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Oberammergau Passion Play 2010
with
Lorraine Pearson & Geoff Smith
10 Jul to 1 Aug 2010
Turkey: | St Paul's Journey, Gallipoli, Seven Churches of Revelation, Istanbul (Constantinople)... |
Greece: | Athens, Patmos... |
Germany: | Oberammergau Passion Play... |
SATURDAY 10TH JULY
Depart Australia with Singapore Airlines from Australian capital cities to Singapore where we connect with our flight to ISTANBUL, TURKEY. (Meals in flight)
SUNDAY 11TH JULY
Arrive Istanbul and transfer to our hotel for early check in. In the afternoon we visit the Biblical towns of Bythinia and Nicea. (Acts 16:7, 1 Peter 1:1) Overnight Istanbul (B-D)
MONDAY 12TH JULY
City tour of Istanbul visiting Topkapi Palace, the Old City¹s underground cisterns, the Saint Sophia Basilica, the majestic Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome. We will visit the 15th Century Macedonian Ahrida Jewish Synagogue and finally the Grand Bazaar with its 4,000 shops and stalls. Afternoon optional cruise on the Bosporus followed by a relaxing tea in the teahouses overlooking Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul (B -D)
TUESDAY 13TH JULY
Drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula where we will visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine cemeteries, see the old trenches and view the monument to Kernal Ataturk (1881-1938) the founder of the Turkish Republic. Then we cross the Dardanelles by ferry to the beautiful coastal city of Canakkale. Overnight (B-D)
WEDNESDAY 14TH JULY
After breakfast we travel to Troy to see the legendary city and the replica of the Wooden Horse and recall the great works of Homer. Then drive Alexandria Troas founded by Alexander the Great. St. Paul visited here at least twice and it is where Paul raised the young Eutychus from the dead and had a vision calling him to preach the Gospel in Macedonia. Then drive to Assos, this Hellenistic city where St. Paul rejoined his companions. Overnight in Assos. Acts 16:8-11; 20:5, 6, II Tim. 4:13 II Cor. 2:12 (B-D)
THURSDAY 15TH JULY
We continue our journey to Thyatira (Rev 2:18), the town of Lydia a seller of valuable purple cloth, she, along with all her household, was one of Paul’s first conversions to the faith. We travel on to the amazing ruins of PERGAMON (Rev. 2:12-13) where we will climb the Acropolis and stand beneath the portals of the Temple of Trajan. We read where Pergamum is referred to as Satan¹s Seat. Visit the Acropolis with the steepest theatre of the ancient world and the Temple of Trajan. Then visit the Red Basilica, which was an Egyptian Temple, later converted to a church in the 1st century (Pergamum (Rev. 1:11; 2:12, ) - Thyatira (Acts 16:14, Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24) - Smyrna (Rev. 1:11; 2:8)From Pergamun we drive through the beautiful mountains and olive groves to the port city of Izmir, known in the New Testament as SMYRNA (Rev. 2:12-17). We visit the Velvet Castle built by one of Alexander the Great¹s generals. Overnight Izmir (B-D)
FRIDAY 16TH JULY
Morning drive to Sardis, the capital of the ancient Lydia, where first coin of the world is invented. See the ruins of the early Church constructed next to the Temple of Diana. Continue to Alasehir to see the 1st century Philadelphia Church. En route to Ephesus we visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the grave of St John the Apostle and archaelogical museum at Selcuk. In the centre of Selcuk we will see a huge statue of the Goddess Artemis who Paul spoke against in Ephesus. Then on to the exciting Port of Kusadasi for overnight. (B-D) Sardis(Rev.1:11;3:1-4)Philadelphia(Rev.1:11;3:7)
SATURDAY 17TH JULY
Today we tour the ruins of EPHESUS (Rev. 2:1) once the Roman capital of Asia of which Paul asked "is there a greater city"? We will walk the ancient marble streets past the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Basilica of St. John the Apostle. Overnight Kusadasi. (B-D)
SUNDAY 18TH JULY
Today we travel through Aphrodisias with its Temple of Aphrodite. Then on to Honaz or Colossae followed by a walk around the ruins of LAODICEA (Rev. 3:14) situated below and across the plain from Pamukkale. Then up to the necropolis of Hierapolis, and the wonderful hot springs and limestone cascades on the mountainside of Pamukkale. Overnight Pamukkale. (B-D)
MONDAY 19TH JULY
