Greece and Turkey, Barbara Rossing and Esther Menn, Lutheran School of Theology

May 21 Tue Depart at 11:25 am by Turkish Airline from Chicago to Istanbul

May 22 Wed Arrive Istanbul Airport at 05:50 am
Your guide will meet you with “Barbara Rossing – TUTKU” sign. Transfer to city center to visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Galata tower and walk at Istiklal Street. Check-in to the hotel at 1 pm. Rest of the day is free to relax (or optional Bosphorus Boat Tour). Dinner at the hotel. (D)

May 23 Thu Istanbul
Hippodrome, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, , Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Basilica Cistern (if time permits), and Spice Bazaar. Dinner and overnight Istanbul. (B,D)

May 24 Fri Istanbul - Greece Border – Philippi - Kavala
Travel to Greece, visit Philippi, Lydia Baptistry, overnight in Kavala. (B,D)

May 25 Sat Thessaloniki - Meteora
Via Egnatia; Thessaloniki; visit tomb of Philip II; overnight Kalambaka/Meteora (B,D)

May 26 Sun Meteora
Varlaam Monastery; Meteora; overnight Kalambaka (B,D)

May 27 Mon Meteora – Delphi
Delphi and museum; overnight at Delphi. (B,D)

May 28 Tue Delphi - Athens
Athens touring (Areopagus; climb Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Agora, Roman Forum, new archeological museum) ; overnight Athens (B,D)

May 29 Wed Corinth – Ferry to Patmos
Corinth (temple of Apollo; Erastus inscription; museum); Cenchrae; acro-Corinth; 6 pm ferry to Patmos (including cabin) No dinner tonight (B)

May 30 Thu 2 am arrive Patmos - Kusadasi
Go to hotel to sleep; traditional cave of St John; monastery of St John; lunch at seaport; ferry to Kusadasi. Meet Turkish guide, go to hotel. Overnight Kusadasi. (B,D)

May 31 Fri Ephesus - Izmir
Ephesus, including terrace houses; Church of St John; & baptistery; overnight Izmir (B,D)

June 1 Sat Pergamum & Sardis - Izmir
Pergamon Acropolis and Synagogue at Sardis. Overnight Izmir (B,D)

June 2 Sun Aphrodisias – Laodicea - Pamukkale
Aphrodisias, including synagogue inscription, stadium, museum, and Sebasteion; then visit Laodicea and see the newly restored church. Last visit to Hierapolis, overnight Pamukkale. Enjoy thermal spa. (B,D)

June 3 Mon Pamukkale – Psidian Antioch - Konya
Drive to Yalvac to visit Psidian Antioch and its museum. Continue to Konya to visit the Mevlana Mausoleum. Dinner and overnight in Konya. (B,D)

June 4 Tue Konya - Cappadocia
Drive to Cappadocia and visit Ihlara Valley. Optional Dervish performance ; overnight cave hotel (B,D)

June 5 Wed Cappadocia
Optional hot air balloon. Goreme churches; (NO underground city); farewell dinner; overnight Goreme cave hotel (B,D)

June 6 Thu Transfer to Kayseri Airport for flight to Chicago via Istanbul

Flight Details

TK186 21MAY ORDIST 1125 0550*
TK2027 05JUN ASRIST 1100 1235
TK5 06JUN ISTORD 1420 1745

Including

● 2 Nights at GRAND HALIC HOTEL ISTANBUL or similar
● 1 Night at ESPERIA HOTEL in Kavala or similar
● 2 Nights at METEORITIS HOTEL in Kalambaka or similar
● 1 Night at AMALIA HOTEL in Delphi or similar
● 1 Night at PARTHENON HOTEL in Athens or similar
● 1 Overnight ferry from Athens to Patmos + BLUE BAY HOTEL (3 AM-9 AM) Patmos
● 1 Night at KORUMAR HOTEL KUSADASI or similar
● 2 Nights at KORDON CANKAYA HOTEL IZMIR or similar
● 1 Night at DOGA THERMAL & SPA HOTEL in Pamukkale or similar
● 1 Night at ANEMON HOTEL KONYA or similar
● 2 nights at DILEK KAYA HOTEL CAPPADOCIA or similar
● Daily breakfast and 14 dinners
● Transportation by private A/C bus throughout the tour
● English speaking, Bible-oriented, professional tour guides throughout the tour
● All Entry fees to the sites & museums
● Headsets
● Tips to the tour guide and driver
● Service charges & local taxes

Excluding

● International flights between Chicago – Istanbul (based on Turkish Airlines)
● Kayseri – Istanbul domestic flight
● Turkish Visa Fee (to be obtained online before arrival www.evisa.gov.tr )
● Drinks and lunches
● All personal expenses

Hotels

May 22, 2024 - May 24, 2024 Grand Hotel Halic, Istanbul, Turkey
May 24, 2024 - May 25, 2024 Esperia Hotel, Kavala, Greece
May 25, 2024 - May 27, 2024 Hotel Meteoritis, Kalambaka, Greece
May 27, 2024 - May 28, 2024 Amalia Hotel, Delphi, Greece
May 28, 2024 - May 29, 2024 Parthenon Hotel, Athens, Greece
May 30, 2024 - May 31, 2024 Korumar Hotel de Luxe, Aydın, Turkey
May 31, 2024 - June 02, 2024 Kordon Otel Çankaya, İzmir, Turkey
June 02, 2024 - June 03, 2024 Doga Thermal Otel, Denizli, Turkey
June 03, 2024 - June 04, 2024 Anemon Hotel, Konya, Turkey
June 04, 2024 - June 06, 2024 Dilek Kaya Otel, Nevşehir, Turkey

Locations on the map may include pre program or extension locations with main program.

