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Earle
Fries Group
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Israel & Jordan
"First Class" |
15 Day
Inspirational Tour
for the "Bible
Believing" Christian
"Our
feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem." Psalms 122:2
May 7-21, 2008
Dear Friends,
This is going to be the best ever of
our trips to the Holy Land and Jordan. Participants can expect to
be blessed spiritually, historically, archeologically and
prophetically. Julie and I would love to have you travel
with us to the Land of the Bible and our Lord.
Sincerely,
Earle
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Day 1: Departure
Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a
life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will
be walking where Jesus walked!
Day 2: Arrival,
Dead Sea (2 nights)
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Israeli
guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in
Israel. We travel southward to
our spa lodging for the next
two evenings at the
Dead Sea –
the lowest place on earth. The time is right for a
personal devotional, a time
of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer
for the people of this land, and a good night’s rest.
Day 3:
Masada, Abraham's Tent, Beersheba, Dead Sea
We begin
our tour with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of
Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous
zealot stand. Then lunch in
the Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, 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.
Visit
Beersheba, best known for Abraham's Well before we return to our spa
lodging for the evening.
Day 4: Ein Gedi, Qumran, Jerash, Amman (1
night)
Today we proceed to
Ein Gedi, "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. Next, we visit
Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
Our travels then take us to Sheikh Hussein Border. After
completing passport formalities we enter the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan. We travel to
Jerash, one of the best preserved and most complete provincial Roman
cities. Jerash, Gerasa of Roman Times, was one of the cities of the
Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Graeco-Roman cities dating from the 1st
century BC situated in Jordan, Syria and Israel. Known as the Pompeii of
the East for its extraordinary state of preservation, the ruins indicate
human occupations at this location for more than 2,500 years. The most
well known monuments include the colonnaded street, the Temple of Zeus,
the Forum, and Hadrian’s Arch. We overnight in
Amman.
Day 5: Petra (1 night)
Onto the King’s Highway we drive through the
land of the
Moab where to the east we view the hilltop palace/fortress of
Machaerus, the
place where John the Baptist was beheaded to the amazing city of
Petra. Walk
through the “Siq,” an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone, to the
city of Petra. 2000 years ago the Nabateans carved a city out of the
rose red rock and the Treasury, El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant
remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides
by hundreds of Petra’s carved and built structures. We overnight in Petra
known to be inhabited by the
Edomites - the
descendents of Esau.
Day 6: Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Baptismal Site,
Beit Shean, Galilee (3 nights)
Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, commands a spectacular view across
the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Our drive continues to the town of
Madaba, the biblical Medeba, 30 kilometers south of Amman. Madaba is
best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and at the Greek
Orthodox Church of St. George we may view the earliest surveying
original map of the Holyland. As we travel west toward the Allenby Bridge, we view to the north the
Plains of Moab,
the area where the tribes of Israel camped before crossing the Jordan
and visit
Bethany Beyond
the Jordan, the place where Jesus was baptized. Crossing back into Israel,
we visit
Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site in
Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan
valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied
throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the
Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. During the intertestamental period, the city was renamed the "Scythopolis".
Archaeologists have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the
Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was
one of the chief cities of the Decapolis -a league of ten cities sharing
Greek culture and government.
We will have
dinner and overnight lodging for the next three nights in a Kibbutz
Hotel in the
Tiberias area north of the
Sea of Galilee.
Day 7: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Bethsaida,
Corazim, Capernaum
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable
northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on Israel.
Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan
worship and
Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of Peter’s Confession. Bethsaida,
Chorazin and
Capernaum formed what has been
called the "evangelical triangle," because most of Jesus’ miracles in
Galilee were performed in these cities. Of special interest are the ruins of a
1st century synagogue in Corazin, the House of the Fisherman in
Bethsaida and
Peter’s home in Capernaum.
Day 8:
Sepphorus,
Tell Hazor, Mt. Tabor, Boat Ride, Mt. of Beatitudes
Begin the day
with Sepphorus,
a cosmopolitan city of great wealth and
beauty, at one time the largest and most important city in all Galilee.
We continue on to Hazor, an immense tell that was a strategic city along
the International Highway during the Old Testament period.
Following lunch we visit Mt. Tabor, the traditional site of the
Transfiguration. Next, is a stop at
the Nof Ginosar Kibbutz which houses the fascinating Jesus Boat exhibit.
This ancient boat from the time of Christ was uncovered as the Sea
receded during a recent drought.
We enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Sea of
Galilee with scripture reading and devotional on board bringing to life
the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. Then
we travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and
the
Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea.
Day 9:
Nazareth,
Megiddo,
Caesarea,
Jezreel,
Mt. Carmel. Jerusalem (5 nights)
We drive through the area of
Cana and
Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth
Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed
guides, and then
journey on
through the Jezreel
Valley to
Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have
unearthed 20 levels of civilization.
