Day 1 – October 11 Thursday – DESTINATION ISRAEL
7:25pm Meet at the Turkish Air check in counter Pearson. Depart for Tel Aviv via Istanbul on an overnight flight from Toronto at 10:25pm (meals served en route).
Day 2 – October 12 Friday – SHALOM ISRAEL
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at 8:35pm, clear customs and immigration and meet with your guide. Travel to your hotel in Tel Aviv or Natanya on the Mediterranean Sea. 1 night: hotel TBA Tel Aviv or Natanya [Dinner]
Day 3 – October 13 Saturday – GALILEE
Travel north and stop to visit Caesarea the Roman capital and port. Here Pontius Pilate had his seat; Cornelius lived and was baptized (Acts 10); Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and Philip preached (Acts 8:40). Tour the historical site. View the Muhraka on Mt Carmel where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal while travelling North to the Sea of Galilee. Visit sites central to Jesus’ Ministry – starting at Kfar Nahum, Capernaum, centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5; 14-7; 9; 1-7; 17: 18). See the remains of St Peter’s house and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). Continue to Chorazin, one of the three villages Jesus prophesied over for not accepting his teaching. Proceed to Mt. Arbel for a great view of the area of Jesus ministry in the Galilee.2 nights: Ein Gev or Country Village Nof Ginnosar Sea of Galilee [Breakfast/dinner]
Day 4 – October 14 Sunday – GALILEE
Stop on the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The Sermon On the Mount” (Matt.5). Drive down to the Church of the Primacy of Peter and the church of the “feeding of the multitude” in Tabgha. Continue along the foot of the Golan Heights to visit Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River, site of ancient “Caesarea Philippi” where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16). Drive south stop at Kursi to visit the Byzantine Monastery marking the site of the miracle of the Demonic man and herd of swine. End the day sailing on the Sea of Galilee, with time for meditation and prayer then visit the famous ancient fishing vessel from the time of Jesus. [Breakfast/dinner]
Day 5 – October 15 Monday – JORDAN
Travel south along the Jordan Valley to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge and cross into Jordan. Travel through Perea of Jesus’ day in the mountains of Gilead to Jerash, stop to visit the impressive ruins of the Roman city. Continue south to Madaba, stop to study the unique ancient mosaic map of the world from the Byzantine era. Emulating the children of Israel and Moses, stop on Mt. Nebo for a glimpse of the Promised Land. Continue south through the Moab Mountains to Petra. 1 night: Petra Palace hotel Petra [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 6 – October 16 Tuesday – PETRA 1 OF THE 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Get an early start, walking and riding into the centre of the ancient Nabatean capital, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. See the stunning charm of the Necropolis and magnificent sandstone. Midafternoon leave Petra travelling north on the Kings Way. Then follow in the footsteps of Joshua and the children of Israel cross into Israel opposite ancient Jericho, at the Allenby terminal. Travel through the Judean wilderness and enter Jerusalem as Jesus did. Stop on Mt. Scopus to recite a Psalm of ascent with your first view of the Holy City and the Temple Mt. 5 nights: Prima King or Dan Btq or Caesar hotel Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner)
Day 7 – October 17 Wednesday – JERUSALEM
View the old and new city and the Temple mount from Mt Olives. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus and the Galileans, walk down the mountain. Stop at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the city, then continue to Gethsemane – the Church of All Nations. Visit the impressive tombs in the Kidron Valley. Enter the Old City at the Lions Gate walk back in time through the quaint ancient alley ways to the Pools of Bethesda at St Anne’s church, where Jesus healed the paralytic man. Continue through the Suk (market) along the ancient alleyways of the Old City and stop to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Stop on Mt Zion to visit the Church of the Last Supper in the Upper Room and St Peter in Gallicantu church, site of Caiaphas’ home and Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus. End the day at the Garden Tomb remember the resurrection, with time for prayer and reflection. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 8 – October 18 Thursday – JERUSALEM
