~NOVEMBER 14-28, 2027:
15 days; 11 cruise nights aboard
Holland America’s Rotterdam
For centuries, disciples of Jesus Christ have dreamed of visiting the lands where the Savior walked and where His Apostles carried the message of the gospel to the world.
Now, MHA Tours invites you to join a once-in-a-lifetime Mediterranean pilgrimage designed especially for Latter-day Saints. This unique journey combines the spiritual power of biblical locations in Greece, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, and Türkiye with the comfort and elegance of a premium Mediterranean cruise in a veranda (balcony) stateoom!
Over 15 remarkable days, we will strengthen our testimonies through daily learning, fellowship, and inspiring devotionals. This is much more than a vacation—it is a pilgrimage. It is a journey where ancient stones tell stories, where scripture passages become real places, and where the Spirit can testify of the truthfulness of the Savior’s mission.
Places Visited
Days 1 & 2
The pilgrimage begins with a November 14 flight to Athens, Greece - arrive the afternoon of day 2, November 15. We’ll transfer to our 4-star hotel for dinner and a welcome night’s sleep. 2 nights in Athens.
DAY 3
A magnificent day to help us understand both the challenges Paul faced and the power of his authority. Travel by chartered bus to Corinth, the city that inspired Paul’s most familiar letters. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood to defend the gospel. Afternoon tour of Athens to discover the rich architectural splendor of this ancient city. Walk the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheum. Stand on Mars Hill as the Apostle Paul did when he proclaimed, “I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”
DAY 4
Our morning begins with additional exploration of Athens city with a panoramic drive and a stop at Olympic Panathenaic Stadium, allowing us to experience more of this remarkable city where ancient history and modern life exist side by side. Early afternoon embarkation on the Rotterdam to begin the cruise. The moment we step aboard, we transition from ancient ruins to modern comfort with elegant dining, live entertainment, and fabulous ocean views.
DAY 5
Bask in the beauty and peaceful rhythm of the Mediterranean Sea as we travel toward Egypt. Take the opportunity to enjoy the ship’s outstanding amenities with beautiful ocean views and bountiful culinary options! Through a brief but inspiring educational seminar given by our tour director Richard Scott, we will explore Paul’s conversion, his calling as an Apostle to the Gentiles, his missionary journeys, and his unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ. We will examine how a man once known for persecuting Christians became one of the greatest witnesses in history of the Savior.
Day 6
This morning we dock at Alexandria, Egypt – a city founded by Alexander the Great and later one of the most important centers of learning in the ancient world. We’ll travel by bus to Cairo. Our day’s adventures includes a visit to the magnificent, new, multi-million-dollar Grand Egyptian Museum (the GEM!), one of the world’s most significant collections of ancient artifacts. We’ll reflect on the remarkable history of a nation frequently mentioned in scripture—from Abraham’s travels to Egypt, Joseph’s rise to power, Moses’ deliverance of Israel, and the Savior’s own childhood refuge there. We’ll stand at the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx to marvel at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the evening, we’ll return to Alexandria to rejoin our ship carrying with us memories of one of the world’s most fascinating lands. Lunch on own at the museum.
Day 7
Second at-sea day, to use at your leisure. Join in an inspiring presentation by MHA Tours host Richard Scott plus swims, meals, ship entertainment, and tranquil naps.
DAY 8
Today we arrive in Israel—the destination many travelers have forever dreamed of visiting! From Haifa, we travel by bus into the beautiful Galilee region, the setting for much of the Savior’s mortal ministry. In these hills and valleys, Jesus walked, taught the people, healed the sick, and invited all to come unto Him. We visit Nazareth, the humble village of Jesus’ childhood years and where the angel Gabriel announced Mary’s sacred calling. We continue to Capernaum, the city that became the center of the Savior’s Galilean ministry and the location of many powerful miracles. Standing near the shores of the Sea of Galilee, we reflect on the calling of Peter, James, John, and other fishermen who left their fishing nets to follow the Master. Cap off the day with a fishing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to talk of the Savior as He calmed the storm and taught the disciples lessons of faith. Visiting these sites brings the scriptures to life in a whole new way. Return to the ship for dinner & overnight in the port.
