|
|
15 Day
Program
Your Life Will Be
Changed Forever!
Day 1: Departure
This afternoon we embark on our journey to the Holy Lands, a life
changing experience. Our night flight begins with dinner service and
time to fellowship with friends new and old, meditate on the treasures
ahead, and catch some shut-eye enroute to Tel Aviv.
Day 2: Israel
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
northward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area of Netanya. The
remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and
have dinner. Our pastor guide will conduct our day’s devotional with
the sunset over the “Great Sea.” We will enjoy a time of praise, a
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: Caesarea,
Cana, Nazareth
After breakfast, we travel by private motorcoach along the coast of the
Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News
from Peter and were baptized. See the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct.
Then we’ll journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah hid from King Ahab,
and through the Jezreal Valley to Megiddo, where archaeologists have
unearthed 20 levels of civilization. In the afternoon, we continue on to
Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. We will have dinner and
overnight lodging for the next two nights in Tiberias on the Sea of
Galilee.
Day 4: Capernaum & Mount of
Beatitudes
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to Dan and Caesarea
Philippi, site of Peter’s Confession. A relaxing cruise on the Sea of
Galilee with easy viewing of the nearby Golan Heights brings to life the
experiences of the fishermen disciples. In Capernaum we will visit the
ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel on to
the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the Mount of the
Beatitudes overlooking the Sea where our pastor guide will reenact
Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount.” We will also visit the ruins
of ancient Capernaum.
Day 5: Bethlehem & Journey to
Jerusalem
We begin our sightseeing with a brief visit to the Jordan River
Baptismal site, and then turn southward through Beth-Shan and the Jordan
Valley. As we travel along we will view the oldest city in the world -
Jericho. In Bethlehem, the birthplace of our Lord, we'll view the
Shepherd's Field and what is considered to be the Manger site. In
respect for the Hebrew tradition, we'll cover our heads at Rachel's
Tomb. Before checking into our Jerusalem hotel (our home for the next
five nights), we'll enjoy a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and
the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives. Our pastor guide
will explain the plans for the building of a new temple of magnificent
scale.
Day 6: Around Jerusalem
Our sightseeing of Jerusalem will begin with a visit to the Mt. of
Olives and the Garden of Gethsemene (here again we will view a shrine
that claims this site as holy). How many have wished to be wisked back
in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a
moment. To walk between olive trees that were alive during Christ’s
time and hear our Pastor guide speak our Savior’s words may be the
closest we will come to this dream on this side of the divide. Next we
visit the house of Caiaphas and the “Upper Room” where the disciple
whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas
cried; “my Lord & my God.” Following lunch we travel to the
Shrine of the Book with time to enjoy the museum, including the Dead Sea
Scrolls and the absolute miracle of God’s preserved Word. Following
dinner, time will be allowed for an evening of downtown shopping. You
will enjoy the delightful European charm of cobblestone streets, shops
and sidewalk cafes.
Day 7: Masada & the Dead Sea
This morning we travel through the Judean wilderness south of Jerusalem
to the lowest point on earth - the Dead Sea. We'll visit Qumran Caves,
where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We'll have the opportunity
to take a dip in the Dead Sea for a relaxing float. You'll notice
room-sized "icebergs" which are actually chunks of nearly pure
salt. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul. Our
last stop of the day includes 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.
Day 8: Bible Time in Israel
An interesting and educational day of touring awaits us today beginning
at a scale model of the ancient city of Jerusalem. Our guide will walk
us through an accurately detailed smaller version of Biblical times in
Jerusalem as well as the architecture and décor of the Temple. At the
Biblical Resource Scriptural Gardens, we'll view a threshing floor, wine
press, olive press and sheepfold, as well as the many plants of Biblical
times. Afterwards we take in a breathtaking view of pastoral, Biblical
Israel. We continue to the Jewish quarter of the city via the Zion Gate
where we will see the ancient Roman Cardo, Herodian Mansion, Temple
Institute and Western Wall. On our way out of the city we will visit the
Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. Later today
our guide will escort those who wish to visit the marketplace in Old
Jerusalem.
