13th – 28th April / 5th May 2020

Escorted by the Rev Scott Goode

Day 1: Monday 13 April Depart AustraliaDepart Australia today on our Emirates Flight to Dubai and onwards to Istan-bul. Day 2: Tuesday 14 April Istanbul (D)On arrival to Istanbul Airport we will be met by our tour guide and transferred to our hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight. Day 3: Wednesday 15 April Istanbul (B,D)After breakfast we will visit the St. Sophia Museum, which is one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world. We will continue onto the Hippo-drome, the sportive and political centre of the Old City. We also visit the Blue Mosque, (facing St. Sophia), famous for its blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 mina-rets, and built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. We continue at the 6th century Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. We then will visit Topkapi Palace, seat of the Ottoman Empire for four centuries, and visit the treasury section. Lastly, we will browse the exciting Grand Bazaar, a maze of over 4000 tiny shops selling gold, jewellery, leather-work and fine carpets. Enjoy dinner and overnight in Istanbul. Day 4: Thursday 16 April Istanbul (B,D)We begin our day with a visit to the Church of St. Anthony of Padua. On our tour of Istanbul, we will also get to see one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, once one of the fourteen auto-cephalous churches within the communion of Orthodox Christianity. Our tour of the Orothodox world will continue with a visit to Balat and the Bulgarian Iron Church, completed in 1898, and brought in from Europe by rail. From here we explore the wooden buildings at the base of the towering ramparts of the Old City, where the practitioners of three distinct religions lived together harmoni-ously in one single neighbourhood. Our last visit will be to the Chora Museum which is famous for well preserved frescos & mosaics. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. Day 5: Friday 17 April Istanbul / Izmir / Sardis / Philadelphia / Pamukkale (B,D) We leave in the morning and transfer to Istanbul airport for our flight to Izmir. Upon arrivak in Izmir we will visit Sardis which is also one of the Seven Church-es of Revelation. Highlights include the 3rd century AD synagogue, gymnasi-um, House of Bronzes, Temple of Artemis, and of course the church. Next on our itinerary is Philadelphia, also one of the Seven Churches, and an important Christian centre during Byzantine times. We will then see the Basilica. Dinner and overnight is in Pamukkale.

Day 6: Saturday 18 April Pamukkale / Hierapolis – Laodicea / Colossae / Pamukkale (B,D)We will visit Hierapolis that was founded by Pergamum King Telephos and named after his wife Hiera. Most likely, the very large Jewish element in this city was an important factor in the rapid expansion of Christianity. During the Byz-antine period the city became the seat of diocese with a large Christian church dedicated to St. Philip who was martyred here in 80 AD. Highlights include the roman baths, the Temple of Apollo, the theatre, and the beautiful calcified terraces. We journey onto Laodicea, another one of the Seven Churches, where the remains are found on a flat-topped hill. Christianity came to the area during the time of Paul, brought by Epaphras of Colossae. Laodicea became the seat of a Bishopric and hosted an important Ecumenical Council in the 4th century AD. Highlights will be the water tower, stadium and the Council Chamber. We continue on to see the unexcavated mound at nearby Colossae. Dinner and overnight at Pamukkale. Day 7: Sunday 19 April Pamukkale / Miletus / Kuşadası (B,D)Today we travel north to Miletus whose history dates back to 800 BC. The fa-mous philosopher Thales comes from Miletus and is credited with the theory that all things come from water. Highlights here are the Lion Harbour that St. Paul sailed in, the main colonnaded street, the theatre, Baths of Faustina and the Council Chamber. Dinner and overnight at Kusadasi.

