Israel and Jordan

November 1st -November 12th, 2009

Tel Aviv - Caesarea - Armageddon - Nazareth - Cana - Tiberias - Sea of Galilee - Capernaum - Golan Heights - Jerusalem - Dead Sea - Masada - Qumran - Jericho - Petra - Amman

with The Revd. Richard Costin in association with Traveland of Cairo (Lesley and Nabil Kamel)

In the Footsteps of the Lord

Our pilgrimage will follow in the footsteps of Jesus in Galilee and Jerusalem. I hope that you will want to join me on this unique opportunity to follow in the steps of Jesus and support our Christian brothers and sisters in this troubled region.

D - Dinner B - Breakfast

Day 1 Met at Ben Gurion Airport

Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Already we begin to feel the spirit of this land enchanting us, as we visit sites from the Bible and share the experience of walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Overnight at the Grand Beach Hotel. (D)

Day 2 Tiberias

Drive along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins of the ancient Roman capital - Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 B.C. Visit the Roman Theater, the Aqueduct and Herodian Port. Continue up to Mt. Carmel, see the magnificent panoramic view. Visit Muchraka, the location of Elijah's altar during his confrontation with the false prophets of Baal. Continue via the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation at Tel Megiddo. Continue up the mountains of the lower Galilee, to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Mary's Well. Driving via Cana of Galilee, we reach Tiberias and the Golan Hotel for dinner and overnight (B)(D)

Day 3 Tiberias

Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginnosar where we visit the fishermen's boat found here and dated to Jesus' time , continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. On to Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and to Capernaum, the city of Jesus and Peter, then cross the Jordan River to the land of Gaderenes. Afternoon visit to Caesarea Phillipi now called - Banias - one of the main sources of the jordan River.

Return to Tiberias to the Golan Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B) (D)

Day 4 Jerusalem

This morning we drive along the Sea of Galilee and arrive at Yardenit, the Baptismal Centre on the Jordan River. On to Kursi, site of the Miracle of Demons and Swine, and from here up to the Golan heights to the Peace Observatory for an impressive view of the Sea of Galilee.

Continue to the old Roman city of Beit Shean to visit the impressive ruins. Drive along the Gilboa mountain range to Prophet Gideon's Spring and on to the Tel of Jesreel, the location of Queen Jezebel's summer palace where we hear about the site's intimate connection with Old Testament events. From here we venture south towards the holy city of Jerusalem.

Dinner & overnight in Jerusalem at the Seven Arches Hotel. (B) (D)

Day 5 Jerusalem

We start the day with a visit to the Garden Tomb, followed by an orientation beside Calvary. Travel to the Old City, through St. Stephen's Gate to the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch

View the Gabbatha pavement then proceed to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah to visit the Western Wall, the Ophel Archaeological Park, where we see the Pinnacle and visit the new visitors' centre dedicated to research of the Biblical Temple.

Continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On an afternoon drive to Bethlehem, we view the Shepherds' Fields and the Fields of Boaz and Ruth. Visit the Church of the Nativity, the Milk Grotto and the cave of St. Jerome.

Overnight at the Seven Arches Hotel (B) (D)

Day 6 Masada

Today we leave Jerusalem. After stopping at the Inn of the "Good Samaritan", arrive at the shores of the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. We drive along the Dead Sea to Masada, the fortress where the Jewish Zealots held off the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing suicide over surrender.

Continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. After lunch, we enjoy a short "float" in the Dead Sea.

Continue to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 in a cave and then return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight at the Seven Arches Hotel. (B) (D)

Day 7 Jerusalem

Full day of leisure to pursue personal interests or to shop. (B) (D)

Day 8 Jerusalem

Drive to Mount Scopus to view the impressive home of the Hebrew University. Then drive to the Mt. of Olives for an outstanding view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley and Tomb of Absalom, Zechariah and James.

We continue to Mount Zion, the Room of the Last Supper, and King David's Tomb, and past the Knesset and the Israel Museum. Next visit the recently constructed Model of Ancient Jerusalem.

Time permitting, visit the recently excavated archaeological site in the Jewish quarter- the Cardo, the "Wide" wall built by King Hezekiah and the Herodian mansion. (B) (D)

Day 9 Jordan

Crossing into Jordan from Jericho via the Allenby bridge transfer to Hotel in Petra for dinner and overnight stay. (D)(B).

Day 10 Petra

After breakfast enjoy a 2 hour tour of Petra and in the afternoon just spend time exploring it by yourselves.The 2000 year old Nabatean capital of Petra has been known throughout the world, from its creation, for its architectural splendour.

Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. From a hidden staging post, they dominated the trade routes of ancient Arabia, levying tolls and sheltering caravans laden with Indian spices and silks, African ivory, and animal hides.

To reach the city the visitor travels on foot, or by horse-drawn carriage through the awesome "Siq". Since 1995 horse riding is only possible between the Tourist Centre and the entrance of the "Siq". Dinner and overnight in Petra

Day 11 Kerak/Madaba/Mt Nebo/Bethany/Amman

After breakfast you will checkout from your hotel and start your full day tour to Kerak/Madaba/Mt Nebo/Bethany (Baptism Site) and finally to Amman and your hotel.

In the afternoon continue to Amman for Dinner and overnight.

Day 12 Amman and Jerash

After breakfast commence tour of Amman and Jerash. Amman is the modern and ancient capital of Jordan, formerly the Ammonite capital city of Rabbath-Ammon, and later the Graeco- Roman city called Philadelphia. Originally spread over seven hills like Rome, Amman now covers at least nineteen hills. It is a city of contrasts, it has a diverse mixture of ancient and the modern.

After the tour transfer to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge to meet with the Israeli Agent for transfer back to Tel Aviv.

Day 13 Ben Gurion airport for your departure flight.

Today we leave the Holy Land, departure from Ben Gurion airport

Rate per person in a Double room. $1,475 USD

Single Room supplement. $400 USD

The inclusions are as follows:

• 1nt at Grand Beach Hotel in Tel Aviv
• 2nts at the Golan Hotel in Tiberias
• 5nts at the Seven Arches Hotel in Jerusalem
• 2nts at the Petra Panorama Hotel in Petra
• 1nt at the Ramada Hotel in Amman
• Halfboard through out
• 1 festive dinner in Isreal
• All sightseeing as per itinerary
• Fully escorted with English speaking guide
• All Airport transfers
• Entrance fees
• Porterage at Hotels and Airports
• Collective vias in Jordan
• For the price.

• Travel insurance
• Other meals
• Gratuities to guides
• Any items of a personal nature
• Border Fees + Departure tax
• Visa fees
• International airline tickets