Rev. Matthew Watley 13-Day Footsteps of Paul Rome to Athens, August 29 - September 10, 2024

Questions? Email us at info@signaturetours.com

I would like to invite you to join me on an amazing journey retracing the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. We will step into history and walk alongside Paul as we journey through Malta, Rhodes, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome. Take an unforgettable journey through the Strait of Messina. Watch the sun melt behind Valletta’s dome on an overnight stay. The Holy Scriptures will come to life in unimaginable ways! This will be a trip of a lifetime that promises to change all of us forever! 

- Rev. Matthew Watley

DAILY ITINERARY

DAY 1 AUG 29 - BEGINNING OF YOUR TOUR: Depart from the IAD for an overnight flight to Rome, Italy. 

DAY 2 AUG 30 - ARRIVE IN ROME: Upon arrival in Rome, Italy you will be greeted, assisted with your luggage, and taken to your hotel.

DAY 3 AUG 31 - ROME: Spend the day captivated by Rome’s primer Baroque landmarks. Meander through Navona Square, taking in the gorgeous architecture and impressive fountains. Visit the Pantheon, gaze at the masterful Trevi Fountain, and ascend the Spanish Steps. In the afternoon, tour Ancient Rome. Be captivated by the remnants of temples, basilicas and triumphal arches constructed over a millennium as you pass through the Roman Forum. See Palatine Hill, the nucleus of the Roman Empire. Marvel at the iconic Coliseum, the enduring symbol Rome’s greatness. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 4 SEP 1 - ROME/OOSTERDAM: Morning at leisure, Afternoon board the Holland America Oosterdam to begin your 7-Day Cruise. Boarding must be completed by noon.  Ship will depart at 3:00 pm.

DAY 5 SEP 2 - MESSINA, ITALY: Arrive at 1:00 pm at the seaport of Messina. This is the third-largest city in Sicily. Known for its fine cathedral, museums and for its rich Sicilian wines, Messina and the surrounding area was also the location for much of the Godfather series of films. An afternoon or a day in Messina can include a drive up to the windswept side of Mt. Etna (hold on to your hat—it is seriously windy here!) or to the shop-lined streets of Taormina. Many stores sell Sicilian ceramics, with colorful hues painted on volcanic earthen pottery, pieces created in the same way that they have been for centuries. Look also for jewelry and crafts made from beautiful black volcanic glass, collected from the slopes of Etna. Ship departs at 7:00p

DAY 6 & 7 SEP 3 & 4 - VALLETTA, MALTA: Arrive at 8:00 am to the ancient city of Valletta is teeming with historic monuments, churches and gardens. At just one-third of a square mile in area, Europe's southernmost capital is one of the easiest to explore on foot. Given Malta's strategic location and succession of rulers including the Romans, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French and British, it’s somewhat surprising to see Valletta so well preserved. The city dates back to the 16th century and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. Extensive restorations of historic buildings are underway, including the rebuilding of the city entrance to mark Valletta's recognition as the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Decades of British rule mean that English remains an official language, along with the local Maltese language, plus a curious mix of Italian vocabulary and Semitic roots. As Malta lies just 50 miles south of Sicily, Italian influences dominate the cuisine and culture. Even so, the Maltese do value their own traditions, such as the folk music known as Għana, which features strong yet poetic male vocals over slow guitar music. Depart at 3:00 pm the following day,

DAY 8 SEP 5 - DAY AT SEA: Enjoy a Day at Sea on the HAL Oosterdam

DAY 9 SEP 6 - RHODES, GREECE: Arrive at 8:00 am to the island of Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese (twelve islands), draws more visitors than most other Greek islands. Its capital, Rhodes Town, offers an enduring blend of history and architecture, and the island's interior is filled with lushly forested hills. To the south, Lindos, one of the most stunning villages in all of Greece, is watched over by a picture-perfect ancient ruin on the hill above. The island owes its rich history to a good climate and a strategically valuable position between Asia and Europe. Adding to this is a fine natural port where its former main attraction, an immense statue of the sun god Helios—the Colossus of Rhodes—once stood. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the statue made Rhodes a must-visit destination for ancient world travelers until it collapsed in an earthquake in 226 B.C.E. Even the statue’s ruins were grand enough to bring curious travelers to Rhodes for another 800 years until the metal pieces were melted and sold off by an occupying army. Though many civilizations have left their mark on Rhodes, its independent spirit has endured and the island has managed to retain its natural beauty, from the mountain heights down to the gorgeous beaches and coves. Ship departs at 5:00 pm.

