Footsteps of Paul Tour:
Greece, Ephesus & the Greek Isles Cruise A 12-Day Journey through the New Testament
May 12-23, 2027
Walk where the Apostle Paul preached and the early church was born. Journey through the heart of the New Testament. This unforgettable tour combines the ancient wonders of Greece and Ephesus with the comfort of first-class hotels and a seven-night deluxe Greek Isles cruise. Guided by biblically knowledgeable experts, you’ll explore iconic sites in comfort, enjoy breathtaking island vistas, and experience Scripture coming alive, without the stress of planning. From Athens to the Aegean, this is a faith-filled journey of discovery and reflection.
3 nights, 4 days in Athens at first-class hotels and
7 nights, 7 days on board a luxury cruise ship.
TOURING: Explore the sites of Greece and Ephesus in comfort aboard a private, air-conditioned bus led by a biblically knowledgeable tour guide. Experience a seven-day cruise through the stunning Greek Islands.
PRICE: $4,375.00 per person (based on double occupancy). Airfare not included - price to be determined.
Includes: All hotels and cruise accommodations; private bus transportation in Greece and Turkey (Ephesus); entry fees to all tour sites and activities; daily buffet breakfasts and dinners, and all tips and gratuities.
Excludes: Round-trip airfare (price yet to be determined).
Tour Itinerary Walk in the Footsteps of the Apostle Pauland experience the Bible come to life on this unforgettable journey through Greece and Asia Minor. Designed especially for families, this tour combines spiritual enrichment, cultural discovery, and meaningful moments of
connection. From the ancient streets of Athens and Corinth to the island beauty of the Aegean Sea and the biblical city of Ephesus, each day offers both inspiration and adventure.
Day 1 – Wednesday, May 12, 2027:Depart from Richmond or Dulles Airport
Your spiritual journey begins as you depart from Richmond or Washington Dulles International Airports on your overnight flight to Greece. Prepare your heart for a time of discovery, reflection, and family fellowship in the lands of the New Testament.
Day 2 – Arrival in Athens
Arrive in Athens, the city where Paul delivered his famous message at Mars Hill. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy
a relaxing evening as you adjust to your new surroundings. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 3 – Athens – The Message of Mars Hill
Explore Athens, the cradle of Western civilization and a vital stop in Paul’s missionary journey. Visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, Mars Hill (Areopagus), where Paul preached, and the Ancient Agora. Learn how Paul engaged the people of Athens with the truth of the Gospel. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
Day 4 – Embark on Aegean Cruise
Transfer to the port of Piraeus to embark on your 7-day cruise, tracing the sea routes of Paul’s travels through the islands of the Aegean. Settle into your cabin and enjoy your first evening aboard the ship. Overnight on board.
Kusadasi, Turkey – Ancient Ephesus
Sail to Kusadasi, Turkey, and visit Ephesus, where Paul lived and ministered for over two years (Acts 19). Walk the marble streets, visit the Great Theatre where Paul spoke to thousands, and see the Library of Celsus. Reflect at the House of Mary before returning to the ship. Overnight on board.
Day 6 – Rhodes
Dock in Rhodes, known for its ancient fortifications and biblical connection as a stop on Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1). Explore the medieval Old Town or enjoy a family stroll by the harbor. Overnight on board.
Day 7 – Crete
Arrive in Crete, where Paul’s companion Titus later served as a church leader. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Agios Nikolaos and take in the island’s beauty and charm. Overnight on board.
Day 8 - Santorini
Santorini Wake up to the breathtaking cliffs of Santorini. Explore the scenic village of Oia and enjoy time for family photos overlooking the Aegean. A day of beauty and reflection. Overnight on board.
Day 9 – Mykonos
Arrive in Mykonos, one of Greece’s most iconic islands. Wander the whitewashed lanes, relax on the beach, or enjoy local treats together as a family. Overnight on board.
