tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60541343996901822222024-03-09T18:46:51.307-08:00Tenth Anniversary: Early Christian World Pilgrimage 2016May 9-25 (or 28). Come with us to Turkey (and Greece, if you wish) the "Holy Land of the Church." Explore the wonders of this fascinating land - past and present, people and culture, history and heritage - from a perspective of our Catholic Christian faith.Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-1021867405434855992016-01-29T19:34:00.000-08:002016-01-29T19:34:03.109-08:002016 Pilgrimage canceled - sadlyI'm immensely saddened by the suicide bombing in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul early this morning (January 12, 2016). What is sobering is that I have stood many times in that same spot, near the Obelisk in the Hippodrome. My condolences and prayers are with victims and their families, apparently mostly German tourists, and all who are directly affected by the bombing, including several shopkeepers and hotel owners in the area whom I know personally.<br /><br />For on-the-scene coverage of events in Turkey, as well as informed commentary, I rely on local English-language news media, <a href="http://www.todayszaman.com/home">Today's Zaman</a> and <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/">Hürriyet Daily News</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/home.html">Al-Monitor</a> for Middle-East commentary from a world-wide perspective. I also frequently check <a href="http://www.asianews.it/">Asia News</a>, a publication of the <a href="http://www.pime.org/index.php/en/">Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions</a>, which covers Inter-Religious and Inter-Cultural relations especially well.<br /><br />It looks like hopes for my returning to Turkey to lead another Early Christian World Pilgrimage are becoming less and less likely to be fulfilled in the foreseeable future. Today's attack, by a lone suicide bomber, a Saudi-Arabia-born Syrian, apparently acting in the name of ISIS, raises fears in many people that cannot be easily addressed in a positive way. Even though our own neighborhoods are not immune from mass violence, and even though American <a href="http://usa.streetsblog.org/2013/11/14/its-official-33561-people-killed-in-traffic-on-american-streets-last-year/">pedestrian deaths</a> exponentially exceed <a href="http://www.start.umd.edu/pubs/START_AmericanTerrorismDeaths_FactSheet_Oct2015.pdf">terrorist killings of Americans worldwide</a>, it's hard to convince people that travel to Turkey is still less risky than staying at home. My usual remark about feeling safer in Istanbul than crossing Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills still holds true.<br /><br />But, I'm tired of of having to face stares of unbelief when I answer questions about Turkey. I'm tired of trying to recruit people who aren't prepared to believe that Pilgrimage to the "<a href="http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2006/documents/ns_lit_doc_20061128_present-turchia_en.html">Holy Land of the Church</a>" is as wonderful as those who have experienced it, some repeatedly, know it is.<br /><br />This year marks the Tenth Anniversary of the Early Christian World Pilgrimages that I've led to Turkey. The first was in 2006, after an inspiring study tour to Turkey and Greece that I took in 2005. I canceled plans for an anniversary Pilgrimage this spring after the bombing in Ankara last fall, knowing that fear would keep people from coming.<br /><br />I also feel that Turkey is becoming politically a less comfortable place to travel, being led by an increasingly dictatorial madman who still seems to have popular support, while thinking people, in Turkey and worldwide, are shaking their heads in disbelief. Turkey was one of the most hopeful (as well as prosperous) democracies in the Middle East, but those hopes are collapsing in shambles. One of the ominous reports after today's suicide bombing in Istanbul was that the government clamped down on media access before the ambulances even arrived.<br /><br />So, I've decided to permanently scuttle plans for organizing and leading any future Pilgrimages to Turkey or anywhere else. The effort no longer is proportional to the results. My thanks to the 125 who made this Pilgrimage with me in the past, and to the many people who helped make it happen.<br /><br />So what about the future? I'm still game to participate in Pilgrimages of various sorts organized and led by others. I'm willing to serve as chaplain or collaborator. In fact, I've signed up for two Pilgrimages this year: one in May to the <a href="https://tomwelbers.wordpress.com/pilgrimage/holy-land-and-rome-may-2016/">Holy Land and Rome for the Jubilee of Mercy Celebration for Deacons</a>, the other to the <a href="https://tomwelbers.wordpress.com/pilgrimage/holy-land-with-the-franciscans-october-2016/">Holy Land with Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs</a> in October. Anyone who still is interested in traveling with me, I'd love to have you come!<br /><br />As to celebrating the Early Christian World Pilgrimage Tenth Anniversary, I'm thinking to put together a shared "virtual Pilgrimage experience" combined with a celebrational gathering. Stay tuned. <div>
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Note that all further updates will be on my <a href="https://tomwelbers.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">"Pilgrim Shepherd" website</a>.</div>
Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-82342479573207210482015-08-27T19:52:00.002-07:002015-08-27T20:37:28.714-07:00"The Holy Land of the Church<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ten years ago I became convinced of Turkey’s importance as the “Holy Land of the Church.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Israel is the Holy Land of Jesus because there we can immerse ourselves in the events of his birth, mission, death on the cross, and resurrection. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But we seldom realize that the land we now call Turkey was the home of the earliest communities being formed in the likeness of Christ through the ministry of Paul and the other apostles. During the following centuries, this land and its people were the at the heart of an ongoing struggle to discover how the original message of Jesus could be understood and lived throughout the ages among diverse peoples. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Turkey is the place where the Church grew up, and its holy sites include not just the places where St. Paul visited or the Seven Churches of Revelation, but also the places where the Christian Church formed its identity. Pope Benedict XVI rightly called Turkey the “Holy Land of the Church.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here we can immerse ourselves in treasures of our heritage. Here we can see how the first generations of Christians lived their faith, and in learning about them we can understand more deeply how we believe today . . . and why. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s a lot like exploring the attic of your grandparents’ house. <a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/p/itinerary.html" target="_blank">Look closely at the itinerary.</a> Each place we will visit has been carefully chosen to open a door on an ancient world that will help us to understand our world today, and live in it with renewed faith. The past gives meaning to our present, and hope for our future.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have led Pilgrimages to Turkey many times over the past ten years, and am eager again to share its treasures. I invite you to join on this wonderful adventure.</span></span></div>
Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-41450261348279103142013-10-01T16:22:00.001-07:002013-10-01T16:30:17.981-07:00Sadly . . no 2014 PilgrimageFor the second time* since 2006 I will not be leading an Early Christian World to Turkey in the spring of 2014. This has nothing to do with the current, or future, "situations" in the Middle East, and everything to do with a realistic assessment of what I can and cannot squeeze into my life at my age. As retirement approaches (no timetable yet), in a few years it may be possible to resume these Pilgrimages. Maybe even "with a vengeance"! But for now, I need to focus more attentively to <a href="http://gsbh.org/" target="_blank">parish ministry</a>.<br />
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I want to thank all the wonderful Pilgrims of the past eight years - nearly 120 of you, and all the supporters and others who made this fabulous spiritual experience possible. Inş'allah, there will be a rebirth and renewal, perhaps in unforeseen directions.<br />
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Meanwhile, I am currently preparing for a <a href="http://prieststurkey.wordpress.com/">second trip to Turkey with my brother priests of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles</a>, which is sponsored by the <a href="http://www.pacificainstitute.org/">Pacifica Institute</a>.<br />
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Keep in touch, though: <a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com">thomas.welbers@gmail.com</a><br />
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* <i>The first year I missed was 2009, when I had major surgery in January and made the transition from Claremont, where I had been pastor at <a href="http://www.olaclaremont.org/index.stm">Our Lady of the Assumption</a> for fifteen years, to <a href="http://gsbh.org/">Good Shepherd</a>.</i>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-7513500751966638542013-06-05T21:09:00.000-07:002013-06-05T21:09:05.956-07:00Early Christian World Pilgrimage to Eastern Turkey, 2014Next year's Early Christian World Pilgrimage will be to Eastern Turkey, and will not duplicate any places we've already visited. We will leave the Sunday after Easter (not Easter Sunday evening as in the past), April 27, and return Saturday, May 10 (with an optional four-day extension in Istanbul) - a week shorter than the last few years. Itinerary will include Gaziantep, Urfa, Mardin, Van, Mount Ararat, and Trabzon. More information soon. Please contact me if your are interested. <a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com">thomas.welbers@gmail.com</a>.Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-61443837786929963192013-03-10T09:36:00.001-07:002013-03-27T20:53:54.779-07:00Join us in spirit and in prayer!<b id="internal-source-marker_0.45769357960671186"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We invite you to join us in spirit and in prayer on the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early Christian World Pilgrimage-Retreat</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, March 31 to April 18, 2013. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">You can follow us on our up-to-date </span>day-by-day itinerary<span style="font-weight: normal;"> (</span><a href="http://ecw2013.wordpress.com/itinerary/" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">click here</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">), with lots of links to informative websites about the places we will visit.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Please also</span> </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/r99oD"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">subscribe to our Newsletter</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">in which our Pilgrims will post their own reflections on this wonderful experience of our faith and heritage. Thank you and may God bless you always. Fr. Tom Welbers</span></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-30721575451063289552012-11-10T09:30:00.000-08:002013-02-04T22:09:58.480-08:002013 Pilgrimage News<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: start;">We have <i>ELEVEN</i> wonderful Pilgrims going.<br />Registrations are now closed.<br />Thanks to all. Keep us in your prayers. </b></div>
