A Journey to TurkeyA Journey to TurkeyA Journey to TurkeyA Journey to Turkey Endorsed by United Nations Association of Grand Rapids

May 22 - June 3, 2013

The Republic of Turkey is a fascinating state of !" million at the crossroads of Europe and Asia# This is the land where legend says King Midas of the golden touch ruled and Noah$s ark landed# So much of ancient Greek history actually took place in Turkey% not Greece# We will see two sites of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World & the Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus# The fabulous wealth of King Croesus of Lydia was here# Saint Nicholas% or Santa Claus% lived not at the North Pole% but in Turkey# Constantinople% today$s Istanbul% ancient center of the Byzantine Empire became the Christian heart of Europe with the fabulous Hagia Sophia church# It is the land of the crusades and their fortress city of Antioch# Muslims built the incredible Blue Mosque at the center of the Ottoman Turkish Empire# One can still hear the Muslim call to prayer% and witness the ecstatic worship of the Whirling Dervishes# Turkey is an eclectic mix of cultures and is the source of much of Western civilization# Come learn what there is to discover!

Day 1: Departure from Grand Rapids (or Detroit) for Turkey.Day 2: AnkaraArrival Turkey 'with

Ankara ( Capital of Turkey)# Transfer to hotel fordinner*overnight#Day 3: Ankara – Yazilikaya – AnkaraFull&day visit to the Land of Phrygian King Midas# Visit ruins of Pessinus% famous for its great Sanctuarydedicated to the Mother of the Gods# Then% continue to Yazilikaya and Gordion% the capital of Phrygia#Overnight*dinner in Ankara#Day 4: Ankara – CappadociaMorning visit to the Mausoleum of Ataturk and

+European Museum of the Year+ in Switzerland on April ,-% ,--!# Afternoon Travel to Cappadocia#Overnight*dinner in Cappadocia#Day 5: CappadociaVisit underground cities% chapels% homes in the region of Cappadocia# Cappadocia is a unique geologicalarea of conical shaped towers into which people have carved galleries% chapels% homes and cities#

Overnight*dinner Cappadocia#Day 6: Cappadocia – Konya - IspartaTravel to Konya ( stopping at an historic caravan stop en route# In Konya 'ancient Iconium)% we will visit the important Mevlana

Pisidian Antioch 'visit site)# Pisidian Antioch is one of the cities visited by Paul and an important early Christian site# Overnight*dinner Isparta#Day 7: Isparta – PamukkaleTravel to Pamukkale% visiting Laodicea% Colossae and Hierapolis# Laodicea has a nice set of recently excavated ruins# Colossae is beautiful in its pristine unexcavated way# Hierapolis was an ancient spa andboasts one of the most interesting ancient necropolis in the world# It is here that Philip was martyred#Overnight*dinner Pamukkale#Day 8: Pamukkale – KusadasiToday we visit the great archaeological site of Ephesus% exploring both the customs*beliefs*practices ofancient Rome as well as the context for the rise of

early Christianity# It is here that the great Council of

of Artemis with Christianity# Then% visit to the greatByzantine&era basilica of St# John and the ancient Artemisia ( once one of the seven wonders of the ancient world# Overnight*dinner Kusadasi#Day 9: Kusadasi – Sardis – IzmirTravel to Sardis# Sardis is one of the cities mentioned in the Book of Revelation# It boasts spectacularRoman ruins ( a gymnasium% temple of Artemis% and the largest excavated synagogue outside Palestine#This provides a great chance to consider the prominence of Jews in Roman cities and the likely focus of Paul.s ministry# In the afternoon sightseeing in Izmir% ancient Smyrna# Overnight*dinner Izmir#Day 10: Izmir – Pergamon – IstanbulWe continue to Pergamon to visit the great Asklepion ( healing center where the famous physician Galen worked and studied# Next visit is to hauntingly beautiful Acropolis

transfer to your hotel# Overnight*dinner Istanbul#Day 11: IstanbulToday we will visit the Blue Mosque ( one of the great architectural jewels of Istanbul# We continue with a visit to Hagia Sophia ( the /th century basilica built by Justinian% one of the most important buildings of Christianity for centuries# It was later converted into a

the Sultan.s Palace ( the Topkapi Palace# The afternoon is free for us to explore the local Spice Market% the Grand Bazaar or other sites# Overnight*dinner Istanbul#Day 12: Istanbul

ending in the afternoon with some opportunity for an interfaith experience ( perhaps a visit to an historic synagogue% an audience with the Greek Patriarch% or ameeting with a local interfaith group# We will have a farewell dinner*overnight IstanbulDay 13: We transfer

