Bidwell Presbyterian Church presents:

Paul’s FINAL JOURNEY A Tour of Sicily and Southern Italy, with Rome & Florence Hosted by Dr. Robert W. Donoho 14 Days: Feb. 23 – Mar. 8, 2017

San Francisco (SFO) Round Trip

Dear Fellow Travelers, In previous tours we’ve traced the journeys of Paul across Asia Minor with extensive touring in modern Turkey and Greece. This tour retraces the final steps of his last journey from Sicily to Rome. As a bonus we will also visit wonderful Florence, the Renaissance City. At the end of this journey you will have a deeper understanding of your early Christian roots in Italy and its powerful influence on Western Civilization. Day by day we will visit authentic historical sites where Paul spread the gospel of grace. The narrative of Acts 28 and Paul’s letters will come to life in your mind when you are literally “on location.” We will tour from Palermo, Sicily, to Agrigento, Syracuse, Messina and Pozzuoli, the port where Paul landed on his final fateful journey to Rome. We will also experience Pompeii, Sorrento and the beautiful Amalfi Coast. So take a few moments to look over the unique daily itinerary and the tour conditions carefully. You will notice that group travel includes values not available to individual travelers. Airfares, accommodations, meals, transfers, entrance fees, expert guides and onsite Bible instruction along with preparation materials are all included in the price of the tour. Your experience will be inspirational, educational and relationally fulfilling. In addition, the Group will have pre-trip educational gatherings that will provide an orientation to the land, culture and sites that we will experience during our travels. Your early return of the registration form with your signature and deposit right away help assure the quick confirmation of your space. Welcome!

Dr. Robert W. Donoho For Further information: Dr. Robert W. Donoho 428 Paseo Companeros Chico, CA 95928 (530) 895-8090 E-mail: [email protected]

Travel Costs – San Francisco (SFO) r.t. $4495 – 20 or more persons Prices will be adjusted for total group size fewer than 20 persons. Prices are on per person, double occupancy. PRICE INCLUDES: Estimated group airfare round trip from SFO (non-refundable), 4 star hotels, twin bedded (dbl. occ.), daily breakfast & ten dinners, English-speaking guides, overseas transfers and entrance fees, airline fees, taxes and fuel surcharges (subject to change). PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Daily lunches, one dinner, beverages other than tea and coffee with breakfasts, requested personal services. SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: $550. PRICE ADJUSTMENTS: The prices listed are based on estimated airfares. Once airfares are confirmed the prices may be adjusted.