Next we travel
to
Mt. Carmel
where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. This afternoon
we’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct
and continue our tour along the Mediterranean coast to
Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and
were baptized.
Our lodging for the next five nights
will be in
Jerusalem. This evening we enjoy
a special lecture by a local believer prior to dinner, giving us a
perspective of Messianic life in Israel.
Day 10: Yad Vashem, Israeli Museum, Model
of Jerusalem, Upper Room
We begin the day with a visit
to
Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder of what
the Jews have suffered as a people. Next, an interesting and
educational time awaits us at the
Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of
centuries old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a
then a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical
Jerusalem will help to prepare you for what you will experience in the
following days.
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper Room"
just outside the
Zion Gate
where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and
where later Thomas cried, "my Lord & my God."
Day 11: Mt. of Olives, Garden
of Gethsemane, House of Caiaphas, Judgment Hall,
Pool of Bethesda, Stephen’s Gate, Garden Tomb
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with a panoramic
view of the city,
Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the
Mount of Olives
and then the
Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished to be whisked back in
time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a
moment? To walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of
Jesus' prayer and take time for personal reflection is important here.
Next we visit the
House of Caiaphas
where Jesus was scourged. See a pit where he may have been held
for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken
to be condemned. We move on to
the
Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Him and
are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. From here we will
also be able to see the
Pool of Bethesda,
Stephen's Gate
and St. Ann’s Church. The climax of the day is the
Garden Tomb,
where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise.
Day 12: Wailing Wall, Rabbinical Tunnel, City of David, Warren's Shaft,
Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, Zion Gate, Wailing Wall
We begin our sightseeing at the Wailing Wall followed by a visit to the
fascinating
Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second
Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing
construction of the Temple
Mount, giant stones, water
supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Before
exiting the tunnel we see the immense cornerstone rejected by the
builders. Then, walking outside the Dung Gate on the southeastern
hill below the Temple Mount in
the City of David. It was during the time of Solomon that the city
limits expended past this part of Jerusalem. We visit Gihon Springs,
the original water source for Jerusalem, view new excavations including
a typical Israelite four-room house, the lower city wall and the cistern
where Jeremiah was imprisoned. A highlight today will be a water walk
through the incredible Hezekiah's Tunnel to the pool of Siloam, the
place of Jesus' miracle in John 9.
Day 13: Temple Institute, Burnt House, Cardo, Herodian Pavement, Southern Wall Excavations, Via
Dolorosa, Church of Holy Sepulcher, free afternoon or
optional Bethlehem.
This morning we return to the Old City via the Zion Gate for time
at the Wailing Wall, views of the Burnt House, Roman Cardo and a stop at
the fascinating Temple Institute. Then, walking along the Via Dolorosa,
we are reminded of His way of suffering along with a visit to the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our guide will explain the differing
opinions on the route that Christ was led and the actual place of
crucifixion and burial is a very interesting study.. This afternoon we
visit the
Southern Wall Excavations. This southern side of The Temple was the
main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had
their own entrance from the higher eastern side. Parts of the giant
stairs, which led to the Temple
Mount from
the courtyard have been unearthed along with the purification pools.
From here Jesus entered the
Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangers who were
exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that
Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and baptized on
the
Day of Pentecost. We will enjoy a challenge from God’s word and a
song before an optional time this afternoon. Those who wish may stay in
the city marketplace for shopping, while others may choose to spend the
remainder of the day surrounding the birth of Christ, with a visit to
Bethlehem.
Day 14:
Tomb of Samuel, Emmaus, Valley of Elah,
Beth Shemesh, Joppa
This
morning we pass the Knesset and continue to the tomb of the prophet
Samuel. Then drive westward to a possible location of Emmaus where Jesus
appeared to two disciples. We walk to a scenic view of the Aijalon
Valley where Joshua prayed for the sun and moon to remain still, followed by
the Valley of
Elah where
David defeated Goliath. The most ancient iron workshop in the world was
discovered here in 2003. In nearby Beth Shemesh we find the only
remnants of a fortified city with an advanced water system, from the
time of early Judean rule as well as the most ancient iron workshop in
the world. Before returning to the airport, we enjoy a walking tour of
historic Joppa cobblestone streets where Peter received the call to
witness to the Gentiles.
Day 15: Home
Our flight return will bring
us home by early afternoon.
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Price Includes:
San Francisco or Portland
departure (low cost add-on fares available nationwide), first
class (4 Star) lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, modern
transportation, expert biblical guides, sightseeing as listed,
gratuities to hotel staff,
guides and drivers in Israel,
Jordan
visa, air taxes & fuel
charges (currently $260).
Not included:
Travel insurance, border
taxes (approximately $7.50), gratuities in Jordan
(approximately $14),
credit card payment will
incur a fee of an additional 3%.
Single Supplement -
$625
Deposit
Required: $300 per
person will reserve your place. A $100 service fee will be
charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our
normal payment and cancellation policy. |
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