The Social World of the Apostle Paul:

Italy, Greece, and Turkey under Roman Rule

 

JUNE 16-JULY 5, 2012

 

 

 

OPTION 1:  ITALY (JUNE 16 to 22)

 

June 16 Sat        DEPART HOME COUNTRY

Fly from home city to Rome, Italy (travelers arrange their own flights)

 

June 17 Sun       ARRIVE IN ROME (FCO)

Upon arrival, take a taxi to the hotel in the Fiumicino beach area, near the airport, and check in.  Rest from the flight and enjoy some time on the beach while waiting for others to arrive.  Dinner at the hotel or a restaurant close to the hotel. 

 

June 18 Mon      OSTIA ANTICA – ISOLA SACRA – POMPEII

Today we begin our tour with a visit to Ostia Antica, ancient Rome’s bustling port city, whose extensive remains give us a rare and detailed glimpse of life in a busy and densely packed urban center.  While there, we will view ancient Roman apartment buildings, granaries, markets, shrines, tombs, and baths, while gaining a sense of what urban life was like in Rome, the nearby capital, in the time of St. Paul.  From here we will drive to the Isola Sacra necropolis, the Roman burial ground whose numerous tombs, erected over hundreds of years, feature outstanding examples of paintings, mosaics, and sculpture.  Later in the afternoon we will drive to Pompeii, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

 

June 19 Tue      POMPEII

Our entire day will be spent exploring the world-famous remains of ancient Pompeii, a city that flourished in Paul’s day until it was buried by the ash and pumice ejected by Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79.  Pompeii is the best surviving example of a fully functioning Roman city in the time of St. Paul.  While there, we will look closely at its shops and residences, its amphitheater, temples, brothels, and forum.  We will conclude by touring the famous ‘Villa of the Mysteries’ on the outskirts of Pompeii, which boasts some of the best surviving Roman wall painting in the world.  Overnight in Pompeii.

 

June 20 Wed     HERCULANEUM – ROME

We begin the day at the Villa Regina, an interesting example of a humble Roman farm that produced wine in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius.  Then, on our way up the coast to Rome, we will stop at Herculaneum, a city that, like Pompeii, was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius, but whose remains (unlike Pompeii’s) were encased in a hard lava shell, making them extraordinary for their completeness and detail. Overnight in Rome.

 

June 21 Thur     ROME

A day in the heart of Rome!  St. Paul was, of course, a Roman citizen, and we will tour some of the most important monuments in the heart of his capital: the Roman Forum, the Colosseum (a.k.a. the Flavian Amphitheater), the Palatine Hill, and the Markets of Trajan—all emblems of a pagan empire that would eventually turn to Christianity.  If time permits, we will make a leisurely evening stroll to the Pantheon, one of the most breathtaking buildings in the world, a former Roman temple and a landmark in the history of architecture.  Overnight in Rome.

 

June 22 Fri        ROME

In the morning we will make our way by bus to the Via Appia Antica (“Appian Way”), perhaps the most famous ancient street in the world. Paul traveled this road when he was brought as a prisoner to Rome.  While in the area, we will tour one of the catacombs (ancient underground burial chambers) and stop for an up-close look at the monumental tomb of Caecilia Metella, daughter of a famous Roman consul. Along this same stretch of road is the Circus of Maxentius, the best-preserved horse-racing track in the Western empire.  Late in the afternoon we will travel to Rome airport (FCO) to catch a flight to Athens.  (Note:  Those who wish to end their tour after the Italy segment will fly home on this day rather than to Athens.)

 

 

 

OPTION 2:  GREECE (JUNE 21 to 25)

 

Jun 21 Thur       DEPART HOME COUNTRY

Fly from home city to Athens, Greece (travelers arrange their own flights)

 

Jun 22 Fri          ARRIVE IN ATHENS (ATH)

Those who are joining the tour at this point will be given instructions about how to get to the hotel where the group will be staying.  After resting from the flight, you will be free to walk around the city until the group from Italy arrives in the early evening.  The tour will begin after dinner with an introductory lecture on the Greek heritage of Paul and his world.  Dinner and overnight in Athens. 

 

Jun 23 Sat         NATIONAL MUSEUM – ACROPOLIS – MARS HILL – AGORA – ACROPOLIS MUSEUM

In the morning we will visit the National Archaeological Museum to learn about the history of Greece from ancient times to Paul’s day.  From there we will proceed to the Acropolis to view its famous temple, the Parthenon, and Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul preached to the Greek philosophers of his day (Acts 17:16-34).  Afterward we will tour the ruins of the agora (civic center) of ancient Athens and visit the Acropolis Museum, where we will view some of the materials that have been unearthed in excavations of the Acropolis.  Overnight in Athens.