Tour Itinerary Day 1 – Thu, 23 Feb: SAN FRANCISCO DEPARTURE Arrive at SFO at least 3.5 hours before departure for international check-in and security procedures for your nonstop flight to London. Day 2 – Fri, 24 Feb: ARRIVE ROME Change aircraft at London and continue to Italy. Arrive Rome this afternoon, anticipating a deeper understanding of your early Christian roots in Italy and its powerful influence on Western Civilization. Meet your escort and driver and transfer to your hotel for dinner and lodging. Day 3 – Sat, 25 Feb: ROME / VATICAN / ROME SQUARES and FOUNTAINS Begin with the Vatican Museums, including the famed Sistine Chapel which houses one of the greatest masterpieces of art,the Genesis and the Last Judgment by Michelangelo. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica to view Michelangelo’s famed Pieta, and much more. After free time for lunch begin a walking tour of the most famous fountains and squares of Rome: Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Return to your hotel for dinner and lodging. Day 4 – Sun, 26 Feb: ROME / PALERMO / AGRIGENTO Transfer to the airport for the flight from Rome to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Depart immediately for Agrigento (3-hour drive). Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean world. Visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check in to your Agrigento hotel for dinner and lodging. Day 5 – Mon, 27 Feb: AGRIGENTO / SYRACUSE Depart for Syracuse (3-hour drive). Around the year 59 Paul visited Syracuse where he preached - probably in the place where the paleo-Christian Church of Saint John was built. Whatever was said was expressed in Greek, the vernacular of Roman Sicily (where Latin was a second language). It is possible that a few Jews came to hear Paul talk, as there was a Jewish community at Syracuse. There was no subsequent "Letter of Paul to the Syracusans." However, there is no doubt that it was Paul who brought Christianity to Sicily, even though his stay in Syracuse lasted only three days before he departed for Reggio Calabria, Pozzuoli (near Naples) and then Rome. Here we visit the Isola Ortigia, or Citta Vecchia, the historical city center of Syracuse, the Duomo and the catacombs. Check in to your Syracuse hotel for dinner and lodging. Day 6 – Tue, 28 Feb: SYRACUSE / CATANIA / GIARDINI NAXOS / TAORMINA / MESSINA Depart for Catania for a short panoramic tour. Proceed to Giardini Naxos and on to Taormina where you will visit the Greek Theater, one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily because of its remarkable preservation and its beautiful location. Continue to Messina for dinner. Board the Night Ferry to Salerno. Overnight and breakfast are on board. Day 7 – Wed, 1 Mar: SOLERNO / POZZUOLI / POMPEII / SORRENTO Disembark the Ferry in Salerno at 11 AM. Drive to Pozzuoli, the starting point for retracing the footsteps of Paul on the mainland on his final journey to Rome. Paul and the party accompanying him stopped at Puteoli en route to Rome: “From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome” (Acts 28:13-14). Known today as Pozzuoli, Puteoli was the main harbor for the Roman Empire. View the third largest Flavian Amphitheater in Italy before visiting the port area to see the church and plaque commemorating Apostle Paul. One may envision Paul’s ‘brothers’ coming out to meet him at this very spot. Proceed to the Forum area to view the ancient Macellum, or market place. This site serves as a first step in understanding the context of the Roman Empire as Paul experienced it. Note the way Rome branded its cities with easily recognizable symbols, symbols that Paul evoked in his teaching of Christ. Depart for Pompeii where we will have a guided visit of the archeological ruins of this fascinating city that lay buried in ash for 1,700 years by Vesuvius, which looms nearby. Continue to Sorrento, a town overlooking the Bay of Naples, for dinner and lodging. Day 8 – Thu, 2 Mar: AMALFI COAST Head south from Sorrento towards the Amalfi Coast. This is one of the most scenic coastal drives in Europe and this coastline is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with superb vistas over the bay of Naples and Capri. Pass Positano, which boasts a dramatic landscape with pastel colored houses cascading down the mountain and Praiano, another village with houses clinging to cliffs, before you reach Amalfi. Visit the magnificent 9th Century cathedral and enjoy free time to wander the narrow meandering streets and browse the many shops and coffee houses. Return to Sorrento. Time allowing, you may want to take an Italian ‘passaggiata’ (stroll) before dinner perhaps stopping at Sorrento’s famous Tasso Square, to sip a coffee or browse the inlaid woodwork shops traditional to the area. Return to Sorrento for dinner and lodging. Day 9 – Fri, 3 Mar: SORRENTO / NAPLES / MINTURNO / FORO APPIO Depart Sorrento for Naples and a guided visit of the Naples National Museum to marvel at the astounding array of intact artifacts retrieved from Pompei and Herculanum. Proceed north to Minturno, a well-preserved Roman village located on The Appian Way. In the 1st century BC Minturnae was a flourishing city provided with a Capitolium (temple dedicated to the triad of Jupiter, Juno and

