Description
Israel, Egypt, Jordan, & Beirut Tour with Laura Whitmyer - February 2024
What's Included
Our tours are all-inclusive. Always.
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Itinerary
Day by Day
- 3
Friday
Beirut, BaalbekThis morning we make our way to the Phoenician city of Baalbek, known as Heliopolis during the Hellenistic period. While here we will visit the the Baalbek temple complex which includes two of the largest and grandest Roman temple ruins: the Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Jupiter. It was inscribed in 1984 as an UNESCO World Heritage site. The largest and most noble Roman temples ever built, they are also among the best preserved. Return to Beirut where we will have an orientation tour of the city, passing landmarks like Martyr’s Square, the Roman baths and more. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
- 4
Saturday
Beirut, Tyre, SidonThis morning we board our bus for a tour Tyre, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Here we will visit the ruins of the Neocropolis, Hippodrome and the aqueduct. We then continue on to Sidon , the third largest city in Lebanon. Sidon was an influential, wealthy Phoenician city when the kings of Israel and Judah ruled during the Iron Age and was the hometown of Jezebel. People came from Sidon to hear Jesus’s teaching, and later he travelled through the territory of Sidon (Mark 3:8; 7:31). Return to Beirut where we have dinner and overnight.
- 5
Sunday
Beirut, Byblos, AmmanToday we enjoy a visit to the beautiful coastal city of Byblos where we see the Crusader Castle, old souk, and St. Jean Marc Cathedral. Return to Beirut where we will visit the National Museum of Beirut. It's magnificently displayed collection of archaeological artifacts offers a great overview of Lebanon’s history and the civilizations that impacted this cultural crossroads. Highlights include the famous Phoenician gilded bronze figurines found buried near the Obelisk Temple at Byblos; a series of human-faced Phoenician sarcophagi and a frescoed Roman tomb. We return to the airport where we board our flight to Amman, Jordan. Upon arrival we will be transferred to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 6
Monday
Jordan River, Mt. Nebo, Madaba, PetraThis morning we board our bus for a short drive to the 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 to Mt. Nebo, from where God showed Moses the Promised Land and then on to St George’s Church in Madaba where we will see the 6th century mosaic floor showing a map of the Holy Land as Christian pilgrims knew it in that period. Continue along the Exodus routealong the famed historical King's Highway to Petra. Petra is one of the most scenic places in the world. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. This evening we attend the 2 hour Petra Night Show, a magical way to see part of the rock city by candlelight and explore the old city, which has become a world wonder. Here we will walk the entire Siq to the Treasury, lit with over 1,500 candles, giving us spectacular views not seen by day.
- 7
Tuesday
Petra, Wadi RumToday we will spend time in one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Start the 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 where we board our bus and continue our drive to Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. This desert is famed for its link to the the original "Lawrence of Arabia" but also "Dune" and "Star Wars:The Rise of Skywalker" were filmed in this area. Here we check into our luxury tents for dinner and overnight.
- 8
Wednesday
Wadi Rum, AqabaThis morning we tour the Martian landscapes of Wadi Rum by 4WD. We'll see Lawrence's Spring, natural arches and rock bridges, ancient petroglyphs in Khazali Canyon (Jebel Khazali), and more. This afternoon we will board our bus and make our way to Aqaba, a port city on the Red Sea's Gulf. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 9
Thursday
Aqaba, Timna Park, Solomon's Mines, Dead SeaThis morning we cross into Israel and make our way to Timna Park, located in the Negev Desert. Here we will see Solomon's Columns, walked through the rocks, and enjoyed the landscape. We see the replica of the Tabernacle that Mosescarried during the Exodus. Continue north through the Negev, where Bedouins live as they have done for thousands of years. This afternoon continue on to our hotel on the Dead Sea. You will have time for a swim in the Dead Sea and to relax at the hotel before dinner and overnight.
- 10
Friday
Dead Sea, Masada, Jericho, JerusalemThis morning we drive to Masada and ascend by cable car to the magnificentruins 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 stop at Ein Gedi. Here we will have time to walk to the water falls that David would have used while he was fleeing from Saul. This afternoon we proceed to Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We travel to Jericho, the world's oldest city. Then we head up to Jerusalem where we will enter the Golden City for a panoramic view. Continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 11
Saturday
Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Shepherd's Fields, BethlehemOur drive this morning takes us past the Chapel of Ascension and Paternoster to the Mt. of Olives for an orientation view of Jerusalem and the opportunity of a group photograph overlooking Jerusalem. We then walk the traditional Passion walk. We descend to the church known as Dominus Flevit ("Our Lord weeps"). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text and view the Church of All Nations. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11). This afternoon we drive south 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. We drive back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
- 12
Sunday
Western Wall Tnnel, Southern Steps, Yad Vashem, Shrine of the BookThis morning we enter the Old City make make our way to the Western Wall Plaza for our exciting tour to the famous Western Wall Tunnel. Here we will go down to the foundation of the Second Temple. We will see a model that will demonstrate where we are in location to the Temple in the time of Christ. Continue along the tunnel as we proceed to the Gateway of the Priests entry to the Holy of Holies. We then make our way to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park where we see the Steps that entered the temple and the Southern Wall. It was here that Jesus would have taught the disciples. This afternoon we will head to Yad Vashem and see the Museum of the Holocaust. Continue to Shrine of the Book and the model city of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 13
Monday
Old City, Via Dolorosa, Garden TombAfter breakfast we transfer to the Dung Gate, where we ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. Here the first and second Temples once stood. Heading north we find the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne’s Church. The church is perfectly preserved from the Crusader period – with remarkable acoustics. Continuing on we see Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man). We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) through the bazaars as far as the Holy Sepulcher. From there we walk from the Christian Quarter along the Arab Souks through the Cardo Maximo. Continuing on to Mount Zion we visit the grounds of a church called Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. (Here, the Assumptions Fathers suggest, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus). We board our bus to the Garden Tomb where we will end our day with a special visit and the possibility of having a private communion on the grounds outside the city walls. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 14
Tuesday
Jerusalem, Beit Shean, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, TiberiasThis morning we follow the Rift Valley running parallel to the Jordan River to Bet Shean at the foot of Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman and Byzantine occupations, and view the ancient tel, Roman Theater and church mosaics. Our next stop will be at
the River Jordan where we will have the opportunity to be baptized (if a Pastor is traveling with the group).This afternoon we continue our tour with a visit to Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes. We end our day with a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Transfer to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
- 15
Wednesday
Dan, Caesarea Philippi, MagdalaThis morning our drive takes us to the northern limits of Jesus' travel as we cross the River Hatzbani to Dan. Here we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, topped by the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). Then a short drive to Banias (Caesarea Philippi), dedicated to Pan the Greek god of pastures, flocks and shepherds; here Peter made his great profession of faith, recognition of Christ Jesus (Matthew 16). On our return we will stop at Chorazin and then on to Magdala, one of the oldest synagogues dating back to the first century AD. Home of Mary Magdalena and was the fishing center where Peter would have brought his catch to be sold or processed.
Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. - 16
Thursday
Tiberias, Caesarea, Jaffa, Tel AvivThis morning we proceed south via the Mediterranean to Caesarea, capital of the Roman procurators of Judea. Visit the Roman port, Crusader's Moat, Roman theater and aqueduct. Make our way to Jaffa and see the ancient port that Jonah left from. We end our day with a visit to Rothschild Boulevard, one of the principal streets in the center of Tel Aviv. It is considered to be one of the finest streets in Tel Aviv and one of it's main tourist attractions. Check into the hotel for dinner and overnight.
LAND ONLY