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<strike><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">You can fill out a </span><a href="http://www.executours.com/Editor/assets/2013%20%20turkey%20registration%20and%20terms%20ecw%20welbers%20v5%20120712.pdf" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #0099ff;" target="_blank"><b>registration form</b></a><span style="background-color: white;"> online. Just fill out the form (one per passenger), print and sign it, and mail or fax it to 310-552-2622.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Full payment will be needed by the last week of January.</span></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strike>A <a href="http://www.executours.com/Editor/assets/turkey2013retreatbrochure%20revd%203%20final%20compact.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Pilgrimage e-brochure (PDF)</b></a> is available. It has information you can easily print out and share with others.</strike></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 36px;">Early Christian World Pilgrimage-Retreat </span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 36px;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 36px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27px;">Eighteen Days in Turkey with Fr. Tom Welbers</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27px;"> March 31 to April 18, 2013</span></b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27px;"><i>Cost: $5,495, double occupancy, including air fare.</i></span></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">This Pilgrimage-Retreat, under the leadership of Fr. Tom Welbers and an expert local tour guide, will include reflection and exploration of our spiritual heritage as we visit significant sites of Scripture and history. We will explore far beyond the “standard” Footsteps of St. Paul, to immerse ourselves in all dimensions of our religious past to gain understanding of the present-day reality of our faith. We will celebrate the Eucharist almost every day, often at significant sites, and we’ll have time for leisurely retreat-like reflection and prayer, including a full day at the House of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ephesus. </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The cost will be $5495, including double-occupancy accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, hotel porterage/included meal tips, taxes, and group coach airfare (non-stop round-trip on Turkish Airlines from LAX, and two domestic flights within Turkey). Not included is the cost of lunch on most days, optional activities (e.g., balloon ride in Cappadocia, Whirling Dervishes, and Folk Dance show), personal purchases, and tips for the guide and driver. A limited number of single rooms will be available at a supplemental cost of $995. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">If you live outside the southern California area, and need to make alternate travel arrangements to and from Istanbul, please contact Executours directly:</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><a href="mailto:ECWtrip@executours.com">ECWtrip@executours.com</a> or <span class="skype_pnh_print_container_1352564737">800-323-7004</span><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr" tabindex="-1"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"> </span></span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There will be two preparatory gatherings for Pilgrims at Good Shepherd on the following Sunday afternoons: February 17 and March 17. We will be able to explore background information to help you to enter this Pilgrimage-Retreat experience more fully, as well as address specific questions about our travel. Some Pilgrims from past years will join us and will share their own experiences. All are welcome.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Days 0 & 1 - Sunday & Monday, March 31 & April 1 - Arrival in Istanbul</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">We will leave LAX on Easter Sunday evening, 6:20 pm on Turkish Airlines Flight 10, non-stop to Istanbul.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> Arriving Monday afternoon at 5:10 pm, we will transfer to a hotel near the airport, where we will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Pilgrimage, have dinner, and get a good night’s sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 2 - Tuesday, April 2 - Flight to Izmir</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">After an early morning flight to Izmir (ancient Smyrna), we will go immediately to the historic Church of St. Polycarp for Mass and a reflection in the garden. We’ll then have lunch in a wonderful fish restaurant by the waterfront, and have some free time. An hour-long bus ride will take us to Kuşadası, near Ephesus, where we will spend three nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 3 - Wednesday, April 3 - Ephesus</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">This will be a full day in ancient Ephesus, where we will visit the Roman ruins, the Terrace Houses (similar to those where St. Paul’s early Christian community would have gathered), the Double Church of the Mother of God (the site of the Council of Ephesus in 431), St. Luke’s Tomb, the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, the site of the Temple of Artemis, the Basilica and Tomb of St. John the Evangelist, and the Ephesus Museum. After this full day of touring, we will return to the hotel to celebrate Mass and have dinner.<img align="right" alt="" border="0" src="http://www.executours.com/Editor/assets/celsus%20web%20size.jpg" style="margin: 10px;" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 4 - Thursday, April 4 - Ephesus: Retreat day at Mary’s House</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Today we will spend a full day in the peaceful setting of the House of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There will be several spiritual reflections, readings and time for prayer, as well as Mass. To end the day we'll have a little fun at a fashion show at a local leather goods production center, with, of course, an opportunity to shop for export quality leather goods at greatly reduced prices. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Kuşadası.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 5 - Friday, April 5- Hierapolis</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Today we will drive to Hierapolis (Pamukkale), about 3-4 hours on the road, and after checking into the hotel, where we’ll spend two nights, we’ll tour the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, including the Martyrium and newly discovered Tomb of St. Philip. We will celebrate Mass back at the hotel, and have a chance to relax in the famous thermal waters of Hierapolis before dinner and bedtime.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 6 - Saturday, April 6 - Hierapolis, Laodicea, Aphrodisias, Colossae</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Today we will visit the ruins of Laodicea, still in the process of excavation and restoration, and then drive to the magnificent ruins of Aphrodisias, where we will see evidence of the early blend of pagan and Christian cultures. Following lunch at the rustic Doğa Restaurant, we'll visit the unexcavated mound of the ancient city of Colossae on the way back to our hotel. After Mass at the hotel, we'll again have a chance to soak in the thermal waters, before dinner and bedtime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 7 - Sunday, April 7- Antalya</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Today we will drive about four hours to Antalya (ancient Attalia), where we hope to be able to celebrate Sunday Mass in a German Catholic “House Church,” <i>St. Nikolaus Gemeinde</i>. We will also visit the excellent Museum, and check into our hotel where we will spend three nights.<img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://www.executours.com/Editor/assets/paulusgrotto.jpg" style="margin: 10px;" width="225" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 8 - Monday, April 8 - Antalya, Myra, Phaselis</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Today we will visit Myra, the city of St. Nicholas (a three-hour scenic drive each way) and hope to get permission to celebrate Mass at the ancient Basilica of St. Nicholas. On our way back to Antalya, we’ll visit Phaselis, a picturesque ancient Lycian city. