Welcome to JEMS Inspirational Tour to Greece and Italy

With optional day trip to Pompeii

October 15-29, 2018

Rev Sam Tonomura Rev Steve Langley

Dear Friends,

Come along with us on a fascinating journey visiting Greece and Italy. Places where the Apostle Paul did amazing missionary work sharing the Gospel and establishing Churches in Macedonia, Greece and Italy as he traveled on foot and by boat in the 1st Century.

The first half of the tour will be in Greece, visiting cities of Athens, Corinth, Philippi and Thessalonica with its ties to Biblical history. Viewing the ruins and remains of cities and reading Paul’s letters to believers in Corinth: I & II Corinthians; in Philippi: Philippians; in Thessalonica: I & II Thessalonians, will bring greater significance and impact of the early Christian Churches to us today.

The second half of the tour is in Italy, covering the final years of Apostle Paul’s life, and also the life of Peter, the “Rock”, the martyr for the sake of the Gospel. This time in Rome will help connect the Books of Romans and II Peter to our understanding of the first Christian Churches, a time when Gentiles were “grafted” in by God’s grace. Along with viewing ruins, we will also visit treasures representing the “Church’s role as the cradle of Christian artistic civilization in Rome”; the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and other sites. Additionally, we will make stops to Florence with its renowned art, culture and history. Our final stop will be in Venice with its reputation for classic architecture, narrow passageways, and the legendary Grand Canal. Venice is a city without cars and visitors travel by water or by foot. Completing the tour in Venice, we visit St. Mark’s Basilica and home of 13th century explorer, Marco Polo. Enjoy a boat ride as we see amazing architecture on this iconic waterway. Consider visiting the Murano glass-blowing factory in your free time.

Our tour is comprehensive including meals, travel tips, orientation and follow-up reunion sessions. During the tour we will have local step-on guides and team leaders. As your tour leader, along with our teaching pastor, we trust God for a most inspirational and meaningful travel adventure.

Come with us!

Sincerely yours, Rev. Sam Tonomura, Tour Leader Rev. Steve Langley, Tour Teacher

Tour Itinerary Day 1, Oct 15, Mon–Depart Los Angeles

Day 2, Oct 16, Tues–We arrive in Thessaloniki, the city where Paul was received by Jason. Paul was preaching the Word of God here until he was rushed out of the city. Our representative will meet us at the airport of Thessaloniki and transfer us to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3, Oct 17, Wed–Follow the route of the Via Egnatia and visit, like Paul and his companion, the area of Amphipolis, to see the famous funerary Lion of Amphipolis, and the site of Philippi. There, we visit the Baptistery of Lydia near the river where Paul baptized her. Lydia was the first convert of Paul on European soil and the conversion of the jailer followed. Also, visit the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, the Christian Basilicas, the “Prison of Paul” and the Theater. Drive to Kavala (Neapolis), a picturesque port and view the Byzantine Castle and the Roman Aqueduct. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Day 4, Oct 18, Thurs–In the morning, drive through Thessaloniki to see the landmarks of the city, the White Tower, the Walls of the Byzantine Acropolis, the Roman Arch of Galerius and the Rotonda. Visit two of the city’s oldest and most admired Christian churches, the Basilicas of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom). Continue to Kalambaka, where we visit one of the amazing Byzantine monasteries of Meteora, perched on top of gigantic rock pinnacles. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

