Greece, Italy & Turkey 2025 | Footsteps of Paul Cruise | Pastor Mike McGown & Dr. Scott Stripling

With Pastor Mike McGown & Dr. Scott Stripling

From $6,999 per person

November 7-16, 2025 | 3-Night Optional Rome Extension | November 16-19, 2025

CALL: 888-771-8717

Speak with a travel professional today!

Tour Leaders:

Pastor Mike McGown & Dr. Scott Stripling

Location:

Footsteps of Paul, Greece, Mediterranean, Rome, Turkey

TOUR OVERVIEW:

cancel for any reason insurance gold

Our Footsteps of Paul Christian cruise and tour begins on the Corinthian Gulf, overlooking the area where the Apostle Paul would have arrived for one of his visits to Corinth. We will spend the night in a luxury resort hotel on the sea as we rest for our biblical journey. You will be led by biblical teachers Pastor Mike McGown of Parkway Fellowship in Texas and Dr. Scott Stripling, our archeologist with the Associates for Biblical Research and The Bible Seminary. During your vacation, you will be immersed in the life and teachings of the Apostle Paul. 

After you have visited the sights of Corinth and Cencherea, you will depart the Corinthian Gulf and visit Athens with Mars Hill, the Parthenon, and more. You will board a 5-star-cruise-ship for an 8-day/7-night Mediterranean and Aegean cruise. The first port visited after departing Athens will be Ephesus, the jewel of the Mediterranean and the first church of the Book of Revelation. Your cruise then visits pretty Chania in Crete and Siracusa in Sicily – both places were important to Paul’s final journey. Another highlight of your trip will be the port of Naples, Italy where you will have an in-depth visit at Pompeii. You will have a day at sea to enjoy strong fellowship, some relaxation, and the quality teachings of Pastor Mike and Dr. Scott.

The trip includes incredible Bible studies, including an extensive study on biblical Athens, Mars Hill, and the important sermons of Paul. You will have a one-night stay in Athens (at the lovely Loutraki Poseidon Resort on the Corinthian Gulf), where you will have plenty of time to gain an understanding of the importance of God’s placement of the early church in this setting. After the 9-day tour, if you are up for even more of a journey, we offer an optional 3-night/3-day visit to Rome. This is not “just another Rome tour”, as this tour will be laser-focused on where the Apostle was in prison in a dank cell—which you will visit and much more. You will benefit from the scripture that God gave him during his time of trials and suffering. You will also visit where he lived, where his home church was located, where he died, as well as where his body is buried.  But in addition to that, you will visit the best of Rome, including the Colosseum, the Arch of Titus, the Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Piazza de Fiori and Navona, the Vatican, and more. 


The cruise price includes $1,000 worth of standard trip cancellation insurance, but you have the option of adding additional trip insurance upon booking. In our precarious world, it is important to note that a base of trip-cancellation insurance policy has been included in the price of your tour. This means that if you cancel for a valid reason, you are insured. We have included enough insurance to protect you from any lost deposits up until your final payment is due within 26 days of booking your trip. This is a policy of the cruise line, Viking. The beauty of the process is that the trip includes trip-cancellation insurance, and although you must pay for your trip quite early, you are insured against penalties should you need to cancel for an insurable reason. Please see page 17 for further explanation. Insurance is included in your cruise and tour costs for penalties that can be incurred up until July 1, 2025. After that date, you will want to have more coverage. The other protection we can supply is that you will be provided an opportunity to upgrade your insurance to a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy.  In our precarious political scenario, it may be worthwhile to ensure that your investment has some “built-in” extra protections. We also have an air block in Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class, or you are welcome to obtain your own air schedule. You are welcome to tag-onto our free airport transfers, as well. Air details are located under “Air Tickets” on page 15.

You will love our guides and hosts, as they will make both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible come alive!

The entire cruise ship, Neptune, is comprised of balcony cabins and suites in various places on the ship. We hope that you will join us for this time of learning and laughter together. Prices start at $6,999, per person, based on two people sharing. We have an air add-on from Houston starting at $1,399 in Economy, $2,499 in Premium Economy, and $4,898 in Business Class. The Rome post-trip is $1,999 per person,  sharing a double room.


