|
 Introduction
|
|
In the
Middle East,
the reality on the ground is often far removed from what we see
and read in the news. Places of pilgrimage are open and
welcoming visitors. We begin our pilgrimage in Jerusalem before
crossing into
Jordan
where the countryside is so reminiscent of Biblical times. We
then return to Israel to stay in Tiberias, beside the
Sea of Galilee.
On our journey we plan to meet with the local Christian
community and offer them our support and encouragement. Visits
in Israel will include Jerusalem, Nazareth, Capernaum and the
Sea of Galilee. We will also visit
Bethlehem and pass through
Jericho: part of the emerging
Palestine.
In Jordan, the highlight is the red rose city of
Petra
but we will also see a Crusader castle, Roman theatres and
temples. On our pilgrimage, we will walk along the Via Dolorosa,
sail on the Sea of Galilee, float on the Dead Sea and visit the
site of Jesus Baptism in the
Jordan river.
The Holy Land is unique in offering so many highlights and
contrasts in such a compact area. Each day of our pilgrimage
will be very different from the last. |
 Day by day tour itinerary
Day 1:
JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND
We
meet at Airport. Transfer on arrival to our hotel in Jerusalem.
Four night stay at the Golden Walls Hotel close to the Old City and the
Biblical sites we will be visiting.
Day 2:
AN
INTRODUCTION TO JERUSALEM
We
drive to the Mount of Olives where we have a panoramic view of the
walled city. As we look across the Kidron Valley we see the Golden Gate,
the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On the Mount
of Olives we visit the Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit Chapel, and
the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. We finish our
morning at the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu (possible site of the
High Priest's house). We drive out to West Jerusalem and the picturesque
village of Ein Karem where we have lunch at the Sisters of Sion convent
and spend time visiting the Church of John the Baptist. We continue to
the Israel Museum to visit the model of Ancient Jerusalem. We also see
the Dead Sea scrolls (housed within the Shrine of the Book).
Day 3: BETHLEHEM
Today we cross into Palestinian territory to visit Bethlehem. We
celebrate Holy Communion in the Fields of the Shepherds and have time to
shop in the olive wood co-operative. We have lunch at the Bethlehem Arab
Rehabilitation Centre in Beit Jala. In the afternoon we see Manger
Square and visit the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity and St Jerome's
Caves.
Day 4:
THE VIA DOLOROSA
We
begin on Mount Zion at the Dormition Abbey and Upper Room. We enter the
Old City through Zion Gate and walk down to the Western Wall (where we
also see the Bar-Mitzvah ceremonies) and ascend the Temple Mount to
visit the El Aqsa
Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. We finish our morning by the Pool of
Bethesda. After lunch at the Ecce Homo convent we follow the Via
Dolorosa through the lanes of the Old City to the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre. We end the afternoon in the Garden Tomb.
Day 5: FOUR
NIGHTS IN JORDAN
We
leave Jerusalem and drive via the Wadi Qelt (to view St George’s
Monastery) before continuing down to Jericho. We proceed to the Allenby
Bridge crossing point between Israel and Jordan. After entering Jordan,
we continue to Kerak for a late lunch.
We
then journey to Petra and a two-night stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in
Petra.
Day 6: THE
ROSE RED CITY OF PETRA
Petra’s fame is well deserved and you will be struck by the scale of the
site and the extraordinary beauty of the rock-cut tombs and temples. At
the time of Jesus, Petra was a magnificent Nabatean city of enormous
wealth, which controlled much of the trade that passed through the
region. We enter Petra through the Siq on foot and then suddenly stand
before the rock-cut Treasury, hewn out of the red sandstone. We spend
the entire day here and visit many of the breathtaking monuments,
including some of the Royal Tombs. Lunch is at the Basin Restaurant.
Day 7:
VIEWING THE PROMISED LAND
We
drive north through Wadi Mujib, Jordan’s mini Grand Canyon. We ascend
Mount Nebo where we celebrate Holy Communion on the mountain where Moses
viewed the Promised Land and visit Madaba where we see a famous mosaic
map of the Bible Lands. We lunch in Madaba at the Haret Jdoudna
Restaurant and see a famous mosaic map of the Bible Lands and a mosaic
school with young people learning an ancient art. After lunch, we
continue to Amman and have an orientation tour of the city (including
the Citadel and the King Abdullah Mosque).
We
spend two nights in the Regency Palace Hotel in Amman.
Day 8:
THE DEAD SEA & BETHANY
In
the morning we visit one of the most significant religious discoveries
of the past century. Bethany beyond the Jordan, is situated on the east
bank of the Jordan River, and is the likely place where John the Baptist
lived and preached and where he baptized Jesus. We then lunch at the
Dead Sea and spend a few hours relaxing there in the afternoon before
returning to Amman.
Day 9:
THREE NIGHTS IN GALILEE
We
drive north from Amman to the Jabbok River where we recall the story of
Jacob wrestling with the angel. From there we continue to the
spectacular ruins of Jerash, the best preserved of all the Decapolis
cities. Here, our visit includes the oval forum, the colonnaded street
and the theatre. Lunch is at the Green Valley Restaurant. We continue to
northern crossing point into Israel and drive via Bet Shean to Tiberias
on the Sea of Galilee.
Three night stay at the Ron Beach hotel on the lakeside.
Day 10:
NAZARETH
We
ascend Mount Tabor in t axis to visit the Basilica of the Trans
figuration and enjoy magnificent views over the plain of Armageddon. We
continue to Nazareth where we visit Gabriel’s Church (Mary’s Well), the
Synagogue Church and the Basilica of the Annunciation. We lunch at the
Holy Land Restaurant. In the afternoon we visit the site of Sepphoris,
an import ant 1st Century Galilean cent re, to see the ruins and the
beautiful mosaics. We return to Tiberias visiting Cana, scene of Jesus
first miracle, en route.
Day 11:
THE LAKESIDE MINISTRY
Today we visit the sites associated with Jesus' life around the Sea of
Galilee. We drive to the north of the lake and vi s it the ruins of
Capernaum, Jesus Galilean bas e. We continue to Mensa Christi (where
Jesus appeared to his disciples after His resurrection) and celebrate
Holy Communion on the shores of the lake at Tabgha beside the Church of
the Loaves and Fishes. Lunch is at the Convent of the Beatitudes. We
visit the church and garden which commemorate the sermon on the Mount.
After lunch, we walk down to the lake and sail back across the Sea of
Galilee to the hotel, returning by mid-afternoon to allow time to relax
and swim.
Day 12:
HOMEWARD BOUND
An
early start as we drive to Ben Gurion Airport for our return |
Petra tours