2023
Turkey and Greece Trip
In
the Steps of Paul and Revelation: A New Testament Journey
|
January
2-19, 2023
Hosted by Professors Mark Vitalis
Hoffman and Crystal Hall
and United Lutheran Seminary
|
|
- Download the Trip Brochure HERE
- Download the
Registration Form HERE (DOC or PDF)
- For a Google
Maps overview of the trip:
- We
fly from Dulles to Istanbul. We have a day and a half in Istanbul,
then fly to Antalya
- HERE
is our journey from Antalya, Turkey to Kavala, Greece
- HERE
is the journey continuing from Kavala to Athens
- For an
itinerary with links to hotels, sites, and other fun things to do,
click HERE
- For some
READING SUGGESTIONS for Travelers to the Bible Lands, click HERE
FAQ
Who
is
able to come on this trip?
- We offer this trip in part as a service to
students and alumni of ULS as well as other interested laypersons
and clergy. That is, everyone is welcome!
- We do have a minimum age limit of 16 years
old.
- There are up to 40 available spots for the
trip. 20 spots are initially reserved for seminary students and
their partners until May 1, 2023. Thereafter, all 40 spots are
available to those who claim them first.
- The biggest issue may be dealing with
disabilities. These countries simply do not have the sorts of access
like we do in the United States. There are times when we will be
walking over rugged terrain, and there are many steps up to sites.
- This is primarily an education trip, so it
might be described more as rigorous than relaxing! On a previous
trip, we walked between 2-5 miles most days. You will want to start
walking and climbing stairs regularly to get ready for the trip!
Is
this
trip all work and no play?
- Not at all! In Turkey and Greece we will be on
the bus for a total of about 1800 miles during the 16 days of
touring (not counting flight days). I.e., we have plenty of down
time on the bus to relax, nap, and converse. (If this trip goes as
past trips have, it's often party in the back and business in the
front on the bus!)
- The daylight hours are limited in Turkey and
Greece in January. That limits the time at the sites, but it also
means we have more time to relax in the evenings. 'Refreshments' are
available at most hotels or at nearby local venues. At Pamukkale, we
stay at a spa hotel where you can check out the natural hot spring
pools for free. Many of our hotels are near waterfronts, so plan on
evening walks by the shore. Check my description of the hotels for
suggestions of things that are available each evening. We’re going
to have fun!
- While the trip provides a fantastic experience
of ancient history, especially of the New Testament period, it is
also intended to be an enriching spiritual experience. We will
schedule time for devotions and reflections related to the sites we
visit, and there will be other worship opportunities as well.
- Our guide in Turkey is Muslim and is very
happy to share her experiences. The father of our guide in Greece
was a Greek Orthodox priest, so we will learn lots about Greek
Orthodox churches, practices, and beliefs. Both of them will
provide as rich a cultural experience as possible.
- (BTW: The guides for our trip are ones I have
had in the past, and I personally requested each of them. They are
wonderful and gracious persons as well as highly experienced and
knowledgeable guides. I'm sure you will enjoy and appreciate them.)
- There are many shopping opportunities from the
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul to a Turkish Rug factory to an icon
workshop in Greece. You will not lack for opportunities to buy
souvenirs! We also allot some free time in Istanbul and Athens.
How
is
this trip different from other Bible lands trips?
- We are similar to other trips in that we will
visit many of the traditional sites you would expect and hope to
see. We do, however, have a somewhat more academic interest, so we
do visit some sites that are biblically, historically, or
ecclesiastically important but less well known. (E.g., Perge,
Pisidian Antioch, Assos, Troas, Meteora, Delphi)
- We also have a commitment to make this an
experience that engages with the local cultures and not just a
touristic one. Our guides will do everything they can to make that
possible. (I'm also hoping that we can attend a Greek Orthodox
worship on the Sunday when we are in Greece.)
- Another unusual aspect to our trip is that it
is a bit longer to give us time to really get a feel for these
places. We will see every location in Greece mentioned in the Bible.
We will see most of the sites (and all the major ones) that Paul
visited on his three mission journeys. We will see six of the seven
churches addressed in Revelation. We will also have the time to
visit the incredible monasteries of Meteora and the historically
significant sites of Delphi, Eleusis, and Mycenae. Many other trips
only cover Turkey or Greece, and ones that try to do both, usually
on a 12 day trip, only hit about two-thirds of the ones we'll visit.
At the end of this trip, you will truthfully be able to say you
experienced the lands of Paul and Revelation.
- We will take the time at the various sites to
read Scripture and reflect on the events that happened at that
location, and we give time for personal reflection. There is an
aspect of ‘pilgrimage’ and spiritual experience that we want to make
possible, because this kind of trip can be transforming.
What
should
I do now if I want to reserve my spot on the trip?
- Contact me to see if any spots are still open
or to be placed on the waiting list. (mhoffman at uls.edu < use the @ sign and
remove spaces)
- Once you are approved, complete and return the
registration form along with the $400 registration fee.