Rome 3-Night Optional Extension

November 16-19, 2025

Rome at sunset

Optional three-day tour in Rome, visiting the most important Biblical sites. Stay in a very central location in order to see the other beautiful monuments of the Eternal City.
You won’t want to miss this adventure!


To download a brochure with tour details, please request a travel brochure.


Christian Single Travel Opportunities on ALL our Tours, Cruises & Expeditions!

Learn more here.

We Offer “Cancel for Any Reason” Insurance

Learn more here.

TOUR MAP:

parkway2025 map

INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR:

  • 1 night on the Corinthian Gulf at a lovely hotel: Loutraki Poseidon Luxury Resort. 

  • A highlighted late afternoon event overlooking the Acropolis.

  • The cruise line offers simple “overview” shore excursions with our additional study tours focused on our private interests.  Our private study shore excursions include Athens, Corinth, Cencherea, Ephesus, Chania, Crete, Siracusa of Paul’s 4th journey, and Pompeii.  For Rome, the places of Paul:  His home church, his prison cell, where he was beheaded, and where his body is lain. 

  • Optional, 3-night/3-day Pauline visit of Rome with all the other, main sites of Rome.  

  • All gratuities.

  • Your choice of cabin type. – all cabins include balconies. All beverages while aboard the ship and a list of special items not found on most cruises! If you upgrade above a standard veranda cabin, many other amenities are added to your journey.  

  • Option to select round-trip airfare. Economy class: $1,399, Premium Economy: $2,398, Business Class: $4,898.

  • All beverages during your ground tours and overnight hotel stays. During the cruise portion, your cabin is replenished daily and are wines served with all meals.

  • Privately-guided tours and buses. 

  • All meals on the main tour. All meals except one dinner and two lunches, in Rome.

  • Services of a Living Passages representative throughout your journey.

  • Customized, amazing teaching locations, including Corinth, Parthenon, the Forum, Mamertine Prison, Siracusa, theatre at Ephesus, etc. 

  • $1,000 worth of Trip Cancellation insurance is included, with the option to upgrade your insurance program to a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy.

Book Now

Or Call 1-888-771-8717 to Book

MAIN ITINERARY

Departure on Airplane
  • November 7
  • Depart Home
  • You will depart Houston on flights to be announced 5 months prior to departure to Athens.

thumbs 0005 ancient corinth archaia korinthos greece.jpg
  • November 8
  • Corinth
  • Arrive in Athens at approximately 11:00 AM. Meet, assist, and drive to the Corinthian Gulf. Along the way, you will stop at the Corinth Canal – an archeological wonder. Enjoy a tea or coffee and then continue on to the site of Cencherea. This underwater synagogue is most important because of the beach on which it resides. This beach is where Paul laid down and had his hair cut to conclude his Nazarite Vow. Prepare for a lovely dinner at the Wyndham Loutraki Poseidon Resort on the Corinthian Gulf.

  • Lunch, Dinner

Parthenon Temple at Acropolis of Athens Greece (719305414)
  • November 9
  • Corinth/Athens
  • Breakfast at the resort, teaching at our private beachfront theatre for morning worship, and teaching on Corinth. Visit the sites of Upper and Lower Corinth. Drive into Athens and enjoy lunch inside the Plaka. This afternoon you will visit the Acropolis and Parthenon and its meandering temples and shop quarters of Acts 17:17 “So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.” NIV One of our most important stops of the day is next, our stop at Mars Hill. Enjoy the teaching of one of Paul’s most important messages. Acts 17:22 “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious and 23 “For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” NIV The next stop is for lovely appetizers and Greek wine with a beautiful view of the Acropolis where you had stood only hours earlier. Drive to the ship where you will overnight at the port of Piraeus. Get settled in and enjoy dinner aboard your new home.

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

footsteps of paul cruise ship deck
  • November 10
  • Athens – Restful morning
  • Sleep in this morning in your new home! Enjoy a late breakfast if you like and join the group at 10:30 AM for another visit to Athens. On arrival, you will visit the Athens Archeological Museum. Lunch in the Plaka and then you will have a lovely tour of Athens and the temples, Olympic Stadium, and more. You have a few hours near the square this afternoon. Drive to the ship in time for dinner. Sail away party at 5:30 PM. Join us on the deck to enjoy watching the port traffic as we sail into the Aegean Sea from our lovely ship, Viking Neptune.