Minerva), a forum and a theatre. During the Imperial era a new forum was built, surrounded by public buildings such as a Basilica, thermal baths, an amphitheater and a macellum (market). Today there are still significant Roman remains scattered on both sides of the Appian Way. Breifly experience the ruins and walk on the Appian Way as Paul would have. Continue north towards Rome, passing by the coastal towns of Gaeta and Terracina before arriving at Foro Appio. “The brothers there had heard that we were coming and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us.” Lodging this evening is at “Mansio Hotel,” a historical building in the same place as the ancient Roman “posta” along the Appian Way. Dine on authentic foods similar to what they would have dined on back in the day. Day 10 – Sat, 4 Mar: FORO APPIO / ROME Depart Foro Appio early morning for Rome. Enter the eternal city by a panoramic route via the majestic Palatine Hill, home to the legendary Romulus and Remus and many affluent ancient Romans. Gaze upon the Circus Maximus, site of the ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium. On the other side, view the Aventine Hill, site of the Church of Santa Prisca, or Priscilla, who Paul described as a fellow “worker in Christ Jesus.” Continue to the Insula di San Paolo alla Regola, which evidence suggests is in the most probable place for Paul’s first visit and house arrest in about 62 CE. Recent archaeological excavations in this area yielded evidence of stores of grain (horreum). A second-century document references the early belief that "Paul took a rented horreum” where he could likely invite, teach and comfort the small but growing Christian community. Continue to the very heart of Ancient Rome to see Trajan’s Column, a jewel of architecture, and the Roman Forum with its Arch of Titus, significant to Christians for its depiction of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. View the Mamertime Prison where Paul and Peter were imprisoned in chains awaiting execution at Nero’s orders. Capitoline Hill (once the political and religious center) will impress with its Piazza del Campidoglio, the magnificent project by Michelangelo. Exit the Forum to view the Arch of Constantine. Proceed to the Colosseum, regarded as a lasting symbol of Rome’s greatness and of the persection of Christians. Continue to your Rome hotel for dinner and lodging Day 11 – Sun, 5 Mar: ROME / FLORENCE / ROME Depart on Italy’s famed Frecciarossa (fast train) for Florence. Upon arrival begin to discover why Florence is called the cradle of the Renaissance — where one breathes art in the medieval streets and in the Renaissance Palaces. Here the memories of the Medici family are united with the splendor of the works of illustrious artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli. After free time for lunch enjoy a guided walking tour to include a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (inside), Giotto’s Bell Tower (outside) the Baptistry of St. John (outside) which is the religious historic jewel of the city with its “Gates of Paradise” bronze door, Piazza della Signoria where you will see a famed copy of Michelangelo’s David situated on its original site, and the famous Ponte Vecchio covered bridge--a must for Florence’s handcrafted gold jewelry. Time permitting, enjoy a bit of personal exploration or shopping before taking the train back to Rome for dinner and lodging. Day 12 – Mon, 6 Mar: ROME Visit St. John in Lateran, the oldest of the four major basilicas of Rome and the one which has precedence as it is the ecclesiastical seat and cathedral of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). This church was built on property donated by Constantine. Its famous baptistery was the first structure expressly built as a baptistery and provided a widely followed model for future baptisteries. Across from St. John’s, we will view the Scala Santa, the Holy Stairs that Christ walked up to meet Pontius Pilate in his praetorium. Queen Helena is reported to have brought them back from Jerusalem in the 4th Century. For centuries, the Scala Santa has attracted Christian pilgrims who wish to honor the Passion of Jesus. Martin Luther allegedly climbed these steps on his knees in 1512 and, according to his son, kept hearing Paul’s words in Romans reverberate over and over in his mind influencing his work towards the reformation: “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Continue to the Abbey of the Three Fountains - the place of Paul’s martyrdom, so named because it is said that upon execution his head bounced three times, creating a spring of water in each spot. Proceed to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Paul’s final resting place. After a break for lunch depart towards the Appian Way to visit to one of Rome’s famous catacombs, vast layers of passageways (adorned with some of the earliest Christian art) that served as burial sites for the early Christians who strove to maintain their beliefs in the hostile environment that persecuted and martyred them for their faith. Like Paul, they too kept the faith under insurmountable odds. Return to your hotel for dinner and lodging. Day 13 – Tue, 7 Mar: ROME Today is at leisure for personal exploration, shopping, or rest. Optional tours are available through your hotel and other suppliers. Dinner is not included this evening. Day 14 – Wed, 8 Mar: ROME DEPARTURE FOR SAN FRANCISCO Transfer to the airport for the flight to London, connecting to San Francisco. Say, "arreviderci Roma," while enjoying wonderful memories of exploring Italy and learning more of Paul. Arrive at SFO this evening.

