We had an incredible time traveling and learning in the Bible lands. I could tell our team had a lot to process in a really great way. Also, the food is just incredible. I especially loved how well our team meshed with each other.

Perfect trip and timing! Leaned more than I ever imagined and made lasting relationships. Will read the Bible differently and appreciate so much more about the history of Christianity

I highly recommend Biblical Expeditions’ tour of Turkey. On the first day, instructor Marc provided insight that changed the way I read New Testament books even before we left to tour Istanbul. He built on that foundation throughout the trip with context missing from typical Bible studies. Guide Emre’s local knowledge first became a reliable source to engage with the sites and non-English speaking contacts, then his humor and pleasant disposition made him a trusted friend. Between the two of them, the nascent church in Asia Minor came alive amidst the ancient ruins. Also, things not listed in the itinerary made my highlight list. Registration/Payment 1. When I made my deposit, the site stated that I was late for the first payment, so I included it. I found out later that the first payment was not due until later. It would have helped to know I could have deferred the first payment until a later time. 2. I made arrangements for private airport transport to the hotel. I received an e-mail receipt for the amount, but had not paid yet, and the website did not indicate any outstanding balance. I found out on a later login that I had an outstanding balance plus the credit card service fee. It would have helped for an e-mail indicating payment due, rather than a receipt. 3. The website was easy to use. Pre-travel Contact information for the greeting agent of the private transportation company prior to departure is necessary. I went to the meeting location, but with dozens of greeters, hundreds of travelers, and no one with a sign with my name, I could not identify the greeter. Only the persistence of a fellow traveler making multiple requests to the transportation company for contact information prior to departure, then her sharing that information with me after I landed, enabled me to call and meet the greeter. Accommodations Very Good: Innova Hotel Istanbul (May 26–28): satisfactory room with waterfront view, good location for walking tour, beautiful rooftop dining view; Very Good: Parion Hotel (May 28–29): satisfactory room, good view from dining room; Excellent: Grand Temizel Hotel (May 29–30): satisfactory room with excellent beachfront view, would have more facility use if scheduled for a multiple-night stay; Very Good: Mövenpick Hotel Izmir (May 30–31): satisfactory room, weak air conditioning, good location on the waterfront; Excellent: Colossae Thermal Hotel (May 31–June 2): satisfactory room, great thermal spa and pools, multiple-night stay permitted extended use of facilities; Excellent: Korumar Hotel De Luxe (June 2–5): best of the tour, large room, excellent beachfront balcony view, Aegean Sea swimming, large pool, multiple-night stay permitted extended use of facilities

The entire trip was a huge success. Everything ran as expected, and the quantity and quality of learning were top-notch. Every accommodation was well thought out, and the guides were excellent. I am looking forward to my next experience with Biblical Expeditions

As far as the company is concerned, you did a great job. It probably would have helped to get a sense of how it would be different from Greece (the number of tour guides as opposed to just one), but the biggest difficulty came from how spiritually heavy (to use somewhat mystical language) Rome felt—and that is not your fault. I just wish I had recognized it in time to approach it differently. I would recommend not using Jan again, though. He was our guide through Rome, and he was knowledgeable but spoke way out of turn to a female professor who was on the trip but not leading it. I don’t know if there was confusion for him over who was in charge, but it still wasn’t okay for him to talk to her like that.