 

Jun 24 Sun        ELEUSIS – CORINTH – CENCHREAE – EPIDAUROS

Today we will travel to the site of ancient Corinth, an important city where the apostle Paul lived and worked (Acts 18:1-18) and where the Christians addressed in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians lived.  Along the way, we will tour the ruins of Eleusis, where ancient mystery rites were held to honor the Greek goddess Demeter, and stop for a view of the historic Corinth Canal, which was begun in Paul’s day but not completed until the 19th century.  Later in the day we will visit Cenchreae, the ancient seaport of Athens from which the apostle Paul set sail for Ephesus (Acts 18:18), and Epidauros, the site of a famous healing center dedicated to the god Asclepius.   Overnight in Athens.

 

Jun 25 Mon       DELPHI

Our journey today will take us northward to visit the ruins of the famous oracle of Apollo at Delphi, which Greeks and Romans alike consulted for divine guidance.  In late afternoon we will return to Athens to catch a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, where we will be met by our guide and taken to our hotel.  Overnight in Istanbul.  (NOTE:  Those who wish to end their tour after the Greece segment will fly home on this day rather than to Istanbul.)

 

 

 

OPTION 3:  TURKEY (JUNE 24 to JULY 5)

 

Jun 24 Sun        DEPART HOME COUNTRY

Fly from home city to Istanbul, Turkey (travelers arrange their own flights)

 

Jun 25 Mon       ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL (IST)

Representatives will meet those who are joining the tour at this point and transfer them to the hotel individually.  From here you can rest from the flight and walk around the city while waiting for others to arrive.  Those arriving from Athens will meet the new arrivals at the hotel in the evening, when we will begin our tour with an introductory lecture on Paul’s travels in ancient Asia Minor.  Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

 

Jun 26 Tue        ISTANBUL (CONSTANTINOPLE)

This day will be spent touring historic sites in the city of Istanbul (ancient Constantinople), which was built after Paul’s day but still has many interesting sights.  We will begin at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, where we will learn about the history, culture, and religions of Asia Minor leading up to Paul’s lifetime.  From there we will visit the Roman Hippodrome Square; the Blue Mosque ,with its beautiful blue tiles; and St. Sophia Church (in Greek, Hagia Sophia), which was built by the son of Constantine the Great in the 4th century, rebuilt by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century, and converted to a mosque in the 15th century when the city was conquered by Muslim Turks.  Overnight in Istanbul.

 

Jun 27 Wed       TROY – ALEXANDER TROAS – ASSOS

Today we will travel by bus to the ancient ruins of Troy, where we will tour the legendary city and view a replica of the great Wooden Horse that led to the fall of Troy.  During the bus ride, we will enjoy a lecture on the influence of Homer in the Greco-Roman world.  Toward the end of the day we will drive to Alexandria Troas, where we will view the ruins of this former seaport that was founded by Alexander the Great.  Paul visited here at least twice (Acts 16:8-11; 20:5, 6, 2 Tim 4:13, 2 Cor. 2:12).  Afterward we will travel to Assos, http://www.bibleplaces.com/assos.htm a port city that Paul visited during his travels (Acts 20:13-14) and learn about sea travel and harbors in Paul’s day.  Overnight in Assos.

 

Jun 28 Thur      PERGAMUM – KUSADASI

In the morning we will drive to the town of Bergama, where we will tour the ruins of ancient Pergamum (mentioned in Rev 2:12-17), including the famous temple complex (Asclepion) where people flocked to be healed by the god Asclepius.  On the way there, we will listen to a lecture on the influence of Pergamum in Asia Minor and the religious environment of Asia Minor in Paul’s day.  We will also visit the wonderful museum at Bergama that houses materials found during the excavations of the ancient city.  Toward the end of the day we will drive to the seaport of Kusadasi, where we will spend the night.

 

Jun 29 Fri         PRIENE – MILETUS – DIDYMA

Today we will tour the ruins of several Greek towns and cities on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor and learn about city life and religion in Paul’s day.  Sites to be visited include Priene, where we will study the layout of a typical Greek city in Paul’s day; Miletus, a port city visited by Paul during his travels (Acts 20:15-17, 2 Tim 4:20); and Didyma and Klaros, sites of two ancient temples where the god Apollo was believed to give oracles to people who inquired of him.  Overnight in Kusadasi.

 

Jun 30 Sat         EPHESUS – PAMMUKKALE

The bulk of this day will be spent touring the magnificent ruins of ancient Ephesus, which Paul visited several times (Acts 18:19-24, 19:1-35, 20:16-17, 21:29; 1 Cor 15:32, 16:8; 1 Tim 1:3; 2 Tim 1:18, 4:12; cf. Rev 2:1-7) and where the people addressed in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians lived.  Later in the day we will visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.  Toward the end of the day we will drive to the town of Pamukkale, an ancient (and modern) health spa, where we will spend the night and enjoy the hot springs.

