Greece

This afternoon we will arrive in Amman. We will be met and loaded on our motor coach for our drive to Petra. We proceed to Petra for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 3 -- Tuesday: PETRA
Today we will spend time in one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We start our walking tour of Petra; you are in the heart of the rose red Seir Mountains as mentioned in the Biblical Book of Genesis. This mountain range houses the Aaron Peak, which is the highest locality in Petra and the burial place of Aaron brother of Moses. A walk down through the narrow ‘Siq’ passage, being the main entrance to Petra, along 1250 meters brings you to the first monument Treasure the same as the one seen in the Indiana Jones' movie. A walk further down through the outer ‘Siq’ encompassed by tombs and burial chambers brings you to one of the largest theaters in Jordan. This theater is carved into the sand stone mountains of Petra at the bottom of the High place of Sacrifice Mountain. Apparently some sacrificial rituals used to take place here. Now, it is time to walk up hill to the Royal Tombs. You will have a great view of the lower part of Petra with all its Roman remains. These tombs are The Urn- Corinthian- Silk- and Palace tombs. We retrace our steps to the entrance and return to our hotel in Petra for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4 – Wednesday: MADABA / MT NEBO / BAPTISM / TIBERIAS
This morning we board our bus and drive along the Exodus route north along the famed historical King's Highway, passing by the well-conserved Crusader city of Kerak. Continuing northwards on the King's Highway, we drive through Wadi Mujeb the "Jordanian Grand Canyon", a wildlife reserve. Arriving at Madaba, to St George’s Church with its 6th century mosaic floor showing a map of the Holy Land as Christian pilgrims knew it in that period. Continue to Mt. Nebo, from where God showed Moses the Promised Land.

This afternoon we take a short drive to the recently discovered baptismal site of “Bethany beyond the Jordan” For us Christians, the most significant event associated with the River Jordan is undoubtedly the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. It is strongly suggested that this took place very close to Beit Abara, where Joshua, Elijah and Elisha crossed the river. In the New Testament times, it became known as Bethany, the village of John the Baptist. (This Bethany is not to be confused with the village of Bethany near Jerusalem, where the Bible says Lazarus was raised from the dead.) “ The Bible clearly records that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3: 13-17), and that John the Baptist lived, preached and baptized in the village of Bethany, on "the other side of the Jordan" (John 1: 28). The baptism site, known in Arabic as al-Maghtas, is located at the head of a lush valley just east of the Jordan River. It is now protected and since 1999 it is accessible to visitors. After Jesus’ baptism at Bethany, he spent forty days in the wilderness west of the River Jordan, where he fasted and resisted the temptations of Satan (Mark 1: 13, Matthew 4: 1-11).” Continue driving north through the Jordan Valley crossing the Jabbok River to Sheikh Hussein Crossing where we enter Israel and turn north to Tiberias. Upon arrival we are taken to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 1 – Tuesday - NEW YORK
Tour members are welcomed this evening at JFK International Airport, departing via wide body aircraft arriving in Tel Aviv the next day. Meals served on board.

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we start our day by driving through a scenic route to Jaffa, the oldest port in the world. Jonah set sail for Tarshis from Jaffa but was swallowed by a large fish. Jaffa was also the home of Tabitha, who was raised from the dead by Peter. Peter had his vision here while lodging in the home of Simon the Tanner. We proceed up the coast and go to the famous Sea of Galilee where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY3–Thursday–TIBERIAS
We drive up to the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7) where Jesus gave the sermon on the mount. Next proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. We then drive to nearby Capernaum, home of our Lord during his ministry and where Franciscan archaeologists believe they have uncovered the house of Peter (Mark 1 and 2) After visiting synagogue where Jesus taught, we enjoy the scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Kibbutz Ein Gev where we can stop for a St. Peter's Fish lunch. After lunch we drive further south. We stop at Kursi in the "Gergesa" of Matthew’s Gospel where the evangelist locates the miracle of the swine. We then drive full circle around the lake and stop at a location where the Jordan River exits south from the Sea of Galilee and heads down the Jordan Valley. We end by driving further south to Beit Shean (Aka Scythopolis). Here we shall view the setting for the death of Saul (I Samuel 28 - II Samuel 1). We shall then survey the magnificent Roman and Byzantine ruins: theater, bathhouses, ancient rest rooms, market areas, colonnaded streets. We return to our base on the lake.

DAY 4 – Friday - TIBERIAS / NAZARETH / CAESAREA / JERUSALEM
This morning we drive to Nazareth. On the way we stop at Cana of Galilee, the site of Christ's first miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding feast. We then proceed to Nazareth and visit Saint Joseph's workshop and the Cave of the Annunciation. There will be ample time to walk the streets of our Lord's boyhood town. We proceed to Megiddo to visit the excavations of over 20 different civilizations.

We then board our bus and drive through Jezreel to Megiddo to visit the excavations of over 20 different civilizations. Next we proceed to and ascend Mount Carmel, home of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Afterwards, we drive through the sparkling city of Haifa, stopping at Stella Maris. We will also stop by Jordan River for baptismal services.

