Steps of Paul & Eclectic Aegean - 14 Nights
Steps of Paul & Eclectic Aegean - 14 Nights
Trace the stories and explore the lives St. Paul the Apostle, early Christianity, and the melting pot of cultures we call home. Embarking on two adventures back-to-back, you’ll experience the combined wonder of our Steps of Paul and Eclectic Aegean Cruises.
You’ll get closer to faith as you follow Paul’s footsteps around the emerald waters of the Cyclades, taking in the Hagia Sophia, Grotto of the Apocalypse and ancient Ephesus. Then you’ll fill your heart in Oia among blue domes and golden sunshine, live a Byzantium dream on the moonlit streets of Istanbul, and do so much more. A joyous journey for modern missionaries.
Book for 2022
Cruise itinerary
At-a-Glance ItineraryAthens
(Greece)
Your Steps of St Paul journey begins in the magical city of Athens. The Greek capital is one of the oldest cities in the world and home to the iconic landmark of the Acropolis. Take your time to discover the heritage, history and culture that is firmly embedded in the heart of this captivating modern metropolis before joining us onboard as we head for Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki
(Greece)
Following the path of St Paul’s Second Missionary in Europe, leads you beyond the imposing Byzantine walls that guard the sophisticated port city of Thessaloniki. The beguiling architecture and meandering cobblestone streets are a pleasure to explore, topped only by the captivating site of the biblical city Berroia, known today as Veria. Join your expert guide to hear all about St. Paul’s tribulations as he tried to win over the noble Jews that lived here.
Kavala
(Greece)
The seaport resort of Kavala perched on the slopes of Mt Symvolo offers spectacular panoramic views. It was here that St Paul baptised the first Greek and European Christian convert, Lydia, and gave his first sermon. Visit the open-air baptistery, the monument that honours the Saint and the prison ruins where he was held captive with St Silas or join our specialist guide for a fascinating excursion to Neapolis and Philippi.
Istanbul
(Turkey)
The vibrant city of Istanbul straddles the continents of Europe and Asia via the Bosphorus Strait. Here you can visit the lavish Byzantine and Imperial mosques which pierce Istanbul’s skyline with their towering minarets. The iconic Sultanahmet (blue) mosque, the Romanesque Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the world-famous Church of Hagia Sophia are just a few of the enigmatic attractions to admire.
Dikili
(Turkey)
Snaking its way along the beautiful coastline of Turkey’s seafront city of Dikili is a lush landscape of green forestry and expansive golden sands. Sparkling crystalline turquoise waters complete the captivating scenery. Here you have the opportunity to visit the Ancient Pergamon and the ancient Acropolis. The remains of the healing temple of Asklepion is the final stop of the day.
Kusadasi
(Turkey)
In Turkey’s picturesque seaside resort of Kusadasi, St Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians and preached at the Great Theatre of Ephesus. The second-largest city of the Roman Empire is also the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Temple of Artemis. You will learn about this and more on our complimentary tour to ancient Ephesus and the city of Miletus.
Patmos
(Greece)
Patmos is the smallest of the Greek Dodecanese islands and also its most spiritual. The tranquil island is famously known for being the location where John the Apostle experienced the vision that inspired the Book of Revelations. The last remaining disciple was banished to Patmos by Rome. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims to St John’s Monastery and the Holy Grotto of the Apocalypse.
Athens
(Piraeus)
Breathtaking panoramas await you on your Eclectic Aegean odyssey. Before heading out to sea, take the time to explore the sprawling capital of Athens and step back in time across more than three millennia. Clustered around its landmark 5th-Century BC Acropolis are many historically important archaeological sites. And as you wait to board, enjoy the captivating ambience by the harbour’s edge.
Istanbul
Our adventure next takes us to the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul, and today you have the chance to see it from a unique perspective. Sailing down the Bosphorus Strait on a private boat, you’ll catch spectacular views of the Topkapi Palace and Rumeli Hisari Fortress. Followed by a wander around the historic spice market to set your senses ablaze.
Istanbul
An Istanbul morning is rich with the melodic call to prayer and the scent of spices going to market. This is one of the world’s truly great cities, wonderfully eclectic and full of opportunities. Be sure to take in the city’s skyline, embellished with the silhouetted minarets of lavish Byzantine and imperial mosques, to get a sense of what makes Istanbul so special.
