LANDS OF THE BIBLE TOUR EXTRAVAGANZA-- MAY 2009

Here below you will find advance notice about our upcoming tour in May of 2009. Let me tell you now this tour is top drawer. You get two good meals a day, good hotels, airfare is included as are entrance fees, and you will get to see these sites in a way that is not like the cosmetic usual 'tourist' trips. This tour will go in depth into these Biblical sites, and the Bible will indeed become more real and alive for you in the process. But there is more. This trip is also a spiritual pilgrimage for those who want to take it. You will have a chance to get in touch with your Christian roots, and not merely walk in the footsteps of Paul and John of Patmos, but even go to places frequented by the Magi, and by persons who had been touched by Jesus himself. As usual, I will only be taking one bus load, no more. So the maximum on this trip is 40 persons, and people are already signing up. Here is the itinerary:

BEN WITHERINGTON – May 19-June 2, 2009

TURKEY & JORDAN

May 19 Depart USA

May 20 Arrive Istanbul - Fly Amman

Arrive Istanbul at 10:30 am. Visit Archaeological Museum and St Sophia Church. Fly from Istanbul to Amman at 23:40 by Turkish Airlines TK 1212. Arrive Amman at 01.50. of the morning of 21st of May. Transfer from Airport to 4 star Hotel for overnight. Jerusalem International Hotel or similar.

May 21 Amman

Leave the hotel after Breakfast / Proceed to Jerash / Visit Jerash /

Return to Amman for dinner and overnight.

May 22 Madaba - Petra

Leave the hotel after Breakfast / Drive to Madaba to visit church of St

George / Mount Nebo / Kerak via Kings Highway / continue to Petra for dinner and overnight.

May 23 Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day visit to Petra including horse and fees.

Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.

May 24 Petra - Amman Airport

Transfer from Petra to Amman Airport for departure. Long Bus drive (no hotel).

May 25 Fly Izmir via Istanbul – EPHESUS MEETING - Overnight Kusadasi

Fly to Istanbul by TK 1213 03:30/05:50am flight. Take connection flight to Izmir TK 312 08:00/09:05

Drive to Selcuk to visit Ephesus. EPHESUS MEETING on the evening.

May 26 Visit Pergamon – Overnight Izmir

Drive Nort to Pergamon to visit the Acropolis and Asklepion. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

May 27 Sardis – Philadelphia – Hierapolis – Pamukkale

Drive East to Sardis, capital of Lydian Empire to visit the Gymnasium, the 3^rd century Synagogue, and the Temple of Artemis. Continue to Alasehir to see the ruins of Philadelphia. Drive to Pamukkale to visit Hierapolis. Overnight Pamukkale.

May 28 Laodicea-Colossae-Psidian Antioch-Konya

Visit Laodicea in the morning. Drive to Colossae to see the unexcavated site. Continue to Yalvac to visit Psidian Antioch. Overnight in Konya.

May 29 Konya-Cappadocia

Drive from Konya to Cappadocia, afternoon sightseeing in Cappadocia.

May 30 Cappadocia

Full day Cappadocia tour; Visit the underground City, Goreme Open Air Museum, and Avanos.

May 31 Cappadocia – Iznik

Drive to Iznik, to visit the ancient Nicaea. Overnight Iznik.

June 1 Iznik – Yalova – Ferry to Istanbul

Take the morning car ferry to Istanbul. Afternoon sightseeing in Istanbul.

June 2 Departure

Group fly back to New York. Arrive back to New York same day afternoon. End.

We will be leaving from JFK in NY on the 19th. Unlike many other tours which spend most of their time on cruise boats, we will spend most of our time at the actual Biblical and ancient sites, learning and celebrating our heritage. A good time will be had by one and all. We have engaged the very top local guide in Turkey and in Jordan, and of course I will be lecturing at each of the sites as well. Come join us. For more information and all the financial particulars please contact my friend and agent in Turkey, Levent Oral at info@tutkutours.com. Start saving your shekels now.