Travelling today through the ancient and picturesque countryside of Southern Turkey we arrive at Yalvac known Biblically as Antioch in Pisidia. Overnight in the region of Pisidia. (B-D)
TUESDAY 20TH JULY
Today we drive via Turkey¹s most religious city, Konya or Iconium, home of the Whirling Dervishes. This is the location of Derbe and Lystra where Paul chose Timothy to accompany him. We arrive to Goreme, with its unique volcanic landscapes and impressive rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings. We continue to the Zelve valley dotted with caves, churches and troglodyte dwellings. We also tour the underground troglodyte city of Kaymaki hewn to a depth of ten stories. Overnight Cappadocia (B-D)
WEDNESDAY 21ST JULY
Journeying south this morning we arrive to Tarsus, Pauls city of birth in Cilicia. We follow the coast of Turkey to Antalya where we overnight. (B-D)
THURSDAY 22ND JULY
Myra/Kasle or Demre (Acts 27:5-6, 21:1-2) as it is now known and on to Patara/Ova before arriving to Marmaris for Overnight. (B-D)
FRIDAY 23RD JULY
This morning we travel to the port city of Kusadasi for a cruise to the Island of Patmos, this beautiful mysterious rocky island where the exiled St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. Wemeet our guide at the port and drive up to the Monastery of St John the Evangelist,where we have a wonderful view of the island. We also visit the Grotto of the Revelation where the heavenly voice of Godrevealed to St. John the future of humanity. After the visit we go to a local restaurant for lunch. Overnight in Patmos. (B-D)
SATURDAY 24TH JULY
After breakfast we transfer by ferry to Samos and transfer from port to airport totakea midday flight to the Greek capital of Athens. Afternoon city tour of Athens. We will climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. We will then walk to nearby Mars' Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Overnight Athens. (B-D)
SUNDAY 25TH JULY
Our route out of Athens takes us by the Saronic Gulf via the historic Corinthian Canal (quick stop for photos) to ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was to this megalopolis where the apostle Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. Here, see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio's Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an absolute must! We continue to visit to Lechaion and also see the ruins of early Christian 5th century basilica at the ancient port of Cenchreae before returning to Athens for Overnight.(B-D)
MONDAY 26TH JULY
Today we tour Delphi where the priestess Pythia pronounced her famous oracles in the Temple of Apollo. Visits to the theatre and stadium, dinner and overnight stay in Delphi. (B-D)
TUESDAY 27TH JULY
Morning departure for Kalambaka, location of spectacular Meteora with its thousand-year-old Byzantinemonasteries perched precariously on huge rocks. The view from here is beautiful. Overnight Kalambaka. (B-D)
WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY
In the morning we will drive toBerea, where the Apostle Paul arrived and according to his custom went to the synagogue, where to his pleasant surprise, he discovered that these Jews where "more noble" than those he had encountered in Thessalonica. We will see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching. According to the local tradition, it was at this place where he stood and delivered his sermons. We then continue to THESSALONIKI where Paul also preached and to where he sent his first and second letters to the Thessalonians. Here we see the Egnatian Road, the Galerius Arch, the Citadel and the Archaeological Museum. Overnight Thessaloniki. (B-D)
THURSDAY 29TH JULY
Early morning departure to the airport for our flight to Munich, Germany. From Munich we travel through picturesque German countryside to the quaint alpine region of Oberammergau for overnight. (B-D)
FRIDAY 30TH JULY
Morning free to enjoy Oberammergau and the surrounds. The PASSION PLAY will be presented after lunch in a full afternoon and evening of theatre. This unique drama will enrich us spiritually and be a vivid reminder of our Saviour’s suffering, death and resurrection. Overnight nearby Oberammergau. (B-L-D)
SATURDAY 31ST JULY
Departing Oberammergau we travel to Munich for our flight homeward bound. (B-Meals in Flight)
SUNDAY 1ST AUGUST
Arrival home with memories to last a lifetime. (Meals in flight)
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