Join Ferrell Jenkins on his

Ancient Crossroads

Tour of Biblical and Historical Turkey

May 22 - June 4, 2007

Our 69th Foreign Tour

Unique! Exciting! Amazing! Those are the words to describe this tour. We've only offered this tour once before, in 1987. I have made a personal research visit to some of the area since that time. This will be an especially good tour for those who have already visited Western (Aegean) Turkey, the area of the Seven Churches of Revelation, or who plan to do so in the future. Turkey is an undiscovered jewel for travelers. Those who have traveled to this country simply can't believe the fabulous historical ruins which are totally unknown to many people.

Our Ancient Crossroads tour of Turkey is so named because many ancient civilizations made their home in the country, and many others traversed the land in their military and economic pursuits. Sites in Turkey associated with Paul's first missionary journey will be visited.

We Will Visit…

• Ankara. The capital of the modern Turkish Republic since 1923. In Roman times the city was known as Ancyra. Visits include the Temple of Augustus and the priceless collection of Hittite artifacts in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
• Hittite Region. Full day excursion to the Hittite sites of Hattusas (now Bogazkale) and the open air sanctuary of Yazilikaya where the Hittite gods are depicted in relief on the rock.During Old Testament days Turkey was the home of the ancient Hittites, once thought by critics of the Bible to be an example of the inaccuracy of the Bible. In 1906 archaeologists began to uncover the Hittite civilization at Boghazkoy (now Bogazkale). The Hittites had numerous contacts with the people of the Bible from the time of Abraham onward (Gen. 15:20; Josh. 1:4; 2 Sam. 11:3; 1 Kings 10:29; See National Geographic, July, 1977).
• Cappadocia. Peter's letters were addressed to Christians living in Cappadocia (1 Pet. 1:1).
  • The region is described this way: "Most of this part of Cappadocia is covered with a deep layer of tufa, a soft stone of solidified mud, ash and lava which once poured down from the now extinct volcanoes on Hasan Dagi and Ericiyes Dagi, the two great mountain peaks of Cappadocia. In the eons since then the rivers of the region have scoured canyons, gorges, valleys and gulleys through the soft and porous stone, and the elements have eroded it into fantastic crags, folds, turrets, pyramids, spires, needles, stalagmites, and cones, creating a vast outdoor display of stone sculptures in an incredible variety of shapes and colours" (John Freely, The Companion Guide to Turkey, 238).
  • Cappadocians were present in Jerusalem on Pentecost (Acts 2:9).
  • In the centuries after New Testament times many Christians settled in this volcanic region of perhaps 50,000 cones. Hundreds of churches and numerous villages (e.g., Urgup and Goreme) were cut into these strange looking formations. Some apartment buildings are as much as 16 stories high.
  • Subterranean cities (e.g., Kaymakli and Derinkuyu) extend downward to a depth of 8 to 10 levels. (See National Geographic, Jan., 1958; July, 1970).
  • Full day visit of the lunar-like Cappadocian countryside.
  • Visit the village of Ortahisar and underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu.
• Paul's First Journey. We will visit all of the sites associated with Paul's first journey located in Turkey. Highlights include the following:
  • Syrian Antioch (Antakya) where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3; 14:26-28; 15:1-41; 18:22-23; Gal. 2). Peter also visited Antioch.
  • Seleucia (Samandag). This is the port from which Barnabas and Saul sailed on the first journey.
  • Tarsus in Cilicia. Paul described his home town as "no insignificant city" (Acts 21:39; 9:11; 22:3).
  • Cilician Gates. This is the famous pass through which Paul and Silas likely traveled on the second tour.
  • Derbe and Lystra. Derbe and Lystra were cities of Lycaonia (Acts 14:20-21; 16:1; 20:4). These cities, along with Iconium, were located in the province of Galatia. One of Paul's earliest letters (Galatians) was addressed to these churches. Lystra was the home of Lois, Eunice, and young Timothy (Acts 16:1-4).
  • Pisidian Antioch. This is where Paul presented a lesson summarizing the history of the Jewish nation, especially as it relates to the Messianic promise (Acts 13).
  • Pamphylian coast. Visit Attalia (Antalya) and Perga. Attalia served as the port of entry from Egypt and Syria to the interior of Asia. Paul sailed from here back to Antioch (Acts 14:25). John Mark turned back from Perga (Acts 13:13-14; 15:37-39).
• Catalhoyuk. The ruins at this fascinating Neolithic site are said to preserve a civilization dating back to about 8000 B.C.
• Istanbul. A full day of sightseeing includes a boat ride on the Bosphorus, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica of St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. We will visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum which houses numerous discoveries of biblical interest.

You will return home with the realization that we have traversed the territory of the ancient rulers and civilizations. This is where Paul and Peter, two great apostles of Christ, labored. The book of Acts, Paul's epistle to the Galatians, and the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter will take on renewed meaning for us.

What Is Included?

Our Ancient Crossroads Tour of Biblical and Historical Turkey includes air transportation from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on Lufthansa, superior first class hotels, buffet breakfast and dinner daily, private motor coach, comprehensive sightseeing with an English speaking guide, admissions, porterage, etc.

What is the Cost?

We are able to offer this excellent tour for $3250.00 per person — based on double occupancy and 20 or more tour members. Single supplement for anindividual desiring a single room is $480 (based on availability). Airport taxes and security fees amount to $300 and tips are $120. The Turkish visa which each person will pay for upon arrival is currently $20. A deposit of $350.00 will reserve a place for you. This is really a high quality tour. Early reservation is a must!

Is This a Good Time to Visit Turkey?

Our tour is scheduled for depature on May 22. This takes advantage of air fares that increase shortly thereafter. And the weather is good at that time. The average maximum temperatures ranges from about 70° and 80° in the higher terrain of central Turkey (Ankara, Cappadocia). Along the Mediterranean coast (Adana, Antakya, Antalya) the maximum temperature averages from 78° to 89°. Rainfall averages less than 2" a month in May, and a little more than 1" a month in June.

Early Reservation a Must

The detailed brochure will be ready in a few weeks. We are now ready to receive reservation deposits from those who wish to join us for the trip. We anticipate that the tour will be filled before the brochure is ready for distribution and we urge you not to wait if you want to join this tour. The complete brochure will include cancellation policies. At this point I must state that there will be an administrative cancellation fee of $50 per person for any person cancelling at any time after making a deposit. Other graduated cancellation requirements begin 95 days prior to the departure date.

Tell Us Now if You Wish to Join the Tour

It's Easy to Contact Us:

Ferrell Jenkins
9211 Hollyridge Place
Tampa, FL 33637-4921
Phone: 813 988-8485
Fax: 786 513-0650

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Would You Like to See Some Photos of the Places We Will Visit?

My photos in this area were made before the days of digital photography. If you would like to see some really good photographs I suggest you take a look at Dick Osseman's Turkey Pictures at PBase. Also check Helen Betts's Wonders of Turkey's Cappadocia for some wonderful photos. For photos specifically related to Paul's First Journey visit Holy Land Photos for photos by Dr. Carl Rasmussen. In the Keyword Search box enter Paul first journey. Todd Bolen has some photos at BiblePlaces.com of Pisidian Antioch, Derbe and Lystra, and Tarsus.

Visit our Biblical Studies Info Page.
Visit our  BibleWorld page. Here you will find a list of National Geographic articles on Bible Lands.

© 2006 Ferrell Jenkins