REQUESTED HOTELS: ROME: Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio AGRIGENTO: Colleverde Park Hotel SIRACUSA: Parco delle Fontane MESSINA – SALERNO: Ferry Boat SORRENTO: Grand Hotel Flora, FORO APPIO, Foro Appio Mansio Hotel

Tour Conditions 1. DEPOSITS: Registrations require a signed and dated IGM form and a $500 deposit per person. Late Deposit fees are: $50 for less than 100 days and $150 for less than 60 days (after invoice period) before departure. Late registrations risk airspace not being confirmed. 2. FINAL PAYMENTS: Final payments must be received 60 days prior to departure. Payments received later will be assessed $50 per person and must be paid by a Cashier's Check or Money Order. If final payment is not received by 40 days prior to departure, the participant's tour space will be canceled and the deposit forfeited. 3. DEPOSITS & FINAL PAYMENTS: Payable to IGM TOURS. 4. CREDIT CARDS: VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards may be used for deposits and Final Payments. A $75 surcharge applies for American Express Final Payments.

15. NO SMOKING POLICY: Smoking is not permitted on coaches or flights. 16. ITINERARY CHANGES: The itinerary has been planned under the direction of your tour leader. It is possible that the daily itinerary may be adjusted by unforeseen circumstances. 17. PRICING FLUCTUATIONS: Tour prices are based upon current estimated airfares, taxes, tariffs, agreements, and exchange rates in effect at the time of brochure production, October 2016. These factors are outside the control of IGM, and will be defined by IGM at least 60 days before departure. If the fuel surcharges increase anytime prior to ticketing (30 days prior to departure) you will be assessed. 18. DEVIATIONS/CHANGES: Deviations/changes must be requested in writing to IGM ($50 per person plus airline fees) at least 90 days before departure and are subject to airline regulations. Requests less than 90 days are not accepted. 19. REFUNDS: Refunds are made only per the guidelines listed below.

5. FINAL DOCUMENTS: Final tour documents (including airline tickets and any itinerary adjustments) will be available one week before departure to facilitate any last minute changes.

20. TRAVEL INSURANCE: IGM strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance for protection of one's tour and luggage investments. Coverage may commence from the day of tour deposit throughout the tour duration.

6. TOUR CANCELLATIONS: Written cancellations must be sent directly to IGM TOURS. Cancellations (for any reason whatsoever) are subject to an IGM $50 administrative fee and applicable nonrefundable air and hotel deposits, to be determined. Your tour leader will inform you when hotel and airfare deposits have been submitted to service providers. 90 days prior: an additional $100 per person plus $150 airline fees and applicable cruise penalties. 40 days prior: the full tour price is charged. There are no refunds for international tickets once issued!

21. TOUR OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITY: IGM TOURS, Inc., herein and hereafter referred to as IGM and/or its agents, act only in the capacity as a broker agent for the passenger in all matters connected with hotel lodging, sightseeing, tours and transportation, whether by air, rail, motorcoach, boat, or any other means and as an agent holds itself free of responsibility for any damage or expense resulting from any cause whatsoever. IGM is a bonded wholesale travel broker, which complies with California's "Seller of Travel State Law": CST#2018950-50. IGM and/or its agents will not be responsible for any damage or expenses or inconvenience caused by late registrations, late airplanes, trains, boats, or changes in any of their schedules due to strikes or any other reason whatsoever. IGM operates 9:00am –5:00pm weekdays excluding holidays. IGM will not be responsible for the loss or damage to luggage or any passenger's personal belongings. IGM recommends the purchase of Travel Insurance to cover such events. IGM reserves the right to refuse any person as a tour member at any time before or during the actual tour. IGM reserves the right to cancel, change, or withdraw the tour in whole or in part at any time. The sole obligation of IGM is to refund payments received in connection herewith if not acceptable by tour members. Refunds for canceled airfares and services abroad for any reason will be made only after having been received from the airlines, hotels, or companies performing these services, less any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the operation resulting from those cancellations and will follow the guidelines herein contained for cancellations. Requests for any refund due to absence from the itineraries abroad must be submitted to IGM in writing not less than 60 days prior to departure and are subject to agreements with overseas Operators. Any dispute arising out of these tours will be settled in the courts of the City of Hayward, CA.