- NOTES on registration:
- You
may use US postal mail or
scan and email your registration. (No faxes.) Make
sure that the scan is clear. Especially make sure that the copy of
your passport page is fully legible.
- You
may mail a check or use a credit card for the $400 deposit. (No
fee for using credit card.)
- If
you use a credit card for the final payment due by late October,
there is a $60 fee.
- If
you plan to share a room and have arranged to room with someone,
please confirm that both registrations come in at roughly the same
time. (Cf. below about finding a roommate.)
- After you submit your registration, please let
me know. (I get updates from the travel agency, but it will help me
if you email me directly. (mhoffman at uls.edu < use the @ sign
and remove spaces)
- You may want to join the Facebook group that
has been started for the trip. It's a great way to share information
and to start to get to know your travel companions. To get into this
private group, either send me your Facebook email or friend me on
Facebook (search for "Mark G V Hoffman").
- Reservations are on a first-come,
first-registered basis. If the 40 spots have already been reserved
(or if 20 non-seminary student spots), I maintain a waiting list.
Do I
need to have my passport information in order to register?
- You do not
need passport information in order to register.
- You do need to make sure that your passport is
valid through July 21, 2023. (I.e., you need it to be valid for six
months later than scheduled departure date.)
- If you need a passport or need to renew, start
the process soon. Average processing time is up to 3 months.
What
is
the actual price of the trip?
- These trips are offered as a service to
students, alumni, and the church, and are not calculated to make
money. The cost does include, however, free trips for the ULS guides
for the work they do.
- The price listed of $3950 is based on current
estimates for flight costs and existing exchange rates and with a
minimum of 27 participants. The flight costs will be confirmed by
late February 2021, and the price updated if necessary. A final
adjustment may be made 90 days before the departure date. On past
trips, we have been able to stick to the initial price. If there
were to be any increases, it would likely be less than $100.
- The price we are given from the travel agency
is based on the number of participants. As you can guess, the more
there are, the cheaper it becomes to spread out costs for things
like the buses and in-country guides, and better rates for rooms and
such can be negotiated. We need at least 20 participants to make the
trip viable. The maximum we want to have on a bus is 40
participants. The final cost will be based on the actual number of
participants. Approximate final costs are:
·
20 participants: $4650
·
25 participants: $4425
·
27 participants: $4370
·
32 participants: $4300
·
40 participants: $4150
·
So, invite a friend and lower your cost!
Do
I have to fly out of / in to Dulles in Washington DC?
- If you want to arrange your own flights, there
is a "Land Only" option. It covers everything listed except for
airfare. The cost is ~$3300 (with possible reductions depending on
number of participants). To take advantage of the airport to hotel
bus service in Istanbul, you need to arrive there before the group
flight does.
- If you want to use frequent flyer miles, you
will need to book your own flight and use the Land Only option.
- In the past, groups have organized car pools
from Gettysburg and Philadelphia to get to Dulles. There are also
hotels near Dulles (e.g., Holiday Inn) that offer cheap offsite
parking.
- If you are coming from farther away, you can
make your own travel plans to Dulles or ask IGM to help you book
transportation. (NOTE: You don't want to miss the flight out of
Dulles, since they only fly that route once a day. We are expecting
that the flight will leave about 11:30 pm on Monday night, January
3, 2022. Plan to be there about 4 hours in advance.)
- If you would like to arrive earlier or stay
longer in Turkey/Greece, you need to contact IGM to make
arrangements.
What
is
included and what other costs should I anticipate?
- The trip includes:
- All
airfares: Flight from Dulles > Istanbul; Istanbul > Antalya;
Athens > Istanbul > Dulles.
- 4-star
hotels
- All
land transportation including from Istanbul airport and to Athens
airport
- Food:
Daily breakfast and dinner
- Services
for guides and bus drivers
- All
tips for porterage , hotel and dining staff, bus drivers and
guides
- NOTE:
1 checked bag only! (All tips are calculated on this basis.)
- You
may bring a backpack or large purse. Anything larger (i.e., a
typical carry-on piece of luggage) will have an extra charge.
You will carry this piece of luggage with you on the bus, and
overhead storage on a bus is very small, unlike an airplane.
- The
checked bag maximum weight is 50 pounds and 62 inches. (H+W+D)
More info here.
- All
entrance fees to sites we visit
- Applicable
taxes
- What is extra?
- Every
person needs to purchase a visa for Turkey. You do this online HERE. It
costs $50 USD. Wait until a couple weeks before we leave to get
it.
- To
have a single room, there is a $1000 single supplement fee.
- Food:
At most hotels, there will be a buffet breakfast and a buffet
supper. There is always more than enough food! (And the food in
Turkey and Greece is generally quite good!)
- We
do stop for lunch each day, and that is an extra cost depending
on what you buy.
- Some
people just plan to eat big breakfasts and suppers and snack
through lunch. (You are not required to buy a lunch.)
- OTOH,
the hotel food, while typical local cuisine, is hotel food. At
lunch, we try to stop at places that will give you a more
genuine taste for the local food!
