ITALY: “Following St. Paul”

September 2-13, 2024

with Rockland Community Church, CO

(Program #240901X, Taught by Dr. Smith)

Full Tour $5,999.00*

Land Only $4,899.00

*(includes Flight to and from DEN, as well as shuttling to airport)

Day One. Monday, September 2, 2024. Departure Day.

Depart Denver (DEN), USA for FCO (Rome). Overnight: In flight.

Day Two. Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Arrive in Rome.

Arrive Rome and transfer to hotel. Overnight: Near the Coast. (1). D 

Day Three. Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Setting the New Testament in the Roman Period. 

Theme: To be a Roman - how goods, services and transport held an Empire together. Rome was both an Empire and an idea. Today we will examine what held the identity of a vast Empire together. (Sites: Ostia and Three Taverns). Tonight, we will have a special "Roman style" meal! Overnight: Mansio Hotel on Via Appia. (1). B,D

Day Four. Thursday, September 5, 2024. Pictures of Daily Life at the time of Paul.

Today we will visit a maritime villa of Emperor Tiberias, and discuss how events in Rome set up the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Next, we will move to Minturno, where we will demonstrate how understand the motifs in Paul’s Epistles that sprung from the daily images of Roman life will help you read his writings more clearly. After lunch, we will make our way to the ancient site of Cumae, where we will tackle a tough passage from Ephesians where Paul described events between the Crucifixion of Jesus and His Resurrection, before we drive to Pompeii for a local restaurant and overnight in the village. Overnight: Near Pompeii excavations (1). B

Day Five. Friday, September 6, 2024. Sorrento Day: Fun in the sun!

As we walk through excavated ancient streets from 79 CE, we will expose common images used by Paul and draw us back to a new view of his writings. (Herculaneum and Pompeii). Overnight: Sorrento (1). B

Day Six. Saturday, September 7, 2024. How the Christian Message Spread.

For those who want the quintessential Italian experience, today is your day! Some will want to walk in the local market of the “city of lemons” and enjoy the restaurants, shops and natural beauty of this world-class city. Others will want to take the ferry to Capri, where they can engage in a host of water activities or travel up to see the Villa of Tiberias. It’s your choice! Overnight: Sorrento (2). B

Day Seven. Sunday, September 8, 2024. A Spectacular Civilization.

Today we will visit the excavated Villa of San Marco in Castellamare di Stabia, the Museum and the excavated ancient winery at Boscoreale, The Villa of Poppea Sabina at Oplontis, the Abbey of Montecassino (modesty site!) and end our day near Rome near to the Papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo. (1) B,D

Day Eight. Monday, September 9, 2024. Paul's Visits in Rome.

 Theme: Rome was held together as much by spectacle as by anything else. After a panorama of Rome by bus, we will visit the Forum Romana, Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, and the Colosseum in search of the spectacles familiar to all Romans. (Drive to Rome, Forum Romana, Colosseum and a walking tour of sites from the Tiber beside the Teatro Marcello to the Capitoline Hill). Overnight: Rome (1 of 4). B,D

Day Nine. Tuesday, September 10, 2024. From Lost Empire to Living Faith.

Theme: Paul came to Rome the first time under guard and house arrest. During this two-year period he wrote the so called "Prison Epistles". This morning we will visit the setting where Paul was likely writing from. Later, we will follow Paul's second visit from his arrival to his beheading and burial. (St. Paul alla Regola, Pantheon, Three Fountains Abbey, St. Paul's Outside the Walls, Catacombs. Overnight: Rome (2 of 4). B

Day Ten. Wednesday, September 11, 2024. The Vatican and Museums.

Theme: the Gospel did not stop with Paul, but was transmitted through the centuries to the ordinary people by means of the arts.  One cannot spend time in Rome and miss a visit to the incredible Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Today we will take a breath away from Paul's life and gear up for next part of our travel experience by breaking the ground on our understanding of art. (Vatican and St. Peter's Church.) Overnight: Rome (3 of 4). B

Day Eleven. Thursday, September 12, 2024. Free day in Rome.

Our day at leisure allows time to shop, or just relax and take in modern Roman culture and that sense of “Dolce Vita.” Overnight: Rome. (4 of 4) B

Day Twelve. Friday, September 13, 2024. Departure or join your friends on the “Northern Italy Adventure” program.

For those who are leaving us, you will depart from Rome to Denver, arriving later the same day.

Every effort will be made to complete the full itinerary. Yet, because conditions are often unpredictable in travel, we reserve the right to make changes during the tour.