Kavala
Perched on the slopes of Mt Symvolo, this vibrant seaport resort has been a little-known favourite for centuries. Its name, Kavala, is said to have been based on Alexander the Great’s favourite horse. These days it’s also affectionately known as ‘the blue city’, boasting crystal-clear waters and dreamy sea views. For a taste of ancient life, you can also explore the nearby ruins of Neapolis and Philippi, with a specialist guide bringing their stories to life.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki’s ancient ruins rooted in the middle of the city create a rich tapestry sewn with a Roman Agora, the Arch of Galerius, the Rotonda, the Byzantine Baths and the Crypt of Agios Demetrios) together with the neoclassical architecture and the impressive Aghia Sofia. The island also has a reputation for its sumptuous culinary delights and delicious pastries.
Volos
Volos itself offers everything you need for an exciting or relaxing day in port. Step off your Volos cruise, and you’re greeted by a thriving university city whose energetic pace will whisk you up into its whirlwind of activity, along the edge of the beautiful natural harbor and in the tsipouradika—traditional tavernas—and set you on course to uncover some real architectural gems, both ancient and neoclassical. Wander around and you’ll find grand urban mansions sitting beside nods to the city’s long-lasting industrial heritage.
Santorini
The mesmerising landscape of Santorini is instantly recognisable all over the world. The sweeping cluster of traditional whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches are instantly recognisable, and you have the opportunity to experience the island’s charming villages on our complimentary excursions to the picturesque beauty spot of Oia perched on the Caldera rim. You won’t want to forget your camera.
Athens
(Piraeus)
Our cruise arrives back in Athens early where you will have the entire day to explore the magic of this modern metropolis. The heart of ancient Greece is the cultural home to numerous important archaeological sites and famous landmarks. Take your time to discover the highlights, or alternatively uncover the colourful street art or relax on the gorgeous golden-sand beaches.
At a Glance
CloseDATE | PORT/CITY | ARRIVE | DEPART |
---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Athens (Piraeus) | 16:00 | |
Day 2 | Thessaloniki | 09:30 | 20:00 |
Day 3 | Kavala | 08:00 | 16:00 |
Day 4 | Istanbul | 09:30 | 20:00 |
Day 5 | Dikili | 12:00 | 20:00 |
Day 6 | Kusadasi | 08:00 | 23:30 |
Day 7 | Patmos | 07:00 | 18:30 |
Day 8 | Athens (Piraeus) | 07:00 | 15:00 |
Day 9 | Istanbul | 15:00 | |
Day 10 | Istanbul | 18:00 | |
Day 11 | Kavala | 11:00 | 20:00 |
Day 12 | Thessaloniki | 08:00 | 19:00 |
Day 13 | Volos | 08:00 | 18:30 |
Day 14 | Santorini | 09:00 | 20:00 |
Day 15 | Athens (Piraeus) | 07:00 |
Amazing excursions carefully curated
- Included Excursions
- Optional Excursions
ANCIENT EPHESUS & MILETUS
Learn MoreBOSPHORUS CRUISE AND THE SPICE MARKET
Learn MoreVERIA (BERROIA)
Learn MoreSPECTACULAR OIA VILLAGE PERCHED ON THE CALDERA RIM
Learn MoreELOUNDA AND BEYOND
Learn MoreSCENIC LIMASSOL
Learn MorePANORAMIC AGIOS NIKOLAOS
Learn MorePanoramic Milos
Learn MoreJERUSALEM & BETHLEHEM
Learn MoreJAFFA & TEL AVIV
Learn MoreUNESCO CHURCHES IN SOLEA REGION – 2 CHURCHES
Learn MorePANORAMIC LIMASSOL & CURIUM
Learn MorePAPHOS, THE CITY OF UNESCO
Learn MoreEXPERIENCE THE TRADITION
Learn MoreCURIUM, THE WINE VILLAGE OF OMODOS AND LIMASSOL
Learn MoreCLASSIC CAIRO
Learn MoreHOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY & ANCIENT EPHESUS
Learn MoreANCIENT EPHESUS THROUGH THE AGES – HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN
