Lands of The Bible 2023 Cruise – Rome to Israel
6-21 November 2023
A Faithful cruising experience & a celebration of Agape
Onboard Norwegian Epic
12 Days Cruise through the Bible visiting Rome-Florence-Pompei-Ephesus-Patmos-Jerusalem-Bethlehem-Santorini-Cyprus
Lands of the Bible Cruise is a remarkable journey will take you to some of the most significant and sacred sites in the Mediterranean, exploring the ancient lands of the Bible and immersing yourself in their rich history and culture.
A purposeful cruising experience of incomparable magnitude is about to begin! Sail onboard NCL Epic and join other pilgrims on a journey to the Lands of the Bible. Your cruise starts from Rome, Italy, the Eternal City, and is of tremendous Christian importance, as we learn from Apostle Paul’s Journeys & Epistles. During your tour, you will visit the Mamertine Prison, where Paul and Peter were imprisoned, and the Tre Fontane Abbey where Paul was beheaded. Your cruise continues to Ancient Ephesus & Patmos – the Island of Apocalypse, where John wrote the Book of Revelation!
Once in Cyprus you will have the chance to drive to Paphos from the port of Limassol. Cyprus was the first country in the world to come under Christian administration when the Apostle Paul on his 1st Missionary Journey along with Barnabas visited the island in their mission to spread Christianity.
You will visit the Iconic island of Santorini. Probably the most seen, photographed, and portrayed Island in Greece. Climb o the town of Thira and admire the breathtaking view of the Volcano.
Jerusalem, Bethlehem & the Sea of Galilee will be the spiritual highlights of your cruise; you will spend two days walking where Jesus walked as every chapter of your Bible is unwrapping in front of you! Visit the Mount of Olives and walk along the via Dolorosa, see the Shepherds field in Bethlehem. Last but not least you will have the unique opportunity to get baptized in the Jordan River.
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Destination
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Departure
Rome, Italy / Haifa, Israel -
Included
Our Deluxe MotorcoachesOur Experienced Tour DirectorOur Expert GuidesOur Unsurpassed Service
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Day 1: Arrival Rome
Welcome to Rome. Upon arrival at Rome Airport you will meet your Christian guide and driver for your transfer to your hotel. Dinner & Overnight in Rome
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Day 2: Imperial Rome Tour
This morning you will discover Imperial Rome. Paul wrote to the Christians of Rome and he eventually went there where his ministry continued, although he was technically a prisoner. You will experience the glory of Imperial Rome when you visit the Coliseum, famous as a place of spectacle and death. Gladiators died here as thousands looked on. See the Circus Maximus, built during the reign of Nero. This huge stadium was able to seat 250,000 spectators for chariot races and other spectacles. See the Roman Forum, an ancient meeting place, marketplace, religious and political center. View the Arch of Titus that commemorates Titus' conquest of Judea. You'll visit the Mamertine Prison, where it is believed that both Peter and Paul were imprisoned.
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Day 3: Christian Rome & Embarkation
This morning you'll discover the Vatican Museum, home to many of the world's masterpieces. Enter the Sistine Chapel and view Michelangelo's frescoes, which have been restored to their full, colorful glory. Tour St. Peter's Basilica where Michelangelo's "Pieta" -- the only work signed by the master -- will be just one of many highlights. Travel along the famous Apian Way. Walkthrough the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Visit Tre Fontane, where Apostle Paul was beheaded. Afternoon Cruise Embarkation
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Day 4: Florence, Italy
How lucky to visit the Tuscan region, Florence & Pisa, resplendent in art and history. What's even more fortunate is that all the main attractions in Florence are centrally located for the perfect walking tour. See Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo and Michelangelo's David
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Day 5: Pompeii, Italy
Upon arrival in Naples, you will pass by Pozzuoli, the old port where Paul landed on his way to Rome. Then you will visit ancient Pompeii, dating almost to the time of Paul, where you can see the spectacular ruins that were covered by ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.
