Travels of Paul and the Apostles

Italy, Greece, & Turkey with Mediterranean cruise 12 day cruise/tour - August 29, 2026

This special cruise is a wonderful chance to enhance your studies of the New Testament with David Butler. In the past, we have spent time studying the New Testament with David Butler. What better way to bring the scriptures to life than to visit some of the areas the Apostles traveled to. David is excited that we were able to find a similair cruise from past years for the fall of 2026. He is looking forward to furthering your studies of the New Testament with our special 2026 Travels of Paul and the Apostles Cruise. We start in Athens, followed by a wonderful cruise to Greece and Turkey. The cruise has many ports of call that allow David to teach at sites where Paul and other Apostles visited and taught. The cruise also gives David time to teach on the ship as we pass near other areas like Patmos, with its history of John the Revelator. Below is a small taste of what you will experience on this special tour with David that relates to the travels of Paul.

Athens: You will be able to stand on Mars Hill at the base of the Acropolis, where Paul addressed the people.
Ephesus: You will tour the impressive ruins of Ephesus. Paul and John were involved in creating the church in Ephesus and other churches in the surrounding area.
Rome: We spend two days touring and two nights in Rome. Paul was held in prison near the Forum of Rome, and it was here that Paul died a martyr for his faith. In addition to studying about Paul and the Apostles, we will visit the Vatican, the Forum, and the Coliseum, along with a tour of Rome.
Crete: After Paul’s first imprisonment, he visited Crete, where he taught and started the church in Crete.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship: In addition to being able at times to teach on-site in Rome and many of the ports of call – David will also be doing some teaching on the ship.

The Ships Ports of Call Include:

Athens, Greece: Your cruise starts in Athens. In addition to Mars Hill and Corinth, your tour will include the Acropolis and a tour of Athens.
Mykonos, Greece: This port of call is a free day to walk the small cobblestone streets and visit the quaint museums.
Ephesus: You will tour the impressive ruins of Ephesus. Paul and John were involved in creating the church in Ephesus and other churches in the surrounding area.
Santorini, Greece: One of the most beautiful Islands on earth. This will be a free day to walk around the beautiful town with the white-washed villas that sit on the cliffs of Santorini.
The Island of Crete: Our shore excursion includes a tour of Chania, Crete; the tombs of Venizelos, and the ruins of Aptera.
Olympia (Katakolon), Greece: We will visit the surrounding area.
Rome, Italy: Your cruise ends in Rome.

Package Price Includes:

2 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel in Rome, Italy.
1 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel in Athens, Greece.
7 Night Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Inside Cabin “Brilliance of the Seas”.
$215 in ship port charges and fees.
$241.30 in ship taxes.
Shore excursions in Olympia, Crete, Athens, and Ephesus.
All tours, buses, guides, and entrance fees in Rome.
Transfers to and from airports if you’re part of our group airfare or arrive or depart to fly home at times that allow you to transfer with those doing the group airfare.
Special Guest Educator: David Butler
Fun For Less Tours Staff throughout.
Option to purchase the group airfare.

Package Price: $4,495*

*Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy. Does not include International air or tips.

This is a partial list and is subject to change as needed to accomplish everything we can in each area we visit. We will have local guides who will make sure we see the very best in the time we have.

Day 1: August 29: Fly to Athens
We depart our home and travel to Athens.

Day 2: August 30: Athens, Greece
Today after arriving into Athens we will start our tour of this beautiful city. Today we will have a 1/2 day wonderful sightseeing tour of Athens and the Acropolis. There is a lot of walking on this tour, including stairs, make sure that you have good walking shoes. Some of the sites you may see along the way include; the Temple of Zeus, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Panathinaikon Stadium. The tour highlight will be the Acropolis where you will travel 150 stairs up to the top of this famous hill. We will see the Propylaea Entrance, the Erectheum, the Temple of Wingless Victory, and of course the Parthenon. We will head to Corinth Canal and the ruins of Corinth where Paul taught and wrote letters. Dave is planning on giving a special presentation on Mars Hill and in the ruins of Corinth.We plan to visit visit the magnificent Coliseum and Forum. When we are done with our tour today we will transfer to our hotel where we overnight. (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)

Day 3: August 31: Athens, Greece
Today we will finish any missed sights in Athens. After we are done touring we will transfer to our Royal Caribbean ship and embark for our cruise. During your 7 night cruise, Dave will be meeting with everyone on the day at sea and also possibly, before if time permits, before or after your one or two of your shore excursions.

Day 4: September 1: Mykonos, Greece
We will not be offering a tour in Mykonos. You will have a free day to explore the beautiful island of Mykonos. The best way to enjoy Mykonos is to simply wander the twisting narrow streets, visit local museums (there are several including; a folklore museum, archaeological museum even a windmill museum), shop for local souvenirs or take a cab to one of the local beaches. If you are interested, the cruise line does offer excursions.

Day 5: September 2: Ephesus, Turkey
The ship is parked in Kusadasi, a fair distance from Ephesus. Today we will visit Ephesus and the surrounding area. Dave is planning on a special presentation in Ephesus.

Day 6: September 3: Santorini, Greece
Not all islands are created equal. Santorini is a 10 on a scale of one to 10 and is the most beautiful of the Greek Islands. Today will be a free day to explore this beautiful island on your own.

Day 7: September 4: Chania, Crete, Greece
On our shore excursion today we will visit Chania, Crete. The tour includes stops at the Tombs of Venizelos, the ruins of Aptera, and a city tour of Chania. If time permits you will have time to shop and enjoy Chania on your own before returning to the ship.

Day 8: September 5: Olympia (Katakolon), Greece
Today we will have an excursion visiting the surrounding area. We transfer back to our ship after we are done.

Day 9: September 6: Fun Day at Sea
In addition to meeting with Dave and the New Testament you will have time to relax and enjoy your wonderful Royal Caribbean Ship.

Day 10: September 7: Rome
This morning we will say goodbye to our beautiful cruise ship. We will disembark our ship and begin our tour of Rome. After we disembark we will visit a separate country, Vatican City. We will visit St. Peters Basilica (the largest church in the world), St. Peters Square, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel. After our touring is done we will transfer to our hotel for the next 2 nights.

Day 11: September 8: Rome
This morning we will visit the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, which has been made famous by many movies including “Three Coins in a Fountain”. We will finish any missed touring in the area. We then transfer back to our hotel and overnight.

Day 12: September 9: Rome – Fly Home
This morning we will say goodbye to our wonderful tour. We will transfer back to the Rome airport for our return flight home. (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)

Travels of Paul and the Apostles