Sailing the Mediterranean with Paul

May 25 - June 08, 2016
Led by Mark Wilson

“The sea adventure aboard a wooden-hulled boat called a gulet has become a favorite of BAS travelers as well as myself. I look forward to an opportunity to explore with you many archaeological sites connected to Paul’s journeys on the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. We begin the trip with visits to Ephesus (Acts 19) and Miletus (Acts 20:15–17), both important stops for the apostle. We then travel south to ancient Halicarnassus, home of the tomb of Mausolus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Bodrum is also a center of underwater archaeology, and we will visit a museum filled with finds from the excavations of ancient shipwrecks. In Bodrum we board the gulet and start to experience the pleasures of life onboard. A personal chef cooks our meals, and at the end of each day the gulet anchors in a quiet cove where there is leisure time for swimming, kayaking, or just relaxing on deck. From Bodrum we sail to the island of Kos, the home of Hippocrates and a stop of Paul on his third journey. On Kos we will visit the famous Asclepium where the father of western medicine practiced. From Kos we sail to Knidos (Acts 27:7), the city with two harbors (the south harbor is depicted on the brochure cover) and one of my favorite biblical sites in Turkey. As we sail along the coast of ancient Caria, we will visit the cities of Loryma and Caunos. At the end of a week of sea travel, we disembark at Marmaris and travel by bus to the UNESCO World Heritage site at Xanthos before touring Patara (Acts 21:1), another site visited by Paul. Paul changed ships at Andriake, the port of Myra (Acts 27:5), where we will visit the recently discovered synagogue. Myra was also the home of the famous St. Nicholas. We will spend a day around my home at Antalya visiting the world-famous Antalya Museum and taking a walking tour of ancient Attalia. In addition, we will visit nearby Perga, the initial city visited by Paul in Asia Minor on his first journey (Acts 13:13–14). Needless to say, the sites will be remarkable, the company enjoyable, and the conversation stimulating. So I hope to see you in Turkey in May 2016!”

— Dr. Mark Wilson

This program includes a special presentation on ancient medical science in the Classical world by Biblical Archaeology Society’s Sarah YeomansClick here for more information.

 

Tour Features

  • $500 per person deposit due at time of registration
  • Full payment is due by February 1, 2016

15 Days prior to departure: You will receive all the travel documents and the e-tickets.

TURKISH VISA: Citizens of ALL other countries are responsible for checking their own countries’ visa regulations for travel. US and Canadian citizens can get the Turkish Visa online before arrival www.evisa.gov.tr

Cancellation penalty:

  • 60-46 days prior to departure: No penalty
  • 45-15 days prior to departure: 10%
  • 14-7 days prior to departure: 25%
  • 6-1 days prior to departure: 50%
  • After tour departure No refund

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance may be given as a separate package at an extra cost. Travel Insurance agreement is contract between the traveller and the Insurance Company (American Express).

 


 

Nestled in the glittering Aegean Sea only two miles off the coast of Turkey, the beautiful Greek island of Kos is not only home to one of ancient Greece’s most important archaeological sites, but is also a wonderful place to experience modern Greece’s vibrant and welcoming culture.

Kos is the birthplace of the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the fifth-century B.C.E. physician whose corpus of writings established the foundations for western medicine. It was here that he trained and taught at an ancient Greek healing center called an asklepion, which functioned as an ancient hospital, medical school and religious sanctuary dedicated to Asklepios, the god of medicine and mythological son of Apollo.

We will spend a day exploring this beautiful island with Sarah Yeomans, the Biblical Archaeology Society’s Director of Educational Programs and an archaeologist whose research focuses on ancient Greek and Roman medical science. Yeomans will present a lecture onboard the gulet, providing an overview of ancient medicine in the Classical world and on the Kos asklepion in particular before leading the group the following day in an exploration of this extraordinary site.

Click here to read more about Sarah Yeomans and her research.

Itinerary

May 25 | Depart New York – Fly Izmir

May 26 | Arrive Istanbul – Take the connecting flight to Izmir

Welcome to Izmir on the Aegean Sea! Your tour guide will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “BAS” sign. Meet and transfer to the hotel in Izmir. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (D)

May 27 | Izmir – Ephesus – Kusadasi

After breakfast, drive to Selcuk town to visit the famous ancient city of Ephesus, and its Terrace Houses. Then, visit the Archaeology Museum, and the Basilica of John. After dinner at the hotel, we will join the EPHESUS MEETING a special night event with lectures at the ancient site of Ephesus www.ephesusmeeting.com Overnight in Kusadasi area. (B,D)

May 28 | Kusadasi – Miletus – Bodrum Castle – Gulet

Drive south to visit the site of Miletus (Acts 20:15–17). Continue to Bodrum where we will visit the site of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then we proceed to the Marina to board our private wooden yacht called “GULET”. Walk to the Bodrum Castle to visit the Underwater Archaeology Museum. Following a short orientation of beautiful Bodrum Marina, we will have dinner on board. Overnight at GULET. (B,D)

May 29 | INA – Start Sailing by Gulet – Greek Island of Kos

After breakfast, we will visit the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) http://nauticalarch.org/ina_turkey/english Then return to Gulet and start sailing. Depart from Bodrum Marina and sail to Kos. Lunch the gulet and Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

May 30 | Kos

Visit the famous Asklepion, ancient hospital of Kos. See the stone of Hippocratic Oath. Hippocrates is considered the founder of western medicine and the best representative of the Medical School of Kos. Paul visited the island on his third journey (Acts 21:1). Then, we will visit the Archaeological Museum of Kos. Tonight, we will have dinner at a local restaurant in Kos. (B,D)

This program includes a special presentation on ancient medical science in the Classical world by Biblical Archaeology Society’s Sarah YeomansClick here for more information.

