DETAILS:

Tour Price: $4,350.00

Registration Deposit - 

A $500 non-refundable deposit per person is required at the time of registration.

The deposit will be applied toward the guest’s total tour cost.

Airfare Payment

Airfare payment will be due when airline tickets are issued. Flight schedules, baggage allowances, seat assignments, and ticketing terms will be provided when group airfare arrangements are finalized.

Final Payment

The remaining tour balance is due by: July 1, 2027

Any private-room supplement must also be paid by the final payment deadline.

Tour Highlights

Experience many of the places connected to Paul’s ministry and the growth of the early Church, including:

• Athens and the Acropolis
• Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the Athenians
• The Ancient Agora
• A three-night Celestyal Cruise through the Aegean Sea
• Ancient Ephesus
• The Terrace Houses of Ephesus
• The Island of Patmos
• The Cave of the Apocalypse
• Ancient and Christian Rome
• The Colosseum
• The Roman Forum
• Mamertine Prison
• The Arch of Titus
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps

The journey concludes with a special farewell dinner in Rome.

Day 1: Tuesday, September 14

Depart for Greece

Depart the United States on an overnight flight to Athens, Greece.

Day 2: Wednesday, September 15

Welcome to Athens

Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy time to relax before gathering with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Athens

Day 3: Thursday, September 16

Athens, Mars Hill and the Acropolis

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of Athens, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Mars Hill, and the Ancient Agora.

Stand near the place where the Apostle Paul addressed the people of Athens and proclaimed the “unknown God.”

Overnight: Athens

Day 4: Friday, September 17

Board the Celestyal Cruise

Enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to the port to board your three-night Celestyal Cruise through the beautiful Aegean Sea.

Overnight: Celestyal Cruise

Day 5: Saturday, September 18

Ephesus and the Terrace Houses

Dock in Kusadasi, Türkiye, for a guided excursion to ancient Ephesus.

Explore one of the best-preserved cities of the ancient world and an important center of Paul’s ministry. The excursion includes the beautifully preserved Terrace Houses, which offer a remarkable view into daily life in the ancient city.

Overnight: Celestyal Cruise

Day 6: Sunday, September 19

Patmos

Visit the Island of Patmos and tour the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian.

Patmos is traditionally associated with the Apostle John and the writing of the Book of Revelation.

Overnight: Celestyal Cruise

Day 7: Monday, September 20

Return to Athens

Disembark in Athens and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon for shopping, relaxation, or optional sightseeing.

Overnight: Athens

Day 8: Tuesday, September 21

Athens to Rome

Fly from Athens to Rome. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the Eternal City.

Overnight: Rome

Day 9: Wednesday, September 22

Ancient and Christian Rome

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of Ancient and Christian Rome.  Visits to the sites listed below may be scheduled on either Day 9 or Day 10, depending on local operating schedules and entrance reservations. 

• The Colosseum
• The Roman Forum
• Mamertine Prison
• The Arch of Titus
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel

Overnight: Rome

Day 10: Thursday, September 23

The Treasures of Rome

Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and other historic landmarks.

Celebrate the conclusion of the journey with a special farewell dinner.

Overnight: Rome

Day 11: Friday, September 24

Return Home

Transfer to Rome Airport for the return flight to the United States.

The proposed itinerary is based on the tour agreement and may be adjusted due to local conditions, scheduling requirements, or circumstances beyond the tour operator’s control.

Tour Price: Starting at $4,350 per person

The tour price is based on double occupancy and includes the land tour, three-night cruise, cruise and hotel gratuities.

Optional Additional Costs

Balcony cruise cabin upgrade: $490 per person
Subject to availability.

Private room supplement: $1,650 per person

Estimated roundtrip airfare: $1,400–$1,600 per person

The airfare estimate is based on travel from Richmond or Washington-area airports to Athens, a mid-tour flight from Athens to Rome, and a return flight from Rome to Richmond or Washington.

Airfare is not included in the tour price and will be billed separately when group flights are arranged.

What Is Included

Your tour package includes:

• Nine hotel and cruise overnights
• Two nights in Athens before the cruise
• Three-night Celestyal Cruise
• One additional night in Athens
• Three nights in Rome
• Hotel porterage
• Arrival transfer from Athens Airport to the Athens hotel
• Departure transfer from the Rome hotel to Rome Airport
• Nine days of sightseeing
• Licensed English-speaking Christian tour guide during sightseeing days and transfers
• Professional tour manager throughout the journey
• Luxury air-conditioned motorcoach transportation
• Personal audio headsets during the tour
• Full buffet breakfast daily
• Dinner on arrival day
• Breakfast on departure day
• Restaurant dinners in Athens and Rome
• Entrance fees for the included program
• Cruise excursions to Ephesus and Patmos
• Ephesus Terrace Houses admission
• Gratuities for cruise staff, the tour manager, hotel staff, and restaurant staff
• New Government Sustainable Development fees collected by cruise line.  (5-20 Euros per port)

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What Is Not Included

The following are not included in the tour price:

• International airfare
• Airline baggage fees, seat upgrades
• Travel and medical insurance
• Passport and visa fees
• Sustainable Development Cruise Port Fees
• ETIAS travel authorization fee, if required
• Lunches during the land portion of the tour
• Meals not specifically listed as included
• Beverages during meals
• Bottled water on the motorcoach
• Tips for local licensed guides and local drivers
• Late hotel checkout or early check-in
• Personal expenses
• Optional sightseeing and activities

Guest Cancellation Policy

We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise and may require a guest to cancel their tour. Because hotels, cruise cabins, transportation, and other travel services are reserved and paid for well in advance, the following cancellation policy applies. Cancellation penalties are based on the number of days prior to the tour's scheduled arrival date.