Day 9
We will journey from the Mediterranean coast to Jerusalem, the eternal city at the heart of biblical history. Few places on earth carry the spiritual significance of Jerusalem, where prophets taught, kings ruled, and where the Savior completed His divine mission! As we enter the city, we will reflect on the final days of Jesus Christ’s mortal ministry—from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the sacred events that fulfilled His mission as the Redeemer of mankind. We’ll marvel at the Western Wall, the most holy place on earth for Jews and to the Temple Mount where ancient Jewish temples stood and where Jesus taught, worshipped, and revealed profound truths about His divine mission. We’ll ponder & read scriptures in the Garden of Gethsemane where the Savior prayed with infinite love and submitted Himself completely to the will of the Father, beginning the suffering that made salvation possible for all of God’s children. Our day’s journey includes time at the Garden Tomb, a peaceful and sacred location where we’ll reflect on the reality of the resurrection and the empty tomb. This day will likely be one of the most treasured memories of our entire journey! We’ll return to the ship for dinner and to set sail for the next port
Day 10
The beautiful island of Cyprus is a location of great significance in the missionary work of Paul during his first missionary journey. Cyprus was the birthplace of Barnabas, one of Paul’s closest companions and a powerful early missionary. You may either book a shore excursion through the cruise line or take a “free day” to explore the beautiful port area in surrounding Limassol on your own. Lunch onboard the ship, if you choose.
Day 11
Today we arrive in Antalya, one of Türkiye’s most beautiful coastal cities and a region closely connected to the early spread of Christianity. As we explore this remarkable area, we enter the world of the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys through the ancient Roman province of Asia Minor. The rugged landscapes, ancient harbors, and historic cities throughout this region help us appreciate the challenges faced by Paul and other early disciples who carried the gospel message across mountains, seas, and unfamiliar cultures. Antalya preserves the legacy of civilizations that shaped the Mediterranean world including Greek, Roman, and early Christian communities. We will walk among these historic places and consider how the Lord prepared the way for the gospel to reach “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Our day in this area of Türkiye reminds us that the Restoration we cherish today is connected to a long chain of faithful disciples who sacrificed to preserve and proclaim the teachings of Christ.
DAY 12
Either book a shore excursion through the cruise line or take a “free day” to see more of the beautiful island of Rhodes, one of the most fascinating crossroads of the ancient Mediterranean world. For thousands of years, Rhodes has served as a meeting place between cultures, civilizations, and ideas because of its strategic location between Greece, Asia Minor, and the eastern Mediterranean. The ancient harbor, medieval city walls, and layers of history reveal a place where countless generations have left their mark. Like many locations on our journey, this island reminds us that the Mediterranean Sea was not a barrier separating people—it was a highway connecting nations and allowing ideas, beliefs, and testimonies to spread. Lunch onboard the ship, if you choose.
Day 13
Continue to enjoy the beauty and peaceful rhythm of the Mediterranean Sea as we travel to the next port. Use the day to enjoy the ship’s many amenities plus a brief, inspiring educational seminar given by our Richard Scott.
DAY 14
One of the highlights of our pilgrimage is ancient Ephesus, one of the most important cities of the New Testament world. Paul spent nearly three years here during his third missionary journey teaching, preaching, and establishing one of the strongest Christian communities of the ancient world. Walk through the remarkably preserved ruins to imagine Paul teaching in the marketplace, reasoning with philosophers, and sharing his testimony of Jesus Christ with the people of this influential Roman city. See the magnificent Library of Celsus, the ancient theater, and the streets where early Christians lived and worshipped. Reflect on Paul’s powerful letter to the Ephesians including his teachings about faith, families, spiritual armor, and the unity of believers. Our visit also includes Mary’s House, a peaceful location traditionally associated with the final years of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as John the “beloved” disciple charged with her care after Jesus’ crucifixion came to this area to the nearby Isle of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation.
Day 15
Morning docking at Athens (Piraeus), disembark. Transfer (included) to Athens airport for mid-morning flight home. Breakfast included.
So, bring your walking shoes, your curiosity,
and your appetite — let’s go!