Day 5, Oct 19, Fri–Drive to Athens with stops along the way to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Greece. Arrive in the afternoon and visit the world renowned Acropolis and admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens. See the Propylea, the Erechteum and the Parthenon. Visit Mars Hill where Paul delivered his ingenious speech on the “Unknown God." View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Day 6, Oct 20, Sat–Before leaving Athens we drive by the Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Olympic Stadium and the neoclassical buildings of Athens. Then to Ancient Corinth. This is the once glorious city near the Isthmus where Paul met Aquilla and Priscilla and spent a year and a half preaching the Word of God. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Forum, the Temples and the famous Bema where Paul stood before Gallio, accused by the Jews of Corinth. We drive to Cenchreae, the little harbor Paul sailed back to from Asia, thus ending his secondary missionary journey. Back to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 7, Oct 21, Sun–Depart Athens for a short flight to Rome. Our guide will meet us at the airport and take us to the Ancient City of Rome. We begin at the Roman Colosseum and explore the second and third tiers of the Roman amphitheater. From here we explore the places that once represented the financial, commercial and political center of Ancient Rome. The main relics and ruins are clustered throughout the Roman Forum. See the Mamertine Prison, gloomy underground cells where enemies of Rome were imprisoned and often died because of the cruel treatment of prisoners. It is believed Peter and Paul were imprisoned before they were martyred. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 8, Oct 22, Mon–Today we visit the world’s smallest sovereign state – Vatican City. We begin at St. Peter’s Basilica that stands on the traditional site where Peter was martyred and buried. Visit the Sistine Chapel, one of the most famous art galleries in the western world and see the famous Sistine Ceiling, one of Michelangelo’s most celebrated works of art depicting biblical scenes from Genesis to the Last Judgment. Next we see the ancient Christian Catacombs under Rome. Miles of underground burial grounds were used by the Christians not only as burial sites but also as places of worship to avoid capture and persecution by Rome. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 9, Oct 23, Tues–Today is a free day to explore Rome or take an optional tour to explore the city of Pompeii. Once a thriving and sophisticated Roman city, Pompeii was buried under ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The preserved site features excavated ruins of streets and houses that visitors can freely explore.

Day 10, Oct 24, Wed–Transfer to the train station for our high-speed train to Florence. Upon arrival, a transfer will be waiting to take us to our hotel. Remainder of the day is free. Dinner and overnight at our Florence hotel.

Day 11, Oct 25, Thurs–Today we enjoy a half-day tour of Florence. Discover the historic center of Florence on a walking tour including the Ponte Vecchio, Florence Cathedral, Uffizi Square and the Accademia Gallery. Entry to the Accademia Gallery is included where we have the unique opportunity to marvel at Michelangelo’s statue of the Slaves and his magnificent 17-foot marble masterpiece, the David. The Accademia Gallery is one of the top museums in the world and in Florence. Several galleries and exhibitions house some of the most famous works of art and masterpieces that have marked mankind's artistic innovations through the centuries. The remainder of the day is free time to explore on our own. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Florence.

Day 12, Oct 26, Fri–Transfer from our hotel to the train station and board our high-speed train to Venice. Transfer from the train station to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free time to explore this unique and fascinating city. Dinner and overnight at our Venice hotel.

Day 13, Oct 27, Sat–Our local guide will take us on a water taxi for a cruise of the Grand Canal. Admire the ornate palaces and churches

that line this iconic waterway. Then on a walking tour we see the city's famous attractions. Explore the charming squares of Campo San Luca and Campo SS Giovanni Paolo, and visit the former home of 13th-century explorer Marco Polo. Admire the stunning spiral Bovolo staircase, and stop in front of the Goldoni Theater, where wealthy Venetians have been coming to enjoy opera for centuries. Our guide will lead us to St. Mark’s Square, where we enter St. Mark’s Basilica. Marvel at this masterpiece as we see the soaring golden domes, murals and intricate mosaics. Visit the Basilica’s second-level terrace for a sweeping perspective of St. Mark’s Square below. The remainder of the day is free time. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Venice.

Day 14, Oct 28, Sun–Transfer to the airport for our flight from Venice to Los Angeles via Istanbul.