  • Breakfast, Dinner

Ephesus is among the stops on some of our Christian tours
  • November 11
  • Ephesus
  • You will arrive in the amazing port of Kusadasi this morning. This site is considered the jewel of the Mediterranean. You will have a 6-hour tour day to see the sight of Ephesus, its Terrace Houses, and nearby temples. Lively shopping and visit a lovely country house where you will have lunch and a carpet demonstration – while you are enticed to buy Turkish rugs or other treasures. Dinner aboard ship.

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Agios Nikolaos and Voulismeni lake in Crete island, Greece.
  • November 12
  • Crete
  • The island of Crete is famous for many biblical Scriptures and is where Paul intended to go during his famous shipwreck journey. This will be one of the prettiest ports we see in the Mediterranean. This quaint, walled city is called Chania. Once you arrive, you will have a walking tour together through the Old City. You will familiarize yourself with its quaint ramparts and streets – and even a WWII synagogue. The walking tour ends at their archeological museum. You can return with your guide and host back to the ship, or enjoy the rest of the afternoon having Cretan conversations, shopping, or snacking on wonderful fresh fish and basking in the sun! Everything is here in this darling port, from glass-bottom boat trips to unique and precious curio shops. You may choose to have lunch aboard the ship or enjoy the island. Dinner and relax.

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Viewing Deck Viking Neptune
  • November 13
  • Day at Sea
  • A day to enjoy and sleep in, meet the others at the pool, enjoy the spa, the library, and great fellowship. Join us at 3:00 PM for an hour-long discussion regarding Pompeii and Paul’s nearby landing at Puteoli. Dinner.

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Siracusa, Italy unsplash
  • November 14
  • Siracusa (Sicily)
  • The rarely visited Siracusa is the area of Sicily that was visited by Paul. You will be driven two hours into the Sicilian countryside and to the massive structures that were overwhelmingly active during Paul’s day. You will want to attend the teaching by Pastor Mike and Dr. Scott in the theatre. We will return to Messina in time to purchase some olive oil, wines, or other Sicilian delicacies, if so desired, then have lunch nearby and join the ship for dinner.

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

pompeii statue unsplash
  • November 15
  • Pompeii!
  • We have included a visit to the most famous volcanic eruption that can be documented, literally, in stone.  Pastor Mike and Dr. Scott will be able to provide insight into the life that was lived and which ended abruptly in this austere, abandoned location. You will end your day in the busy city of Naples. You’ll want to be sure to grab an authentic pizza and espresso, then rejoin the ship before our sailing departure at 5:30 PM. We bid farewell to our lovely ship during an onboard dinner this evening.

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rome-city-scene
  • November 16
  • Rome/Disembark the ship
  • If you are departing home today, you will be transferred to the airport for your morning flight, arriving in Houston late afternoon, same day.

TRIP EXTENSION:

Trevi Fountain, Rome Italy unsplash
  • November 16
  • Appian Way/Christian Catacombs, Trevi Fountain
  • Upon arrival in Rome, our first visit’s purpose is to understand the early and persecuted church of Rome and visit the catacombs of Callisto.  We then will take some time to enjoy the countryside along the Appian Way. From here, you will see the Rome aqueduct in the distance and enjoy a time of reflection, imagining the Apostle Paul walking this ancient road. Afterward, we will check into our hotel and have dinner. Once checked into the hotel, the Rome Marriott Grand Flora. We will gather to take a walking tour of Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps. A delicious pizza dinner is planned for this evening (3 courses).