DAY 10 SEP 7 – EPHESUS, TURKEY: Arrive at 7:00 am to the port city of Kusadasi in Turkey. This is the gateway to one of the most legendary cities of the ancient world: Ephesus. St. Paul preached in its Great Theater, while the facade of the Celsus Library survives as a testament to the city’s role as a center of learning and culture. Not far from Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis (also known as the Temple of Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, once stood, drawing pilgrims from around the Mediterranean. While it no longer stands, it is possible to walk amongst its foundations and the remains of its towering columns. Other historic sites can also be found nearby: The House of Mary is believed to be the home of Jesus’s mother at the end of her life, and the Basilica of St. John, constructed in the 6th century, marks the location of his tomb. (Like Mary, he spent his final years in Ephesus.) Nearby, the Selcuk fortress reflects the period of Byzantine and Ottoman control of the region. From ancient wonders to holy sites, there are few ports in the Mediterranean as magical as Kusadasi, and a day here is a day spent in the company of some of antiquity's greatest figures. Ship departs at 6:00 pm

DAY 11 SEP 8 - DISEMBARK CRUISE/ATHENS: This morning our ship will reach its final destination-Athens at 7:00 am. Welcome to the capital of Greece! We will disembark the ship and meet our guide and bus to start our tour to Athens with its famous Acropolis with visits to the Parthenon, Areopagus, and Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. Afterwards we take a panoramic tour to the rest of the sites of Athens: the Athens National Museum & Library; the University and the Parliament House. We’ll have some time this afternoon to explore the ancient area of Plaka, Athens’ oldest neighborhood.  Plaka’s charming stone-paved streets, colorful houses, and beautiful little gardens create a delightful atmosphere. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

DAY 12 SEP 9 - CORINTH/ATHENS: Today we’ll enjoy a scenic drive along the beautiful Peloponnesian Gulf and across the Corinthian Canal to Corinth. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To stand in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. We will see the ancient port of Cenchreae where Paul had stopped. Return to Athens for dinner and our final overnight 

DAY 13 SEP 10 - DEPARTURE: Today we will say goodbye to Greece holding our unforgettable memories home. 

NOTE: Schedule is subject to change due to various factors and the tour guide’s discretion.

PRICING:

• $7,295 per person based on double occupancy.
• $500 per person with registration to secure space.
• Deadline to Register March 15, 2024
• Balance due on or before May 29, 2024

FLIGHT SCHEDULE: 

Group 1: 

• TK   8      29AUG  IAD-IST     2220 1530 30AUG
• TK1863   30AUG  IST-FCO   1710 1845
• TK1844  10SEP   ATH-IST    1030 1210
• TK   7     10SEP   IST-IAD     1545 1950

Group 2: 

• TK   8     29AUG  IAD-IST    2220 1530 30AUG
• TK1863  30AUG  IST-FCO   1710 1845
• TK1842  10SEP   ATH-IST   0355 0525 
• TK 187   10SEP   IST-IAD    1055 1455

* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE REGISTERING

PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. Participants with non-US passports are responsible for country-specific entry requirements. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $500 per person deposit is nonrefundable. Other payments exceeding the $500 per person are refundable in full up to ninety days prior to departure. After this date, refunds for unused accommodations and services will be limited to the amount received from and/or credited by all carriers, sightseeing operators, and hotels. All funds, including the deposit, are non-transferable.

AIR: The Standard Tour includes round-trip, economy-class airfare from the departure city listed in the itinerary. All group seating is assigned by the airline and cannot be changed by Signature Tours. Seat changes can only be made during check-in at the airport. Upgrades such as Comfort, Premium, Business, or First Class are not available with the standard tour. Participants who wish to upgrade or purchase a specific seat should choose the Land Only option when registering. Frequent flyer, TSA Precheck, and Global Entry numbers can only be added at check-in.

LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. $1000pp will be deducted from the standard tour price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours at least 6 months prior to the departure date. Land Only Passengers arriving with or before the group are welcome to join the group bus at no additional charge. For those not traveling with the group, Signature Tours can provide contact information to arrange a private transfer.

GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met on arrival by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants not traveling with the group are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.

HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with a private bath and shower.

CRUISE: Holland American Oosterdam Cruise Ship: Signature Suite and Veranda Cabin. All meals are included while on cruise.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: No single rooms are available for this tour.

MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided daily. Lunch is provided on days as noted in the itinerary. All meals are included on cruise.

SIGHTSEEING: Entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary are included, as well as an expert English-speaking guide.

LUGGAGE: Space is limited on the tour buses. Participants are allowed one suitcase weighing 50lbs or less and will be transported in storage under the bus. Participants are allowed one backpack/daypack or personal bag to carry on the bus during the tour. These requirements will meet most airline carrier restrictions. See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Medical devices are not included in these restrictions. 

TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES, AND TAXES: Tips, service charges, and taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. Taxes, as imposed by national and/or local governments, that are not included at the time of booking are the responsibility of the participant.

NOT INCLUDED: Excess baggage fees, passport fees, visa fees, food or drink items not listed on the regular table menu for included meals, and items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, etc. Any service not indicated in the itinerary and/or the above list of included features.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: This tour requires a substantial amount of walking. Many of the sites are not accessible by wheelchair, and the uneven terrain is not feasible for rollators. Signature Tours reserves the right to refuse individuals who may require special attention beyond what the tour guide and tour host can provide.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information and rates, please review the product flyer or Click Here to enroll in the plan.
* Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC # 16535).

Signature Tours
PO Box 956817 Duluth, GA 30095
info@signaturetours.com