This afternoon we continue along the Mediterranean coast to ancient Caesarea. Here, Saint Peter preached and Saint Paul was imprisoned for two years. Visit the Roman Theater, Crusader's Moat and the Byzantine Churches. Our drive continues through the Valley of Sharon to connect with the Jerusalem highway. We head up the historic Beth Horon road (Joshua 10:10) to the Benjamin Plateau, passing ancient Gibeon and continuing on to Jerusalem. Finally, atop Mt. Scopus, we behold majestic Jerusalem.

We drive to Jericho and from the top of the Ancient "tel" we'll have an excellent view of Elisha's Fountain, the Qarantal and the Mount of Temptation. We then proceed to Masada where we ascend by cable car or hike to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD, Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. We see the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church.

Continuing alongside the Dead Sea, 1300 ft. below sea level -- the lowest spot on earth -- we proceed to Ein Gedi. Here we will have a stop for lunch and swim in the Dead Sea. Afterwards we proceed to, “Spring of the Goat,” an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat (1 Sam 23:29;Song of Song 1:14).

This afternoon we continue to Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We will take part in the Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, along with our camel tour where we enjoy a trip back in time: a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, and authentic food. Overnight at our hotel.

Today we drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem, visit the Church of Pater Noster and the Chapel of Ascension, then proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane. Crossing the Kidron Valley, we pass the tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and St. James, then visit the Pool of Siloam and the Church of St. Peter of Gallicantu (Caiaphas' House).

We enter the Old City this afternoon through the Zion Gate and see the Cardo and the remains of Nehemiah's Wall on the way to the Western (Wailing) Wall. We visit the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount, the Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man"). We follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and end our day in the Garden Tomb, where we will partake together in a Special Lord’s Supper before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 07 – Monday – NEW CITY HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL / BETHLEHEM / SHPHERDS FIELDS

This morning we visit the New City of Jerusalem, Mount Zion, the Upper Room, the tomb of King David and Dormition Abbey. We enter the Jewish Quarter of the Old City to visit the Wohl Archaeological Museum, displaying the newly restored Herodian Quarter. Remains of this area of Jerusalem date back to the time of the Herodian Dynasty (37 BC to 70 AD). Our group will then descend the slope of the first Jerusalem ("City of David") to the Gihon Spring and wade in the knee-high water through Hezekiah's Tunnel, which led the water to a pool at a safe remove from Assyrian arrows. You will feel close to Bible history as you hike through the tunnel, feeling the chisel marks from 2,700 years ago. Proceed to the Shrine of the Book where we see the Dead Sea Scrolls on display, then view the Knesset (Israeli parliament) building. Continue to visit Yad Vashem, a memorial of the Holocaust

This afternoon we will proceed by driving south to Bethlehem, passing by Rachel's Tomb. We drive to a hilltop for a view of Bethlehem, noting its relation to the rest of the central mountain range, including Jerusalem, as well as to the desert and the area of ancient Moab. Driving south, we visit Solomon's Pools, Jerusalem's main source of water for almost 2,000 years. Passing the monastery of Hortus Conclusus ("the sealed garden") in Artas, we go to Herodium, the palace set in a conical mountain built by Herod to mark his tomb. We then drive to one of the possible sites for Shepherds' Fields. We continue into Bethlehem itself, walking through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visiting the manger and see the cave of St. Jerome where we can sing “Silent Night”. We also tour the Monastery of Prophet Elias. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 8 –- Tuesday - JERUSALEM/ TEL AVIV / NEW YORK
We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.

Today we leave Jerusalem behind and head south to Solomon’s Quarries. We will see a replica of the tabernacle that housed the Arc of the Covenant. We continue to Eilat on the Red Sea. This is Old Testament Ezion-geber, where King Solomon had his famous smelting factories that earned the modern nickname “the Pittsburgh of Palestine.” Today it’s a vacation playground.

After crossing the border at Taba into Egypt and passing through customs formalities, we’ll meet our bus and Egyptian guide who will lead us through the desert Sinai to Ras Sadr. Check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Enjoy the cool desert evening at leisure.

This morning we journey onward to Elim. This is the site where the Israelites discovered 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees (Exodus 15:27). Near here God began to provide manna and quail for the hungry Hebrews (Exodus 17:1-18). We are in the Valley of Sin (Numbers 33:9-11) where the grumbling Israelites wondered for 40 years. And for you—a special treat. We’ll take 4 x 4 vehicles and challenge the desert ourselves. There will be 6 of us in each vehicle as we see Egyptian mines, desert rock carvings and numerous Sinaitic inscriptions. I’m thinking you don’t have any friends who have done this!

In the afternoon we will make our way to Marah. You remember Marah--Israel’s first stop after crossing the Red Sea where the water was bitter and God told Moses to throw a piece of wood into it and the water turned sweet. This would be a good place to thank God for all the basics of life we take for granted. Continue to the Suez Canal and on to Cairo, where we check into our hotel for dinner.

This morning we visit the Egyptian Museum with its priceless gems from the tomb of Tutankhamen and other world-famous relics. We tour Old Cairo, including the Coptic church of "El Moallaka", dating from the early fourth century and the Mohamed Ali Mosque.

This afternoon's excursion includes an exciting camel ride to the Pyramids, and visit to the Sphinx. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.