  • Dinner

Roman Forum
  • November 17
  • Coliseum, Forum, Arch of Titus, Pantheon & More
  • You will have breakfast at the hotel and then we depart for a visit to the Forum and the Arch of Titus. We will have a special appointment at the Mamertine Museum – the prison of both Paul and Peter – and the important aspects of the Roman Forum complex area. Our tour will include Nero’s Tomb, and, for those who can hike to the top of a hill, an inscription of a graffiti-like, slanderous, depiction of Christ on a cross as a donkey instead of as His Holy self. There will be free time for lunch and then an afternoon appointment at the Coliseum of Rome and a walking tour afterward which takes us to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. You may opt to end your day here, or, if you would like to visit the Vatican, we will arrive at the Vatican at 6:00 PM, and you will be back at the hotel by around 9:00 PM. Due to hours of operation, there will be no time to see the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums this evening, however, you will have the opportunity to tour the Vatican courtyards and St. Peter’s Basilica Cathedral. This additional tour is included but we understand that not everyone may want to take it. If not, you have a free evening to enjoy dinner on your own in Rome.

  • Breakfast

Spanish Steps Rome Italy
  • November 18
  • Paul’s Burial Place, Paul’s Home Church, Spanish Steps & More
  • You will have a morning visit to a very special place where Paul’s body was taken after his death: St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. Then you will be driven to the ancient Jewish neighborhood of Trastevere to visit Regola, which is where Paul held his home church when he was imprisoned in Rome. Being allowed to visit this place is a rarity, and we consider ourselves blessed to be able to do so. You will have some free time for shopping and lunch at Piazza dei Fiori, which is a beautiful, upbeat square. The rest of the afternoon you will enjoy a walking tour of the Spanish Steps and walk the Via del Corso. You can end your day shopping or return with the group to the hotel. A Farewell dinner will be served this evening.

  • Breakfast, Dinner

Plane Wing Golden Clouds Itinerary
  • November 19
  • Flights Home
  • Transfers will be made from the hotel to the Rome FCO airport this morning. Arrive in Houston late this afternoon/early evening

  • Breakfast

Book Now

Or Call 1-888-771-8717 to Book

Mike McGown 1x1

Rev. Mike McGown

Senior Pastor Parkway Fellowship Church
Richmond, Texas


Mike McGown serves as Senior Pastor of Parkway Fellowship Church in Richmond, Texas. A native of San Antonio and graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he served as a Youth Pastor and Minister of Education at Katy First Baptist Church prior to founding Parkway Fellowship with 16 other families in September 2002 with the vision of starting a Purpose-Driven church that effectively serves 10% of the area population. Mike and wife, Amy, have two children, Libby and Ben.

Scott Stripling

Dr. Scott Stripling

Director of Excavations Associates for Biblical Research
Akron, PA


Scott Stripling is the Director of Excavations for the Associates for Biblical Research at ancient Shiloh (2017 to present). He also serves as Provost and Director of the Archaeology Institute at The Bible Seminary in Katy, Texas. Previously, Stripling directed the ABR excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir, served as Field Supervisor at Tall el-Hammam in Jordan, Director of the Mt. Ebal Expedition, and as a supervisor of the Temple Mount Sifting Project in Jerusalem. Stripling did his graduate studies at the University of Texas (M.A.), Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (M.A.), and Veritas International University (Ph.D.). Stripling serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Near East Archaeological Society and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, popular magazines, and books. He is a popular speaker at churches and conferences around the world and a guest on numerous television programs and documentaries such as Fox News, The 700 Club, The New York Times, TBN, History Channel, and Discovery Channel. His passion is connecting the material culture of the Holy Land with the biblical text. Scott and Janet, his wife of 42 years, have four grown children and seven grandchildren.

Book Now

Or Call 1-888-771-8717 to Book

Viking Neptune offers a wide range of choices on cabins – but all have a beautiful balcony. You may choose from standard balconies (V2-V1), deluxe balconies (DV5-DV1), Penthouse versions of the balconies, then the spacious suites, Explorer 1 and 2. Each of the categories has special amenities to meet your every need. Each cabin category is based on availability. You will be pleased with the care and special considerations you receive when you travel on a Viking ocean cruise!


CABIN SIZES  |  CABIN DETAILS  |  DECKPLANS


Oceans Deckplan

 

No items found

Book Now

Or Call 1-888-771-8717 to Book

TOUR PHOTOS:

Book Now

Or Call 1-888-771-8717 to Book