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Turkey 2008

Core 650 to Turkey
Saint Paul's Pioneering Pathways
with
Whitworth Theology Professor and Whitworth University alumnus
Jim Edwards and his wife, Janie

June 11-June 24, 2008

The route of Christianity's expansion from Jerusalem to Rome lay through Modern Turkey. Antioch, Perga, Ephesus, Miletus, Pergamon. All of these cities—and more—were pioneered by the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts and were pastored by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. Shimmering seascapes and precipitous mountain ranges provide the backdrop of Paul's treks and triumphs and of everything from exotic monastic desert caves to the eternal splendors of the Byzantine Empire.

• Join Whitworth alumni, parents and friends.
• Enjoy the ancient landmarks of Istanbul in Sultanahmet Square. Visit the Roman Hippodrome, the Byzantine Haghia Sophia, the Ottoman Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque.
• Travel through the delta of the River Meander, where ancient people once sailed. Visit the most important cities of the classical period: the Ionian cities of Priene, Miletus, and Didyma.
• Explore the lunar and surrealistic landscape of the Cappadocia region with its valleys and churches.
• Hear daily on-site instruction from acclaimed teacher and author Jim Edwards.

Program Details
Estimated cost of this educational program, including roundtrip airfare from Seattle, is $5,145 per person. Price includes all transportation (air, coach, transfers), lodging (assumes double occupancy), tours, tickets, departure taxes, and full breakfast plus at least one additional meal each day.

Land rate (for those intending a different departure/return date or home airport) is $3,645. Single-occupancy rate is an additional $748. Academic credit is available upon request. Prices are subject to change. A $500 deposit check (refundable before Jan. 10, 2008) will hold your spot.

Payment in full is due by Feb. 1, 2008. Spaces are limited, so reserve yours now. Sorry; we cannot accept credit cards for tours.

E-mail or call Tad Wisenor, development director, with any questions at twisenor@whitworth.edu, 509.777.4401 or 800.532.4668.

Send your reservations to:

Core 650 Turkey Tour 2008
Office of Institutional Advancement
Whitworth University
300 W. Hawthorne Road
Spokane, WA 99251

TENTATIVE CORE 650 T0 TURKEY ITINERARY

Wednesday, June 11 - Flight Day
Depart the U.S. on a flight to Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul at 11.15 PM and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Hotel World Park, www.worldparkhotel.com

Friday, June 13 - Istanbul
Explore the great ancient landmarks of Istanbul in Sultanahmet Square. Visit the Roman Hippodrome, the Byzantine Haghia Sophia, the Ottoman Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque. BD
Hotel World Park

Saturday, June 14 - Istanbul
Visit the Underground Cistern and the Istanbul Archeological Museum, featuring many Hellenistic and Roman treasures, especially Alexander's sarcophagus, from Sidon. Later, stroll through the bazaars of Istanbul, the Spice Market, and the Grand Bazaar. Finish the day by a private boat tour along the Bosphorus. Dinner is on your own. BLD
Hotel World Park

Sunday, June 15 - Kusadasi
After breakfast we will fly to Izmir at 09.00 and then travel through the delta of the River Meander, where ancient people once sailed. Visit the most important cities of the classical period: the Ionian cities of Priene, Miletus, and Didyma. As the home of the renowned philosophers, these ancient sites are the best example of the Hellenistic cities. We will drive to Kusadasi in the afternoon. Dinner is served in the hotel. BLD
Hotel Kismet, www.kismet.com.tr 

Monday, June 16 - Kusadasi
Explore the famous ancient site of Ephesus and environs. Ephesus contains extensive ruins of the agora, the Library of Celsus with its imposing façade, the theater, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Also tour the Basilica of John, the Selcuk Museum, and the House of Mary in the afternoon. Dinner is served in a local fish restaurant. BLD
Hotel Kismet

Tuesday, June 17 - Pamukkale
Drive along the River Meander and visit the ancient city of Aphrodisias, one of the most important sculpture centers of the entire Roman world. This remote site received extensive donations from Roman emperors because of the city's association with Aphrodite. Then continue to Pamukkale where the mineral water forms the pools of white travertine, one of the most dazzling natural beauties of Turkey. Enjoy the thermal pool of our hotel in the afternoon. BLD
Hotel Lycus River,  www.lycusriver.com

Wednesday, June 18 - Antalya
Drive along the Lycus Valley and tour the biblical cities of Hierapolis, with its extensive necropolis, and then Laodicaea, one of the seven churches in the Revelation, and Colossea, in Pauline letters. Travel through the highlands and descend from the Mountain Taurus to Antalya along the Mediterranean Sea in the afternoon. Dinner is served in a local restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean. BLD 
Hotel Sheraton Voyager, www.sheraton.com/voyager

Thursday, June 19 - Antalya
After breakfast, enjoy the tour of the Archeological Museum that exhibits all the archeological findings from Perge, Aspendos, and the other sites in the region. Then visit Perge, a Hellenistic city that welcomed Alexander on his way to Gordion in 333 BC. With its cascading pools, the city was bisected by the colonnaded marble street that still bears the ruts of wagon wheels. Continue to Aspendos to tour the best preserved Roman Theater dedicated to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Enjoy time at leisure in Antalya in the afternoon and stroll through the streets of the old harbor. BL
Hotel Sheraton Voyager

Friday, June 20 - Cappadocia
Travel through the most spectacular and picturesque route from Antalya to Konya over the Mountain Taurus. Visit the Mevlana Museum, the center of the whirling dervishes in Konya, and discover their humanistic theology based on love and respect to the diversity of the universe. Continue to Cappadocia along the Silk Road and visit one the caravanserai where ancient travelers stayed overnight on their journeys. Arrive in Cappadocia and drive to our cave hotel. BLD
Hotel Anatolian Cave Houses, www.anatolianhouses.com

Saturday, June 21 - Cappadocia
Explore the lunar and surrealistic landscape of the region with its valleys and churches. Visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum and its churches with vivid frescoes depicting the biblical scenes as the best example of the local Byzantine art. Stroll through the fairy-chimneys of the Red and Pasabag Valleys. Visit Uchisar and Cavusin villages with their inspiring settings and dwellings. BLD
Hotel Anatolian Cave Houses

Sunday, June 22 - Cappadocia
Start the day with an optional balloon trip in Cappadocia. Travel to the lesser visited sites of Cappadocia. The dramatic settlement of the Soganli Village attracts travelers to its distant beauty as well as to the vibrant people of the village. Then continue to Ayvali Village to enjoy a lunch prepared in a village house. End the day by visiting the labyrinths of the underground cities of the region. Enjoy an outdoor dinner in one of the fascinating valleys in Cappadocia. BLD
Hotel Anatolian Cave Houses

Monday, June 23 - Istanbul
Take a morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul visit the Kariye Museum and the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora. This museum houses exquisite frescoes and mosaic as some of the best examples of the Byzantine art in the world. Enjoy your free afternoon for last-minute shopping and packing. We will enjoy our farewell dinner with Roman musicians in Kumkapi Fish Market. BD
Hotel World Park, www.worldparkhotel.com

Tuesday, June 24 - Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport and fly home. B