• More than 90 days before arrival - The $500 per person registration deposit is non-refundable. All other tour payments will be refunded.
• 61 to 90 days before arrival - The $500 registration deposit is non-refundable. 50% of all additional tour payments received will be retained. The remaining balance will be refunded.
• 60 days or fewer before arrival - The $500 registration deposit is non-refundable. 100% of all additional tour payments received are non-refundable.

Refunds will be issued according to the cancellation policy above after a written cancellation request has been received by Aliyah Tours. 

Because cancellation penalties can be substantial, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended to help protect your investment against qualifying covered events, including trip cancellation, medical emergencies, travel delays, and baggage loss.

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Tour Arrangements

Air Travel 

Airfare is purchased separately from the tour price. Aliyah Tours will offer guests the opportunity to work with our experienced airline ticketing agent to arrange flights that coordinate with the group itinerary. Guests may also purchase their own airfare, provided their flight schedule aligns with the published tour arrival and departure times.

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Passports & Travel Requirements

Every guest must travel with a valid passport.

• A copy of your passport information page must be submitted to Aliyah Tours no later than six weeks before departure.
• Passport processing in the United States can take up to 10 weeks or longer. If applying within three months of departure, expedited processing is recommended.
• Your passport should remain valid for at least six months beyond your return date from Europe. For this tour, passports must be valid through March 25, 2028. 
• Guests are responsible for determining and meeting all passport, visa, ETIAS, and other entry requirements applicable to their citizenship and country of residence.
• Aliyah Tours does not process passport, visa, or travel authorization applications.

If the European Union's ETIAS travel authorization program is in effect at the time of travel, guests will be responsible for obtaining the required authorization before departure. Aliyah Tours will provide additional information as it becomes available.

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Payment Schedule

• Registration Deposit: $500 per person (non-refundable), due at the time of registration.
• Airfare Payment: Due when airline tickets are issued.
• Final Tour Payment: Due July 1, 2027, including any applicable private room supplement.

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Airline Schedule Changes

Airlines occasionally make unexpected changes to flight schedules due to weather, mechanical issues, staffing shortages, air traffic restrictions, or other operational circumstances.

If your flight is delayed, canceled, or significantly changed:

• Guests are responsible for working directly with the airline to arrange alternate flights.
• Airline ticketing agents affiliated with Aliyah Tours are not responsible for rebooking delayed or canceled flights.
• Aliyah Tours is not responsible for airline schedule changes, missed connections, delayed arrivals, baggage delays or loss, or any expenses resulting from these events.
• Complimentary group airport transfers are scheduled around the published group arrival and departure times and may not be available for delayed or rescheduled flights. Any additional transportation costs resulting from flight changes are the responsibility of the traveler.

For these reasons, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.

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Itinerary Changes

Every effort will be made to operate the tour as published. However, circumstances beyond the control of Aliyah Tours, including weather, government regulations, transportation schedules, cruise operations, site closures, or other unforeseen events, may require changes to hotels, sightseeing, transportation, or the order of the itinerary. When necessary, comparable substitutions will be made to provide the best possible travel experience.

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Health & Mobility

Please review the Mobility Requirements & Activity Level section before registering. Guests are responsible for determining whether this tour is appropriate for their physical abilities.

Guests who require personal assistance during the tour must travel with a companion or caregiver who can provide that assistance throughout the journey. Aliyah Tours personnel, tour managers, guides, drivers, cruise staff, and hotel staff are not able to provide personal mobility or caregiving assistance.

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Photography

During the tour, Aliyah Tours and Community West Church may photograph or record portions of the journey for promotional, educational, and ministry purposes. By participating in the tour, guests grant permission for their likeness to appear in photographs or video unless they notify Aliyah Tours in writing before departure.

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. 

Mobility Requirements & Activity Level

Activity Level 3 – Moderate

This tour is designed for guests who are in good health and able to travel independently. Many of the biblical and historical sites are located in areas of antiquity and were not designed for modern accessibility.

Guests should be prepared for:

• Walking 3–5 miles per day
• Extended periods of standing during sightseeing
• Uneven stone pathways and ancient Roman roads
• Cobblestone streets
• Frequent steps and moderate hills
• Limited handrails at many sites
• Walking between coach drop-off points and site entrances
• Boarding and disembarking the cruise ship

Please Note

• Guests should be able to comfortably keep pace with the group throughout the tour.
• The itinerary cannot be modified to accommodate individual mobility limitations.
• Guests who require physical assistance are welcome to travel with us when accompanied by a companion or caregiver who can provide that assistance throughout the journey.
• Guests traveling alone should be fully independent and able to manage all aspects of the tour, including walking, stairs, luggage handling, airports, hotels, and boarding the motorcoach and cruise ship without assistance.
• Aliyah Tours personnel, guides, drivers, cruise staff, and hotel staff are not able to provide personal mobility or caregiving assistance.
• This tour is not suitable for wheelchairs, walkers, or mobility scooters.

If you have questions about the activity level or whether this tour is a good fit for your abilities, please contact Aliyah Tours before registering. We are happy to discuss the itinerary and help you make an informed decision.