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 9 - Tuesday, April 9 - Antalya, Perga</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">This morning we’ll drive an hour or so to Perga, visited twice by St. Paul and an early center of Christianity. We’ll return to Antalya for lunch and a tour of other sites, including a boat ride from the old harbor, where Paul and Barnabas concluded their first missionary journey. We hope to visit and possibly celebrate Mass at the St. Paul Cultural Center, an English-speaking Protestant community in Antalya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 10 - Wednesday, April 10 - Aspendos, Derbe, Lystra, Catalhöyük, Konya</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Today we will travel from Antalya to Konya, approximately five hours total driving time. The trip will take all day, however, because we will stop at Aspendos, site of one of the best-preserved Roman theaters, still in use for concerts and plays. We’ll have lunch in a small village restaurant in the Taurus Mountains, and drive past the unexcavated mounds of Derbe and Lystra, sites of St. Paul’s missionary activities. Then, we’ll stop for a tour of Catalhöyük, a fascinating active archaeological site where a 9,000-year-old neolithic farming settlement is being excavated and studied. When we arrive at Konya (ancient Iconium, one of the centers of St. Paul’s missionary activity), we’ll check into the hotel, and have dinner before bedtime after a long day. We’ll spend only one night in Konya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Day 11 - Thursday, April 11 - Konya, Cappadocia</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">We’ll leave the hotel early to get to the little St. Paul Church in the heart of the city for Mass at 8 am. There we will have a chance to visit with Sisters Serena and Isabella and learn of their mission of presence and service with no resident priest and no permanent Catholic community. Following a visit to the Tomb of Mevlana (Rumi), the 13th-century Sufi mystic, poet, and philosopher who founded the order of the Whirling Dervishes, we’ll drive to Cappadocia, about a four hour drive. Along the way we’ll visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai, one of the many places of rest and hospitality along the ancient Silk Road. We’ll spend three nights in Cappadocia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Days 12, 13, and 14 - Friday to Sunday, April 12, 13, and 14 - Cappadocia</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">We’ll have three days to explore the wonders of Cappadocia, which boasts one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world, as well as traces of ancient Christian and pre-Christian life. The great theologians who helped to formulate the way we express our belief in Christ and the Trinity came from here. Many rock-carved monasteries and churches, as well as underground cities, give witness to an as-yet not fully understood way of life for many centuries in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. One of the best ways to see Cappadocia will be from an optional, early morning, hot-air balloon ride. Cappadocia is also a center for the revival of ancient village carpetmaking techniques and finely crafted pottery. We will have the opportunity to attend an optional<i>sema</i> of the Whirling Dervishes, and celebrate Mass in several cave churches. On Sunday, after a festive Mass and lunch at a small village restaurant/hotel with an ancient cave church on its own property, we’ll take a late afternoon flight back to Istanbul, where we’ll settle in to our hotel for four nights.<img align="right" alt="" border="0" src="http://www.executours.com/Editor/assets/mosque.png" style="margin: 10px;" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Days 15-18 - Monday-Thursday, April 15-18 - Istanbul</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">These three full days in Istanbul have yet to planned in detail, but we hope to include if possible:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13px; text-decoration: line-through;">●<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Mass in significant Catholic churches, such as the St. Esprit Cathedral and St. Antoine Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13px; text-decoration: line-through;">●<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Great historic Orthodox Churches, such as the Hagia Sophia, St. Savior in Chora, Our Lady of the Mongols, Pammakaristos, Pantocrator, the cast-iron Church of St. Stephen of the Bulgars, among others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13px; text-decoration: line-through;">●<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Great Museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, the Topkapi Palace, and others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13px; text-decoration: line-through;">●<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Meeting significant people, such as His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Archbishop Louis Pelatre, and Dr. Rinaldo Marmara (historian and secretary to the Turkish Bishops’ Conference)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13px; text-decoration: line-through;">●<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Visiting the Mosques of Suleymaniye and Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13px; text-decoration: line-through;">●<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Other places and events, such as the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, and a cruise on the Bosphorus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13px; text-decoration: line-through;">●<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Shopping at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, as well as the famous upscale Istiklal Street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Thursday, at midday, the Pilgrimage will end with Turkish Airlines Flight 9, non-stop to LAX, departing at 12:45 pm, and arriving the same day at 4:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">For more information about the itinerary or questions about the nature of the Pilgrimage-Retreat experience, please visit </span></i><a href="http://ecwpilgrimage.org/" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">http</span></a><a href="http://ecwpilgrimage.org/" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">://</span></a><a href="http://ecwpilgrimage.org/" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">ecwpilgrimage</span></a><a href="http://ecwpilgrimage.org/" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></a><a href="http://ecwpilgrimage.org/" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">org</span></a><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">, e-mail Fr. Tom Welbers at </span></i><a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">thomas</span></a><a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></a><a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">welbers</span></a><a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">@</span></a><a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">gmail</span></a><a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></a><a href="mailto:thomas.welbers@gmail.com" style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">com</span></a><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">,<br />or phone 909-367-4592 (Fr. Welbers' cell).</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">For information about <a href="http://www.executours.com/Editor/assets/2013%20%20turkey%20registration%20and%20terms%20ecw%20welbers%20v5%20120712.pdf" style="color: #0099ff;">registration</a>, logistics, or other trip details, contact <a href="mailto:ECWtrip@executours.com" target="_blank">Executours</a> directly.</span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">TRIP PRICE -- $5,495</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The trip price is based on double occupancy and includes round-trip group coach air from Los Angeles; lodgings per itinerary; Continental breakfasts and dinners; admissions to listed museums visited; and local guide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">T</span></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">rip prices are per person based on double occupancy. Availability of single occupancy is limited and at additional cost of $995. All offers are subject to availability, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Trip price does not include airline baggage charges, travel insurance cost, individual transfers, optional items or personal expenses, or other items not listed as included. Changes in fees, fuel surcharges, and taxes may result in surcharges. Lunches and beverages at meals are not included. Executours and/or Fr. Welbers reserve the right to cancel this trip for any reason in their sole judgment, including insufficient number of participants. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We cannot be responsible for incomplete or inaccurate representations, which may not be under our control. In the event of a pricing error, misrepresentation or omission, we reserve the right to adjust pricing or make other corrections. Fr. Welbers and Executours may adjust, omit or limit itineraries, scheduled stops or activities, and/or substitute or change hotels or flight arrangements as circumstances warrant in their sole judgment. Information and pricing is subject to change without notice. </span></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Additional restrictions, terms and conditions apply.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">PAYMENT SCHEDULE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">$500 deposit per person upon application. Full balance due must be received by <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dec. 31, 2012.</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: underline;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">If written cancellation is received by Executours by the date(s) specified below, refunds and cancellation penalties are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Dec. 14, 2012</strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> – final payment deadline</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">By <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Dec. 31, 2012</strong></span> - final full payment deadline.<o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">By <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Jan 14, 2013</strong></span> - refund of payment less <span style="text-decoration: underline;">$1,500</span> fee per person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">By <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Feb. 15, 2013</strong> </span>- refund of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">50% </span>of full payment per person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">After <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Feb. 15, 2013</strong></span> - <span style="text-decoration: underline;">no refund</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">TRAVEL INSURANCE</span><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Executours encourages you to purchase travel insurance, provided by Travelex.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Based on a package price of $5,495, the estimated cost is $399. Travel insurance must be bought before final payment is due. