By Sea & Land: Paul’s Journey to Rome 2019

May 04 - 17, 2019
- Prof. Sarah Yeomans

Paul’s journey to Rome that concludes the book of Act is one of the most exciting stories in ancient literature. It recounts the fateful shipwreck that occurred west of Crete. Our tour will pick up the story on the island of Malta where Paul and the other 275 survivors came ashore. From Malta we will visit each of Paul’s stops on his way to Rome mentioned in Acts 28. We first ferry to Sicily to see the archaeological wonders of Syracuse, Agrigento, and Taormina. After the ferry crossing of the Strait of Messina, we come to Reggio Calabria. In the Naples area we will see the volcanized remains of Pompeii, the fabled Naples Archaeological Museum, and the port of Puteoli where Paul made landfall. We will then follow the Appian Way to Rome, stopping at the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. Our four days in Rome are packed with visits to all the major archaeological sites. We will also tour Rome’s ports of Portus and Ostia, where we will see the Late Antique synagogue. Our twelve days will be filled with fascinating sites, beautiful scenery, and exquisite food, so I invite you to join me as we sail and walk in Paul’s footsteps.

Itinerary

May 4, Saturday
Depart New York (JFK) — Fly Malta (MLA)

May 5, Sunday: Arrive Malta
Arrival of the group to Malta International Airport. Meeting and assistance at airport by English-speaking guide. If time permits, visit to St. Paul’s Bay, and San Pawl Milqi. Check-in at hotel and brief meeting. Dinner & Overnight at hotel in Malta. (D)

May 6, Monday: Malta
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Full day with English-speaking guide (8 hours) and coach transport. Visit Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, then travel to Valletta to visit the Church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck and Upper Barakka Gardens. At Mdina visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, Bastion Square, St Paul’s grotto. Transfer back to hotel. Dinner & Overnight at Hotel in Malta. (B,D)

May 7, Tuesday: Malta — Ferry to Pozzallo — Agrigento — Syracuse
Boxed breakfast at hotel and checkout. Early pick up for transfer to ferry terminal including English-speaking representative. Departure at 05:00 by ferry to Pozzallo. At 06:45 upon arrival in Sicily meet your driver in Pozzallo and drive to Agrigento (165 km). 10:00 Visit the Valley of Temples. 13:00 Proceed to Piazza Armerina to visit the Villa Romana del Casale (98 km). 17:00 Proceed to Syracuse for dinner and overnight (147 km). (B,D)

May 8, Wednesday: Syracuse — Taormina
Breakfast at hotel and checkout. Full day tour of Syracuse. Visit Ortygia island in the morning and the archaeological area in the afternoon. Drive to Taormina. Dinner and overnight in Taormina area. (B,D)

May 9, Thursday: Taormina — Ferry to Reggio Calabria
07:30 Breakfast at hotel. 08:30 am guided visit of Taormina including the Greek Theater. Drive to Messina at noon (52 km). Take 15:00 pm ferry to Reggio Calabria (35 min). Upon arrival, meet your guide and go by private bus to the Cattedrale di Maria SS Asunta to see the statue commemorating Paul’s visit. Then view some of the ruins of ancient Rhegium walking along the Corso Garibaldi, ending at the Museum of Magna Grecia. Dinner and overnight in Reggio Calabria. (B,D)

May 10, Friday: Reggio Calabria — Pompeii — Naples
07:00 Breakfast at hotel and checkout. Drive to Pompeii for guided visit of Pompeii archaeological site. 19:30 Dinner and overnight in Naples city center. (B,D)

May 11, Saturday: Naples — Pozzuoli — Cuma — Naples
08:00 Breakfast at hotel. 09:00 Visit Archaeological Museum of Naples. Then proceed to Pozzuoli to visit harbor area, Rione Terra, Serapis temple/Macellum, and Flavian amphitheater. Then drive to Cuma to visit the shrine of the Sibyl. 19:30 Dinner and overnight in Naples city centre. (B,D)