May 31 | Sail by Gulet – Knidos

Visit to the ruins of Knidos (Acts 27:7). Lunch and Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

June 01 | Knidos – Datca Peninsula

Lunch and Dinner on board.(B,L,D)

June 02 | Sail by Gulet – Loryma

Lunch and Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

June 03 | Sail by Gulet – Dalyan – Caunos

Lunch and Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

June 04 | Leave Sailing Boat – Xanthos – Patara – Kalkan

After breakfast, leave the Gulet Boat. Our morning begins with a visit to ancient Xanthos. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, Xanthos was ancient Lycia’s largest and most important city. We’ll then continue on to Patara, which features a beautiful theater and lighthouse. Dinner and overnight in Kalkan (Acts 21:1). (B,D)

June 05 | Andriake – Myra – Phaselis – Antalya

Our morning begins with a breathtaking drive along the Mediterranean coast, after which we will arrive Andriake, where Paul changed ships on his way to Rome, and see the newly discovered 4th-5th synagogue. Then, visit the ancient site of Myra (Acts 27:5), with its lovely Roman theater and Lycian tombs. Today Myra is best known as the city of St. Nicholas, where he served as bishop in the fourth century A.D. After visiting Myra we will visit Phaselis on the way to Antalya. Dinner and overnight in Antalya. (B,D)

June 06 | Perga – Attalia – Antalya Museum – Antalya

Our day begins by entering through the beautiful Hellenistic gate of Perga (Acts 13:13–14), the city that Paul visited during his first journey. After lunch at the St. Paul Cultural Center, we’ll do a walking tour of Attalia (Acts 14:25), the old city Kaleici, where we will see the harbor that Paul and Barnabas departed from, as well as Hadrian’s Gate, a beautifully preserved testament to Roman architecture. Later we will visit the world famous Antalya Museum, with its impressive collection of architectural and sculptural remains from Perga. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

June 07 | Antalya Airport – Fly to Istanbul: Byzantium – Constantinople Tour – Istanbul

Fly to Istanbul in the morning. Arrive to Istanbul Airport. Meet and transfer to the hotel. Today we explore the wonders of Istanbul. Beginning with the stunning, subterranean Basilica Cistern, we move on to the Golden Mile of the Egnatian Way, Hippodrome Square, and the breathtaking Blue Mosque as well as the magnificent, 1700-year old Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we will make our way to Istanbul’s Archaeological Museum—one of the most celebrated collections in the world. Among its treasures are the Siloam inscription, the Gezer calendar, and the stunning “Jerusalem mosaic” depicting Orpheus.Tonight, Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant in Istanbul. (B,D)

June 08 | Istanbul Airport – Fly back to New York

Today we conclude our wonderful adventure in the land famous both for biblical history and for hospitality as we transfer to the Istanbul airport for our flight back to the U.S., arriving in New York the same day. (B)

Details

INCLUDING
  • Round-trip airfare between New York and Istanbul
  • Istanbul-Izmir domestic flight
  • Antalya – Istanbul flight
  • 1 Night at 5 star Moevenpick Hotel in Izmir
  • 1 Night at 5 star Doubltree in Kusadasi
  • 7 nights at GULET WOODEN SAIL BOAT
  • 1 night at 4 star hotel in Kalkan
  • 2 nights at 5 star hotel in Antalya
  • 1 night at Special Class Arcadia Blue Hotel
  • Sightseeing as per the itinerary
  • All escorted transfers
  • Daily open buffet breakfasts at hotels
  • 5 Lunches and 6 dinners on Gulet
  • 1 Dinner at local restaurant in Kos
  • 5 dinners at hotels
  • 1 Farewell Dinner at local restaurant in Istanbul
  • Transportation by private, air-conditioned bus
  • English-speaking, professional tour guide throughout the tour
  • All entry fees to the sites & museums
  • Luggage porterage at hotels
  • Tips for the hotel and restaurant staff
  • Tips for the tour guide and driver ($5 per person per day for the guide - $2 for the driver)
  • Service charges & local taxes
EXCLUDING
  • Drinks and lunches
  • All personal expenses, such as alcohol and souvenirs, and any other items or services that are not listed above
  • Turkish visa fee to be obtained online prior to arrival www.evisa.gov.tr

Price

  • Deposit (per person deposit due at time of registration): $500
  • Full payment (based on double occupancy Land/Air): $5,490
  • Single Supplement (payment per person Land/Air): $1,590
  • Full payment (based on double occupancy Land Only): $4,390
  • Single Supplement (payment per person Land Only) : $1,590

Register

If you are unable to fill out the electronic registration form, please contact the Travel/Study department at 1-800-221-4644 ext. 216.

If you would like to mail in your payment, click here for the printable registration.

To pay off your balance, click here.

Please click here for the brochure.

Contact

For more information contact:

Alicia Bregon
202-364-3300 ext 216
Email: [email protected]
Biblical Archaeology Society
4710 41st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Fax: 202-364-2636