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits are governed by the coverage documents, which are available on request. Travel insurance payment is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">non-refundable</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">A description of coverage provided by Travelex is available <a href="http://www.executours.com/Editor/assets/travelex%20description%20of%20coverage%20360%20group%20plan%20041512.pdf" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0099ff;" target="_blank">here</a>. Executours makes no representations about coverage.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">HEALTH/MOBILITY</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><strong>This trip requires walking (up to a few miles daily) on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs and inclines, and at times significant exertion in order to see and experience all aspects of the itinerary. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">The itinerary is not suitable for and cannot be accessed by persons with limited mobility, including persons who use a wheelchair or walker. </span>Trip members should consult their personal physician for individual assessments and recommendations. Each trip member certifies that he/she is fully fit and able to participate in the trip and all related activities and has no physical, mental or emotional condition that would create a hazard or detract from the trip for him/herself or other passengers.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">REGISTRATION FORM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">A signed registration form (including Seller of Travel disclosures) is required from each passenger agreeing to the terms and conditions for the trip.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">TO REGISTER OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You can fill out a <a href="http://www.executours.com/Editor/assets/2013%20%20turkey%20registration%20and%20terms%20ecw%20welbers%20v5%20120712.pdf" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0099ff;" target="_blank">registration form</a> online. Just fill out the form (one per passenger), print and sign it, and mail or fax it (to </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">310-552-2622</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">) with your deposit. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">A signed registration form is required from each passenger agreeing to the terms and conditions for the trip.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">For more information on tour arrangements or to book:<br /> <a href="mailto:ECWtrip@executours.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0099ff;" target="_blank">e-mail</a> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">or call </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">Executours at 800-323-7044</span></div>
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Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-78790487712940248182012-03-30T21:05:00.004-07:002012-11-14T08:54:36.415-08:00Virtual Pilgrimage Diary (Last Year, 2012)<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="text-align: left;"><i>Day-by-day on the Pilgrimage.</i></b><span style="text-align: left;"> Make a "Virtual Pilgrimage" with us. Follow us each day by clicking on the day's link below. I will be revising each day's itinerary with pictures, links and a diary with comments and reflections on each days activities. I hope you will check back often to keep in touch with our </span><i style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">"Pilgrims' Progress."</i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> I wish you many blessings. Pray for us as we are praying for you. </span><i style="text-align: left;">Allah'a emanet ol! (God bless you.)</i><span style="text-align: left;"> With love, Fr. Tom Welbers.</span></div>
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-0-easter-sunday-departure.html" target="_blank">Day 0 - Sunday, April 8, 2012 - Easter Sunday Departure</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-1-arrival-in-istanbul.html" target="_blank">Day 1 - Monday, April 9, 2012 - Arrival in Istanbul</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-2-free-day-in-istanbul-official.html" target="_blank">Day 2 - Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - Free Day in Istanbul; Official Opening</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-3-istanbul-orientation-tour.html" target="_blank">Day 3 - Wednesday, April; 11, 2012 - Istanbul Orientation Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Bosphorus Cruise, Mass at St. Esprit Cathedral</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-4-istanbul-via-gallipoli-and-troy.html" target="_blank">Day 4 - Thursday, April 12, 2012 - Gallipoli, Troy, Çanakkale</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-5-cannakale-via-alexandria-troas.html" target="_blank">Day 5 - Friday, April 13, 2012 - Çanakkale, Alexandria Troas, Gulpinar, Assos, Pergamum, Izmir</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-6-izmir-to-sardis-and-to-kusadasi.html" target="_blank">Day 6 - Saturday, April 14, 2012 - Izmir, Sardis, Kuşadası</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/ay-7-kusadasi-full-day-in-ephesus.htmlhttp://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/ay-7-kusadasi-full-day-in-ephesus.htmlhttp://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/ay-7-kusadasi-full-day-in-ephesus.htmlhttp://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/ay-7-kusadasi-full-day-in-ephesus.html" target="_blank">Day 7 - Sunday, April 15, 2012 - Full day in Ephesus; Mass at Mary's House</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-8-kusadasi-via-aphrodias-to.html" target="_blank">Day 8 - Monday, April 16, 2012 - Aphrodisias, Hierapolis</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-9-hierapolislaodicea-via-pisidian.html" target="_blank">Day 9 - Tuesday, April 17, 2012 - Laodicea, Antioch-in-Pisidia, Konya</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-10-konya-to-tarsus.html" target="_blank">Day 10 - Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - Konya, Çatalhöyük, Silifke, Mersin</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-11-tarsus-via-adana-to-antakya.html" target="_blank">Day 11 - Thursday, April 19, 2012 - Tarsus, Antakya (Antioch-on-the-Orontes)</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-12-full-day-in-antakya.html" target="_blank">Day 12 - Friday, April 20, 2012 - Full Day in Antakya</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-13-antakya-to-cappadocia.html" target="_blank">Day 13 - Saturday, April 21, 2012 - Antakya, Cappadocia</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-14-full-day-in-cappadocia.html" target="_blank">Day 14 - Sunday, April 22, 2012 - Full Day in Cappadocia</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-15-cappadocia-via-hattusas-to.html" target="_blank">Day 15 - Monday, April 23, 2012 - Cappadocia, Hattuşaş, Ankara</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-16-ankara-to-bursa.html" target="_blank">Day 16 - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - Ankara, Yassihöyük, Bursa</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-17-bursa-via-iznik-to-istanbul.html" target="_blank">Day 17 - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - Bursa, Iznik (Nicaea), Istanbul</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-18-istanbul-1.html" target="_blank">Day 18 - Thursday, April 26, 2012 - Istanbul: Archaeological Museum, Topkapı Palace, Mass at St. Antoine Church</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-19-istanbul-2.html" target="_blank">Day 19 - Friday, April 27, 2012 - Istanbul: Visit with Patriarch Bartholomew I and other Byzantine/Orthodox sites, Friday Prayer at Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, Final Mass and Farewell Dinner</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-20-official-end-first-extra-day.html" target="_blank">Day 20 - Saturday, April 28, 2012 - Official End of Pilgrimage; First Day of Extension in Istanbul</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-21-istanbul-second-extra-day.html" target="_blank">Day 21 - Sunday, April 29, 2012 - Second Day of Extension in Istanbul: Mass with Chaldean Catholic Community</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-22-istanbul-third-extra-day.html" target="_blank">Day 22 - Monday, April 30, 2012 - Third Day of Extension in Istanbul: Synagogue and Jewish Museum</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-23-istanbul-fourth-extra-day.html" target="_blank">Day 23 - Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - Fourth Day of Extension in Istanbul</a><br />
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<a href="http://virtualpilgrimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-24-istanbul-end-of-pilgrimage.html" target="_blank">Day 24, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - End of Extension in Istanbul: Return Home</a><br />
<br />Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-79328192429640313062012-02-26T23:25:00.000-08:002012-02-26T22:49:16.520-08:00Day 0 - Easter Sunday Departure<b><i><u>Sunday, April 8, 2012</u></i></b><br />
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For the twenty-one of us leaving from LAX, we depart from the Tom Bradley Terminal on Turkish Airlines Flight TK10, at 6:20 pm, for a 12-hour and 50-minute non-stop flight to Istanbul.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Boeing 777-ER300 -- our flight! -- taking off at LAX.</i></td></tr>
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On the same day, six of us are leaving from other parts of the USA and the world.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?airline=TK&flightNumber=10" target="_blank">Click here to track the flight of TK 10. </a></div>
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All to meet in Istanbul tomorrow late afternoon.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Did you know?</i> Turkish Airlines, a member of <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.staralliance.com/en/about/airlines/turkish_airlines/" target="_blank">Star Alliance</a></i>, was awarded <b><a href="http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Awards_2011/europe.htm" target="_blank">"Best Airline in Europe" for 2011</a> </b>by <a href="http://www.airlinequality.com/" target="_blank">Skytrax</a>.<br />
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<br /></div>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-52374943049076135502012-02-26T23:24:00.000-08:002012-03-12T22:30:45.816-07:00Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul<b><i><u>Monday, April 9, 2012</u></i></b><br />