Enter the Old City walk through the ancient alleyways through the colourful market place (Suk) stopping at windows into the archaeological past: Including the Cardo – the ancient main street. Stop at the Western Wall (Kotel) of the Temple Mt. Circumstances permitting visit the Temple Mount. Travel across the city. Stop to visit and pay respect to the victims of the Shoah at Yad Vashem, National Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust. Continue to the Israel Museum to visit the Model of Jerusalem, describing the city from the time of Jesus and the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Travel to Bethlehem to visit the church of the Nativity, birthplace of Jesus. View Shepherds field. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 9 – October 19 Friday – DEAD SEA
Travel through the Judean desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth (417 meter below sea level). Visit Qasr El Yahud where John baptised Jesus. Continue south, view Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a nearby cave and Ein Gedi Oasis of King Saul and David fame. Stop to visit Masada – ruins of King Herod’s mountaintop fortress and last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 73 C.E. (Ascend and descend by cable car). Enjoy a unique experience “float” in the Dead Sea – you cannot sink! [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 10 – October 20 Saturday – JERUSALEM
Spend the day at leisure in Jerusalem, revisit places of interest with time for last minute shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 11 – October 21 Sunday – RETURN TO CANADA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Canada. Leave Tel Aviv for Istanbul at 8:40am arriving in Istanbul at 10:55am. Continue on the non stop flight to Toronto at 2:15pm arrive in Toronto at 5:55pm.
OR – Take the 4 night optional extension to Turkey
Cost per person $999 based on 2 people in a room, minimum 10 participants. Not included: Single supplement in Turkey $128; Turkey Visa fee US$25 (subject to change) you must apply for the visa online at www.evisa.gov.tr; Gratuity for guide & driver US$50 per person. Mark yes on the Application
Day 11 – October 21 Sunday – ISTANBUL
Arrive in Istanbul 10:55am. Clear customs and meet you guide. Visit the Hagia Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque with its beautiful Iznik tiles, the ancient Hippodrome, the obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze serpentine column and the column of Constantine. 1 night Ramada Grand bazar hotel or Beyaz Saray Hotel, Istanbul [Dinner]
Day 12 – October 22 Monday – SMYRNA (IZMIR, THYATIRA, PERGAMON, ST. POLICARP
Fly to Izmir. Visit the Church of Pergamon (John wrote of Satan’s throne being here), one of the Seven Churches of Revelation including the famous Red-Court and the Acropolis. Travel to visit the Church of ancient Thyatira, another one of the 7 churches, set in an ancient commercial town with strong ties to Troy and Sardis. Continue to the Church of St. Policarp Proceed to Smyrna (Izmir), who were praised in a letter from Paul and enjoy a short Izmir city tour. 1 night Ramada Plaza ~ Izmir [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 13 – October 23 Tuesday – PHILADELPHIA, SARDIS, LAODICEA, HIERAPOLIS, PAMUKKALE
Visit Philadelphia with the youngest of the Seven Churches of Revelation, including the early church and the city walls. After lunch, visit Sardis the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. Walk the Royal Avenue and see the site of the Church of Sardis. Continue to the Church of Laodicea, one of the churches John addressed concerning the city’s waning faith. Then visit the ancient Hierapolis, where Philip was martyred in 1AD including the Necropolis, Avenue of Tombs and Thermal Baths. Enjoy a break at Pamukkale with snow-white (cotton wool like) terraced cliff pools. 1 night Colassea Thermal hotel ~ Pamukkale [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 14 October 24 Wednesday – PAMUKKALE KUSADASI
After breakfast visit ancient Ephesus, the most important of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. See the great Library of Celsus, Agora, Odeon, Trajan Fountain, Domitianus Temple, Roman Latrines, Theater and Stadium where Paul preached. Then visit the Byzantine church House of Virgin Mary, where she is said to have spent her final years and lastly visit the Isabey Mosque. Take a return flight to Istanbul. 1 night Ramada Grand bazar hotel or Beyaz Saray Hotel, Istanbul [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 15 – October 25 Thursday – RETURN TO CANADA
Spend the morning at leisure with limited time to explore the adjacent market. 10:30 Transfer to Istanbul airport for the Turkish Air flight to Toronto at 2:15pm. Arriving in Toronto at 5:55pm – meals served on board.
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