Day 15, Oct 29, Mon–Arrive home

JEMS 2018 TOUR TO GREECE AND ITALY With optional day trip to Pompeii - $195 per person

October 15-29, 2018 Tour Cost: $4,925 – per person, double occupancy

To register for the tour, please complete the registration insert and return to JEMS with your deposit

Price includes: Round trip airfare from LAX, flight from Athens to Rome, high speed train from Rome to Florence and from Florence to Venice, 12 nights first class hotel accommodations, double occupancy, breakfast and dinner daily in hotels throughout Greece and Rome, plus one dinner in Florence and one dinner in Venice, deluxe motor coach for all tours and transfers, guided sightseeing program, all entrance fees on itinerary, licensed English speaking guide for all included tours, tips to driver, guide and hotel staff, airline tax and fuel surcharge at current rate (subject to change). Tour price is a cash/check discount rate. Not included: Lunches, single room, bottled water or beverages, travel or cancellation insurance, use of credit cards for tour payments. Terms and Conditions: Registration is made with a $500 deposit per person. Registrations received within 90 days of departure will be assessed a $100 late fee and must be accompanied by payments required by that date. Expenses incurred as a result of expediting documents or information are the responsibility of the passenger. Seats are limited and tour will be closed when filled. All rates are in US dollars, per person, double occupancy. Unless passenger has a preferred roommate, MTT will make every effort to assign a suitable roommate. MTT is not responsible for, nor does it guarantee the finding of a roommate. If no roommate is available for placement, the applicable single room supplement will apply. Tour price is based on a minimum number of passengers. Should the minimum number not be met, tour price is subject to change. The tour price reflects a discount for purchases paid by cash or check. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted as a convenience to our customers and are subjected to a 3% non-refundable convenience fee. Travel Documents: Passports and visas (if needed) are not included in the tour price. All travelers are required to have a passport for all trips outside of the United States which must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of the tour. Entry laws differ with respect to travelers’ citizenship. Non US passport holders are responsible for obtaining visas for the countries they are visiting, if required. You are responsible for any expenses incurred as a result of delays or itinerary changes related to your lack of appropriate travel documents and are therefore ineligible for any refund from MTT. Flight tickets must match passport name and verifying travel documents is the responsibility of the passenger. Cancellations: 100% of Cancellation Fees are covered by the optional Travel Insurance Program provided premium has been paid and reason for cancellation is insurable. Those who do not take insurance should be aware of the following cancellation penalties: Full refund, less $200 handling fee, will be made up to 120 days before departure: 119-60 days, $500; 59-30 days, 50% of tour price; less than 29 days, non-refundable. All applicable airfare and overseas operation cancellation fees will be added to the above. You will also be charged a single room fee if your cancellation forces your roommate into a single room. All cancellations must be submitted in writing and will take effect upon date of receipt by MTT. Unused portions of the tour cost are not refundable. Travel Insurance: We strongly advise cancellation insurance, which may grant full refund in case of illness or unforeseen events. Travel insurance also covers emergency medical expenses, trip interruption or missed connection and baggage delay. You will find policy details and coverage in the insurance brochure that will be sent to each passenger after the initial deposit and registration has been received, or you may visit www.madisontravel.com for more information. Not included in tour price: Travel Insurance, excess baggage charges, meals other than those provided for, items from hotel room, mini-fridge, telephone calls, laundry, bottled water, liquors, after dinner coffee or tea, personal items, US Customs & Immigration fee, if any, anything not mentioned as included and anything of a personal nature. Please note: A $100 charge per person, per change, will be assessed for any deviation from the prepared tour itinerary. No changes accepted within 90 days of departure. The fare is based on advance purchase excursion rates. All prices are based on currency rates of exchange in effect at the time of printing. If this should increase by more than 2%, a surcharge will be added. The services of any IATA or ARC carrier may be used in conjunction with the tour. MTT acts only in the capacity of agents for all vendors. Your deposit confirms your tour membership and your acceptance of all tour terms and conditions. By accepting tour membership, the tour member agrees that neither the tour operator, nor any of its employees or affiliates shall be liable for any strikes, riots, terrorism, wars, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays, loss or damage resulting from negligence of any vendor. By embarking upon this tour, the traveler voluntarily assumes all risks of damage or loss involved, expected or unexpected. Tour operator reserves the right to refuse any person, before, or during the tour, and to make any changes to the tour should circumstances warrant.

Sponsored by: Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS) 948 E. Second Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 613-0022 www.JEMS.org

Arrangements made by: Madison Tours and Travel, Inc.

CST #2113996-40