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After a 12 hr 50 min flight on TK 10 from LAX, twenty-one of us arrive at the <a href="http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/Pages/Main.aspx"><b>Ataturk International Airport</b></a> (IST) in Istanbul late Monday afternoon at 5:10 pm.<br />
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Because of our travel over nine time zones from west to east, it is now ten hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time (Turkey is on Daylight Saving Time too). Our bodies think it's still 7:10 am -- the folks at home are just starting their Monday morning.</div>
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Here's another video of landing at Istanbul, with a tour through the airport. Looks a lot like most other airports.</div>
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After disembarking from the plane, we must first <a href="http://www.istanbultrails.com/2008/03/how-to-buy-your-way-in/" target="_blank">purchase a visa</a>, good for 90 days, which costs US $20 (cash). The visa is a sticker placed in the passport, then we go to passport control, where the sticker is stamped with the entry date. From there we go to the baggage claim area, pass through the customs (where nobody has yet been stopped or questioned), and through the doors into the arrival area where someone from Orion Tours will be waiting for us.</div>
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There are, of course, opportunities to change money here. Although you might feel better having some <a href="http://themoneyconverter.com/USD/TRY.aspx" target="_blank"><b>Turkish Lira</b></a> in your pocket, it's not advisable to change very much money at the airport. There are a lot of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banks_in_Turkey" target="_blank"><b>trustworthy banks</b></a> with ATMs near the hotel, and plenty of opportunity to get cash tomorrow.</div>
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The other six are all arriving within an hour or so of our flight, so we can all meet at the airport, and travel together in a bus provided by Orion Tour to the<b> <a href="http://www.madison.com.tr/">Madison Hotel</a></b> in the Beyoglu District, our home for the next three nights. </div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=The+Madison+Hotel,+Kocatepe+Mh.,+Recep+Pa%C5%9Fa+Cd+15,+Istanbul,+Turkey&aq=0&oq=madison&sll=41.037834,28.972728&sspn=0.013838,0.033023&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=THE+MADISON+HOTEL,+Kocatepe+Mh.,+Recep+Pa%C5%9Fa+Cd+15,+34437+Istanbul,+Turkey&t=h&z=14&iwloc=A&output=embed" width="425"></iframe></div>
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<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=The+Madison+Hotel,+Kocatepe+Mh.,+Recep+Pa%C5%9Fa+Cd+15,+Istanbul,+Turkey&aq=0&oq=madison&sll=41.037834,28.972728&sspn=0.013838,0.033023&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=THE+MADISON+HOTEL,+Kocatepe+Mh.,+Recep+Pa%C5%9Fa+Cd+15,+34437+Istanbul,+Turkey&t=h&z=14&iwloc=A" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></div>
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After getting settled in the hotel, it is still be early enough to take a brief walk in the area around the hotel and perhaps get a bite to eat. It's safe, but don't walk alone. You'll be spotted immediately as a tourist, and fair game for slick hucksters to sell you anything from cheap souvenirs to expensive carpets.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/gJ3bzYSo0aJrVdyOFOlTKv11v3yqCRjSTlVX_SlK41CPRQ4WfmGonIOzR6pZ3q0MQBwDTOijR_A1rm5wyy09Ps75hh5zlmb7tuCOU4b-9Uvf8NFXvrI" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/gJ3bzYSo0aJrVdyOFOlTKv11v3yqCRjSTlVX_SlK41CPRQ4WfmGonIOzR6pZ3q0MQBwDTOijR_A1rm5wyy09Ps75hh5zlmb7tuCOU4b-9Uvf8NFXvrI" width="183" /></a>This will be the last night for the next three weeks you can sleep without the anticipation of an early wake-up call!<br />
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<u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Did you know?</u> <i>Istanbul, with approximately 13 million people, is the <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_proper_by_population" target="_blank">third largest city in the world</a></b>, following only Shanghai (17M) and Karachi (also 13M). The Brookings Institute rated <b><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2010/12/30-most-dynamic-cities-in-the-world/67234/#slide30" target="_blank">Istanbul as the #1 most dynamic city in the world </a></b>following the 2009 global recession. Istanbul was also voted <b><a href="http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/and-the-winner-is-istanbul/" target="_blank">#1 of the New York Times' "Best Places to Go" in 2010</a></b>.</i></div>
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</div>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-87824166411194500882012-02-26T23:23:00.000-08:002012-03-12T22:24:11.073-07:00Day 2 - Free Day in Istanbul; Official Opening<b><i><u>Tuesday, April 10, 2012</u></i></b><br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This first day</span></b><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Istanbul</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is unscheduled to relax and get adjusted and oriented, as well as to shop and explore.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you may want to set out and explore the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyoglu" target="_blank">Beyoglu</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> neighborhood. Unless you're really brave, I do not recommend going out alone. It's easy to get lost in a new and unfamiliar city, and you'll be spotted by merchants of varying degrees of legitimacy who are very skilled at separating the unwary from their money.</span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bey3kq1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bey3kq1.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Trolleys on Istiklal Caddesi.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the things to do today will be to visit one of the nearby ATMs (there are many reliable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banks_in_Turkey" target="_blank">banks</a> in the neighborhood) and get some cash. I recommend getting about 200-300 <a href="http://www.xe.com/currency/try-turkish-lira?r=1" target="_blank">Turkish Liras</a> (see converter widget on the right sidebar). On all the ATMs you can choose "English" on the first screen, and then you're prompted for you PIN number and the amount in Turkish Liras you want to withdraw.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Armed with some cash, you might want to explore Taksim Square and walk down</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%B0stiklal_Avenue" target="_blank">Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue)</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">, a 1-1/2 mile pedestrian street with the historic little red trolley running down the middle. Lots of browsing and shopping (as well as snacking and people watching) can be done here.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">About halfway down the street, don't miss the Church of St. Anthony, the largest and most famous Catholic Church in Istanbul. In the courtyard is a </span><a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/58640874" target="_blank">new statue of Pope John XXIII</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">, beloved of the Turks because of his loving and positive attitude when he was Papal Nuncio to Turkey during World War II. It's always bustling with visitor, and you may also notice a significant number of young Muslims coming in to pray.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If you continue a little beyond the end of the street, you'll find the Galata tower. Don't miss climbing to the top. </span><a href="http://pages.pomona.edu/~sg064747/travel/turkey_istanbul_miscellaneous.html" target="_blank">The view is breathtaking on a clear day<span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I plan to take this walk, probably late in the morning. Anyone's welcome to come with me if you want. I'm not sure where I'll go from the tower. Possibly I'll take a tram to the <a href="http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Sultanahmet/" target="_blank"><b>Sultanahmet</b></a> area to visit Dogan of the <a href="http://www.terracehotelistanbul.com/" target="_blank"><b>Terrace Guesthouse</b></a>, where we will stay for the extra four nights at the end of the Pilgrimage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're welcome to come along with me, but you also may want to arm yourself with a map and explore other parts.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be sure you're back at the Hotel by 5:00 pm.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> That</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'s when we will celebrate the opening Mass of the Pilgrimage, which will be followed by an opportunity to meet Aydin Eroglu (our guide), as well as, we hope, Ersan Atsur, the owner of Orion Tour, and some of his staff.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnJuP-3us4c/SxcYH6E6kuI/AAAAAAAAA9s/oy8UbJ7dGuE/s640/IMG_4650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnJuP-3us4c/SxcYH6E6kuI/AAAAAAAAA9s/oy8UbJ7dGuE/s320/IMG_4650.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">l-r: Fr. Tom, Ersan Atsur, owner of Orion Tour; Aydin Eroglu, our tour guide</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This will be followed by dinner at the hotel, and some leisure time before bed. Tomorrow starts early, just like almost every</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-89863100261904728892012-02-26T23:22:00.000-08:002012-03-12T22:31:33.913-07:00Day 3 - Istanbul Orientation Tour<b><i><u>Wednesday, April 11, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:30 am-Depart the hotel and visit Hagia Sophia at its Opening
</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After breakfast, we board the bus and first pray Morning Prayer. Each Pilgrim has a copy of the April </span><a href="http://www.giveusthisday.org/" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><b>"Give Us This Day" (Liturgical Press)</b></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as the basis of our common prayer. This takes about five minutes, which is about the time it takes to drive three blocks from the hotel.
