In the Footsteps of Paul in TurkeySeptember 21 - October 3, 2009 This tour has already departed! Please check our current tours. |
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Explore the culture, archaeology and stunning monuments of “the Other Holy Land” with the Biblical Archaeology Society and scholar/guide Mark Wilson. After Israel, Turkey has more Biblical sites than any other country. For this reason, Turkey is rightly called “the Other Holy Land.” Many people are unaware of Turkey’s unique role in the Bible because this strategic peninsula—bounded by the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas—is usually called Asia Minor or Anatolia. Turkey is especially important in understanding the background of the New Testament because approximately two-thirds of its books were written either to or from churches in Turkey. The three major apostles—Peter, Paul and John—either ministered or lived in Turkey.
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* As of November 1, 2008. Price is subject to change due to airline taxes and fuel surcharges at time of ticketing. Please call to see if any change in pricing has occurred. |
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ItinerarySeptember 21, 2009 | Monday
Depart USA — overnight to Istanbul September 22, 2009 | Tuesday
Arrive Istanbul Your tour guide will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “BAS” sign. Meet and transfer to the hotel for check-in, followed by a short orientation tour of the city. Afterwards we will take a leisurely private boat tour along the Bosporus, a waterway famous not only for its fisheries but also for its busy ship traffic between the Black Sea and the Marmara-Aegean Seas to the Mediterranean. From the boat you will see why Istanbul has always been a cultural bridge between the east and west. It is the only city in the world that sits astride two continents—Asia and Europe. Istanbul has been the capital of two world empires—the Byzantine and Ottoman, and you will see wonderful examples of the art and architecture representing these civilizations. This intertwining of ancient and modern produces a city that provides multiple reasons to attract travelers. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (D) September 23, 2009 | Wednesday Byzantium | Constantinople | Istanbul | Evening Flight to Konya We will enjoy a full day tour in Istanbul, visiting
the Covered Cistern (Yerebatan Saray),
the Golden Mile of the Egnatian Way, Hippodrome
Square, the architectural wonders
of the Blue (Sultanahmet) Mosque, the
Hagia Sophia, which is a world heritage site,
and the Archaeological Museum, where we
will see the Siloam Inscription, the Gezer
Calendar, and a large mosaic from
Jerusalem. Later we will give you the opportunity
to shop at the Egyptian Spice Market.
An early dinner will give you the opportunity
to sample the best of Turkish cuisine. Transfer
to Istanbul Airport for evening flight to
Konya; transfer to the hotel for overnight.
(B,D)
September 24, 2009 | Thursday
Iconium | Lystra | Konya Konya is located on the southern edge of the central Anatolian plateau. Paul visited Iconium on his three journeys through Asia Minor. An interesting Sufi order of the Sunni Islamic faith originated in 1273 through its founder Mevlevi, who is buried in Konya. His tomb has become a place of pilgrimage. The initiates of this order are called dervishes, and part of the dervishes’ religious practice is an extended whirling, spinning ritual accompanied by music. We will visit Iconium’s acropolis (Alaattin Tepesi), the archaeological museum with its important inscriptions related to Iconium and Lystra, Sadettin Han, a caravanserai built from a church, and then drive to Hatunsaray to visit the ancient city of Lystra, the home of Timothy, the disciple of Paul. Return to Konya for dinner and overnight. (B,D) September 25, 2009 | Friday
Eflatun Pinar | Pisidian Antioch | Antalya We will follow the ancient Via Sebaste westward, including a stop for a brief visit at the Hittite water shrine called Eflatun Pinar. Then we will continue to Yalvaç to visit Pisidian Antioch and its museum. Paul preached his first sermon in Acts here. We will see the important imperial cult temple built by Augustus as well as an important church dedicated to Paul in Asia Minor. Later we will take a beautiful drive south through the Taurus Mountains to Antalya. This city is one of the most famous resort towns of Turkey and is often referred to as the Turkish Riviera. Much of the shoreline is rocky, but the water is clean and inviting. Antalya was founded by the Pergamene king Attalus II in 158 BCE. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Antalya. (B,D) September 26, 2009 | Saturday
Antalya | Perga | Aspendus | Side | Antalya First there is a morning walking tour of the ancient city of Attalia—Kaleiçi—where we will see the harbor that Paul and Barnabas departed from, as well as Hadrian’s Gate. Then we will walk through the Hellenistic gate of Perga, the city visited by Paul on his first journey. At Aspendus we will see the bestpreserved Roman theater in Turkey, which is still used for musical and theatrical performances. We will then drive to Side to see the monumental temples to Athena and Apollo. Return to Antalya for dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D) September 27, 2009 | Sunday