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Day 6: Day at Sea
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Day 7: Santorini
This afternoon visit the island of Santorini which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Thira where white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, is accessible by foot path, cable-car or mule. You may choose to take an optional tour of sailing around an active volcano crater and swimming in the water heated by hot springs or enjoy this lovely island on foot. Again we return to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.
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Day 8: Athens & Tour Corinth
You will begin our day with a tour of Athens. In 51 AD, Apostle Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by boat. His boat anchored at Faliron that used to be one of the main ancient ports of Ancient Athens. Paul walked from the port to the city of Athens. While waiting for Silas & Timothy to come from Macedonia, he spent most of his time talking with citizens at the Synagogue and in the Agora. The Athenians took an interest in his teachings and invited him to present it more analytical on the Aeropagus, the hill west of the Acropolis (Mars Hill). Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and gave his famous Aeropagus Sermon, emphasizing the need to “a known God” rather than worship the “unknown” as described in Acts 17:16-34. Follow your guide on a visit to the Acropolis where you will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon, the Erectheum, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Touring through modern Athens You will view the Olympic Stadium, where the modern Olympic games began and where the games returned in 2004.
Visit Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired one of St. Paul's most famous letter. You will visit the Archeological Museum, the Market Place, and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Read Paul's letter to the Corinthians, addressing his message to the Gentiles as he began the task of establishing his church in Corinth.
Acts 18:9-11 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
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Day 9: Kusadasi, Asia Minor
Upon disembarkation, you will meet your guide and drive to visit the ancient city of Ephesus including the Basilica of St. John. Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. You tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Walkthrough history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Theatre. The Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, another of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was built in this city.
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Day 10: Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul. An exciting day lies ahead of you. After breakfast, you will disembark and meet your expert guide to tour the most amazing landmarks of Istanbul, including the Basilica of Hagia Sophia, a beautiful architectural example of the Byzantine era and Christian Faith. Then you continue to the Hippodrome, a venue of events in the Roman Period such as horse races, gladiator fights, and parades. Last but not least, Blue Mosque famous for its blue tiles which cover the walls of the Mosque and the marvellous architecture.
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Day 10: Patmos
Today you are in Patmos. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. John was on exile on the island of Patmos where in the Grotto he wrote the Book of Revelation.
Rev 1:11 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”Your tour will continue with a visit to St. John’s Monastery before you go back to your cruise ship.
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Day 11: Rhodes
Rhodes, the island of "roses", is the legendary home of the sun god Apollo. The old town (the largest inhabited medieval town of Europe) and its mighty fortifications (built by the crusaders of St. John) are the finest surviving example of defensive architecture. An optional tour takes us to Lindos, which is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century. Within, stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis a breathtaking view covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul's Bay, where the Apostle cast harbor during his historic voyage to Ephesus.
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Day 12: Limasol, Cyprus
On his First Missionary Journey, Paul's first stop was the Island of Cyprus. Along with him were Barnabas and John Mark, together they preached the word of God on the Island in the Synagogues of the Jews (Act 13:4-5). Today you will arrive in Paphos where Paul and Barnabas brought the gospel to the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus.
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Day 13: Ashdod, Israel
Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”(Acts 21:13) Welcome to Jerusalem where you will visit the Upper Room, the House of the High Priest Caiaphas and the Western Wall. Visit the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. You'll walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Enter the Old City and visit the Pool of Bethesda. Worship together in the Garden Tomb.
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Day 14: Disembarkation Haifa, Israel
Disembarkation this morning in haifa. Visit Galilee, Tabgha, Capernaum, River Jordan: Travel inland to the Sea of Galilee. You'll stand on the Mount of the Beatitudes and you'll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves, the Chapel of the Primacy, Capernaum and you'll stop by the River Jordan where those who wish to be baptized may do so. Overnight in Haifa.
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Day 15: Departure
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