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Our route to Hagia Sophia takes us across the Golden Horn and under the Aqueduct of Valens to the Sultanahment area where all the places we visit today are located. Aydin points out many historic sites and landmarks along the way. We begin our visits with the Hagia Sophia, at the eastern end of the large park that marks the site of the ancient Hippodrome.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teslasociety.com/pictures/Roman%20Empire%20Images/RomanEmpire2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.teslasociety.com/pictures/Roman%20Empire%20Images/RomanEmpire2.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We will only be able to spend about an hour at Hagia Sophia. Not enough surely, but you can get more out of this brief visit (as well as the short time we spend at other places) by exploring and finding out more in the internet beforehand. If you are staying the extra four days, I suggest you plan to spend at least half a day exploring this wonderful place in greater detail. For now, these two web sites, each with panoramic views from different locations within and outside the building, can give you a good sense of the wonders that await you. (Note these may be slow to load.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.360tr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=255%3Aayasofya&catid=91%3Amuzeler&Itemid=962&lang=en" target="_blank"><b>360TR-Panoramic Tour of Hagia Sophia</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.3dmekanlar.com/en/hagia-sophia.html" target="_blank"><b>Hagia Sophia - 3D Virtual Tour</b></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Turkish it's called Ayasofya and today is a mosque-become-a-museum. Do you wonder what it may have looked like in the days of the Byzantine Constantinople? YouTube has several excellent videos of 3-D recreations of the building in its glory days as the premier Christian Church in the world. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4973697085_028b4ed969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4973697085_028b4ed969.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly revealed image of an angel<br />
on one of the pendentives.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first one has the </span><a href="http://youtu.be/dmoLP2hLQpo" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><b>exterior and general views of the interior</b></a><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It features some of the artwork that remains today, but one needs to imagine that the gold-colored wall surfaces were probably covered with glorious mosaics and/or frescoes at certain points in its history. Here is a </span><a href="http://youtu.be/BFjNLX64r9M" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><b>more detailed view of the sanctuary</b></a><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The Baptistery is located to the left of today's exit passageway. It's a mausoleum for Ottoman dignitaries today, but the baptismal font is on display in a small patio outside the building. This <a href="http://youtu.be/0lncTu7TVzw" target="_blank"><b>reconstruction gives a good idea of the layout of a Byzantine baptistery</b></a>, with a large font for full immersion. Finally, <a href="http://youtu.be/bpa2y5tRizo" target="_blank"><b>this one</b></a> begins with a sequence showing the computer model being built, followed by a slow-moving series of exterior views from every possible angle.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This 15-minute video <b>(<a href="http://youtu.be/fpbvCF9Jj40" target="_blank">part 1</a></b> and <a href="http://youtu.be/4iVAzzQfXO0" target="_blank"><b>part 2</b></a>) gives a somewhat one-sided depiction of the Emperor Justinian (482-565), who built the great church in just five years (532-537), emphasizing his brutality and despotism over any other qualities. But it has some fascinating computer generated reconstructions of the building of both the Hippodrome and the Hagia Sophia.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>10:30-11:00 am -Visit the Basilica Cistern</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.3dmekanlar.com/en/the-basilica-cistern.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.3dmekanlar.com/tn_en/360_ISTANBUL_YerebatanSarnici.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>C<a href="http://www.3dmekanlar.com/en/the-basilica-cistern.html" target="_blank">lick here for a 360-degree panoramic view and explanation.</a></b></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:15-12:15 am -Visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the north side of the Hippodrome is the <a href="http://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN/belge/2-19977/istanbul---turkish-and-islamic-arts-museum.html" target="_blank"><b>Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts</b></a>, a fascinating <a href="http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/istanbulislamicartmus&page=all" target="_blank"><b>collection of carpets, books, furniture,and artifacts</b></a>. (<b><a href="http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/turkveislameserleri" target="_blank">More pictures</a>.</b>) Here Aydin explains in some detail the various kinds and patterns of Turkish carpets. There are also displays of the life life of the various peoples of Anatolia.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>12:15-1:15 pm - Lunch in one of the many restaurants in the area</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1:15-1:45 pm - Hippodrome</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, what's left of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippodrome_of_Constantinople" target="_blank"><b>Hippodrome</b></a> is a big park, with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk_of_Theodosius" target="_blank"><b>two obelisks</b></a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpent_Column" target="_blank"><b>serpentine column</b></a> (<a href="http://www.arkeo3d.com/byzantium1200/tripod.html" target="_blank"><b>originally from Delphi</b></a>), but what a <a href="http://www.arkeo3d.com/byzantium1200/hipodrom.html" target="_blank"><b>structure</b></a>, and what a <b><a href="http://www.greatistanbul.com/nika_riot.htm" target="_blank">history</a></b>!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1:45-2:45 pm - Blue Mosque</b></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:00-5:00 pm - Bosphorus Cruise (on a private charter boat)</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our orientation day concludes with a cruise on the Bosphorus. It's an opportunity to relax a bit and enjoy the beauty of one of the most historic and important waterways in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Asian shores of the Bosphorus used to boast of some of the most expensive homes in the world. No longer. It seems <a href="http://www.collthings.co.uk/2011/02/10-most-expensives-homes-in-world-2011.html" target="_blank"><b>Beverly Hills now has that distinction</b></a>.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:00- return to hotel to refresh before Mass </b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>6:00 pm - Walk to St. Esprit Cathedral for Mass </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn118/worldcityistanbul/MONUMENTS/Monuments%20-%201/holyspirit101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn118/worldcityistanbul/MONUMENTS/Monuments%20-%201/holyspirit101.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pope Benedict XV: "Benefactor of all people, <br />
regardless of nationality or religion."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn118/worldcityistanbul/MONUMENTS/Monuments%20-%201/holyspirit105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn118/worldcityistanbul/MONUMENTS/Monuments%20-%201/holyspirit105.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="http://culturecityistanbul.blogspot.com/2009/07/st-esprit-cathedral.html" target="_blank">Saint Esprit (Holy Spirit) Cathedral</a></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is set in a modest courtyard of the French Notre Dame de Sion High School. Its most striking feature is a monumental statue of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XV" target="_blank">Pope Benedict XV</a></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, erected by the Turkish government in 1923 in the last days of Ottoman rule, commemorating his </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/papalpeacenote.htm" target="_blank">peacemaking efforts during World War I</a></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We hope to be able to arrange a brief visit with Bishop Louis Prelatre, the Apostolic Vicar or a brief talk by one of the other priests.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://www.akcanlarocakbasi.com/images/stories/29092010929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.akcanlarocakbasi.com/images/stories/29092010929.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following Mass, we can exit the back door and walk down Papa Roncalli Sokak to the <b> </b></span><a href="http://www.akcanlarocakbasi.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Akcanlar Ocakbasi</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Restaurant for dinner, and then walk back to hotel (This is a very favorite restaurant of mine near the hotel and the Cathedral.)</span><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-89535763936957566862012-02-26T23:21:00.000-08:002012-03-15T20:27:16.517-07:00Day 4 - Istanbul via Gallipoli and Troy to CanakkaleDay 4, Thursday, 4/12 - Istanbul via Gallipoli and Troy to Canakkale<br />
<br />
6:30 am - Breakfast at hotel<br />
7:00 am - Departure from hotel for Canakkale.<br />
<br />
9:00 am - First facility stop at Tekirdag (15 min)<br />
