Malta & Cyprus
Paul's Missionary Journeys
8-day First Class Package
August 29-September 5, October 17-24, November 21-28,
December 12-19, 2012, January 16-23, February 20-27, 2013
Day 1 • Arrive in Malta
Today we arrive in Malta and embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and
Christian history, we will be walking where the Apostle Paul walked! We transfer to a lovely
hotel for dinner and our lodging for the next four evenings.
Day 2 • Valletta, Harbor Cruise, St. Thomas Bay
A full day of guided sightseeing includes 7,000 years of history beginning in the walled capital
city of Valletta, a World Heritage site. Dotted with quaint cafés and shops, the city is today one of Malta’s main tourist attractions,
hosting among others, the majestic St John’s Co-Cathedral, the imposing bastions and a treasure of priceless paintings. Enjoy the
history told of the Knight’s of St. John of Jerusalem, a Crusader order who defended the westward campaign of the Ottoman move
to conquer Europe. Relax on your harbor cruise providing a stunning snapshot of Malta’s Grand Harbor, often described as the most
beautiful in the Mediterranean. Drive to the ramparts where you begin a tour viewing some of the palatial inns and residences en
route to St. Thomas Bay, a possible shipwreck site of the Apostle Paul.
Day 3 • Mdina, Mosta Church, Dingli Cliffs, Rabat, St. Paul Bay, Catacombs
After breakfast, we have a full day excursion on Malta. The first stop will be a visit to St. Paul’s and the site of the shipwreck. Our
tour will take you from the point of the shipwreck, along the route said to be taken by St. Paul where he preached, where he
baptised the first Maltese at San Pawl Milqi Chapel (meaning "St. Paul welcomed"), to the place where he rested. Paul stayed for
several months in the town of Rabat, here we will visit the St. Paul's Grotto, the actual place where the saint is known to have
stayed. Next a visit to the “Mosta Rotunda” a magnificent domed church in Mosta. Enroute to
Rabat, we will visit St. Paul’s Church and Grotto, a church founded in 1575 over the ancient
caves where according to some traditions, the Apostle Paul was held captive. After a lunch
break, we will walk through the streets of Mdina, Malta’s first capital where we will visit the
Cathedral dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. Mdina is also located in the highest elevations
of Malta where magnificent views of the entire island are possible. Concluding our
sightseeing on the western shore, we view the spectacular Dingli Cliffs before turning toward
our return route. The last stop of the day will be the Catacombs of St. Paul, a fascinating labyrinth of 3rd-century AD subterranean
tombs and the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta.
Guidepost Pilgrim Tours, Gerringong NSW. 2534. Australia
Phone 1300 733323
Lic # 2TA5895 A division of Platinum Travel management – IATA AFTA Uniglobe JTW TCF
website: www.guideposttours.com.au
email: [email protected]
01020040
Day 4 • Free Day, Optional Tour of Gozo
Today is free with many things to do and see. You may choose an optional day cruise/tour to Malta's sister island of Gozo. After a
twenty-minute crossing, on setting foot in Gozo you will notice that although both islands are similar in history and development
Gozo has a character entirely of its own. Gozo, which is a three-hilled island, is greener and more picturesque than Malta. During
this excursion, you shall visit the Temples of Ggantija, The megalithic temples of the Maltese Islands are UNESCO World Heritage
sites and justly claimed to be the most impressive monuments of European, dating from around 3600 to 3200 BC. Additional tour
sights include the citadel in Victoria, the bay of Xlendi, and calypso's cave. Free time for shopping will also be given - Gozo is well
known for its woollen goods and handmade lace.
Day 5 • Arrive in Cyprus
This morning is free to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or sightsee on your own. After lunch
we transfer to the airport for our flight to Cyprus. Our lodging this evening will be in a lovely
ocean-front hotel.
Day 6 • Paphos, Roman Capital of Cyprus
All sites visited in Paphos today are included in the official UNESCO List of Cultural Heritage. Paphos was the Roman capital of
Cyprus and it was there, after seeing God perform a miracle through Paul, that the Proconsul Sergius Paulus was converted to
Christianity in 47 AD. Cyprus was the first area to be ruled by a Christian. Our first stop is at the Pillar of St. Paul where the Apostle
was bound and flogged. It is surrounded by the remnants of an early Christian basilica constructed in the 4th Century. The tour
proceeds to the colourful and evocative Roman mosaics depicting mythological scenes mostly from the 3rd Century AD. The tour
continues to the Tomb of the Kings - an ancient necropolis carved out of solid rock and given this regal name because of its imposing
character. These underground pillared atria and chambers served as refuge for Christians during early persecutions. The next stop is
the Monastery of St Neophytos. In 1159 a monk by the name of Neophytos cut this hermitage in the rock with his own hand. The
Neophytos Rock-Grotto contains fine frescoes from the 12th to 15th Century. En route back to Limassol there is a photo stop at
Petra Tou Romiou, a chunky, rugged rock that marks the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, ancient Goddess of Love and Beauty.
Cyprus was an important pilgrimage centre during Ancient times for the worship of this Goddess. We return to Limossol for dinner
and the evening.
Day 7  Biblical Port of Salamis, Church of Cyprus, Lazarus
We begin our tour today with the city where Paul & Barnabas began their ministry in Cyprus,
the port city that they sailed to from Jaffa. (Acts 13:5) Biblical Salamis was a maritime town
on the eastern coast of Cyprus, situated at the end of a fertile plain between two mountains.
Its fine harbor, its location, and fortifications made it the chief city of the island. When St.
Paul landed at Salamis with Barnabas and met John Mark, there were several synagogues,
and it was here that they began their witness to the island. Although the date, place, and
circumstances of his death are, as yet, historically unverifiable, Christian tradition holds that
Barnabas was martyred at Salamis in 61 AD. He is traditionally identified as the founder of the
Cypriot Church. We visit the Roman ruins and the church and monastery where Varnavas, the founder of the church of Cyprus is
buried. Continuing on to Larnaca, we visit the Panagia Angeloktisiti, the oldest known church in Cyprus dating back to the 6th
Guidepost Pilgrim Tours, Gerringong NSW. 2534. Australia
Phone 1300 733323
Lic # 2TA5895 A division of Platinum Travel management – IATA AFTA Uniglobe JTW TCF
website: www.guideposttours.com.au
email: [email protected]
century. Another stop will be made to view the traditional Tomb of Lazarus. Again, tradition
says that Mary and Martha visited Lazarus in Larnaca. Free time will be allowed along the
lovely Palm tree promenade before dinner.
Day 8 • Homeward Bound
We transfer to the airport for our onward flights.
Guidepost Pilgrim Tours, Gerringong NSW. 2534. Australia
Phone 1300 733323
Lic # 2TA5895 A division of Platinum Travel management – IATA AFTA Uniglobe JTW TCF
website: www.guideposttours.com.au
email: [email protected]