“Paul’s Last Journey”
to Sicily, Southern Italy, and Rome, the Eternal City
An in-depth tour following the final journey of Apostle Paul from the Ionian Sea to the Tyrrhenian Sea, along the Via Appia to Rome, where Paul wrote his Epistles. With the Bible in hand, we will visit the places Paul visited where time seems to have stood still: hidden gardens, archaeological sites, and breathtaking landscapes in classical Italy: Sicily, Calabria, Campania, and Lazio.
Catania area HOTEL ORIZZONTE ACIREALE 4* or Similar 3 nights
https://www.hotelorizzonte.it/Salerno HTL POLO NAUTICO 4* or similar 1 night
https://www.hotelpolonautico.it/
Pozzuoli area HOTEL LE AGAVE 4* or similar 2 nights
www.agavehotel.it
Rome HOTEL ATLANTICO 4* or similar 3 nights
https://www.romehotelatlantico.it/
Bus transportation by GT Air-conditioned deluxe bus – as the program FROM Catania Airport (20/50 seats)
All bus circulation permits
Whispers set for the guided tour
English speaking Tour Manager for the whole program incl. all expenses
– English speaking local license guide
Siracusa – FD
Mt. Etna and Taormina – FD
Pompei
Pozzuoli
Roma Appia Antica
Rome – 2 FD + 1 night tour
– City tax Euro (included)
– Entrance fees
– Luggage
Bus 50 seater it’s allowed, generally, one big luggage under the bus – max 45 pieces – and one hand luggage per person on board
– Entrance tickets
All entrance tickets must be purchased in advance, once they have been booked and paid, they are non-refundable.
Usually, reservations are opened 2 months before.
Over the months, we are experiencing great difficulties in purchasing tickets for: Colosseum and Roman Forum, Vatican Museums in Rome; Accademia and Uffizi Gallery in Florence; The Last Supper in Milan etc.
This great difficulty is also shared and experienced by all Italian Tour Operators, both for individual and for group requests.
Therefore, until there are solutions and updates, we can no longer guarantee reservations for the aforementioned museums / archaeological sites but we will do everything possible for the successful completion of your request.
So far, we always managed to supply all above to all our groups, but we think it is important to inform your clients about difficulties we are facing.
We suggest: € 7 per person per day for the Tour Manager, € 3 per person per day for the driver, € 2 per person per service for the local guide, € 1 pp per day for the porters , € 1 pp per service for the waitress This is only a suggestion!
Mass reservations will be confirmed and scheduled according to the availability
– Regarding the Hotel Conditions
In some cities like Rome/Venice/Florence and others, due to the high international demand, hotels ask for a deposit upon group confirmation in order to secure the space for the group.
Arrive at Catania Airport, where your guide will meet and assist you to the bus. Drive north to the Cyclopes Promenade. Visit Aci Castello Visit Middle-age Castle, a fortress built on a bloc of lava by the sea. It overlooks the marine route of Paul’s ship, a significant historical landmark. Transfer to your hotel in Catania Area (Acireale)
Dinner in the hotel
Overnight in Catania area
Please try to book ITA FLIGHT arriving Catania from Rome @ AZ17.31 09.35/10.55) (D) During this day, if time allow, it is interesting to add a visit of the city of Catania city center and baroque Catedral. It depends on the arrival time in Catania Airport.
Breakfast at the hotel in Catania. Drive south to the ancient city of Syracuse, visited by Paul (Acts 28:11-13). Enjoy a guided tour of the Sicilian city where St. Paul rested for three days during his voyage. Visit the ancient theatre and the acoustic complex of Dionysius Ear; proceed to Ortigia, the walled peninsula upon which the ancient harbor of Syracuse was built. Visit the church of St Paul (dedicated to Paul’s visit of Syracuse), house of Archimedes and Temple of Athena that was turned into a Church. and the Jewish quarter on the peninsula of Syracuse with its ancient tombstones and Jewish ritual bath.
