A Biblical/Archeological Study Trip to Turkey

“Seven Churches of Revelation” – A Biblical/Archaeological Study Trip Organized by Steven Vanderhill, President of Redeemer Seminary Travel and Tour Arrangements by Tutku Tours If you are interested, please contact by email Steven Vanderhill or 214-373-7688 as soon as possible. March 9 – 17, 2012 WESTERN TURKEY ITINERARY $1590 from NY/JFK All are welcome to participate, but this intensive trip is designed for pastors, professors and students. Participants should be capable of walking distances in cities and at sites. Mar 9, Friday Depart from USA Arrange your own flight/transportation to and from New York JFK Airport to arrive in time for international flight check-in for departure to Turkey at 17:45pm. In case of a delayed domestic flight, try to arrive at NY JFK Airport by lunch or early afternoon at the latest. Please consult Steve Vanderhill prior to purchasing your ticket to NY JFK. The tour rate includes a ticket for the flight departing New York JFK Airport on Turkish Airlines TK 2 at 16:45 pm. Mar 10, Saturday Arrive Istanbul Airport A representative of Tutku Tours will meet you after the customs and baggage claim. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon Boat Tour along the Bosphorus visiting both Asian and European shores of Istanbul. Dinner and overnight. (D) Mar 11,Sunday Istanbul Full day Istanbul tour; the Roman Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles, St. Sophia Church, built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, one of the worlds greatest architectural marvels and a designated World Heritage site, Topkapi Palace, the Imperial Residential Palace of the Ottoman sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries and the oldest and largest of the remaining palaces in the world. Its displays include priceless world-class collections of jewelry, porcelain and costumes of the sultans. Then visit the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D) Mar 12, Monday Istanbul-Çanakkale-Troy Drive to Çanakkale. Cross the Dardanelles Strait by car ferry. Proceed to Troy to see the legendary city and the replica of the Wooden Horse. Dinner and overnight in Çanakkale. (B,D) Mar 13, Tuesday Alexander Troas (Acts 16:8-11; 20:5, 6, II Tim. 4:13 II Cor. 2:12) – Pergamon (Rev. 1:11; 2:12) – Smyrna (Rev. 1:11; 2:8) Drive to Alexandria Troas, founded by Alexander the Great. Paul visited here at least twice. Leave for Pergamon. Visit the Acropolis with the steepest theater of the ancient world and the Temple of Trajan. Then visit the Red Basilica which was an Egyptian Temple, later converted to a church in the 1st century. It is also considered as one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Continue to Izmir. (B,D) Mar 14, Wednesday Sardis (Rev. 1:11; 3:1-4)- Philadelphia (Rev. 1:11; 3:7)-Pamukkale Drive to Sardis capital of the ancient Lydia where first coin of the world is invented. See the ruins of the 1st century. Continue to Alasehir to see the 1st century Philadelphia Church which is another one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Dinner and overnight at Colossae Hotel in Pamukkale. (B,D) Mar 15, Thursday Laodicea ( Col 2:1; 4:13-16, Rev. 1:11; 3:14)-Colossae(Col. 1:2)-Aphrodisias-Kusadasi Morning tour of PAMUKKALE, noted ancient spa, where pure white travertine’s forms frozen waterfalls. Visit the newly excavated Laodicea. Drive to APHRODISIAS, the city of the “Goddess of Love,” see the well preserved stadium, the Odeon, the theater and the agora. Continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight. (B,D) Mar 16, Friday Ephesus (Acts 18:19-24; 19:1-35; 20:16-17; 21:29, 1 Cor. 15:32; 16:8, I Tim. 1:3 II Tim. 1:18; 4:12, Rev. 1:11, 2:1) – Kusadasi Visit the famous ancient city of Ephesus, the Ephesus Archaeological Museum and the Basilica of St. John. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D) Mar 17, Saturday Departure Back to USA Early transfer to the Izmir Airport for departure. Arrive NY JFK at 15:45 pm. (B) SPECIAL TOUR RATES FROM NY JFK AIRPORT: $1,590 Per Person in Double Room – $1,790 Single Room TOUR RATES INCLUDE: • Round-trip International flights from New York JFK Airport, based on Turkish Airlines Economy Class. You may ask for special add-on prices for departures from other US cities or from Canada. • Domestic Flight in Turkey • Sightseeing as per the itinerary • 7 nights at good 4 star hotels in Turkey • Daily breakfast and 7 dinners • Entrance fees to all sightseeing • Guiding services • Transfers & transportation by private A/C motorcoach • Biblical documents • Tips to hotel and restaurant staff • Portage for one piece of luggage at the hotels EXCLUDING: • Lunches and drinks ($7-10 per day) • Tips to tour guide and driver (Recommended range $30-75 total) • Turkish Visa Fee-to be obtained at Turkish Customs upon arrival ($20 total) • Personal Expenses, any other item which is not included above $100 deposit due by December 10. Payments may be made by Visa or Mastercard. Please use the Registration Form. If you are interested, please contact by email Steven Vanderhill or 214-373-7688 as soon as possible. Turkey Traveler’s Checklist Word DOC ______________________________________ Optional two semester hours academic credit available: NT613 Archaeology and History of the Ancient Mediterranean World Purpose: To introduce students first-hand to the Mediterranean world by traveling to ancient sites; to survey the archaeological excavations of some of the major cities of the biblical world; to investigate the geographical, social, political, economic, religious and historical environment of the NT; to reflect on the relationship of historical/archaeological studies and biblical interpretation with reference to specific NT events and passages. Topics covered include archaeological methods and excavations; historical geography of the ancient Mediterranean world; visits to selected ancient sites; biblical and extra-biblical background on ancient sites; history of religions in the Mediterranean region from the ancient to modern periods. Two semester hours. If you are a current Redeemer student and you wish to earn credit, you should register with the Registrar, paying the normal tuition for two semester hours. Those who are not Redeemer students may apply for special student admission, register by paying tuition, and earn credit. Course assignments for those registering for credit: 1. Reading pre-trip, mid-trip and post-trip including Fant, Wilson, Hemer, and Poythress from the book list below. 2. Trip portfolio (electronic or hardcopy) to include journal of observations/reflections on each site visited, background information/pamphlets collected on sites, maps of sites, photos suitable for teaching purposes. Most of this should be composed/collected during the trip. 3. Written project on at least one site such as Ephesus, Pergamon, Laodicea, Smyrna, Sardis which includes reflection on how an understanding of site-specific archaeological/historical background informs our understanding/interpretation of the NT. This should be completed after the trip. You may discuss the details of this with Steve Vanderhill. You must cite at least ten bibliographic sources for specific references/quotations or for support for your argument/explanation. The paper should be 8-10 pages and should reflect research, not just personal observations. Course assignments due by May 11, 2012. Submit your assignments to Steven Vanderhill.