G1 Travels of Paul and the Apostles

Italy, Greece, & Turkey with Mediterranean cruise 13 day cruise/tour - September 19, 2024

This special tour is a wonderful chance to enhance your studies of the New Testament with David Butler. You will have spent this year studying the New Testament with David Butler, Emily Freeman and Grace Freeman. What better way to bring the scriptures to life than to visit some of the areas the Apostles traveled to. Our specially designed tour of Paul and the Apostles starts in Rome, followed by a wonderful cruise into Greece and Turkey. The cruise has many ports of call that allows David to teach at sites Paul and other Apostles visited and taught in. 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.
Corinth: You will visit Corinth, where Paul spent over a year in Corinth, working, teaching, and starting a church.
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.
Patmos: The island of Patmos is not a port of call, as we pass by Patmos, David will be able to teach about what happened on this small island.
Rome: We spend three 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 and tour 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 teach on the ship during the days at sea and at times before or after your included shore excursions.

The Ships Ports of Call Include:

Rome, Italy: Your cruise starts and finishes in Rome.
Naples, Italy: Our tour will include a visit to Pompeii, a drive on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, and a visit to Sorrento.
The Island of Crete: Our shore excursion includes a tour of Chania, Crete; the tombs of Venizelos, and the ruins of Aptera.
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.
Mykonos, Greece: This port of call is a free day to walk the small cobblestone streets and visit the quaint museums.
Athens, Greece: In addition to Mars Hill and Corinth, your tour will include the Acropolis and a tour of Athens.
Ephesus, Turkey: In addition to learning about Paul from David we will enjoy the Ancient ruins of Ephesus.

Added Optional Bonus: Since you are already going to be in Italy on David’s Travels of Paul and the Apostles, why not add an extension to experience Verona, Venice, Pisa, and Florence, Italy.

Map of Cruise Portion and Optional Extension Portion

Package Price Includes:

2 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel in Rome, Italy.
9 Night Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Inside Cabin.
$300 in ship port charges and fees.
$110.68 in ship taxes.
Shore excursions in Naples, 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 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 our 5 day 4-night extension.
Option to purchase the group airfare.

Package Price: $3,995*

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

OUR WONDERFUL 4-NIGHT OPTIONAL Pre-Tour PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Verona, Italy: Imaginary home of Romeo and Juliet.
Venice, Italy: With its many canals and its quaint walking streets.
Florence, Italy: Architecture and the artists Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Botticelli, Giotto, and more.
Pisa, Italy: The leaning tower of Pisa.
San Gimignano, Italy: The ancient towers of San Gimignano are a not to miss stop.

Total Optional Italy Pre-tour Package Price: $1,695

Sunset over Grand Canal and Basilica Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, Italy

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: September 19: Fly to Rome
We depart our home and travel to Rome.

Day 2: September 20: Rome
This morning after arriving into Rome we will start our tour of this beautiful city. 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 spend the next 2 nights. (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: September 21: Rome
Today 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.

Day 4: September 22: 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”. Mid-afternoon we will head to our cruise ship to check-in. During your 9 night cruise, Dave will be meeting with everyone on the days at sea and also possibly, before if time permits, before or after your one or two of your shore excursions.

Day 5: September 23: Naples
Today we will drive along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world on our way to the city of Sorrento. Sorrento is fabled to be home to the sirens who attempted to lure the mythological figure Ulysses onto the rocks. We also take you to the fascinating city of Pompeii which was buried by Mt Vesuvius in 79AD. You will be able to walk through the ancient streets that are considered to be the very best example of ancient Roman life. Pompeii was home to many wealthy ancients who craved a leisure lifestyle. For this reason, Pompeii is home to many lavish baths, temples, and richly decorated mansions. As the ash and pumice stone rained over Pompeii time stood still, preserving life as it was in 79AD.

Day 6: September 24: 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 7: September 25: Athens, Greece
Today we will have a 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.

Day 8: September 26: 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 9: September 27: 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 10: September 28: 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 11: September 29: Chania, Crete, Greece
If you purchased our shore excursion package, today we 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 12: September 30: Fun Day at Sea
Dave will again meet with everyone today and you will also have time to enjoy your Royal Caribbean Ship.

Day 13: October 1: Rome – Fly Home
This morning we will say goodbye to our beautiful cruise ship. We will disembark and transfer to the 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.)

Optional Italy Pre-Tour:

Day 1: September 15: Fly to Venice
We depart our home and travel to Venice.

Day 2: September 16: Verona – Venice
This morning after arriving into Venice we will drive the short distance to Verona, home of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This is one of the most picturesque old cities in Europe. After a tour of the old town, you will have time to explore and have lunch at one of the many sidewalk cafes. This evening we will head to Padova to overnight at your deluxe hotel. (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: September 17: Venice
Today we will start our tour of Venice. Today we will visit this beautiful city. We will have plenty of time to walk the many old streets and bridges found in Venice. You will have time to enjoy a gondola boat ride and eat in one of the many quaint sidewalk cafes. We return to Padova where we will overnight.

Day 4: September 18: Florence
This morning early we will travel to Florence. We will spend the day visiting the center of the Renaissance, whose liberating ideas helped pave the way for the reformation. This city is the home to the Medici family, Michelangelo, Leonardo de Vinci, and Dante. We will take a guided tour of the old city, visiting such sites as the Piazza del Duomo, including the beautiful Baptistery Doors that inspired Michelangelo. We will also visit the original statue of David in the Academy Museum. You will have time to shop in the old streets of Florence and also time to enjoy the many sidewalk cafes before heading to your hotel for the evening.

Day 6: September 19: Florence / Pisa / Rome
We will spend the day traveling through the Tuscany Countryside visiting small villages, San Gimignano and Pisa before heading to Rome where we will overnight.

Day 6: September 20: Rome
This morning you will join with the non-extension group when they arrive into Rome. From this point on your itinerary is the same as the regular tour group.

G1 Travels of Paul and the Apostles