11:30 am - Lunch stop at Gelibolu (Gallipoli) ($)<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=The+Madison+Hotel,+Kocatepe+Mh.,+Recep+Pa%C5%9Fa+Caddesi+15,+Istanbul,+T%C3%BCrkiye&daddr=Anzac+Cove,+Eceabat,+Turkey&hl=en&geocode=FQ87cgIdXEa6ASESvcSl3b4DTimb0Peob7fKFDEj-mF-IVyxKQ%3BFToAZgIdh_WQASGVd_u4mQZ_bA&aq=3&oq=anzaC&sll=41.040655,28.984924&sspn=0.008788,0.021136&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=40.67788,27.631255&spn=0.8904,2.70739&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=The+Madison+Hotel,+Kocatepe+Mh.,+Recep+Pa%C5%9Fa+Caddesi+15,+Istanbul,+T%C3%BCrkiye&daddr=Anzac+Cove,+Eceabat,+Turkey&hl=en&geocode=FQ87cgIdXEa6ASESvcSl3b4DTimb0Peob7fKFDEj-mF-IVyxKQ%3BFToAZgIdh_WQASGVd_u4mQZ_bA&aq=3&oq=anzaC&sll=41.040655,28.984924&sspn=0.008788,0.021136&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=40.67788,27.631255&spn=0.8904,2.70739" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
<a href="http://www.arts.mq.edu.au/images/Anzac_Cove_Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://www.arts.mq.edu.au/images/Anzac_Cove_Sign.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
12:30 pm - Drive to the Anzac landing area<br />
1:15 pm - Visit the War Museum (if open)<br />
1:45 pm - Anzac Landing at<a href="http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/AnzacCoveGallipoliTurkeyf.html" target="_blank"> <b>Anzac cove</b></a><br />
2:00 pm - Drive to Chunuk bair.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://forums.insightvacations.com/groupee_files/photo_albums/9/1/8/918100604/839100604_C848503BBA6967400578B1255D444E49.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://forums.insightvacations.com/groupee_files/photo_albums/9/1/8/918100604/839100604_C848503BBA6967400578B1255D444E49.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
2:15 pm - Visiting the Chunuk Memorial.<br />
2:30 pm - Drive to the ferry .<br />
3:00 pm - Ferry across the Dardanelles.<br />
3:30 pm - Drive to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy" target="_blank"><b>Troy</b></a>.<br />
4:00 pm -Visit Troy and a refreshment break.<br />
5:30 pm - Leave Troy for hotel<br />
6:00 pm - Arrive at Hotel<br />
7:30 pm - Dinner<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tusanhotel.com/images/opt10/manzara-to-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.tusanhotel.com/images/opt10/manzara-to-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
(1 night in Canakkale. at <a href="http://www.tusanhotel.com/ind-en.htm" target="_blank">Tusan Hotel</a>)Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-6800139587807983302012-02-26T23:20:00.000-08:002012-03-31T11:55:07.173-07:00Day 5 - Cannakale to Izmir<b><i><u>Friday, April 13, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:15</span><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">am - Breakfast at hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 am - Depart from Tusan hotel (Canakkale)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=canakkale&daddr=39.83892,26.18405+to:39.63164,26.18105+to:Assos+to:Bergama+to:Izmir&geocode=FbC4ZAIdUAyTASk_L0oh2KmxFDF_L-IDN-vrjA%3BFcjkXwIdcomPASkf47TcCUOwFDGR3pDOdmY8XQ%3BFRi7XAIdun2PASmJhPTAyW-wFDHM2NhqoxUdaQ%3BFfyTWgIdm92RASlXx2ph0H6wFDEUpmaZ5G1JrQ%3BFXvfVAId5cieASnXd3whevi5FDF348uWthgraA%3BFaI5SgIdkPOdASnNymKnYti7FDH-6JylobuMYg&aq=&sll=39.395877,26.683044&sspn=1.672512,2.60376&t=h&hl=en&mra=ls&via=1,2&ie=UTF8&ll=39.284955,26.679465&spn=1.74069,1.01553&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=canakkale&daddr=39.83892,26.18405+to:39.63164,26.18105+to:Assos+to:Bergama+to:Izmir&geocode=FbC4ZAIdUAyTASk_L0oh2KmxFDF_L-IDN-vrjA%3BFcjkXwIdcomPASkf47TcCUOwFDGR3pDOdmY8XQ%3BFRi7XAIdun2PASmJhPTAyW-wFDHM2NhqoxUdaQ%3BFfyTWgIdm92RASlXx2ph0H6wFDEUpmaZ5G1JrQ%3BFXvfVAId5cieASnXd3whevi5FDF348uWthgraA%3BFaI5SgIdkPOdASnNymKnYti7FDH-6JylobuMYg&aq=&sll=39.395877,26.683044&sspn=1.672512,2.60376&t=h&hl=en&mra=ls&via=1,2&ie=UTF8&ll=39.284955,26.679465&spn=1.74069,1.01553" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:45 am - Visit the ruins of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria_Troas">Alexandria Troas</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:15 am - Drive to <a href="http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/9c3ea/1c17b5/">Gulpinar</a> and visit the Temple of Apollo.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/45176892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/45176892.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple of Athena, Assos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:15 am - Drive to <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/45176892">Assos</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:45 am - Visit the ruins in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assos">Assos</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10:30 am - Drive to Bergama (Pergamon)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:00 pm - Lunch in Bergama ($)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Aydin needs time for Friday prayer)</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Pergamon_Acropolis.jpg/800px-Pergamon_Acropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Pergamon_Acropolis.jpg/800px-Pergamon_Acropolis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acropolis at Pergamon from the Aesclepion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:15 pm - visit the Acropolis (to 3:30 pm)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:40 pm - Photostop for the "Red Basilica"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:45 pm - Visit the Aesclepion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:00 pm - Drive to Izmir</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 pm - Arrive at hotel for dinner and the night</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1 night in Izmir at the <a href="http://www.kayaprestige.com.tr/en/http://www.kayaprestige.com.tr/en/">Kaya Prestige Hotel</a>.)</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-19145084168909356922012-02-26T23:19:00.000-08:002012-03-13T09:49:44.600-07:00Day 6 - Izmir to Sardis and to Kusadasi<b><i><u>Saturday, April 14, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:45 am - Breakfast at hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:45 am - Depart from the hotel for St. Polycarp Church for Mass</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10:00 am - Drive to Sardis.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croesus#Wealth_and_coinage">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croesus#Wealth_and_coinage</a> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<a href="http://rg.ancients.info/lion/article.html">http://rg.ancients.info/lion/article.html</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:15am - Visit the Temple of Artemis.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:00 am - Visit the Synagogue and the Gymnasium.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:30am-Return to Izmir</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:00 pm - Lunch on the waterfront ($)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:15 pm - Drive to Kusadasi</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:00 pm - Arrive at hotel in Kusadasi for dinner</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2 nights in Kusadasi at Pine Marina Hotel.)</span>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.kusadasihotels.com/pinemarina">http://www.kusadasihotels.com/pinemarina</a>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-48572349538071321722012-02-26T23:18:00.000-08:002012-02-26T22:45:21.624-08:00Day 7 - Kusadasi: Full Day in Ephesus<b><i><u>Sunday, April 15, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 am - Breakfast at hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:30 am - Depart from hotel to Ephesus</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 am - Enter ancient city at top gate</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Morning will include not only regular tour of the ancient city, but also the newly excavated "Terrace Houses," and the Double Church of the Theotokos. Also the Cave of St. Paul, not open to tourists, if we can get permission.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:45 pm - Lunch (included) and fashion show at the Leather Factory Showroom.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:30 pm - Basilica of St. John and Ephesus Museum</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:00 pm visit Mary’s House and celebrate Mass.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 pm - Drive to Hotel in Kusadasi for dinner </span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-9015097688010507902012-02-26T23:17:00.000-08:002012-03-12T13:55:25.603-07:00Day 8 - Kusadasi via Aphrodias to Hierapolis<b><i><u>Monday, April 16, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:45 am - Breakfast at Hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:30 am -Depart Kusadasi</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:30-11:00 am - Drive to Aphrodisias</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:00 am -1:00 pm - visit the city and the museum.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:15 - 2:30 pm - Lunch at Doga ($)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:30 - 4:00 pm - Drive to Hierapolis.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4:00 - 6:00 pm - Visit Hierapolis with the Martyrion of Philip.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:15 pm - Arrive at the hotel, with opportunity to enjoy the thermal pool before dinner.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 pm - Dinner at the hotel.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1 night in Pamukkale at the Richmond Hotel)</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.richmondhotels.com.tr/eng/pamukkalethermal.asp">http://www.richmondhotels.com.tr/eng/pamukkalethermal.asp</a>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-72938157820353857982012-02-26T23:16:00.000-08:002012-03-12T14:09:11.810-07:00Day 9 - Hierapolis via Pisidian Antioch to Konya<b><i><u>Tuesday, April 17, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 am - Breakfast at Hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 am leave for Laodicea</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:30 am - 9:30 am tour Laodicea</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:30 am - 1:00 pm - </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drive to Yalvac / Pisidian Antioch </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:00 pm-2:00 pm Lunch at the kebab house ($)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Visit Pisidian Antioch</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:30 - 7:00 pm - Drive to Konya. Dinner at Hotel.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1 night in Konya at Ozkaymak Park Hotel)</span></b>
