. with memories to cherish always.