"After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered on the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome."
                                — Acts of the Apostles, 28:11-13

Trace the path of Paul of Tarsus, the man who brought Christianity to the 'West,' in this eight day tour of the central Mediterranean. It is a journey like no other.

This is a fully personalized tour, customized to your group's requirements. Accomodations can be arranged in 4 or 5 star-rated hotels, and the number of meals included (apart from breakfasts which always are) can be varied. The price will depend on the options selected. We offer this tour for a minimum of eight (8) participants. It can be planned for any time of the year except the period from 20 July through August, taking into account Italian and Maltese national holidays.

While it is preferable to begin the tour at a weekend (on a Friday or Saturday), it is possible to begin it on any day of the week.

This "religious tour" is primarily historical; as it does not have a specifically Catholic, Protestant or Evangelical orientation, it is suitable to groups regardless of their background. Many of the sites visited are associated with the Catholic Church, but as part of the tour it is often possible to arrange lectures by (for example) Orthodox or Evangelical specialists in theology or history.

Itinerary:

1st Day: Arrival at Valletta, Malta's capital. Meet your tour escort for a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Valletta.

2nd Day: Visit of the central Maltese city of Mdina, a medieval locality on high ground overlooking much of the island. We'll visit Paul's Cave in the neighbouring town of Rabat, and also the Catacombs of Saint Agatha nearby. After lunch, we'll visit the Hagar Qim archeological site, where the megalithic temples date from circa 3500 BC (BCE). Predating the structures at Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt by a thousand years, these are the oldest Europeans monuments dedicated to worship and spirituality. Late afternoon and evening at leisure in old Valletta, founded by the Knights of Saint John in the sixteenth century. Overnight in Valletta

3rd Day: Following early breakfast, departure for Catania with Air Malta. At the airport you'll be met by the tour escort who will accompany your group in Italy. Our first stop will be Syracuse (Siracusa), where you'll check into your hotel. Following lunch, we'll visit the Paleo-Christian church of Saint John, where Paul is believed to have preached, and see Ortygia and the historic center of Syracuse. Overrnight in Syracuse.

4th Day: Today we'll explore the Syracuse Archeological Park, where vestiges of the Greek city Paul visited are preserved. One of the most important cities of the Greek world, Syracuse was the birthplace of Archimedes and also the residence of Plato. Evening at leisure and overnight in Syracuse

5th Day: Transfer to Catania Airport and flight to Naples. Following your hotel check-in, you'll visit Pozzuoli, the district Paul visited when he came to Naples. Today it is part of a vast, sprawling urban area stretching from Mount Vesuvius along the coast. Overnight in Naples.

6th Day: Today we'll visit Pompeii, which represents a typical city the ancient Roman world Paul knew. Destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the year 79 (after Paul visited Pozzuoli), Pompeii is remarkably well-preserved in many respects. Overnight at Naples.

7th Day: Today we'll depart for Rome, a two-hour drive from Naples. In the afternoon, following lunch, we'll visit the Church of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where Paul's remains and tomb are preserved, and the Saint Thekla Catacombs nearby, where the earliest known image of Paul (from circa 370) has been found painted in fresco on a wall. We'll also visit "Saint Paul of the Three Fountains" Church, erected on what is traditionally identified as the site of Paul's death. Overnight in Rome.

8th Day: Visit of the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus site. Following lunch, afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight in Rome.

9th Day: Transfer to the airport for departure.

Planning this Tour:

Contact us at tours@bestofsicily.com indicating "Paul" in the subject line, or by phone at +39 091 626 9685, or fax +39 091 380 9900. From the United States or Canada you may also contact us by Skype at 718-473-0803. (Please remember that there's a six-hour time difference between Central European Time here in Italy and American Eastern Time in Toronto and New York.)

This tour is organized by Chat & Tour (Tradizione Turismo), Via Gen. Sirtori 25, 90145 Palermo, Italy. Visit our general tours page for faqs and purchase conditions regarding this and other tours.

Print this page

Top of Page