Day 1: Departure Day 1: Departure early Christianity# It is here that the great Council ofearly Christianity# It is here that the great Council of

A Journey to TurkeyA Journey to TurkeyA Journey to TurkeyA Journey to Turkey

DEPART USA MAY 22, RETURN JUNE 3.

Price per person: $1,775 USD (minimum 10 people)Single Supplement : $370 USD

PRICE INCLUDES:- 11 nights hotel accommodations at 4 */ 5 * hotels

- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotels- English speaking Professional tour guide

- Arrival & departure transfers- Transportation with full size bus

- Entrance fees to the sites and museums- Parking fees

- Guide & driver expenses- Hotel tips

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:- Personal expenses

- Tips to the guide & driver- Lunches- Airfare

Each traveler is responsible for their own round trip airfare from the US to Ankara, Turkey on Day 1 and then

arrive at close to the same time regardless of the US city of departure. If a minimum of 10 people would like to

A Journey to Turkey Endorsed by United Nations Association of Grand Rapids

May 22 - June 3, 2013

Registration FormA deposit of $100 is due with completed form.

An additional non-refundable deposit of $500 is due by March 8.Balance for all travelers due by April 15.

Travel insurance is recommended and can be purchased separately. If you don't have a preferred provider, we can recommend one.

Price per person: $1,775 USD (minimum 10 people)Single Supplement : $370 USD

Price includes:- 11 nights hotel accommodations at 4- and 5-star hotels

- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotels- English-speaking professional tour guide

- Arrival & departure transfers- Transportation via full-size bus

- Entrance fees to the sites and museums- Parking fees

- Guide & driver expenses- Hotel tips

** Price does not include personal expenses, tips to the guide & driver, lunches, or airfare. **

Personal Data:Name (as it appears on your passport): ________________________________________________________Address: ________________________________________________________________________________City: ______________________________________ State: ___________________ Zip: ______________Telephone: Home: __________________________ Cell: _________________________________________E-mail address: ______________________________________

Passport Information: (please attach a photocopy of your passport; please note that all passports must have at least six months to the expiration from the travel date of May 22.)Date of Issue: _____________________________________________________________________________Place of issue: ____________________________________________________________________________Passport Country and Number: ______________________________________________________________Expiration Date ___________________________________________________________________________Birthplace: ______________________________________________________________________________Birthdate: _______________________________________________________________________________

Emergency Contact: In case of emergency, please notifyName: __________________________________________________________________________________Relationship: _____________________________________________________________________________Telephone: Home: _____________________________ Cell: _____________________________________

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Health Information:General Health: __________________________________________________________________________Do you smoke? ___________________________________________________________________________Do you have any allergies? __________________________________________________________________Special diet? _____________________________________________________________________________Physical challenges? _______________________________________________________________________Emotional challenges? _____________________________________________________________________Are you covered by illness and accident insurance? Yes ! No !Does your insurance cover your overseas travel? Yes ! No !Name of your insurance company and their emergency contact number: ______________________________Are there any other special considerations we should know about in processing your application? Yes ! No ! If so, please list: ________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE READ AND SIGN THIS AGREEMENT:

I agree to all the conditions relevant to this trip by any sponsoring entities and group leaders. I will complete the required study in advance, take part fully in all aspects of the trip, including the orientation and debrie" ng, and use the insight gained for the furthering of the goals of the group to the best of my ability. I will also ful" ll my " nancial obligations.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS:

