CCF: Steps Of Paul 2019

Image courtesy of https://www.conformingtojesus.com/

If you are interested on the recent Steps of Paul Bible Study Tour through CCF organised by Highlight Tours, here's everything you need to know for future reference :)

Travel Dates: October 23 - November 7, 2019
Countries included: Greece, Turkey, Italy
Tour fee:
  • USS 4,975++ early bird (complete package)
  • USD 4,200  (land arrangement only) -- We availed their land package arrangement since we opted to fly from Singapore instead of Manila. There is not much difference as we paid 1100SGD(806USD) for our Singapore-Greece and Austria-Singapore flights via Turkish Airline.
Complete Package Inclusions: 
  • Airfare (Manila-Athens, Athens-Rome, Rome-Manila)
  • Hotel and Cruise Accommodation on Twin Sharing
  • Half-board meals (breakfast and dinner)
  • Port taxes and gratuities  
Exclusions:
  • Schengen visa (You need to apply for this yourself)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airline Taxes

ITINERARY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
Airport check-in for Qatar Airways

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24
Airport check-in for Turkish Airlines

DAY 1
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 GRAND PALACE HOTEL
Today we visit the Walls of Thessaloniki and the Agora where Paul reasoned with the Jews about Christ’s suffering and resurrection, and then on to the House of Jason where Paul and Silas stayed.
DAY 2
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 GRAND PALACE HOTEL
We start the day at Kavala (ancient Neapolis), the site where Paul, Timothy and Silas landed on the coast of Thrace after Paul received the vision of the Macedonian man. Next, we visit Philippi where the first church congregation was established and where Paul lived, preached and was imprisoned. Finally, we proceed to the Baptistery of Lydia, where the first baptism on European soil took place.
DAY 3
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 DIVANI CARAVEL
Our day starts with a visit to Veria (ancient Berea), to the memorial commemorating Paul’s preaching to the local Jews in 54 AD, before we start the long drive towards Athens.
DAY 4
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28
We drive towards Piraeus Port and board our ship Celestyal Olympia for our 4-Day Iconic Cruise. Our first stop is Mykonos, part of the Cyclades, which is a group of islands in the Aegean Sea. It’s considered to be one of the top holiday destinations in the world.
DAY 5
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29
We dock at the port of Kusadasi and proceed to Ephesus, Turkey’s most impressive archaeological site. Walk down the main street visiting sites along the way, like the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and then on to to the Great Amphitheater where the mob gathered to protest against Paul after his great preaching in Acts 19. In the afternoon we dock at Patmos where the apostle John was exiled during the reign of Domitian in 96 AD. We visit the cave and monastery of St. John where he received his visions of the Apocalypse and wrote them down into the book of Revelation.
DAY 6
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30
We spend the whole day docked at Rhodes, nicknamed the “Sun Island” or “Island of Light” because the sun is always shining on this beautiful island. We get a chance to visit Ancient Kamiros, built in the 7th century, which still has its remains intact. 30 miles away from the city of Rhodes is Lindos, a medieval city with pebble roads and white-washed houses.
DAY 7
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
Our day starts in Heraklion, the capital city of Crete and the fourth largest city in Greece. We embark the ship just before lunch and sail towards the beautiful islands of Santorini. After disembarking at Fira, we spend the rest of the day at leisure before returning to the ship at night.
DAY 8
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 DIVANI CARAVEL
After our early morning disembarkation at Piraeus Port, we drive to ancient Corinth where we visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul was believed to have worked and ministered. We also see the remains of first century shops and the Bema where Paul was put on trial, before finally moving on to the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the museum.
DAY 9
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 DIVANI CARAVEL
In Athens, we visit among other masterpieces of the “Golden Age” the Acropolis, the Agora and Mars Hill where Paul found an “altar to an unknown god” and where he boldly reasoned with the Stoics and Epicureans. We then take a leisurely tour around the city and visit the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first ever Olympic Games. After lunch, we spend the rest of the day at leisure with an option of visiting the Plaka Museum.
DAY 10
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 WESTIN EXCELSIOR
Upon arrival at Fiumicino Airport, we’ll hit the ground running as we discover the glory of Imperial Rome. Paul wrote to the Christians of Rome stating his desire to visit them. Eventually, he arrived there as a prisoner. We will visit the Colosseum, famous as a place for gladiator fights and deaths, and where Christians were killed while thousands looked on. We then visit the Circus Maximus, built during the reign of Nero, a huge stadium that used to seat 250,000 spectators for chariot races. We will also see the Roman Forum, an ancient meeting place, market place, religious and political center. We will view the Arch of Titus that commemorates Emperor Titus’ conquest of Judea. Then we visit the Mamertine Prison, where it is believed that both Peter and Paul were imprisoned.
DAY 11
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 WESTIN EXCELSIOR
This morning we explore the Vatican Museum, home to many of the world’s most renowned classical sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art. We then enter the Sistine Chapel and view Michelangelo’s frescoes, which have been restored to their full glory. We also tour St. Peter’s Basilica where Michelangelo’s “Pieta” - the only work signed by the master - will be just one of many highlights. From there we journey to Tre Fontane, where Apostle Paul was beheaded.
DAY 12
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Today we take a walking tour through Via Del Corso, Piazza de Spagna, and enjoy the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona before our airport transfer for our flight back to Manila (Qatar Airways). Participants flying home on Turkish Airlines will stay overnight at Rome.
DAY 13
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Qatar Airways: Returning home to Manila spiritually refreshed, we read the Bible with deeper understanding.
DAY 14
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Turkish Airlines: Returning home to Manila spiritually refreshed, we read the Bible with deeper understanding. 

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