For this itinerary join scholars Arland Jacobson, Robert Jewett and visit all of the provinces listed in 1 Peter 1:1, including the beginning and end of the emissary’s itinerary as sketched in Elliott’s commentary on 1 Peter. Visit crucial portions of Paul’s Second Missionary Journey from Galatia  towards East. Significant sites in early church history and of later Islamic history will be included, as well as ancient roadways, bridges and caravan stations illustrating the “crossroads” interest in travel and religion in the ancient world. In particular, the tour visits sites associated with Pliny’s letter to Trajan that reveals the situation of Christian expansion throughout Bithynia and Pontus, including the villages and the countryside. The issues of persecution and martyrdom will be discussed at many sites. An extensive two and a half day tour of Istanbul provides the climax of the itinerary. This itinerary visits many sites that are not included in any of the standard tours of Asia Minor or of Istanbul.  Come and explore with us. NAM          Northern Asia Minor ITINERARY Day 1 Arrive Istanbul and directly fly to Samsun o/n Samsun Day 2 Samsun to Amasya; visit Hartun Keravanserai  o/n Tokat Day 3 Tokat to Comana Pontica and Sebindkarahisar o/n Giresun Day 4 Giresun to Sinop o/n Sinop Day 5 Sinop-Amasra o/n Amasra Day 6 Amasra-Ankara visit Citadel, Augustus temple o/n Ankara Day 7 Ankara-Eskisehir visit Ank.museum, Gordion and Pessinus o/n Eskisehir Day 8  Eskisehir-Afyon visit Frigian Valley o/n Afyon Day 9 Afyon-Bursa, visit Aizonai o/n Bursa Day 10 Bursa-Iznik-Bursa, visit mosques and old bazaar in Bursa o/n Bursa Day 11 Bursa-Izmit(Nicomedia)-Istanbul, visit the site of Hellenistic theatre (to be excavated) o/n Istanbul Day 12 Full day visits of Istanbul, with a dinner cruise on the Bosporus o/n Istanbul Day 13 Return journey back home