 

Jul 1 Sun           HIERAPOLIS – APHRODISIAS – LAODICEA – COLOSSAE

Today we will tour the ruins of the ancient cities of Hierapolis, with its ancient health spa; Aphrodisias, a center for the worship of the emperor Augustus; Laodicea, a city mentioned by both Paul and the author of Revelation (Col 2:1, 4:13-16; Rev 1:11; 3:14); and Colossae, the home of the Christians addressed in Paul’s letter to the Colossians.  Overnight in Pammukale.

 

Jul 2 Mon         PISIDIAN ANTIOCH – SAGALASSOS – ANTALYA

In the morning we will travel eastward through the Meander River valley, following the ancient route across central Asia Minor to Pisidian Antioch, a city where Paul preached and established a church (Acts 13:13-52).  After touring the excavations and museum at Antioch, we will head south to Antalya, stopping at the ruins of the ancient city of Sagalassos along the way.  Overnight in Antalya.

 

Jul 3 Tue          ANTALYA – TERMESSOS – PHASELIS

Today will begin with a brief walking tour of the ancient port of Antalya (ancient Attalia), which Paul visited on his travels (Acts 14:25-26), and the wonderful Antalya Museum.  From there we will drive to the hilltop city of Termessos, one of the few towns never conquered by the Romans, and the port town of Phaselis, where the ruins provide a superb sense of the kinds of places where Paul stopped when traveling by boat along the coast of Asia Minor.  Overnight in Antalya.

 

Jul 4 Wed         PERGE – ASPENDOS – SIDE

On the final day of our tour, we will travel eastward to visit the excavated ruins of the ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos, and Side, all of which exhibit vital elements of Roman city life.  Overnight in Antalya.

 

Jul 5 Thur         Transfer to ANTALYA AIRPORT for departure (travelers arrange their own flights)

Depending on when flights depart, we might have time to relax on the beach in Antalya and/or tour the wonderful Antalya Archaeological Museum in the daytime.  (NOTE:  Very cheap flights are available from Antalya to Istanbul on Atlasjet, so international flights should be priced based on returning from Istanbul.)

 

 

Prices (excluding airfares to and from home country and between tour segments)

 

OPTION 1:  ITALY                   $1,050

 

OPTION 2:  GREECE                  $630

 

OPTION 3:  TURKEY               $1,890

 

 

All prices include:

 

·         Accommodations in shared rooms in 3-star or 4-star hotels
(for a single room, add $200 for the Italy segment, $xxx for the Greece segment, and $580 for the Turkey segment)

·         Daily breakfast and dinner

·         All ground transportation to tour sites (by private air-conditioned bus)

·         Entrance fees to all sites

·         Expert tour guides

 

 

Not included:

 

·         Airfare from home country to or from tour site

·         Airfares between tour segments:

Rome-Athens—currently $139
Athens-Istanbul—currently $179

·         Travel from airport to hotel upon arrival

·         Travel health insurance—estimated $3.50/day

·         Lunches

·         Beverages other than water

·         Personal expenses

·         Tips to drivers (not obligatory, but highly recommended)

·         Turkish visa ($20 upon arrival for U.S. citizens; others should check with their government to find out requirements and costs)

 

 

Payment Information

 

·         $100 deposit for each segment, due by January 20, 2012

·         Balance payable by March 5, 2012

·         Pay by wire transfer (ask for details) or credit card (VISA or MasterCard accepted; use the secure form at http://www.tutkutours.com/credit_card_payment_order.asp).

 

 

Tour Leaders

 

·         Dr. Chris Stanley, professor of theology at St. Bonaventure University in New York, is the author/editor of four scholarly books and numerous professional articles on the apostle Paul.  He travels regularly around the world to present papers, give lectures, and teach courses at conferences, seminaries, and universities.  For more information, see http://www.sbu.edu/About_SBU.aspx?id=11500.

·         Dr. Scott Craver, assistant professor of art history at St. Bonaventure University in New York, is a Roman archaeologist and art historian who worked and wrote his dissertation on the excavations at Pompeii.  He conducted archaeological research in Italy for three years and is a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome.  For more information, see http://www.sbu.edu/uploadedFiles/About/Directory_Contact/New_Faculty_Profiles/S_Craver_Vita.pdf. 

 

 

NOTE:  Prices or itineraries could change if a mandatory minimum number of people do not sign up for the tours, but participants will be given a chance to cancel their reservation if that should happen.  The tour is limited to twenty participants on each segment.  Preference will be given to students doing the trip for academic credit.