Classical and Christian Rome: A Study Tour May 5-14, 2013

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1 Classical and Christian Rome: A Study Tour May 5-14, 2013 Join Professors Regina Boisclair and Timothy Rawson of Alaska Pacific University for an enriching journey to one of the most fascinating destinations in the world Rome. Our program explores the intersection of classical Rome with the rise of early Christianity. One finds in Rome the greatest concentration of evidence for who the early Christians were and how early Christianity began to arise and take shape and form. We will visit the Catacombs, early Christian meeting places, and see some of the earliest art in Christianity. Many of the sites we will visit are adjacent to great Roman monuments, underscoring the similarities and differences between the beliefs, traditions and customs of ancient Romans and the early Christians. Our program balances organized group guided visits with enough leisure to enjoy Rome at your own pace. Come join this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Rome through the eyes of great teachers who have insiders views of this marvelous city. We are all members of a global community that is increasingly interdependent. The future of our world depends on our cultivating a spirit of hospitality, respect, understanding and compassion for one another. Enlightenment comes in many forms, but we believe that there are few life experiences more moving than exploring other cultures, meeting people of diverse backgrounds, and becoming a citizen of the world leading and inspiring respectful and compassionate ways of life.

2 Our Program Sunday, May 5 We arrive in Rome independently and make our way to the designated hotel in the city center. We will gather as a group this evening for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. Overnight in Rome. Monday, May 6 Breakfast. Today we have guided visits to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Overnight in Rome. The Flavian amphitheatre built over part of Nero s palace and next to a colossal statue (thus Colosseum) was the largest in the Roman Empire and entertained the Roman populace with gladiator battles, staged wildlife hunts, and other spectacles. Although used as a quarry for the marble to build many medieval and Renaissance churches (including St. Peter s), it is in amazingly good shape and easily evokes the grandeur of Imperial Rome! The Roman Forum began as a gathering place and center of trade for communities of people living on the seven hills surrounding the site in the 8th century BC. The marshy land was drained with an innovative sewer (the Cloaca Maxima) in the 6th and 7th centuries BC and transformed by the Etruscans with temples and other administrative buildings. Following the Etruscans, the Romans continued to transform the site from the Republican era through the end of the Empire. For centuries, the Forum was the symbol of Roman power with its large Senate building, great temples, triumphal arches, and the Rostrum where emperors and orators would speak to the local citizens. Despite years of ruin, the Forum is still an impressive site and easily evokes a feel for the life and times of ancient Rome. Tuesday, May 7 Overnight in Rome. Wednesday, May 8 Breakfast. Today we embark on an excursion to Pompeii with a local expert guide. Then we will visit one of the following, the Archaeological Museum in Naples or the site in Herculaneum or take a drive along the Amalfi Coast. We return to Rome in time for a pizza and salad dinner. Overnight in Rome. Pompeii is an extensive archeological park replete with forum, baths, theatres, amphitheatre, villas, and taverns. It allows visitors to walk back into the 1st century when the town was frozen in time by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. A neighboring city to Pompeii, Herculaneum was also destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79. However, the city was destoyed by mud, thus preserving more of the original characher of architecture and interior decoration of homes. The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in the world. No one who has ever seen it forgets its crystal blue waters, steep dark green hillsides, jewel-like hill towns and abundant lemon groves. Breathe the heady Mediterranean air and revel in the sights and smells of this fairytale kingdom. Thursday, May 9 Overnight in Rome. Since this is the Feast of the Ascension we will make participation in the Papal Mass today one of the options we organize. Friday, May 10 Breakfast. We will spend the day visit the early Christian sites in Rome. We will transfer via motorcoach with our tour manager to the Catacombs, St. Paul Outside the Walls, San Clemente, Santa Praesede, and other sites. Overnight in Rome. The catacombs are underground galleries of tombs built during the early centuries of Christianity. Most are located on major ancient roads leaving Rome. The Catacombs of S. Sebastian were created under several Roman mausolea. A visit here provides an opportunity to compare and contrast cremation and

