The Social World of the Apostle Paul:

Italy, Greece, and Turkey under Roman Rule

JUNE 16-JULY 5, 2012

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 4^th century, rebuilt by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century, and converted to a mosque in the 15^th 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.)