PROGRAM CONDITIONS 

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES air from Denver (DEN), group transfers, hotels, European buffet breakfast daily and dinners as specified in program, with all tips for group services, full sightseeing, the services of an English-speaking local guide, and all entrance fees to sites as listed in the program. All taxes and surcharges in effect as of November 1, 2023 are included. If additional surcharges or taxes are imposed by the airlines or governments, any additional amounts will be the responsibility of the passenger. This price is based on a minimum of 20 passengers. 

LAND ONLY PRICE INCLUDES all of the above except air and transfers.

NOT INCLUDED are any expenses required for COVID compliance, personal items such as laundry; drinks or coffee with dinners; lunches, tips for personal favors; excess baggage and forwarding of baggage; transfers other than with the group; optional travel insurance. 

YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS are based on First Class (4*) hotels using double occupancy in a twin-bedded room with private bath. There is a supplemental charge of $1050 if you prefer a single room. Individuals enrolling without a roommate may request to be matched with a roommate. In the event that a roommate is not available, individuals will be required to pay the single supplement charge. All single rooms are subject to availability and may be smaller than normal twin rooms.

SPECIAL NOTE ON SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS: European hotels do not cater to singles, but they charge additional (over which CTSP has no control). They often provide smaller rooms in spite of the additional fee. We don’t want travelers to come and be surprised.

PAYMENT: A nonrefundable deposit of $400 per person, is required to secure your place on the program. A second payment of 50% of total tour cost is due six (6) months prior to departure. Final payment is due to CTSP three (3) months prior to departure. Thereafter, a late payment fee of $100 per person per month will be assessed.

CANCELLATION FEES:

90+ days prior ….. non-refundable deposit

66-90 days prior ….. 50% plus non-refundable deposit

0-65 days prior ….. No refund

*If your cancellation results in a roommate needing a single supplement, that amount will be charged to you in addition to the above fees.

*All refund claims must be in writing to CTSP. There is no refund for any services not used. 

TRIP INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Insurance purchased within two weeks of deposit provides the best value, and may cover pre-existing conditions. Carefully choose a plan from any trusted provider. If you want CFAR (cancel for any reason) insurance, it will come at a premium price, but may allay concerns for those who choose to do so.

ITINERARY LENGTH: Flight times are subject to change without advance notice. CTSP is not responsible for changes and delays in airline schedules and does not reimburse passengers for expenses resulting from delays. Because airlines often change flight times and dates at the last minute, CTSP strongly recommends that if passengers are purchasing any connecting tickets they should be able to be changed without heavy fees or penalties. If airline(s) change flight schedules, CTSP reserves the right to lengthen or shorten the itinerary accordingly, and whenever possible, you will be notified in writing. If changes necessitate extra overnights, you will be charged (per person, per night) US$180 double occupancy, or US$320 for single rooms (includes single supplement).

AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS from Denver (DEN) are included in the Full Tour price. Air Transportation will be economy class aboard regularly scheduled carriers utilizing non-refundable, non-transferable, non-amendable tickets. Once your ticket has been written, it cannot be transferred, rewritten, or refunded. 

YOUR LUGGAGE is restricted in size and shape by the airline, and is limited to one checked piece (max 50#), one carryon, plus a smaller personal piece. You should check with the airline for the specific restrictions.

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY

CTSP agrees to provide the itinerary described for this trip, and it represents the entire agreement between the passenger and CTSP. No changes or deviations are effective unless approved in writing and signed by an authorized officer of CTSP. Except as stated herein, no person is authorized to cancel, modify, or vary the study program arrangements (during the course) or to make any representation of warranty concerning the program.

All prices, itineraries, and schedules are subject to regulations and changes thereof by acts of Government, International Agreement and Airline tariff adjustments, rules and regulations.

CTSP reserves the right to change or withdraw the program, in whole or in part, at any time. In the event of a change, the sole exclusive obligation of CTSP will be to refund pro rata any recoverable payment received, based on recovered funds. In the event of rescheduling of the program due to unforeseen circumstances, the cancellation and refund clause will apply. CTSP reserves the right to refuse or to revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgment of CTSP, incapable of or detrimental to group travel.

Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, CTSP assumes no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconveniences, illness, irregularity or incidental damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of CTSP, or by any person or reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disaster, closures of airports or hotels, default or omission of any common or private carrier or the default, negligence, or omission of any by any third party providing services or facilities related to or included in this program. 

The commercial carriers are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on-board commercial carriers. The passenger contracts, in use by all commercial carriers involved, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the commercial carriers and the passenger or purchaser of this program and/or passage and program operator assumes no liability or responsibility in connection therewith. 

ENROLLMENT in and payment of the deposit for the tour constitutes your acceptance of the Program Conditions and Statement of Responsibility.