Learn MoreANCIENT EPHESUS AND THE TERRACE HOUSES
Learn MoreANCIENT EPHESUS & MILETUS
Learn MoreTURKISH BATHS
Learn MoreISTANBUL
Learn MoreOTTOMAN EMPIRE AND BYZANTINE LEGACY TOUR
Learn MoreDISCOVER THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF SULTAN AHMET SQUARE
Learn MoreBOSPHORUS CRUISE AND THE SPICE MARKET
Learn MoreA TASTE OF ISTANBUL: STREET FOOD TOUR
Learn MoreANCIENT PERGAMON
Learn MoreLEGENDARY TROY & THE NEW TROY MUSEUM
Learn MoreGALLIPOLI, TROY AND THE NEW TROY MUSEUM
Learn MoreGALLIPOLI
Learn MoreFULL DAY TRIP TO TROY & ASSOS
Learn MoreVOLOS & MT. PELION
Learn MoreTHE SPECTACULAR ROCKS & THE ‘HANGING’ MONASTERIES
Learn MoreLEGENDARY MOUTZOURIS (MOUNTAIN TRAIN RIDE)
Learn MoreDRINK AND EAT LIKE A LOCAL
Learn MoreLAND OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Learn MoreTHE ROYAL TOMBS OF VERGINA
Learn MorePANORAMIC THESSALONIKI
Learn MoreVERIA (BERROIA)
Learn MoreHIGHLIGHTS OF THESSALONIKI
Learn MoreWALKING TOUR IN SYROS
Learn MoreTHE ESSENCE OF SANTORINI
Learn MoreSPECTACULAR OIA VILLAGE PERCHED ON THE CALDERA RIM
Learn MoreOFF THE BEATEN TRACK – JEEP SAFARI ADVENTURE
Learn MoreCRUISE TO SANTORINI’S ISLANDS AND VOLCANOES
Learn MoreAKROTIRI VILLAGE EXCAVATIONS
Learn MoreWALKING TOUR IN THE MEDIEVAL CITY OF RHODES
Learn MorePHILERIMOS CHURCH AND THE PALACE OF THE KNIGHTS
Learn MoreMEDIEVAL TOUR – ACROPOLIS OF LINDOS AND THE CITADEL OF THE KNIGHTS
Learn MoreTRADITIONAL FEAST IN PATMOS
Learn MoreRELIGIOUS VISIT TO ST JOHN’S MONASTERY – GROTTO OF APOCALYPSE
Learn MoreCOUNTRYSIDE TOUR WITH CHORA AND THE GROTTO OF APOCALYPSE
Learn MoreMYKONIAN DINNER
Learn MoreMYKONIAN COUNTRYSIDE TOUR WITH CHORA AND LITTLE VENICE
Learn MoreDELOS – SACRED ISLAND & APOLLO SANCTUARY
Learn MoreCYCLADIC TASTES (FOOD ON FOOT)
Learn MoreTHE AMAZING BEACHES TOUR
Learn MoreSTEP BACK IN TIME – (RELIGIOUS)
Learn MoreSTEP BACK IN TIME
Learn MoreNOSTALGIC MILOS
Learn MoreNEAPOLIS & PHILIPPI
Learn MoreCRETAN JEEP SAFARI
Learn MoreRIVER TREKKING TOUR
Learn MoreA DELECTABLE DAY IN CRETE
Learn MoreTHE PALACE OF KNOSSOS & COSMOPOLITAN HERAKLION
Learn MoreTHE CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS OF ELOUNDA AND SPINALONGA
Learn MoreVENETIAN HERAKLION AND THE UNIQUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Learn MoreMINOAN PALACE OF KNOSSOS – 1ST EUROPEAN CIVILISATION
Learn MoreKNOSSOS PALACE AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Learn MoreEXPERIENCE THE CRETAN COUNTRYSIDE AND LIFESTYLE
Learn MoreTHE ACROPOLIS & THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
Learn MorePANORAMIC ATHENS AND CORINTH CANAL CROSSING
Learn MoreCORINTH CANAL, ANCIENT CORINTH, BEMA OF ST. PAUL
Learn MoreATHENS MONUMENTS AND THE ACROPOLIS
Learn MoreATHENS TOUR AND THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
Learn MoreON BOARD DINING
We have a proud culinary tradition and love delighting our guests with a range of sumptuous recipes.
Our speciality chefs lovingly prepare authentic international dishes bursting with mouthwatering flavors.
UNLIMITED CLASSIC DRINKS
Enjoy the ambient lounges and admire spectacular views as you indulge in our range of premium brands, selected wine and spirits.
ONBOARD ENTERTAINMENT
You’ll never be lost for anything to do with our full-program of entertainment throughout the day and in the evening.
SELECTED SHORE EXCURSIONS
Discover iconic archaeological sites and idyllic hotspots such as the Minoan Palace of Knossos and ancient Ephesus.
PORT CHARGES AND GRATUITIES
We don’t believe in surprising guests with hidden fees so include port charges and gratuities with the final cost of your cruise so you can protect your travel budget.