7. AIR TRANSPORTATION: IATAN group economy airfares (10 persons flying the same route) are non-refundable and issued about 40 days prior to departure. Tickets do not permit changes in names, cities, or dates without penalty. Airfares are subject to change until ticketed. Bonus and discount coupons are not applicable. 8. HOTELS: Prices are based on 4 star hotel rooms (twin bedded, dbl. occ.). If changed, similarly priced hotels are used. Single room occupants (for any reason) must pay single room surcharge. 9. MEALS: Daily breakfasts & table d'hote dinners. Coffee/tea are only included with breakfasts. 10. GROUP TRANSFERS & ENTRANCE FEES: Overseas group transfers and entrance fees are included. Individual transfers are not included for those who deviate from tour itineraries. 11. GUIDES: English-speaking guides are provided. 12. PORTERAGE: Overseas porterage of 1 suitcase is included. The fee for additional suitcases/flight bags is $1 per hotel. 13. LUGGAGE: Group touring is limited to one normal size suitcase (not to exceed 50 lbs), one camera case, and one flight bag. 14. PASSPORTS & VISAS: Each participant is responsible for a valid passport with 6 months validity for USA return, and must send to IGM a legible copy (do not fax). Data is required 60 days prior to departure. A Turkey visa is required on this tour for U.S. passports and must be purchased on-line by each tour participant prior to travel. Other than U.S. passports must advise IGM at the time of registration.

22. AIRLINE RESPONSIBILITY: The participating airlines are responsible only for the air travel portion of this tour performed for it on behalf of tour participants in accordance with the terms and conditions of their individual passage contracts and subject to the applicable laws, treaties and regulations governing air transportation. Tour services, including but not limited to carriage by land or sea, guide services, hotel accommodations, restaurants and all services other than carriage by air, are furnished by contractors who are independent and do not act for or on behalf of the above airline and the above airline shall not be responsible for any act, omission or event occurring prior to the tour participants embarkation upon or after his/her disembarkation from the aircraft. The usual passage contract by the airline when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the tour participants and in purchasing a passage contract as part of this tour, the tour participant acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions. The above airline is not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board its aircraft.

Registration Form Group: Donoho – Feb. 23, 2017 Name:________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Gender and names as printed on passport!) Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State & Zip:______________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone (area code):______________________________________________________________________________________________ E-mail:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Citizenship:___________________________________________________________________________________________________ (country issuing passport) Passport #: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Mail a copy of passport to IGM, do not fax.) Departure City: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Roommate:____________________________________________________________________________________________________ (singles must pay surcharge!)

_______ I request single room lodging. ($550 surcharge) I have carefully read the brochure and Tour Conditions and agree to these terms and conditions as a binding contract when my registration and deposit are received by IGM TOURS. Enclosed is my deposit of $________ ($500 per person).

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature Date Mail deposit to: IGM TOURS P. O. Box 20488 Castro Valley, CA 94546 PH: (510) 727-0380 / FAX: (510) 538-8777 E-mail: [email protected] VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards are accepted. Please call IGM TOURS one week after you mail your registration form. American Express charges are subject to a $75 surcharge if used for the Final Payment.

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