Dear friends, I am very excited to be leading this pilgrimage following the footsteps of St Paul, through two of the most exciting and beautiful countries in the world. This will be my second pilgrimage into Turkey which just has so much to offer. What is most exciting is putting the scriptures into their context, it changes your whole understanding of ancient times and the Bible. As you can see from this brochure we will be travelling to the most important places that Paul visited or corresponded with, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi and so much more. As a bonus we will also see much of the ancient world of Greece and Rome as well as experiencing two very colourful living cultures.

4th – 22nd April 2016ourney to Turkey & Greece

Escorted by the Reverend Canon Jan Joustra

DAY 1: Monday 4 AprilDEPART MELBOURNEDepart Melbourne today on your Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi. On arrival to Abu Dhabi transfer to your onward Etihad flight to Istanbul.

DAY 2: Tuesday 5 AprilISTANBUL - IZMIR (D)Upon arrival into Istanbul International Airport, you will transfer to the domestic terminal for your onward flight to Izmir. On arrival, your tour guide will meet you after customs and baggage claim with a “REV JAN JOUSTRA” sign. You will be guided to your waiting coach and transferred to your Izmir hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: Wednesday 6 AprilIZMIR (B,D)After breakfast the tour will begin with a drive to Selcuk to visit the House of Virgin Mary on top of Mt. Coressos. Then a memorable visit to Ephesus will begin as well as viewing one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, the Temple of Artemis (One of the Seven Wonders of Antiquity) and the Basilica of St. John from a distance, followed by lunch in the township of Selcuk. After lunch we will visit the famous local production center for leather garments whereby after a live Fashion Show some free time will be allocated for shopping. Tonight you will overnight in Izmir.

DAY 4: Thursday 7 AprilIZMIR / BERGAMA / CANAKKALE (B,D)Depart for Canakkale, enroute we will visit Pergamon to see the Acropolis, the Temple of Trajan and the theater both overlooking to the plain of Bergama with a picture break for one of the Seven Churches of Revelation in downtown Bergama, then finally Ancient Medical Center, Asclepion will be visited before driving to Canakkale, arrive at hotel check in and overnight in Canakkale.

DAY 5: Friday 8 AprilCANAKKALE / GALLIPOLI / ISTANBUL (B,D)In the morning, after breakfast we cross the Dardanelles by ferry and visit to Anzac Cove and the Beach Cemetery, home to one of Australia 's most legendary soldiers, John Simpson, as well as Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, original trenches, the Nek, Courtney Steel Post and Queen 's Post and drive to Istanbul. We have lunch en route, transfer to your hotel in Istanbul and overnight.

DAY 6: Saturday 9 AprilISTANBUL (B,D)On departure from the hotel, we will proceed to "Old City" for full day tour including the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles and unique with its six minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet I. Next we will have a look at the Hippodrome of Constantinople where horse and chariot races used to take place. Then visit the St. Sophia Museum which is one of the greatest religious and architectural marvels of all times. Finally the famous Topkapi Palace museum will be visited, which was built as the home of the Ottoman sultans the where a visit to the World Famous Imperial Treasury sections will be visited. Last stop will be Grand Bazaar with free time for shopping. Following our return to the hotel for overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 7: Sunday 10 AprilISTANBUL (B,D)Full day at leisure to explore more of the wonderful city of Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 8: Monday 11 AprilISTANBUL ISTANBUL / KAYSERI / CAPPADOCIA (B,D)Check out this morning and transfer to Istanbul Domestic Airport for your local Turkish Airlines flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, you’ll transfer to Cappadocia and start your tour of the area. The unique lunar landscape of the region has been processed by nature, the soft volcanic rock eroded through wind and water, leaving behind the pillars, cones and the fairy chimneys, valleys. Arrive at Hotel Avanos Irmak or similar, check-in and start discovering the sites. First visit the Derinkuyu Underground City that was a refuge carved out in the early Christian era as a safe-haven from persecutors. See the main town of Nevsehir. In the afternoon drive to Ortahisar Village and see on the oldest natural apartments. Visit to Mustafapasa (Sinassos), and ancient Greek town with its spectacular old Greek

Houses, very fine example of late Greek settlements and architec-ture. Drive to Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations in the heart of Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in your hotel in Cappadocia.

DAY 9: Tuesday 12 AprilCAPPADOCIA (B,D)Start the day with a visit to the natural citadel of Uchisar, to enjoy the panoramic view of the region from this point, continue to Goreme Valley, which is the highlight of the day. The valley houses, the Goreme open-air museum with its churches hewn out of rock and the colourful frescoes, which decorate them. Visit the town of Urgup and view the wonderful scenery of the landscape. This afternoon, we visit Cavusin and Avanos villages. Continue to Zelve Valley and walk through and enjoy the scenery of the fair chimneys and see the dwellings and caves of this ancient site. Afterwards enjoy the local arts and the handicrafts – kilms, carpets, pottery and onyx carvings – manufactured in the region. Return to your hotel at the end of the day for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10: Wednesday 13 AprilCAPPADOCIA / KAYSERI / ISTANBUL / IPSALA / KAVALA, GREECE (B)Transfer to Kayseri Airport to catch your morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, transfer to Ipsala. We will then transfer by coach across the Turkish-Greek border into Kavala, Greece. Continuing on we arrive in Kavala, Greece's prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbor. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christou-polis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of the Bible! We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beau-tifully located city, known since the 5th century as Kavala. We will have dinner and overnight in this lovely seaport town.