Flight Details

TK186 21MAY ORDIST 1125 0550*
TK2027 05JUN ASRIST 1100 1235
TK5 06JUN ISTORD 1420 1745

Including

● 2 Nights at GRAND HALIC HOTEL ISTANBUL or similar
● 1 Night at ESPERIA HOTEL in Kavala or similar
● 2 Nights at METEORITIS HOTEL in Kalambaka or similar
● 1 Night at AMALIA HOTEL in Delphi or similar
● 1 Night at PARTHENON HOTEL in Athens or similar
● 1 Overnight ferry from Athens to Patmos + BLUE BAY HOTEL (3 AM-9 AM) Patmos
● 1 Night at KORUMAR HOTEL KUSADASI or similar
● 2 Nights at KORDON CANKAYA HOTEL IZMIR or similar
● 1 Night at DOGA THERMAL & SPA HOTEL in Pamukkale or similar
● 1 Night at ANEMON HOTEL KONYA or similar
● 2 nights at DILEK KAYA HOTEL CAPPADOCIA or similar
● Daily breakfast and 14 dinners
● Transportation by private A/C bus throughout the tour
● English speaking, Bible-oriented, professional tour guides throughout the tour
● All Entry fees to the sites & museums
● Headsets
● Tips to the tour guide and driver
● Service charges & local taxes

Excluding

● International flights between Chicago – Istanbul (based on Turkish Airlines)
● Kayseri – Istanbul domestic flight
● Turkish Visa Fee (to be obtained online before arrival www.evisa.gov.tr )
● Drinks and lunches
● All personal expenses

Hotels

May 22, 2024 - May 24, 2024 Grand Hotel Halic, Istanbul, Turkey
May 24, 2024 - May 25, 2024 Esperia Hotel, Kavala, Greece
May 25, 2024 - May 27, 2024 Hotel Meteoritis, Kalambaka, Greece
May 27, 2024 - May 28, 2024 Amalia Hotel, Delphi, Greece
May 28, 2024 - May 29, 2024 Parthenon Hotel, Athens, Greece
May 30, 2024 - May 31, 2024 Korumar Hotel de Luxe, Aydın, Turkey
May 31, 2024 - June 02, 2024 Kordon Otel Çankaya, İzmir, Turkey
June 02, 2024 - June 03, 2024 Doga Thermal Otel, Denizli, Turkey
June 03, 2024 - June 04, 2024 Anemon Hotel, Konya, Turkey
June 04, 2024 - June 06, 2024 Dilek Kaya Otel, Nevşehir, Turkey

Hosts

Prof. Esther Menn
Dean of Academic Affairs; The Ralph W. and Marilyn R. Klein Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Esther Menn is the Ralph W. and Marilyn R. Klein Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. She has an extensive background in teaching and research, including at the University of Virginia, where she achieved associate rank and tenure. She has published works on Jewish-Christian relations and delivered papers at the Society of Biblical Literature.

Menn actively participates in Jewish-Christian relations, and she co-hosts a travel seminar titled "World of the Bible: Ancient Sites and Current Struggles in the Holy Land."

She holds a doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Chicago, where she received the Susan Colver Rosenberger Prize for her dissertation. She also conducted additional studies at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and other institutions.

At LSTC, Menn teaches Old Testament courses, chairs the Bible division, and organizes events and conferences in Jewish-Christian relations.

Prof. Barbara R. Rossing
Professor of New Testament
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Dr. Barbara R. Rossing is a distinguished New Testament professor at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago since 1994. With a passion for teaching and preaching the Bible's relevance in public life, she holds degrees from Carleton College, Yale University Divinity School, and Harvard University.

Her diverse career includes pastoral roles, directorship for Global Mission Interpretation, and chaplaincy at Harvard University Divinity School. Dr. Rossing's contributions extend to lecturing and preaching at ELCA synod assemblies and global mission events, as well as participation in ecumenical theological conferences.

She is a renowned public theologian, appearing in media such as "CBS Sixty Minutes," The History Channel, and National Geographic.

Dr. Rossing's published works include "The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation" (Basic Books, 2004) and "The Choice Between Two Cities: Whore, Bride and Empire in the Apocalypse" (Trinity Press, 1999), among others.

Land and Air Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations made before 60 days of departure: Full refund
Cancellations made within 45 days of departure: 90% refund
Cancellations made within 30 days of departure: 75% refund
Cancellations made within 15 days of departure: 25% refund
Cancellations made within 14 days of departure: No refund

In addition to the above cancellation policy, we charge a 5% processing fee for all refunds, no matter the date of cancellation. This fee is necessary to cover the costs associated with processing refunds, including bank fees and administrative expenses.

We understand that sometimes travel plans change, and we appreciate your understanding of this policy.

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*Please email to info@tutkutours.com and ask for TUTKU’ bank account details if you wish to pay with bank wire transfer.

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