I, ______________________, acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate on the trip designated on this application. I am voluntarily participating on this trip with knowledge that travel could involve numerous risks and dangers. I HEREBY AGREE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN WELFARE, AND ACCEPT ANY AND ALL RISKS OF DELAY, UNANTICIPATED EVENTS, ILLNESS, INJURY, EMOTIONAL TRAUMA OR DEATH AND VERIFY THIS STATEMENT BY PLACING MY INITIALS HERE: ________ SIGNED: __________________________________________________ DATE: _____________________

PLEASE SEND CHECKS (PAYABLE TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (FPC) OF LANSING) AND COMPLETED APPLICATION TO:

First Presbyterian Church of LansingATTN: Rev. Anne Weirich510 W. Ottawa StreetLansing, MI 48910

517 482 8662 (fax)616 252 9242 (cell)

Health Information:General Health: __________________________________________________________________________Do you smoke? ___________________________________________________________________________Do you have any allergies? __________________________________________________________________Special diet? _____________________________________________________________________________Physical challenges? _______________________________________________________________________Emotional challenges? _____________________________________________________________________Are you covered by illness and accident insurance? Yes ! No !Does your insurance cover your overseas travel? Yes ! No !Name of your insurance company and their emergency contact number: ______________________________Are there any other special considerations we should know about in processing your application? Yes ! No ! If so, please list: ________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE READ AND SIGN THIS AGREEMENT:

I agree to all the conditions relevant to this trip by any sponsoring entities and group leaders. I will complete the required study in advance, take part fully in all aspects of the trip, including the orientation and debrie" ng, and use the insight gained for the furthering of the goals of the group to the best of my ability. I will also ful" ll my " nancial obligations.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS:

I, ______________________, acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate on the trip designated on this application. I am voluntarily participating on this trip with knowledge that travel could involve numerous risks and dangers. I HEREBY AGREE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN WELFARE, AND ACCEPT ANY AND ALL RISKS OF DELAY, UNANTICIPATED EVENTS, ILLNESS, INJURY, EMOTIONAL TRAUMA OR DEATH AND VERIFY THIS STATEMENT BY PLACING MY INITIALS HERE: ________

SIGNED: __________________________________________________ DATE: _____________________

PLEASE SEND CHECKS (PAYABLE TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (FPC) OF LANSING) AND COMPLETED APPLICATION TO:

First Presbyterian Church of LansingATTN: Rev. Anne Weirich510 W. Ottawa StreetLansing, MI 48910

517 482 8662 (fax)616 252 9242 (cell)

Tour By:BEF TourismErdal Vardarli, owner

No: 59 / 313Alsancak / IzmirTel. +90-232-446 25 89Fax. +90-232-425 59 14Emergency:0-555-985 49 24

Keith St. Clair is a tenured Professor of Political Science at Grand Rapids Community College where he

Scholarship through the University of Michigan# In 011-% following the fraudulent presidential elections in

of Oman# Keith has been to Israel and the West Bank three times in the last ,1 years examining the tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians% a topic for which he is a frequent speaker# His additional travels in the region have taken him to Jordan% Egypt% and Morocco% the latter with the National Council on US Arab Relations#

Keith has lived in West Michigan since ,--!% serving as past president of the Michigan Political Science Association# Keith also serves on the board of the West Michigan American Civil Liberties Union and United Nations Association#

Rev. Anne Weirich% is a pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Lansing% Michigan and an experienced tour leader# Anne will provide an overview of the key social and political issues in the region and help to interpret the religious landscape in which they play out# While this trip is not a pilgrimage% many of the sites we will visit have connections the Christian faith% especially to the cities of John and Paul# Anne will interpret these sites from a Christian perspective and also% when appropriate% lead times of prayer and worship for those who would like to participate#

For more information on this trip, contact the tour leaders directly:Rev# Anne Weirich: anneweirich@mac#com; Keith St# Clair: kstclair@grcc#edu

Keith St. ClairKeith St. Clair

Tour LeadersTour LeadersTour LeadersTour LeadersKeith St. Clair &Keith St. Clair &

Rev. Anne WeirichRev. Anne WeirichRev. Anne WeirichRev. Anne Weirich