Phaselis | Myra | Andriake | Patara | Kalkan In the morning we have a beautiful drive along the Mediterranean coast. First we will make a brief stop at Phaselis to see its three harbors. Next we will visit Myra, with its lovely Roman theater and Lycian tombs. Today, Myra is best known as the city of St. Nicholas, where he served as bishop. After visiting Myra we will stop briefly at its harbor Andriake. Here Paul changed ships on his way to Rome. We will continue to Patara, where we will see a Roman theatre and the lighthouse recently discovered in the sand dunes by archaeologists. It is this lighthouse that probably guided Paul’s ship into the harbor. Dinner and overnight in Kalkan. (B,D) September 28, 2009 | Monday
Aphrodisias | Colossae | Pamukkale Drive to Aphrodisias, where archaeological excavations led by New York University have unearthed numerous fine marble statues.We will see the best-preserved stadium in Turkey, as well as the temple of Aphrodite. We will also visit the newly opened museum that features statues from the Sebasteion. Then we will drive to Colossae in the Lycus valley to see the location of the unexcavated site. Paul wrote two letters to this city— Colossians and Philemon. Later we will drive to Pamukkale, famous for its unique travertine cascades formed over thousands of years by deposition from mineral-rich thermal waters. Today it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D) September 29, 2009 | Tuesday
Hierapolis | Laodicea | Sardis | Izmir First we will visit Hierapolis, which features the largest necropolis in Turkey. Near the city’s theater we will also see the newly excavated martyrium of Philip. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his letter to the Colossians. Next we will visit the new excavations at Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. In the afternoon we will drive to Sardis, passing through ancient Philadelphia. Sardis—ancient Sepharad—was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia and another of the Seven Churches. Sardis was an important city in the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine empires. At Sardis we will see the best preserved temple of Artemis in Turkey and also the largest synagogue from antiquity. We will continue to Izmir, ancient Smyrna. Izmir, situated beautifully at the head of the Gulf of Izmir on the Aegean Sea, is noted as the home of Homer. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D) September 30, 2009 | Wednesday
Pergamum | Smyrna | Izmir Drive north to Bergama to visit the acropolis of Pergamum, one of the Seven Churches, which is set on a hill high above the modern town of Bergama. On the site are its famous ancient library, the Trajan imperial cult temple, the steepest theater in Turkey, and the foundation of the altar of Zeus. We will also see the healing center at the Asclepium. The famous doctor Galen lived and practiced at the Asclepium for many years. After our return to Izmir we will visit the ongoing excavations at the Smyrna agora and the ancient acropolis. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D) October 1, 2009 | Thursday
Ephesus | Kusadasi In the morning we will visit the ancient site of Ephesus. Located near the modern town of Selçuk, Ephesus is considered to be the bestpreserved classical city of the eastern Mediterranean. Paul spent nearly three years in the city during his third journey. At Ephesus we will see the Temple of Domitian, the Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, and a theater that can hold 24,000 people. We will also tour the ongoing excavations at the terrace houses, where the rich and famous of Ephesus lived. We will also visit the excellent local archaeological museum, and the site of the Temple of Artemis, the largest religious structure in the ancient world. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D) October 2, 2009 | Friday
Miletus | Didyma | Priene | Izmir First we will drive to Miletus to see the well preserved theater and bouleterion. At Miletus Paul delivered his speech to the Ephesian elders near one of its four harbors. As we approach Didyma, we will see the remains of the Sacred Way that linked Miletus to this ancient oracle site. The temple to Apollo at Didyma is the finest temple in the Aegean region. At Priene we will see the best-preserved Hellenistic theater in Turkey. We will also view the remains of a synagogue in the west residential district. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D) October 3, 2009 | Saturday Izmir Airport | Departure Transfer to Izmir Airport for flight back to
USA. Arrive back same day late afternoon. (B)
Tour Features
EXCLUDING
Terms and ConditionsPayments: A deposit of $500 per person is required to secure your place on the program, along with signed application form. (Full deposit may be refunded only if Biblical Archaeology Society [BAS]/Tutku Tours withdraw the offer of the program.) Final payment is due to BAS no later than July 1, 2009. Thereafter, late fees may be issued by some land and air providers. Cancellation & Refund Policy: All cancellations for any reason and at any time must be received in writing and will be subject to a $500 per person administrative fee. Cancellation between 90-61 days of departure will be subject to additional loss of some non-recoverable sums from independent providers of land and air services. No refund is available 60 days or less prior to departure. Air tickets once issued are non-refundable. Itinerary length: Flight times are subject to change without advance notice. BAS/Tutku Tours are not responsible for changes and delays in airline schedules and cannot reimburse passengers for expenses resulting from airline delays. Because airlines