Day 8: Monday 20 April Ephesus / Kusadasi (B,D)We travel directly to Ephesus this morning, the most famous of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev 2:1-7) where St Paul spent more than two years in the course of his third missionary journey. It was to the Christian community of Ephesus that St Paul wrote his greatest and most challenging letter (the epistle

to the Ephesians) and also succeeded in converting many away from worship of the god Artemis. Our visit today will include the ruins where St Paul lived and preached and we will view the prison of St. Paul. Walk through the ancient marble streets founded in the 10th century BC and see this most ‘complete’ Roman city providing us with an excellent window into Imperial Rome. We will walk through the same ancient marble streets passing the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the enormous amphitheatre (Acts 19:29-31), houses of the rich (undercover section), and finally, come to the ruins of the Christian Basilica where the Third Ecumenical Council took place in 431 AD, and where Mary was proclaimed “Mother of God”. We ascend the hill to the House of the Virgin Mary where it is said Mary spent the later years of her life. Finally we visit the restored remains of the 6th century Basilica of St. John at Selcuk, where a small church was originally built over the tomb of St John the Evangelist. Din-ner and overnight in Kusadasi. Day 9: Tuesday 21 April Kusadasi (B,D)Enjoy a day at leisure at the hotel or for further sightseeing.

Day 10: Wednesday 22 April Kusadasi / Pergamum (Bergama) (B,D)This morning we set out towards Izmir, once the site of ancient Smyrna, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev 2:8-11). This was home to a lively Chris-tian community under the pastoral care of its bishop – the saintly Polycarp. We will continue north to Pergamum, (Rev 2:12-17) one of the most impressive classical sites in Turkey and another of the Churches of Revelation. Once de-scribed by John as the place “where Satan has his throne”, this too was the site where the first Christians were martyred by Rome (Rev 2:12-17). On arrival we will visit the region’s longest building; the Red Basilica, which is dedicated to St. John the Apostle. The Asclepieum of Pergamon was a famous health centre where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. Dinner and overnight at Pergamum (Bergama). Day 11: Thursday 23 April Pergamum / Alexandria Troas / Canakkale (B,D)We depart the hotel this morning and head towards Canakkale, stopping on the way to visit Alexandria Troas, an ancient city founded around 300 BC. During the Roman period the city was a thriving metropolis thanks to its busy port. Alexandria Troas is also an important site for the history of Chrstianity. During the 1st century AD St Paul spent some time in Troas during his second missionary journey. We will see at the site the traces of the old city walls as well as remains of the bath and gymnasium. At the highest point of the site is the Hellenistic Theatre, which offered spectators a great view of the city of Troas. There are several remains of public buildings to be seen toward the west of the old city centre. During recent day excavations of the public buildings an old temple, built by the Roman Emperor Augustus was discovered, along with co-loured marble fragments, friezes and statue pieces including a Dionysos head, indicating a richness of the city. Later today we arrive to our hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight. Day 12: Friday 24 April Canakkale / Troy / Anzac Cove (B,D)Today we visit Troy. Referred to in Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, Troy has in fact nine cities superimposed one upon the other. Troy VI pertains to the famous Trojan War of Homer where the legendary heroes included Agamemnon, Achil-les, Ulysses, and Nestor on the Greek side, and Priam, Hector and Paris on the Trojan side. We enjoy a free afternoon and will have dinner before departing the hotel at 10.00pm to make our way to Anzac Cove for the Dawn Service. Day 13: Saturday 25 April Dawn Service / Canakkale (B,D)Upon completion of the Dawn Service we will return to the hotel in Canakkale and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the ho-tel.

Day 14: Sunday 26 April Canakkale / Gallipoli – Ipsala (B)This morning we will return to Gallipoli without the crowds and ceremonies to visit Anzac Cove and its trench’s and sites. We drive past Courtney’s and Steele’s Post and Quinn’s post. Visit the Nek, Chunuk Bair, the New Zealand Monuments and Lone Pine Cemetery. We will then split into two groups. One group will return to Istanbul for final overnight stay, and for those joining the optional Greece extension you will be transferred to the Greece border.

Journey to Turkey with optional Greece extension

FeaturingAnzac Dayat Gallipoli

Rev Scott Goode is the Rector of the South Wagga Anglican Church in the Canberra-Goulburn Diocese and has an MA (Theology) majoring in New Testament Studies. Along with his wife Natalie, he has completed two tours of Israel and Jordan. Join us for an incredible journey in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, in the wonderful Spring weather, as we discover many places so integral to the beginnings of Christianity, and all experienced in the context of Christian community and friendship.