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<a href="http://www.ozkaymakotels.com/eng/park_index.php">http://www.ozkaymakotels.com/eng/park_index.php</a>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-40641868640330382362012-02-26T23:15:00.000-08:002012-03-12T14:08:51.557-07:00Day 10 - Konya to Tarsus<b><i><u>Wednesday, April 18, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:30 am - Breakfast in Hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:45 am - Departure from Hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 am - Mass at St.Paul’s Church in Konya.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:00 am - Visit Mevlana Museum</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10:00 am - Drive to Catalhoyuk.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:00 am - Visit Catalhoyuk.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:30 pm - Drive to Silifke (box lunch on the bus)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4:00 pm - Arrive in Silifke; Visit Cave and Monastery of St. Thecla</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:00 pm - Drive to Mersin</span><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:30 pm - Arrive at Hotel for dinner and free evening</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1 night in Hotel in Mersin)</span></b>
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<a href="http://www.kilikyahotel.com/en/index.htm">http://www.kilikyahotel.com/en/index.htm</a>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-25571195115099124742012-02-26T23:14:00.000-08:002012-03-12T14:13:22.314-07:00Day 11 - Tarsus via Adana to Antakya<b><i><u>Thursday, April 19, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 am - Breakfast</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:30 am - Leave Hotel for Tarsus</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:30 am - Visit St.Paul’s House, well, and the first century street</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:30 am - Picture stops at Cleopatra Gate and Nusrat ship.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10:00 am - Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic church.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:00 am - Other points of interest in the area, e.g., burial site of St. Daniel the Prophet and the Old Church Mosque</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:30 pm - Drive to Adana</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:00 pm - Lunch ($) at Adana (Hasan Kolcuoglu)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:00 pm - Drive to Antakya</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:00 pm - Arrive at Hotel in Antakya for dinner and free evening </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2 nights in Antakya at Buyuk Antakya Hotel.)</span></b>
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<a href="http://www.buyukantakyaoteli.com/eng/defaulteng.asp">http://www.buyukantakyaoteli.com/eng/defaulteng.asp</a>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-60859558461405037592012-02-26T23:13:00.000-08:002012-02-26T22:42:56.036-08:00Day 12 - Full Day in Antakya<b><i><u>Friday, April 20, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:30 am - Breakfast</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:30 am - Depart from the hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:00 am - Visit St. Peter's Grotto (and rock carving of Chiron)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10:00 am - Visit the Mosaic Museum</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:00 am - Mass at the Catholic Church; talk by Fr. Domenico</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:30 pm - Lunch ($)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Time for Friday prayer.)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:00 pm - Drive to Seleucia Pieria</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:00 pm - Visit the Tunnel of Vespasian, Necropolis and the beach</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:00 pm - Visit the Alevi Shrine</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:00 pm - Back at Hotel for dinner and free evening</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-54004861834072512872012-02-26T23:12:00.000-08:002012-03-12T14:20:28.534-07:00Day 13 - Antakya to Cappadocia<b><i><u>Saturday, April 21, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 am - Breakfast at hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 am - Drive from Antakya to Pozantı (Taurus Mountains)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:30 pm - Lunch ($) at Pozanti</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:30 pm - Drive to Eski Gumus Monastery.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:20 pm - Visit the Monastery.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:00 pm - Drive to Kaymakli, visit underground city</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:00 pm - Arrive at Hotel, Dinner</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2 nights in Cappadocia at the Dinler-Nevsehir Hotel.)</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<a href="http://nevsehir.dinler.com/">http://nevsehir.dinler.com/</a>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-42456811712423145442012-02-26T23:11:00.000-08:002012-03-12T14:20:38.514-07:00Day 14 - Full Day in Cappadocia<b><i><u>Sunday, April 22, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 am - Breakfast at hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 am - Depart hotel for the day in Cappadocia </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:30 am - Turkish rug and kilim cooperative, tour and demonstration</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:30 am - Mass at historic Cave Church at Gamirasu, followed by lunch (included) at the Hotel/Restaurant there</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:00 pm - Scenic and historic drive (including Goreme) back to Avanos</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:30 pm.-4:00pm.-Goreme Valley for the Churches.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4:30 pm - Chez Galip Pottery in Avanos</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:00 pm Return to Hotel to relax a little before dinner</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Go to bed early for Balloon Ride tomorrow morning)</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-81992065891742118802012-02-26T23:10:00.000-08:002012-03-12T14:28:03.101-07:00Day 15 - Cappadocia via Hattusas to Ankara<b><i><u>Monday, April 23, 2012</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:50 am - Optional Balloon ride ($ -- approx. $200) (Weather permitting.)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:30 am - Drive to Hattusas</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:30 pm – Lunch ($) and tour Yazılıkaya/Hattuşaş</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:30 - 6:00 pm Drive to Ankara</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:00 pm – check in to Hotel for dinner</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(One night at Ickale Hotel.)</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="http://www.hotelickale.com/Hotel-Ickale.aspx?Language=en-GB">http://www.hotelickale.com/Hotel-Ickale.aspx?Language=en-GB</a></i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-41624030291498052192012-02-26T23:09:00.000-08:002012-03-12T14:27:33.384-07:00Day 16 - Ankara to Bursa<b><i><u>Tuesday, April 24, 2012</u></i></b><br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 am - Breakfast at Hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:00 am – Museum of Anatolian Civilizations</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:00 am – Leave for Bursa. Lunch ($) and visit King Midas tomb on the way</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:00 pm -- arrive at Hotel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(One night at Kervansaray Thermal Hotel)</span></b>
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<a href="http://www.kervansarayhotels.com.tr/hotels.asp?hotelID=7&hotel=Kervansaray-Termal---Convention-Center-&-SPA">http://www.kervansarayhotels.com.tr/hotels.asp?hotelID=7&hotel=Kervansaray-Termal---Convention-Center-&-SPA</a>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054134399690182222.post-46820344636399847242012-02-26T23:08:00.000-08:002012-02-26T22:40:26.981-08:00Day 17 - Bursa via Iznik to Istanbul<b><i><u>Wednesday, April 25, 2012</u></i></b><br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8789554024115205"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 Leave Hotel; Tour Bursa</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12:00 am - leave Bursa</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:00 pm - lunch ($) in Iznik (Çamlık Restaurant), and tour</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:30 pm - Drive to Istanbul, stopping at Lake Sapanca on the way</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00 pm - Arrive at Hotel for dinner and evening</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(3 nights in Istanbul at the Madison Hotel until official end of Pilgrimage)</span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Thomas Welbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10106003559899467898noreply@blogger.com0