If possible, we will hold a service in the open-air church of St John the Baptist. (named by the locals as St Giovannello church). The Church is actually under restoration and we need to ask for a special permission). Return in Catania for Dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel in Catania Drive up Mt Etna to visit the largest volcano in Europe. drive up across villages surrounded by frozen lava streams to Etnea Zafferana and arrive to Rifugio Sapienza on one of mountaintops. Walk along the Silvestri Craters to view the last streams of lava and enjoy a breathtaking view of the whole coastal plain and the sea—to understand the topography of Paul’s journey and Enjoy the panoramic views of the Ionic Sea and Catania plain.
Optional: Possibility to go by Cable car first and 4×4 cars at an altitude of around 3000 Meters with an Alpine guide–additional cost approx.. 75€ pp to be reconfirmed). Drive to Taormina, the wealthiest town of Sicily in Paul’s time: walk along the ancient streets and the gymnasium the Roman Odeon to the Jewish Quarter and the Baroque city gardens. Dinner and overnight in Catania area. (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Rise early this morning to travel to Reggio Calabria. We embark on a voyage by ferry to cross the Straits of Messina. While heading North, we will stop in Reggio Calabria. Legend has it that during his journey, Saint Paul stopped here. The burnt column that would have allowed Paul’s preaching and the creation of the first church in Italy is preserved in the Cathedral of Reggio Calabria. Free time for lunch in Reggio Calabria. Continue to Salerno (450 Km), a long transfer. Arrive in Salerno and check in in your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Salerno (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive along the scenic Costa Amalfitana Road to the Crusader town of Amalfi. Learn about the Italians and their connection to the Holy Land and discover the great victory of Paul’s legacy. (If Weather conditions permit, we will reach Amalfi by boat from Salerno.) Free time at leisure in the Costiera area. In the afternoon we will continue to Pompei. Visit Pompei—the perfectly preserved Roman city buried under the lava streams from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. We continue to Pozzuoli, Paul’s first station on the Italian mainland (Acts 28:13). Dinner and Overnight in Pozzuoli
Breakfast at the hotel. Paul spent an entire week in Pozzuoli, and we will visit the possible places he may have visited Rione Terra: the harbor where Paul landed and the Pauline Plaque. After a short walk, we will reach the Serapis Temple. Then, we will drive to the Cuma archaeological park, home of the Cumean Sibyl, the Latin equivalent of the Delphic Pythia (telling the story of Paul’s struggle with pagan deities), and the Temple of Zeus (Acts 14:12).
We will also visit the hot springs area of Villa del Baia, where his friends may have taken care of Paul. Return to our hotel in Pozzuoli. Dinner and overnight (B:D)
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Today, we will drive north along Via Appia to reach Rome. The first stop will be at Forum Appius (Acts 28:15). Then, we will proceed to the archeological park of Via Appia Antica and visit the catacombs of San Sebastiano. Arrive to our hotel in Rome. After dinner (not included), we will enjoy a Rome-by-night tour. Overnight in Rome (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. We will start our morning with a visit of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls, which is significant for housing St. Paul’s tomb. We will also tour the Tre Fontaine Abbey, the traditional place of Paul’s death. In the afternoon we will visit Vatican City with Vatican Museum (extra), home to the largest church in the world. Overnight in Rome(B). Dinner is not included
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum. Then we will visit the Mamertine Prison. This place holds a deep personal connection to us as it was where Paul spent years in isolation, penning his heartfelt epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. We continue the day by praying at St. Paul’s Within the Walls, a historic Episcopal church in Rome. (IF TIME ALLOWS) explore the beauties of Renaissance Rome: Piazza Navona, Fontana di Trevi and the Pantheon (external visit). Extend your visit or get ready for your flight back home. Return in our hotel in Rome, Overnight. (B) Dinner is not included
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. At the accorded time a private transfer to the airport. End of services
Please note: Visits, excursions, domestic flights timetable, mentioned on the program might have slight changes in the time or in the program scale but without detracting any visit scheduled.