DAY 11: Thursday 14 AprilKAVALA - PHILIPPI – THESSALONIKI (B,D)This morning we make the short trip to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. We will view the baptismal site where Lydia surren-dered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre. We travel west following the coast arriving in Thessaloniki. The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today. On the panoramic tour we see the old city ramparts, St. George Church (the Rotonda) an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia and the White Tower. We visit the Byzantine church of St. Sophia before arriving at our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

DAY 12: Friday 15 AprilTHESSALONIKI - VERIA - VERGINA – KALAMBAKA (B,D)In the morning we visit St. Demetrius basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert. We then depart to Veria, located on the ruins of Ancient Beroea, one of Apostle Paul's stops to see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching. In Vergina, the first capital of the Macedonian Kingdom, we visit the “Vergina findings”, treasures of Ancient Macedonia and the tomb of King Philip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. We then make our way to Kalambaka and dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

DAY 13: Saturday 16 AprilKALAMBAKA (B,D)Visit Meteora Monasteries - among striking scenery, perched on top

WHO TO CONTACT:

The Rev’d Canon Jan JoustraVicar, St Andrew’s Anglican Church19-21 St Andrew’s StBrighton VIC 3186T: 03 9592 1240M: 0400 959 077vicar@standrewsbrighton.org.au

Olive Tree Travel Katrina MaggsSuite 1, level 1230 Balaclava Road, North Caulfield VIC 3161T: +61 3 8488 9696 or 1300 55 08 30katrina@olivetreetravel.com.auwww.olivetreetravel.com.au

of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries - where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Enjoy an afternoon visit to the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the Old Mitropolis of Kalambaka. Dinner and overnight is in Kalambaka. DAY 14: Sunday 17 AprilKALAMBAKA – ATHENS (B,D)Enjoy a morning visit to one more of the Meteora Monasteries before departing for Athens. Dinner and overnight is in Athens.

DAY 15: Monday 18 AprilATHENS (B,D)Today, we will visit the Acropolis to see the Propylae, the Erectheum and the Parthenon. We shall also ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora (ancient market place where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians), see the House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Palace, Hadrian's Arch and the Panathenaic Stadium. We continue with a visit the New Acropolis museum. Dinner and overnight is in Athens.

DAY 16: Tuesday 19 April ATHENS - OPTIONAL TOUR TO DELPHI (B,D)Today will be a free day in Athens or partake in the optional tour to Delphi. Dinner and overnight is in Athens.

DAY 17: Wednesday 20 AprilCORINTH - MYCENEA - EPIDAURUS – ATHENS (B,D)Enjoy a morning tour to Ancient Corinth. Here under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first century shops, the agora where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. We then continue to Mycenae and visit the Lion’s gate, the Cyclopean walls, the Royal Tombs etc... In the afternoon we visit the theatre of Epidaurus famous for its astonishing acoustics. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 18: Thursday 21 AprilDEPARTURE BACK TO AUSTRALIA (B)After breakfast time to finishing packing, check out and transfer to Athens airport for your International flight from Athens to Dubai with an onward connection to Melbourne with Emirates Airlines.

Day 19: Friday 22 AprilArrival back into Melbourne with some wonderful memories of a fabulous trip !

TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE TO TURKEY & GREECE: AUD $7,090* per person (twin sharing) Single supplement: AUD$1,125

* Price is based on minimum of 25 full paying participants. Conditions apply. Subject to change.

HOTELS TO BE USED (or similar):Izmir Blanca Hotel or similar Canakkale Iris Hotel or similar Istanbul Kent Hotel or similar Cappadocia Dinler Nevsehir Hotel Kavala Hotel Lucy or similar Thessaloniki Hotel Capsis or similar Kalambaka Hotel Divani or similar Athens Hotel Titania or similar

PRICE INCLUDES:• Return economy class airfares from Melbourne – Abu Dhabi Istanbul // Athens – Abu Dhabi – Melbourne with Etihad Airlines including current airport and departure taxes• Domestic airfares from Istanbul to Izmir and from Istanbul – Cappadocia - Istanbul• 8 nights’ hotel accommodation in Turkey and 8 nights’ hotel accommodation in Greece including daily buffet breakfasts & dinners throughout• Comprehensive sightseeing tours as outlined in the itinerary with the services of local professional English speaking guides throughout the tour• Headsets• Airport meet and assistance and transfers and transportation throughout in a luxury air-conditioned coach• Entrance fees to all sights and museums as mentioned in the itinerary

• All border crossing taxes and fees• Tips, porterage & gratuities throughout

PRICE EXCLUDES:• Beverages with meals• Lunches and drinks • Turkey visa (US$60 per person)• Entrance/sightseeing/meals other than those in the itinerary• Single supplement• Travel insurance• Incidental expenses of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, room service etc.• Any services not listed in ‘Price Includes’ above

WHAT TO DO NEXT:1. Register your interest and obtain a booking form from Rev Canon Jan Joustra or the team at Olive Tree Travel2. Attend an information evening on Sunday, 26th July 2015 at 7:00pm at the Vicarage for dinner and pilgrimage talk For catering purposes, please RSVP to Katrina at Olive Tree Travel by Friday, 17 July 2015)3. To secure your place, a booking deposit of $350 per person will be required by 14th August 2015 (unless sold out prior)4. The balance payment is required by 3rd February 2016

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