Day 15: Monday 27 April Depart Istanbul (B)Enjoy the day at leisure before our transfer back to Istanbul Airport for the re-turn flight home. Day 16: Tuesday 28 April Arrive HomeArrive back into Australia today with wonderful memories of our trip.**Itinerary subject to change**

OPTIONAL GREECE EXTENSION

Day 14: Sunday 26 April Border / Kavala (B,D)After our Gallipoli sightseeing, we will transfer to the Greek border where we meet our new tour guide and bus driver and continue to Kavala. The modern port city of Kavala, (ancient Neapolis), is where Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Dinner and overnight in Kavala. Day 15: Monday 27 April Kavala / Philippi / Thessaloniki (B,D)Visit Philippi where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here Paul baptized a “certain woman named Lydia”, the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman Forum in Philippi, which is completely excavated, is from after Paul’s time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town’s main road is the prison of Paul and Silas, and still visible on the site are the remains of the two early Christian Basilicas and traces of via Egnatia, an ancient Roman road. Continue to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. Day 16: Tuesday 28 April Thessaloniki (B,D)Today we will enjoy the day exploring Thessaloniki, which was built about 315 BC by King Cassander, brother-in-law of Alexander the Great, and who named the city after his wife Thessaloniki. It was a major commercial centre in Ro-man times as well as the second largest and wealthiest during the Byzantine era. In 50 AD St Paul visited the city and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. At present Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city. An ori-entation tour takes us around to see the highlights including the White Tower, and the Triumphal Arch of Galerius (standing on the Egnatia Way). We visit the Byzantine churches of St. Dimitrios, St. Sophia and St. George of Rotonda. We will also visit the National Archaeological Museum. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. Day 17: Wednesday 29 April Thessaloniki / Veria / Vergina / Kalambaka (B,D)Today we visit Veria and Vergina before heading to Kalambaka. The town of Ve-rias is dubbed “Little Jerusalem” for the many Byzantine churches that are built across it. Here we will visit the Bema of St Paul where the Apostle stood and preached the Gospel to the Veroeans in 49 AD and see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching. Vergina, or ancient Aegae, was the first capital of the kingdom of Macedon. Although the capital was later transferred to Pella, Aegae remained the city where sacred rituals and ceremo-nies would take place. Here we will visit the very impressive site of the Royal Tomb of King Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. Displayed within this tomb are the finds such as the gold ossuary with the 16 pointed Macedonian star, gold leaf wreaths, frescos and ornaments. Dinner and overnight in Kalam-baka.

Day 18: Thursday 30 April Kalambaka / Meteora / Athens (B,D)This morning we visit the Byzantine Meteora Monasteries. Amongst striking scenery, perched on sheer-sided gray rock pinnacles of varied and spectacu-lar shapes and appearing to be suspended in mid-air, stand the ageless 14th century monasteries of Meteora. The monasteries contain beautiful Byzantine art and offer an insight into the mystic world of the monks still residing there. Continue our drive south to Athens to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 19: Friday 01 May Full Day Cruise (B,L,D) Today we enjoy a relaxing day as we set sail from Piraeus on our full day cruise to the 3 Saronic Islands. Lunch onboard is included. Return to our hotel in Athens for dinner and overnight. Day 20: Saturday 02 May Athens / Corinth / Epidaurus / Athens (B,D)This morning we shall cross the Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese where we visit Ancient Corinth & Epidaurus. We will drive through the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, which separates Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and connects the two Seas, the Ionian and the Aegean. Continue to Ancient Corinth, one of the most important trading cities of ancient Greece dating back to the 6th century BC. During our visit at the archaeological site, we will come across the Temple of Apollo, the agora, the sacred spring and the Peirene Foun-tain. The Apostle Paul resided in Corinth for 18 months in 51–52 AD. Here he wrote the First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians. We shall visit the site of the Bema of St. Paul, where he preached. We will visit the Theatre of Epidaurus famous for its astonishing acoustics, and one of the best-preserved classical Greek structures still being used for theatrical and musical performances. On the way back to Athens we drive past Cenchrea. Dinner and overnight in Ath-ens.