often change flight times and dates at the last minute, BAS/Tutku Tours strongly recommend the purchase of domestic tickets, which can be changed without heavy fees and penalties. If airline changes flight schedules, BAS/Tutku Tours reserve the right to lengthen or shorten the itinerary accordingly, and whenever possible, you will be notified in writing. If airline changes necessitate an extra overnight, you will be charged (per night) the full cost of the hotel room. Passport Requirements: A valid passport, good for at least 6 additional months from date of return (April 3, 2010) is required of all tour members. TOUR PRICE INCLUDES Air Transportation: Round-trip flights, group economy class, scheduled from New York JFK to Istanbul. Your tickets are usually finalized and written a minimum of 45 days prior to departure in order to guarantee the fare. Once your group ticket has been written, it cannot be rewritten or refunded to the passenger by the airlines. Air transportation will be jet economy class aboard carriers which may utilize non-refundable, non-transferable tickets to/from your destination for groups flying together for the entire itinerary. Any fare increases or surcharges will be paid by the passenger. Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS) and Tutku Tours cannot be responsible for any such increases. Transfers: You will be transferred with the group between arrival airport and hotel, transfer to and from airports on September 23 and to the departure airport. Non-group flight participants must handle their own ground arrangements. Accommodations: Price is based on two persons in a room in four-star and five-star hotels. A supplemental room charge of US $600 will be applicable to individuals enrolling without a roommate. If you are interested in BAS assigning you a roommate, all attempts will be made to do so, but it is not guaranteed. All single rooms are subject to availability and are often smaller than normal twin rooms. Meals: Breakfasts and dinners included. Travel Program: Includes the services of an English speaking scholar/lecturer, local guides (where required), entrance fees and transportation to sites on deluxe coaches as listed in the program, lectures by other scholars. All entrances for activities scheduled on the tour, plus the guide services, are included throughout. Luggage: Restricted in size and shape by your airline. You may contact them if you need the specific restrictions. PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Insurance: We highly recommend that applicants purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in the event of illness or accident. Information will be provided upon deposit. Tour deviations: All deviations from or additions to the tour may be subject to a handling and processing fee plus any out-of-pocket charges (i.e., telex, hotel cancellation charges, messenger or other fees involved). Notice: Dates, schedules, program details and costs, although given in good faith and based on information available at the time of publication of the brochure, are subject to change and revision. In the event of such an omission or substitution, no liability will be granted by BAS/Tutku Tours. All itineraries are subject to change. Prices quoted for this tour are based on a minimum group size of 15 participants and November 1, 2008 exchange rates. Responsibility: The Biblical Archaeology
Society (BAS), Tutku Tours and/or their
agents, affiliates, assignees and cooperative
agents act only as agents for the passenger
with respect to transportation, hotels and
automobile contractors. They exercise every
care possible but cannot be held responsible
for personal injury in connection with the
service of any hotel, ship, airplane, train,
automobile, horse, donkey, carriage or other
conveyance used in carrying out the tours,
nor are they responsible for delay, accident,
sickness, loss of personal property, strikes,
armed conflict, additional expenses due to
weather, disruption of advertised schedules,
refusal of visas or other causes beyond their
control. Further, the operation of vehicles
used in their tour is the full responsibility of
the companies and individuals engaged in
the conveying of passengers; said companies
or individuals are governed by the laws
of the country of operations, and recourse
for any mishap must be filed locally. Unforeseen
conditions may necessitate tour
changes and the right is reserved to make
such changes or withdraw the tour as
deemed advisable. The right is also reserved
to refuse to accept or retain any passengers
on any tour at any time for any reason.
Cooperating airlines and steamship companies
are not to be held responsible for any
act, omission or event during the time
passengers are not on board; the limit of
their liability is that of a common carrier, and
the passage contract in use by such carriers,
when issued, shall constitute the sole contract
between companies and the purchaser
of this tour and/or passenger. Acceptance of
the services of BAS/Tutku Tours, by all agents
and/or travelers constitutes acceptance by
them of all the above terms and conditions.
The program conditions become a binding
contract when your signed enrollment form
and deposit payment are received and
accepted by Biblical Archaeology Society,
Travel/Study Department. ContactIf you have any questions, please contact the Travel/Study department:
Biblical Archaeology Society Travel/Study Programs
4710 41st Street NW Washington, DC 20016-1700 USA |
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