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In the Middle East, the reality on the ground is often far removed from what we see and read in the news. Places of pilgrimage are open and welcoming visitors. We begin our pilgrimage in Jerusalem before crossing into Jordan where the countryside is so reminiscent of Biblical times. We then return to Israel to stay in Tiberias, beside the Sea of Galilee. On our journey we plan to meet with the local Christian community and offer them our support and encouragement. Visits in Israel will include Jerusalem, Nazareth, Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee. We will also visit Bethlehem and pass through Jericho: part of the emerging Palestine.
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Detail Information
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Day 1: JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND
We meet at Airport. Transfer on arrival to our hotel in Jerusalem. Four night stay at the Golden Walls Hotel close to the Old City and the Biblical sites we will be visiting.
Day 2: AN INTRODUCTION TO JERUSALEM
We drive to the Mount of Olives where we have a panoramic view of the walled city. As we look across the Kidron Valley we see the Golden Gate, the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On the Mount of Olives we visit the Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit Chapel, and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. We finish our morning at the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu (possible site of the High Priest's house). We drive out to West Jerusalem and the picturesque village of Ein Karem where we have lunch at the Sisters of Sion convent and spend time visiting the Church of John the Baptist. We continue to the Israel Museum to visit the model of Ancient Jerusalem. We also see the Dead Sea scrolls (housed within the Shrine of the Book).
Day 3: BETHLEHEM
Today we cross into Palestinian territory to visit Bethlehem. We celebrate Holy Communion in the Fields of the Shepherds and have time to shop in the olive wood co-operative. We have lunch at the Bethlehem Arab Rehabilitation Centre in Beit Jala. In the afternoon we see Manger Square and visit the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity and St Jerome's Caves.
Day 4: THE VIA DOLOROSA
We begin on Mount Zion at the Dormition Abbey and Upper Room. We enter the Old City through Zion Gate and walk down to the Western Wall (where we also see the Bar-Mitzvah ceremonies) and ascend the Temple Mount to visit the El Aqsa
Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. We finish our morning by the Pool of Bethesda. After lunch at the Ecce Homo convent we follow the Via Dolorosa through the lanes of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We end the afternoon in the Garden Tomb.
Day 5: FOUR NIGHTS IN JORDAN
We leave Jerusalem and drive via the Wadi Qelt (to view St George’s Monastery) before continuing down to Jericho. We proceed to the Allenby Bridge crossing point between Israel and Jordan. After entering Jordan, we continue to Kerak for a late lunch. We then journey to Petra and a two-night stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Petra.
Day 6: THE ROSE RED CITY OF PETRA
Petra’s fame is well deserved and you will be struck by the scale of the site and the extraordinary beauty of the rock-cut tombs and temples. At the time of Jesus, Petra was a magnificent Nabatean city of enormous wealth, which controlled much of the trade that passed through the region. We enter Petra through the Siq on foot and then suddenly stand before the rock-cut Treasury, hewn out of the red sandstone. We spend the entire day here and visit many of the breathtaking monuments, including some of the Royal Tombs. Lunch is at the Basin Restaurant.
Day 7: VIEWING THE PROMISED LAND
We drive north through Wadi Mujib, Jordan’s mini Grand Canyon. We ascend Mount Nebo where we celebrate Holy Communion on the mountain where Moses viewed the Promised Land and visit Madaba where we see a famous mosaic map of the Bible Lands. We lunch in Madaba at the Haret Jdoudna Restaurant and see a famous mosaic map of the Bible Lands and a mosaic school with young people learning an ancient art. After lunch, we continue to Amman and have an orientation tour of the city (including the Citadel and the King Abdullah Mosque). We spend two nights in the Regency Palace Hotel in Amman.
Day 8: THE DEAD SEA & BETHANY
In the morning we visit one of the most significant religious discoveries of the past century. Bethany beyond the Jordan, is situated on the east bank of the Jordan River, and is the likely place where John the Baptist lived and preached and where he baptized Jesus. We then lunch at the Dead Sea and spend a few hours relaxing there in the afternoon before returning to Amman.
Day 9: THREE NIGHTS IN GALILEE
We drive north from Amman to the Jabbok River where we recall the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel. From there we continue to the spectacular ruins of Jerash, the best preserved of all the Decapolis cities. Here, our visit includes the oval forum, the colonnaded street and the theatre. Lunch is at the Green Valley Restaurant. We continue to northern crossing point into Israel and drive via Bet Shean to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. Three night stay at the Ron Beach hotel on the lakeside.
Day 10: NAZARETH
We ascend Mount Tabor in t axis to visit the Basilica of the Trans figuration and enjoy magnificent views over the plain of Armageddon. We continue to Nazareth where we visit Gabriel’s Church (Mary’s Well), the Synagogue Church and the Basilica of the Annunciation. We lunch at the Holy Land Restaurant. In the afternoon we visit the site of Sepphoris, an import ant 1st Century Galilean cent re, to see the ruins and the beautiful mosaics. We return to Tiberias visiting Cana, scene of Jesus first miracle, en route.
Day 11: THE LAKESIDE MINISTRY
Today we visit the sites associated with Jesus' life around the Sea of Galilee. We drive to the north of the lake and vi s it the ruins of Capernaum, Jesus Galilean bas e. We continue to Mensa Christi (where Jesus appeared to his disciples after His resurrection) and celebrate Holy Communion on the shores of the lake at Tabgha beside the Church of the Loaves and Fishes. Lunch is at the Convent of the Beatitudes. We visit the church and garden which commemorate the sermon on the Mount. After lunch, we walk down to the lake and sail back across the Sea of Galilee to the hotel, returning by mid-afternoon to allow time to relax and swim.
Day 12: HOMEWARD BOUND
An early start as we drive to Ben Gurion Airport for our return
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Notes |
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Price Includes:
Minimum 8 Pax, Hotels are four-star standard except in Jerusalem where we stay at the three-star Golden Walls hotel, ideally located beside the Old City walls and the ideal base for our visits. The tour is on a full-board basis with breakfast, lunch and evening meal included daily. Touring is in air-conditioned coaches and we will be accompanied in each country by local guides who will share leadership responsibilities with the tour leader. All entrance fees are included as are the cross-border taxes. Less than 8 pax kindly contact us for special rates
Price Excludes:
Tips and departure taxes, travel insurance, airline tickets any other item not mentioned in our offer Walking in the footsteps not only of Jesus, but also of Abraham, Moses and David will I know bring the Bible to life in a new way for us all. To arrive in Jerusalem and then to see from the Mount of Olives with our own eyes the city about which we have heard so many times will be for many of us a deeply moving experience.
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