Day 21: Sunday 03 May Athens (B,D)Today we enjoy the day exploring Athens, the capital of Greece, and one of the oldest cities in the world with a history spanning 3,400 years. Home of the great minds, philosophers and teachers of ancient times such as Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, Athens is the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization. A bus tour will guide us through the highlights of Athens; House of Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Presidential Palace, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, which leads us to the world renowned Acropolis. We will walk through the architectural wonders of the Golden Age of Pericles; the Propylaia, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion and also walk to Areopagus or Mars Hill, the site where trials were heard before the Council of Elders and where St Paul delivered his speech to the Athenians. We will visit the ancient agora where Athenians gathered not only for commer-cial purposes, but also for political and religious ones. Our visit is not complete without a tour of the new Acropolis Museum, which houses the findings of the Acropolis of Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Day 22: Monday 04 May Depart AthensAfter breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight home. Day 23: Tuesday 05 May Arrive HomeArrive back to Australia with wonderful memories of our trip. **Itinerary subject to change**

ESTIMATED PRICE FOR MAIN TURKEY PACKAGE:* Price is based on minimum of 25 paying participants. Conditions apply. Subject to change.

PACKAGE PRICE FOR OPTIONAL GREECE EXTENSION: AUD$2,350* per person (twin share)* Price is based on minimum 15 paying participants. Conditions apply. Subject to change.

Optional single room supplement:

Optional single room supplement:

AUD$5690* per person (twin share) AUD$985

AUD$675

HOTELS in TURKEY (or similar):Istanbul Vicenza Hotel 3 nightsPamukkale Lycus River Hotel 2 nightsKusadasi Marina Hotel 3 nightsBergama La Bella Hotel 1 nightCanakkale Parion Hotel 3 nightsIstanbul Vicenza Hotel 1 night (for those not doing the Greece Extension)

HOTELS in GREECE (or similar):Kavala Hotel Lucy 1 nightThessaloniki Hotel Imperial Palace 2 nightsKalambaka Hotel Amalia 1 nightAthens Hotel Titania 4 nights

TURKEY PACKAGE INCLUDES:• ReturneconomyairfareswithEmiratesAirlinesfromSydney–Dubai – Istanbul/Athens• OnewayairfarefromIstanbul–Izmir• Allcurrentairportanddeparturetaxes• 13nightshotelaccommodationasperabove (12 nights for those doing Greece extension)• Breakfastanddinnerdaily,fromdinneronfirstdaytobreakfastonlastday. All meals at hotels unless otherwise specified.• Transportbydeluxeair-conditionedmotor-coach• Allguidingandentrancefees• Sightseeingasperconfirmeditinerary• Whispererheadsets• Alltips,porterageandgratuities

GREECE PACKAGE INCLUDES:• 8 nights’ hotel accommodation • Breakfast and dinner daily. All meals at hotels unless otherwise specified.• 1 day cruise to the Saronic Islands with lunch on board• Transport by deluxe air conditioned motor-coach • All guiding and entrance fees• Greece hotel taxes• Sightseeing as per confirmed itinerary• All tips, porterage and gratuities

ALL PRICES EXCLUDE:• Entrance/sightseeing/mealsotherthanthoseintheitinerary• Singlesupplement• Travelinsurance• Lunches(otherthanontheGreececruise)• Incidentalexpensesofapersonalnaturesuchasphonecalls,laundry, room service etc.• Anyservicesnotlistedin‘PriceIncludes’above

WHAT TO DO NEXT:1. Register your interest and obtain a booking form from Rev Scott Goode or the team at Olive Tree Travel2. To secure your place, a booking deposit of $500 per person will be required by Friday, 11th March 2019.3. The balance payment is required by 4th February 2020.

Proud Member of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism

Olive Tree TravelSuite 1, level 1 230 Balaclava Road, North Caulfield VIC 3161 T: +61 3 8488 9696 or 1300 55 08 30 info@olivetreetravel.com.au www.olivetreetravel.com.au

Scott GoodeT: 0421 319 204scottgoode9@gmail.com

WHO TO CONTACT:

ATTEND AN INFORMATION EVENINGWhen: February 10th, 2019 @ 2pm

Where: St Paul’s Anglican Church, Turvey Park

* Hear a full tour briefing * Meet your fellow travellers * Have your questions answered

Please RSVP to Katrina Maggs at Olive Tree Travel

by 1st February