Day 10 – Milos
Discover the serene island of Milos, known for its volcanic landscapes and crystal-clear waters. Spend the day exploring, swimming, or simply enjoying the slower pace of island life. Overnight on board.
Day 11 – Corinth & Mycenae – Farewell Dinner
Disembark in Athens and journey to Ancient Corinth, where Paul lived for 18 months and wrote to the Corinthians. Visit the Bema (Judgment Seat) where he stood before Gallio (Acts 18). Continue to Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a window into ancient Greek civilization.
Conclude the evening with a special farewell dinner celebrating your time together in the footsteps of Paul. Overnight in Athens.
Day 12 – May 23, 2027 - Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Return inspired, encouraged, and connected—having shared a life-changing experience walking in the Footsteps of Paul with your family.
Cruise Itinerary
May 15 - May 22, 2027
Price Per Person: $4,375.00 pp/double occupancy
Does not include Round-trip Airfare from Dulles (IAD).
Single Supplement fee of $1,400.00 for a private room throughout the tour.
Airfare estimate: $1,100.00 - $1,300.00, payable at time of purchase.
Deposit Required: $500 per person to reserve your place on the tour. The deposit is non-refundable.
Cruise Cabin Upgrades available - Exterior cabins are included in the tour package. Price available upon request.
Passports: Must be valid until November 23, 2027. Visa: Online visa requires ETIAS.
Inclusions
● 3 overnights in Athens at Royal Olympic Hotel or similar – breakfast and dinners included
● 7-day cruise aboard the Celestyal Cruise lines, on an all-inclusive basis, with
● Shore excursion to Kusadasi
● English-speaking licensed guide for sightseeing & touring as per the itinerary
● Private deluxe motor coach for transfers & touring as per itinerary.
● Private walking tours of Mykonos, Heraklion, and Santorini.
● Entrance fees to archaeological sites & museums as per the itinerary
● Porterage at the hotels
● Headsets during tours throughout the trip
● Tips to guides, managers, and drivers
● Port taxes & Cruise Tips
● 1 Shore excursions package
Not included
● Passport and visa fees
● Lunches (except cruise portion)
● Drinks during meals (except cruise portion)
● Cable-car tickets in Santorini are paid on site.
● Round-trip Airfare: Richmond or Dulles to Athens
Payment Schedule
Deposit: $500.00
Final Payment: February 1, 2027
Passport - A passport is required to board an international flight and travel to Israel. If you do not have a current passport, please make an appointment with the postal service and allow 10 weeks after your appointment to complete the renewal process in the US. Passports must be valid until 11/23/27 for this tour.
Travel Insurance is HIGHLY recommended for international travel. For the best coverage, purchase your travel insurance within two weeks of booking your tour. Compare travel insurance options at this website: TravelInsurance.com
Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required from each paid traveler, along with your reservation form, to guarantee your space on the tour. The remaining balance is due in 2 payments.
Airfare Payment is due upon ticketing of the flight.
Final Payment is due February 1, 2027.
● A supplement for single occupancy must be paid in full with the final payment.
Healthy and Mobility Challenges - Tours in Israel include areas that have uneven footing, few handrails, rocky pathways, and some steep climbs. Click here for Holy Land Accessibility & Wheelchair Access Questions
The streets and sites we visit are not wheelchair and walker-friendly. Most of our tours include 3-5 miles of walking per day. Guests with mobility challenges or other health issues should make private arrangements to travel with a caregiver who can stay with them if they need to opt out of a tour stop. Tour drivers will take breaks and lock up their buses when unattended. Guests cannot be left alone on an unattended bus should they choose to opt-out. If you have health challenges, please consult an Aliyah Tours representative before you put down a deposit on a tour.
