This study tour has been prepared at the request of the BRI, but is in no way responsibility of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The assistance of the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary (IATS) was requested to craft the tour route and provide scholarly information that will be delivered at the sites as an option for participants. The purpose of the tour is to connect the sites that will be visited to the cultural and political history that has played in them as they relate to biblical prophecy. The Great Controversy theme will serve as a frame of reference for the events that will be highlighted during the tour.

All the economic arrangements are organized by Gospel Travel, a family of Seventh-day Adventists who see as their ministry to offer tours related to the world of the Bible. The IATS or its administrators are not connected to the financial arrangements of for this tour, the cost has been tailored to be minimal in order to be accessible for scholars from places with challenging economies.

1 June 21 (Th): Rome

Some people will join the tour for the first time, so we will give a summarized version of what is Rome. First we visit the Coliseum, built with the slaves and spoils of war from the destruction of Jerusalem. After solemn time there, were the laughs of many echoed in barbaric spectacles, we walk to the Palatine Hill.

At the hill, we will see the same picture that brought tears to the eyes of Jesus. The Arch of Titus presents the scene that Jesus saw prophetically at the mount of Olives. We will see the remains of temples and shrines, we will also enter to the Curia. We take the picture in front of the Mamertine jail to remember the martyrized apostles. We will see the area where the Roman Circus once stood and visit the the Pantheon.

2 June 22 (Fr): Rome

We will visit the Vatican City, the Castel Sant’Angelo and then the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian in the Via Appia (the Conference will visit Saint Calixtus).

3 June 23 (Sat): Ostia Antica

This morning we shall worship together. There is need for quiet time with the Lord and worship together.

After lunch, we depart Rome and travel to Ostia Antica (an hour drive). This was the harbor of ancient Rome, and most likely where Paul arrived to Italy. This site is very important for the study of early Christianity because there are remains of the main worship traditions during the first centuries. At the museum there are remains of shrine or sanctuary to Aesculapius (remember Paul preaching about body parts in Corinth—if you have visited Pergamum, you have an idea of the functions of the temple-hospital). Remains of Greek and Roman gods are all over the place. There is also a Mithraerum, sanctuary for Mithras that gives you a window to one most important competing cults with Christianity in the first centuries AD. We will also visit the site where there are remains of an ancient synagogue remain.

We will travel to Naples and be transferred to the Sorrento hotel and enjoy our dinner and overnight.

4 June 24 (Sun): Pompeii and Herculaneum

If you have visited before the Palatine Hill in Rome, perhaps you have in your mind the picture of the victorious Roman legionaries sacking the Temple of Jerusalem from the Arch of Titus. Nevertheless, now you will see some less known details of the story. The same legionaries were stationed in Pompeii nine years after (AD 79). That same army suffered the wrath of mount Vesuvius and the city was destroyed.

In the morning we will tour Pompeii as our guide takes us on an archeological journey through the ancient city. Buried under a layer of ashes and pyroclastic flow by a sudden eruption of Vesuvius in 79 BC, after more than 1900 years, the excavations have brought to light Pompeii. This town whose daily life of the Imperial Age has been petrified, as if under a spell, in its gestures, secrets and in the panic felt by its inhabitants during their last moments.

Visiting the “frozen city” would create a feeling similar to that experienced by the early Christians when they walked through similar streets from the Roman period. After lunch, we will visit Herculaneum and the local Museum with remains from Pompeii.

This morning we take a hydrofoil to the beautiful isle of Capri. Capri, the Island of Dreams, has always enchanted visitors with the incomparable beauty of its rugged landscape, the mildness of its climate and the luxuriance of its vegetation. Our sightseeing of the island will include spectacular limestone cliffs, torn and eroded away into fantastic forms and we’ll have time for a visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting & calm seas). This afternoon we’ll enjoy some touring along the Amalfi Coast before returning to our hotel.

Two important emperors for biblical history built remarkable constructions in Capri, Augustus and Tiberius. The landscape will transport modern visitors to some of the sights that the first missionaries saw as they traveled trough the islands of the Mediterranean.

5 June 25 (Mon): Isle of Capri & Amalfi Coast

This morning we take a hydrofoil to the beautiful isle of Capri. Capri, the Island of Dreams, has always enchanted visitors with the incomparable beauty of its rugged landscape, the mildness of its climate and the luxuriance of its vegetation. Our sightseeing of the island will include spectacular limestone cliffs, torn and eroded away into fantastic forms and we’ll have time for a visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting & calm seas). This afternoon we’ll enjoy some touring along the Amalfi Coast before returning to our hotel.

Two important emperors for biblical history built remarkable constructions in Capri, Augustus and Tiberius. The landscape will transport modern visitors to some of the sights that the first missionaries saw as they traveled trough the islands of the Mediterranean.

6 June 26 (Tue): Beautiful Florence, Michelangelo’s David

The Imperial Church followed the simplicity of early Christianity, you have already seen a lot of it in Rome. Now you will see more of it and we can reflect on the changes that took place after the invasions of the barbaric tribes on the Italian peninsula.

Upon arrival in Florence (1 hour and half) we’ll enjoy a tour to include the Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistry and a visit to the Academia Galley, home of Michelangelo’s David. A stop will also be made on the hillside overlook across the river from Florence where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape. This afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy shopping, visiting more galleries or strolling on the famous Pont Vecchio, the old bridge which spans the Arno River.

7 June 27 (Wen): Pisa

We will discuss the history of the Crusades, sea shipping and economic interests with the East. This morning we depart Florence and travel to Pisa (one hour). We’ll have some time to view the Leaning Tower of Pisa before we head to Torre Pelice, the Waldensian Valleys.

8: June 28 (Th): Torre Pelice

This morning we depart early and explore the stunning Waldensian Valleys. The sights are breathtaking, the stories on caves and mounts are tragic and inspiring. We will visit some of the Waldensian churches still standing and meet Waldensian believers.

9: Home

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Thousand years of history have gone trough your eyes… you will need several weeks to process what you have experienced during these days. We hope that a serious study group can emerge from this tour. There are issues that deserve the attention of Adventist scholars, especially in the book of Daniel. The idea is to generate meaningful conversations based not only on what has been the consensus, but approaches that could be entertained among scholars in this kind of environment. Many hours in the bus will include dialogues, not just lectures or monologues. You can contribute to the study and conversation. Powerpoints and other materials will be shared among attendants.

The organizers of the tour reserve the right to select among the limited spaces available, this tour is not designed for the general public. On space availability, and previous commitment bases, some applications may be rejected. Please be in contact with Gospel travel for deadlines and other details.

Complete this reservation form and return it to wanda@gospeltravel.net

Destinations : ITALY Dates : 21/06/2018 - 29/06/2018 (8 nights)

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OPTION FOR ACCEPTANCE OF THE ABOVE OFFER: 30/06/2017

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