SeaDream Cruise to Follow Path of Paul the Apostle

SeaDream Yacht Club has created a 2012 itinerary to Turkish and Greek ports that will follow in the footsteps of Paul the Apostle, said to be one of the most famous citizens of the Roman Empire. Voyage 21220b sails June 30 to July 8 from Istanbul to Piraeus. Ports of call include Dikili, Izmir, Kusadasi and Demre (Myra), Turkey, and Rhodes and Hydra, Greece.

From Dikili, guests will visit one of the Seven Churches of Asia referred to by St. John in the Book of Revelation -- the city of Pergamum. In Izmir, guests will visit the ancient city of Sardis, also one of the Seven Churches of Asia. The apostle Paul visited the city on a number of occasions during his missionary travels. From Kusadasi, guests will visit Ephesus, including the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Pagus. Known for its excellent acoustics, the amphitheater here is where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, imploring them to give up their worship of Artemis and embrace the Christian faith.