May 12, Sunday: Naples — Rome
07:00 Breakfast at hotel and check-out. 08:00 Drive to Rome following Via Appia, stopping at amphitheater of Santa Maria Capua Vetere (Capua), Minturnae (Minturno), Tomb of Cicero (Formia), Terracina for Temple of Jupiter Anxur, Forum of Appius (Borgo Faiti) and Three Taverns (5 km SE of Cisterna). 19:30 Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rome. (B,D)

May 13, Monday: Rome
07:30 Breakfast at hotel. 09:00 Get by your own the meeting point (Colosseum) with the guide and start a full day walking tour of Domus Aurea, Colosseum, Arch of Titus, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill; afternoon visit Trajan’s column, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Ara Pacis. 19:30 Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B,D)

May 14, Tuesday: Rome
07:30 Breakfast at hotel. 08:45 Walk on your own to Via di Cecilia Metella. 09:00 Meet your guide there and start a full day walking tour visiting Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, Circus and villa of Maxentius, San Sebastian catacombs, Vigna Randanini Jewish catacombs*, Domine Quo Vadis Church, Porta Appia (Porta San Sebastiano); afternoon visit: Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Celio, Baths of Diocletian. Depending on special permit availability, we will also visit the Vigna Randanini (Jewish catacombs). 19:30 Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B,D)

May 15, Wednesday: Rome
07:30 Breakfast at hotel. 09:00 Meet your guide and start a full day walking tour visiting Vatican Museum with its Pio Christian Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s; archaeological tour of Vatican Necropolis (it is subject of special permit); Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant’Angello). 19:30 Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B,D)

May 16, Thursday: Rome
07:30 Breakfast at hotel. 09:00 Meet your guide and driver and start a full day bus tour visiting the St. Paul’s Gate and Museum of the Via Ostiense, Church of Saint Paul outside the Walls, Tre Fontane Church, ports of Ostia with synagogue (outside) and Portus. 19:30 Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B,D)

May 17, Friday: Rome Airport — Fly Back — End
Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Transfer by private bus to the Fiumicino airport. Depart home.

Details

INCLUDING:
  • International air fare between New York — Malta & Rome — New York
  • 2 nights stay in Malta, Hotel Cavalieri (http://www.cavalierihotelmalta.com) or similar
  • 1 night stay in Syracuse (Ortygia), Grand Hotel Ortigia (http://www.grandhotelortigia.it) or similar
  • 1 night stay in Taormina, Excelsior Palace Hotel (http://www.excelsiorpalacetaormina.it) or similar
  • 1 night stay in Reggio Calabria, Hotel Alba Nuova (http://www.albanuovahotel.it) or similar
  • 2 nights stay in Naples city center, Decumani Hotel de Charme (www.decumani.com) or similar
  • 5 nights stay in Rome, Best Western Hotel Universo (http://www.hoteluniverso.com) or similar
  • Daily open buffet breakfasts
  • 12 dinners (8 dinners at the hotels, 4 dinners at local restaurants in Rome)
  • Bottled water at the dinners
  • Transportation by private bus where necessary according to program
  • Roma Pass for 3 days
  • Ferry tickets Malta/Pozzallo
  • English-speaking assistant at the airport and at the port in Malta
  • English-speaking guide minimum 3 hours — maximum 8 hours per day, according to program
  • Entrance fees to the sites and museums
  • Whisper Headsets in Rome for 5 days (to skip long lines)
  • City taxes in Italy
EXCLUDING:
  • Lunches and drinks
  • Tips to drivers and guides
  • Other services not included above

Price

  • Deposit (due by September 4, 2018): $200
  • Land/Air (based on double occupancy): $5,990
  • Single Room Supplement, Land/Air: $1,090
  • Land Only (based on double occupancy): $4,890
  • Single Room Supplement, Land Only: $1,090
  • Balance due: February 4, 2019

Register

If you are unable to fill out the electronic registration form, please contact the Travel/Study department at 1-800-221-4644 ext. 216.

To pay off your balance, click here.

Contact

For more information, contact:

Alicia Bregon
202-364-3300, ext. 216
Email: [email protected]
Biblical Archaeology Society
4710 41st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20016