Day 9: Jesus’ Steps
Today we walk where Jesus walked. We enter the Old City through
Stephen's Gate, and visit the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus cured a
cripple. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pliate, hear of those who
conspired against Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and
humiliation. While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of
His way of suffering, view the Church of the Sepulchre before we arrive
at the climax of our tour - the Garden Tomb. Your faith, that blessed
hope and communion with Christ, will take on a tremendous new meaning
today.
Day 10: Istanbul / Izmir
An early morning flight will bring us to Istanbul, Turkey. We will start
the day with a visit to the Spice Market followed by a cruise along the
Bosphorus, which separates Asia from Europe. A flight to Izmir will
bring us to Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11), one of the seven churches of
Revelation . Visit the Church of Polycarp. Polycarp is known as the
fourth Bishop of Smyrna and became one of the martyrs for Christ.
Transfer to hotel and overnight.
Day 11: Izmir / Pamukkale
This morning we drive to Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6), capital of ancient Lydian
Kingdom where a very large synagogue was unearthed by archaeologists.
After a visit to the ruins of Sardis, we drive to the city of
"Brotherly Love": Philadelphia. The Church of Philadelphia
kept His Word and did not deny Jesus Christ (Rev. 3:8b). A visit to
Laodicea will help one understand the culture of this first century
church that was "lukewarm" (Rev. 3:16). Our day will be
concluded at Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Pamukkale / Selcuk
Today we will explore the recently excavated theater of Laodicea (Laodikea/Denizli).
Then on to the ancient city of Hierapolis with its theater, baths and
necropolis, and the shrine to Pluto, lord of the underworld. Next, we
visit the "Cotton Castle" at Pamukkale, named so because of
limestone hot springs and spectacular white rock formations. En route to
Ephesus, we will make a stop at Colossae. Then, continue on to visit the
biblical city of Ephesus (Revelation 1:11; 2:1-7; Acts 18:19-28;
19:1-41), a church that endured but left its first love. Learn more
about a cultural setting that led those believers to leave their
"first love." The tour will include visits to Odeon, the
Marble Street, the Celsius Library, the Temple of Hadrian and the Great
Theater. Before we leave this culturally rich site, we will visit the
Temple of Artemis, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. Enjoy dinner and overnight at a hotel in Selcuk.
Day 13: Canakkale / Troy
After breakfast, we take a scenic drive to Thyatira [Akhisar] (Rev.
2:18-29). Discover again a culture that reinforces God's truth about
this church. Thyatira was known for its guilds of artists in the time of
the Apostle Paul. We proceed to Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17), the home of the
famous physician Galen. Here you will learn more about why Pergamum was
the most favored of the Seven Churches and the rival of Ephesus in
commerce and of Alexandria in learning and the arts. Here we visit the
Altar of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, the great library and the restored
theater and Aesculapium, a famous Roman medical center directed by
Galen. In the afternoon, drive to Troy for dinner and overnight.
Day 14: Troy / Istanbul
After visiting the ruins of Troy, we will cross the Dardanelle's from
Asia to Europe and drive to Istanbul. In Istanbul, we will stop at the
Grand Bazaar for some shopping and a farewell dinner at a local
restaurant.
Day 15: Homeward
We catch our flight for home today, taking with us the memories of our
exciting journey.
Price per Person: $2495.00
- October Through March
Side Trips:
3 night package to Petra ($476) & 3 night package to Cairo
($465)
Price Includes:
Superior 1st class lodging, air fare, expert Biblical guides,
admissions, sightseeing, and breakfast & dinner daily.
Not Included:
air taxes, gratuities, visa for Turkey.
Attention Pastors:
Do you have a group of 10 or more? Pilgrim will customize a tour for
you.
|