For the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all participants, our Israel tours involve a moderate to rigorous level of physical activity. Travelers should be able to:
Walk 3-5 miles per day over uneven terrain, steps, inclines, and archaeological sites
Stand for extended periods during teachings and site visits
Manage personal luggage, travel documents, and personal needs independently
Navigate airports, airline procedures, security, customs, and flight connections without assistance from ministry staff
Keep pace with a group schedule that may include early mornings and full travel days
We joyfully welcome travelers from many seasons of life. However, Aliyah Foundation ministry staff and tour leaders are not able to provide personal travel assistance, airport navigation support, mobility assistance, medical supervision, or daily personal care.
Travelers who anticipate needing assistance in any of these areas are asked to travel with a capable companion who can provide the necessary support throughout the journey.
Our goal is to ensure every guest experiences Israel in a safe, meaningful, and spiritually enriching way.
Unexpected Airline Challenges
Airlines can and will make unexpected changes to travel itineraries due to weather, mechanical problems and staffing issues. Should your flight be delayed or canceled, it is up to the passenger to work directly with the airline to rebook flights to the intended destination. Aliyah Tours is not responsible for airline changes that cause delays, cancellations, late arrivals, baggage loss, and associated expenses. Group transfers are limited to the original arrival time and will not be available for rescheduled flights. (Air travel ticketing agents affiliated with Aliyah Tours are not responsible for rebooking your canceled or delayed flights.) Travel insurance is highly recommended to address all these challenges and the associated expenses for the traveler.
Visa and Passport
Passport - A passport is required to board an international flight and travel to Greece. If you do not have a current passport, please make an appointment with the postal service and allow 10 weeks after your appointment to complete the renewal process in the US. Passports must be valid until 11/23/27 for this tour. Allow 10 weeks for processing. Passport must be submitted to Aliyah by April 12, 2027.
Visa - European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) Requirements - All non-EU guests participating in the tour are required to obtain European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa approval prior to travel. ETIAS is a mandatory pre-screening and travel authorization system for visa-exempt travelers entering countries within the Schengen Area. Guests must apply online through the official ETIAS website https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. The cost of the official ETA-IL visa application is EUR 20.00. (or about $25.00). Do not use third-party sites for the application process.
Guests traveling from countries other than the host country are responsible for determining and meeting all entry, visa, passport, and documentation requirements for the destination country. Aliyah Tours is not responsible for delays, denied entry, or additional costs resulting from a guest’s failure to comply with these requirements. Any penalties, fees, or expenses incurred due to insufficient preparation are the sole responsibility of the guest.
We strongly recommend you buy Travel Insurance, as there will be no exceptions to the strict cancellation policy.
Your best coverage options will be available if you purchase your plan within two weeks of booking your tour.
Aliyah Tours (Aliyah), and/or its agents and their representatives act only as agents for the tour participants in making arrangements for hotels, transportation, touring, restaurants, or any other services in connection with the itinerary. They will exercise reasonable care in making such arrangements. However, they do not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity to person or property because of any act or default of any hotel, carrier, restaurant, company, or person rendering any of the services included in the tours. The tickets, coupons, tariffs, rules, or contracts currently in use by any carrier, hotel, restaurant, or other contractor rendering services shall constitute the sole contract between such contractor and the tour participants. All parties mentioned in this disclaimer, their agents or representatives abroad, and/or its employees accept no responsibility for any damage, delay, or injury due to sickness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, government restraints, hostile acts, terrorism, weather, acts of God, or any other cause beyond their personal control. All parties mentioned in this disclaimer, their agents or representatives abroad, and/or its employees are not responsible for loss of or damage to your luggage, accidents en route, or ill health which may require travelers to miss parts of the tour or to return home without the group. No carrier shall be responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time tour participants are not on board its own conveyance. The tour programs are planned in advance. If between planning time and the actual tour operation, circumstances beyond control require changes. All parties mentioned in this disclaimer, their agents or representatives abroad and/or its employees, reserve the right to vary itineraries and substitute components of tour programs. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for any reason whatsoever to alter the arrangements of the itinerary, such alterations may be made without penalty to the Aliyah Tours operators. The right is reserved to accept or refuse any person as a member of the tour.