3 inhumation as well as some of the differences between pagan and Christian art. Romans celebrated the anniversary of the dead with a meal. A dining hall was built over part of the site and grafitti on walls suggest that the relics of Peter and Paul were once placed here for safe keeping. Sebastian, a Roman soldier who was martyred, was buried here - and his tomb became an important pilgrimage site. A larger basilica was built over the site in the 4th century. St. Paul Outside the Walls is built over the burial site of St. Paul and near the location of his martyrdom. The original basilica, burned in a fire in It was rebuilt according to the original 4th century plan, allowing visitors to experience a pristine example of Constantinian-era monumental basilicas. Recent archaeological work has provided greater support to the belief that the sarcophagus under the main altar is that of the Apostle Paul. The church boasts beautiful mosaics and a graceful medieval cloister. The Basilica of San Clemente offers a unique opportunity to explore the chronology of Christianity at Rome. The current 12th century basilica is one of the most graceful and beautiful in Rome - boasting an impressive Byzantine-style apse mosaic and decorative marble choir enclosure. The 12th century building rests on the ruins of a 4th century basilica that was built over 1st and 2nd century Roman buildings. The 4th century building was one of the first "in town" major churches built after Constantine and represents a significant achievement for a local congregation. The 1st and 2nd century buildings tell us a lot about the sociology of the Christian community that met here. There is also an impressive Mithraic temple helping visitors appreciate other competing religions during the early centuries of Christianity at Rome. Saturday, May 11 Breakfast. This morning we will have a guided visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The afternoon is at leisure. After our guided visit of the Museums, some may want to continue on to St. Peter s Basilica and climb the Dome. We will also request permission to visit the Scavi. This may also be an optional visit we make available to participants. Overnight in Rome. The Vatican Museums is one of the largest museums in the world. It was begun during the Renaissance when Popes began to create spaces to exhibit classical statues that were being found as interest in ancient buildings led to archaeological digs. Of course, the Vatican Museums include the spectacular papal apartments painted by Raphael and the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo s Ceiling and Last Judgment.Our visit will include time in the Pio-Christian section with early Christian sarcophagi. Sunday, May 12 Breakfast. An optional excursion to Assisi is offered today. Upon arrival we will have a guided visit to the Basilicas of San Francesco and Santa Chiara. There will be free time this afternoon to explore the town. Then we visit the Convento di San Damiano and Porziuncula before returning to Rome for overnight. Assisi is a graceful, serene and enchanting Umbrian hill town built of pink stone and encircled by medieval walls. The basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare welcome pilgrims at both ends of the city underscoring the spiritual heritage of the two local saints who called for a return to evangelical simplicity. Assisi preserves the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare and offers an opportunity for personal reflection and prayer in a spiritually rich setting. The beautiful multi-leveled Basilica of St. Francis was inaugurated in 1228 to commemorate the life of Francis and provide a place to gather around his tomb. The three levels are richly decorated with frescos of Giotto, Cimabue, Martini and Lorenzetti narrating events in the lives of Francis and Jesus and celebrating the virtues of Franciscan spirituality. The picturesque convent and chapel of San Damiano in the valley below Assisi was rebuilt by St. Francis and served as the home for St. Clare. It was here that Francis heard the voice of Christ from the cross telling him to rebuild His Church. Later Francis realized this has more significance than simply rebuilding the chapel. Francis inaugurated an important reform of the Church to return to its evangelical roots. Monday, May 13 This evening we will have a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant within walking distance of our hotel. Overnight in Rome. Tuesday, May 14 Our program ends today after breakfast.

4 Inclusive Features Superior three star hotel accommodations in twinbedded rooms with private paths in Rome for 9 nights. Continental buffet breakfast served daily in the hotels. One welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Rome including beverages. One farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Rome including beverages. One pizza and salad dinner. Transportation via private deluxe air conditioned motorcoach with English speaking assistance. Services of a professional, on site tour manager throughout Italy. Privately guided sightseeing with government-licensed local guides as per itinerary. Luggage, porterage, road and local taxes. Land Only Program Prices: (excludes all air transportation and airport transfers) $ $ per person based on double occupancy $ supplement for single room occupancy Participants who are not associated with Alaska Pacific University must register as Newman Observers. They will have to pay a fee of $200 directly to Alaska Pacific University (this will also entitle them to medical and trip evacuation insurance covered by the university if you want trip cancellation insurance, you will need to see information below). Please note: Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the total number of rooms reserved. Thereafter, double rooms for single use will be secured at a supplemental cost of approximately 150%. Alternatively, if you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement. All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card you will be charged the standard base price which is 5% higher. Travel Insurance Premiums: $ Deluxe Group Travel Insurance Plan (will provide 100% reimbursement if cancellation is for a covered reason, will provide 0% if reason is not covered.) $ Deluxe Plan with Cancel for Any Reason (will provide 100% reimbursement if cancellation is for a covered reason, will provide 75% if reason is not covered.) The Group Deluxe Insurance plan is optional. If you wish to purchase the plan, the premium must be paid with your initial deposit. The policy can be found on the Travel Resource Center for your program under the Group Deluxe Insurance Plan link. Illume recommends that you purchase travel insurance to cover the cost of the investment you will make. Travel insurance provides peace of mind and protection against the unexpected. Please read the illume Conditions and Clauses attached to the Program Registration Application to review the charges that will apply in the event that you cancel your program participation. Illume offers several options to travel insurance. To learn more click on the Travel Insurance link provided on the Travel Resource Center for your program: The prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect June 12, 2012 and on 2012 land tariffs and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume s Conditions and Clauses. The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the prices current in Program Registration: Complete the Registration Application. Forward with your $ deposit per person (and insurance premium if applicable) no later than October 15, 2012 to: Dr. Gina Boisclair Alaska Pacific University, Religious Studies University Drive R4L Anchorage, AK (907) boiscl@alaskapacific.edu Checks can be made payable to illume. Balance of payment due not later than: February 5, 2013

5 Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that effect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly. Please contact Dr. Boisclair with any questions. Program No