- Alcoholic
beverages are always a separate cost on your own. In some
places, you may also need to buy water for meals. (Note: We
usually have water bottles available for purchase on the bus for
$1 each. Personally, I drink bottled water in Turkey. I drink
tap water in Greece.)
- I
always request that we stop at least once at a grocery store in
each country. It is so fun shopping and seeing what's similar /
different in a foreign place! (I tend to stock up on chocolate
for myself and buy things like tea or herbs to bring home.
Alcoholic beverages are often sold in grocery stores as well,
even in Turkey.)
- Tips:
Your tour price includes all tips, and they are a bit higher than
the recommended. I do, however, always give you the chance to add
to the tip for the guides and bus drivers before we say goodbye to
them. They work hard for us.
- Souvenirs:
You're on your own here.
- Just
about anything can be found in the Grand Bazaar. Recommended:
leather and metal goods, pashmina (< these are reasonably
cheap and thousands to choice from!), fabric, jewelry, food
items, soaps, ceramics
- Turkish
rugs: We will stop at a cooperative for an amazing experience.
The rugs are beautiful, but they are rather expensive. (A small,
hand knotted rug or runner from the cooperative may may be found
for less than $100, but anything of size and quality is in the
hundreds of dollars. Cheaper ones can be found in the Grand
Bazaar, but they may be machine made and not from Turkey.)
- Icons
in Greece: There are plenty of cheap (printed instead of drawn
or made in China?) ones to be found. We will stop at a workshop
and watch them at work. A small, certified, hand-drawn icon can
cost less than $20, but prices go up quickly from there.
I
want to share a room and avoid the single supplement cost, but I don't
know anyone. How do I find a roommate?
- As noted on the registration form, we can let
you know of others also seeking a roommate, but if a roommate cannot
be found, you should be prepared to pay the single supplement.
- If you join the Facebook group for the trip,
there is a thread there which will let you advertise for a roommate.
- If you don't find a roommate, you need to be
ready to pay the $1000 single supplement.
When
is
final payment due?
- Final payment is due October 24, 2023.
Is
it safe to travel to Turkey and Greece?
- This will be my 4th group I will
lead to this area. I’ve also spent a month hiking and driving on my
own in Greece. I have never felt in danger. One needs to use common
sense as anywhere when traveling, including in the USA. (Somewhat
practically, January just isn’t a good time for protests over
there!) Ask your friends who have been there how they experienced
it. I can also assure you that our travel agency and tour guides are
very alert to any possible dangers and will err on the side of
safety if there are any questions. (It’s also bad for business to
lose any customers!) More than anything, I hope you will experience
the hospitality that is extended to visitors.
- You can check the US Government Travel Advisories for the latest
information. For now (April 2022), almost every country has reduced
or removed any COVID-19 restrictions. Usually there are no
advisories for Greece. There is often a "Level 2: Exercise Increased
Caution" warning for Turkey. (It's also Level 2 for the United
Kingdom, Spain, and other 'safe' countries, so you can compare the
risk.) It should also be noted that the only part of Turkey that is
actually risky is the Turkey-Syria border. We will be at least 350
miles away from that area.
- What about COVID issues? We
have reached a new normal for travel where we all have to assume
that there will be some risks. The travel arrangements, lodging, and
food accommodations over there have been as diligent if not more so
than the USA. Turkey and Greece have been ahead of the USA in terms
of vaccination rates. You can get the latest information HERE. In fact, the biggest challenge is that (as
of now), persons returning to the USA need to have an officially
validated negative COVID test result before boarding a flight to
return to the USA. We will make arrangements for this to be handled.
- We are making it a requirement for all
participants to have been vaccinated for COVID and received
appropriate booster shots. We also strongly encourage
that you also get the annual flu vaccination in the fall.
Should
I
get travel insurance?
I do recommend that
you get travel insurance for this trip. It will cost around $215, and
that is worth the peace of mind if anything should happen to you or the
airlines or weather or political issues or… Go to the IGM
website and click on the AIG link at bottom. You will want to read
about the options they offer or call them for more information. If you
do not have a pre-existing condition that you want to cover, I think a
good option would be to get the Basic coverage but wait to purchase
it when you make your final payment. (To cover a pre-existing
condition, you need to purchase the insurance within 15 days of your
initial deposit.)
- NOTE: If you don't have special circumstances,
I recommend that you wait to buy the insurance until you make the
full payment. If you cancel before the final payment due date, you
will only lose the small registration fee from IGM. It's only when
you pay the full price that you want to insure your trip.
- What about COVID issues?
I’m
a ULS student. Can I get course credit for this trip?
Yes! It can serve
as a 3-credit Bible elective, a Bible at the Crossroads elective, or a
general elective.
What’s the best way to prepare for this trip?
I will be sending out a
number of tips, but the best thing you can do is start walking and using
the stairs! Most days we will be walking 2-5 miles over sometimes rugged
terrain going up and down over the ancient sites.
Other questions? Contact mhoffman @
ULS.edu (< remove spaces)