Journeys of Paul Sponsored Tour - Sponsored Tours by Friendly Planet Travel

March 19-28, 2006
Hosted by Dr. Dale Pederson

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Please join me as we travel to Greece, the Greek Isles and Ephessos in Turkey, retracing the journeys of the Apostle Paul. You will experience personally the places where Paul lived and wrote, making the New Testament come alive in ways you never imagined. For almost two decades, I've led groups through the lands of Bible. I can personally attest to the amazing educational and spiritual value of these trips, as we learn, explore, build fellowship and gain deeper insights into our Christian faith travelling these lands together.

This wonderful opportunity is available to pastors, spouses and invited guests at prices that are very special and inclusive of flights, first class and deluxe hotels, outside cabins aboard our cruise ship, and all shore excursions and most meals. It's value that can't be matched anywhere, and that is in addition to the benefits which cannot be measured in monetary terms.

Dr. Dale Pederson, Tour Host

I hope you'll accept my personal invitation to be a part of this awesome experience, but don't wait too long. Space is limited, and deposits must be received by no later than August 20. We look forward to welcoming you aboard our journey in the Footsteps of Paul.

Warmly,

Dr. Dale Pederson
Tour Host
Pastor, First Congregational Church
Salida, CA

Our Touring Program

Sunday, March 19: USA/Athens. Departure from the USA.

Monday, March 20: Athens & Thessaloniki. Arrival in Athens and connect to our short continuing flight to Thessaloniki. Upon arrival, meeting by our representatives, and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Capsis Hotel (D)

Kavala, Greece

Tuesday, March 21: Kavala, Philippi & Thessaloniki. Drive to Kavala, a beautiful modern port and the place where Paul landed with his disciples. We continue to Philippi where Paul first preached the Gospel and where the first church in Europe was established. Here we marvel at the extensive ruins, including the Agora, the ancient theater and the Acropolis. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Meteora, Greece

Wednesday, March 22: Berea & Kalambaka. This morning our drive takes us through the plains of Thessaly, legendary home of the Greek gods, to Kalambaka. En route we will visit Berea, where Paul stayed, preached and planted an early Christian community on his way to Athens. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. Divani Kalambaka (B,D)

Thursday, March 23: Meteora, Delphi & Athens. Morning visit to the monasteries of Meteora to see one of the wonders of the Middle Ages. The monasteries are perched incredibly on sheer towers of sandstone, rising like gigantic fingers out of the valley. Access to the summit once was possible only by rope ladders and baskets, but today a staircase permits an easier ascent up the rock-needles.

Ruins at Delphi, Greece

Continue to Delphi, the city the early Greeks considered to be the center of the world and which, by the 6th century, had already developed into a cultural and athletic meeting ground as well as an international diplomatic center. Here we visit the Temple of Apollo and the cave of the Oracle. We continue to Athens for dinner and overnight. Divani Palace Acropolis Hotel (B,D)

Mykonos, Greece

Friday, March 24: Cruise: Mykonos. After breakfast we transfer to the port of Piraeus and board our Greek Island cruise ship, setting sail for the beautiful island of Mykonos. Here we have a few hours to explore the waterfront, enjoy the famous windmills and explore the white-washed alleyways of this lovely island. M/S Perla (B,L,D)

Rhodes, Greece

Saturday, March 25: Cruise: Rhodes. Today we arrive at Rhodes, the beautiful "Island of Roses". In the heart of the island's biggest city, also named Rhodes, is the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, built by the Knights of St. John, where you'll see a fascinating web of Byzantine, Turkish and Latin ruins. We enjoy a visit to the charming town of Lindos, which rises above the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages. With its whitewashed houses clustered beneath a soaring castle-capped acropolis, its Rhodes' most picturesque village and most important Doric settlement because of its natural harbor and vantage point built 125 meters above sea level.

Ephesus, Turkey

Sunday, March 26: Cruise: Kusadasi, Ephesus & Patmos. We arrive at the Turkish port of Kusadasi and begin our excursion to Ephesus, the ancient Greek city where St. Paul spent two years during his ministry to the Ephesians and where he wrote his Epistle to this community. Here we visit the place where Mary, mother of Jesus, was said to have died and the ruins of St.John's Basilica, where tradition tells us John was buried. We explore the antiquities of Ephesus, among the most remarkable excavations in the Mediterranean world.

Patmos, Greece

We then return to our ship to set sail for Patmos, which, by church tradition, hosted the exile of the Apostle John. Here we visit the Monastery of St. John the Divine, where, according to tradition, he was imprisoned and received his revelations. Here we view the monks' areas and icons, sanctified vessels and manuscripts from the Middle Ages. (B,L.D)

The Parthenon, Greece

Monday, March 27: Corinth & Athens. Arrive in Athens and board our touring coach. Drive to ancient Corinth, the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters. Here we visit the Archeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema of St. Paul and Temples. We return to Athens and tour the Acropolis, Parthenon, and the Erechtheum. We view Mars Hill, the ancient marketplace known as the Agora, the House of Parliament and other sites. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Divani Palace Acropolis Hotel (B,D)

Tuesday, March 28: Athens/USA. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA, arriving later this afternoon.

For additional information, please contact:

Tara McDonnell
First Congregational Church of Salida
P.O. Box 1039
Salida, CA 95368
Tel: 209-545-1156
Fax: 209-545-1295

March 19-28, 2006Hosted by Dr. Dale Pederson

Our Touring Program

For additional information, please contact:

Journeys of PaulIncluded Features

March 19-28, 2006
Hosted by Dr. Dale Pederson

Journeys of Paul
Included Features