Egypt, Jordan, Israel & Turkey
Rev Peter Gador-Whyte is a Parish Minister in the Uniting Church.
He is married with four grown children. Peter has exercised his ministry in remote country, Suburban, seaside, inner suburban congregations as well as in the CBD of Melbourne where he was Convenor of the Melbourne City Church.
While in that position Peter initiated the Way of the Cross’ walk in the city encouraging the churches to place sculptures in the city as devotional stations to mark that walk.
He is deeply committed to ecumenical engagement. Peter’s interest in art, music and history and liturgy along side his love for travel has greatly enriched his ministry .
Itinerary
DAY 1: DAY 1: MELBOURNE SINGAPORE CAIRO MARCH 2009 Flight April 14 2009 at 1550 Depart from MELBOURNE (TERMINAL 2)April 14 2009 at 2135A rrive at SINGAPORE Flight No : SQ228 Class : W - Economy Class Airline : SINGAPORE AIRLINES Flight April 15 2009 at 0225 Depart from SINGAPORE (TERMINAL 2) April 15 2009 at 0640 Arrive at CAIRO (TERMINAL 2) Flight No : SQ492 Class : W - Economy Class Airline : SINGAPORE AIRLINES
DAY 2: DAY 2 : CAIRO APRIL 15 2009 (B,D) Upon your Cairo arrival our representative will meet, welcome and assist you in your transfer to the hotel.A half day of guided sightseeing in Old Cairo. Visit the"HANGING CHURCH" (ELMUALLAQA) and ST. SERGIUS CHURCH, said to stand above a crypt which sheltered the Holy Family during their flight from Egypt (Matt 2:1323). Afterwards visit the COPTIC MUSEUM as well as the ST.MERURIUS CHURCH (Abu Seifein) with its extraordinary collection of icons and Coptic art. The afternoon at the Cairo Museum or Grand Bazaar. Welcome dinner at hotel and overnight Cairo Hotel request Shepheard Hotel.
DAY 3: DAY 3: CAIRO: THE PYRAMIDS APRIL 16 2009 (B,D) Meet your Egyptologist for a spectacular day of guided sightseeing including the EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, MEMPHIS with the statues of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, and SAKKARA'S "Stairway to the Sky" (the oldest of the pyramids).Afterwards visit GIZA'S SPHINX and the GREAT PYRAMIDS. Evening Flight from Cairo to Luxor Overnight Luxor - Hotel to be advised Thu Apr 16 2009 at 5:45pm Depart from CAIRO (TERMINAL 1) Thu Apr 16 2009 at 6:50pm Arrive at LUXOR Class : Y - Economy Class Airline : EGYPTAIR
DAY 4: DAY 4: LUXOR: TEMPLE OF KARNAK. APRIL 17 2009 (B,D) We first visit the largest temple in the world, the famous Karnak Temple. We proceed with visits of the West Bank of the Nile to The colossi of Memenon, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari and the Valley of the Kings.Afterwards, we transfer to Luxor airport for our flight to Sharm EL Sheikh. Overnight Sharm EL Sheikh - Hotel to be advised. Flight Fri Apr 17 2009 at 7:00pm Depart from LUXOR Fri Apr 17 2009 at 7:50pm Arrive at SHARM EL SHEIK (TERMINAL 1) Class : Y - Economy Class
DAY 5: DAY 5: SHARM EL SHEIKH APRIL 18 (B,D) Sharm el Sheikh, the most popular Red Sea resort onthe Sinai Peninsula. Excursion to St. Catherine Monastery, situated at the foot of Mount Sinai or Mount Moses(Biblical Mount Horeb), where Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus: 19 & 20). One of the jewels of Western Civilization, this monastery is home to some of the world's richest collections of icons and ancient manuscripts and is built on the reputed site of the "BurningBush" (Exodus: 3 & 4). (Please note excursion by bus to St Catherine's Monastery approximately half way up to the summit. It approximately 2-3 hours trek or by Camel) Option to do a sunset climb or sunrise climb up to Mt Sinai. Overnight St Catherine's- Please request Al Maha hotel.
DAY 6: DAY 6: SHARM EL SHEIKH. RED SEA CROSSING: TABA, EGYPT TO AQABA JORDAN : PETRA JORDAN. April 19 2009 (B,D) Reminiscent of the miraculous parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 13:1722, 14:131), today sail by Fast Ferry from TABA, Egypt, to Aqaba crossing to Jordan. Travel through Wadi Rum to Petra. Half day site seeing of Petra. Overnight Petra - Please request Petra Panorama Hotel.
DAY 7: DAY 7: PETRA: MT NEBO: QUMRAN (DEAD SEA SCROLLS): JERUSALEM APRIL 20 2009 (B, D) This morning we start our day with a drive along the Kings Highway to MADABA and MT NEBO. Mt Nebo is where Moses viewed the promised land and also his resting place. With continue on to the Border crossing at Allenby Bridge where we will continue on route to QUMRAN on the Dead Sea. We will stay overnight Jerusalem - Grand Court Hotel
DAY 8: DAY 8: JERUSALEM. APRIL 21 2009 (B,D) Our day will begin today, where we first visit the Western Wall, the place most precious for Jews around the world. We'll proceed to the Temple Mount where we'll see the Dome of the Rock Mosque. We'll continue from there to the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the crippled man.Church of St. Anne before we begin our walk down the ViaDolorosa, following the path Jesus took to the cross. We'll visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and walk through the fascinating Arab market. We'll tour through the Jewish Quarter where we'll see the Roman Cardo and other sites of interest. At the end of our visit there, we'll return to our hotel for overnight.Overnight Jerusalem - Hotel Grand Court
DAY 9: DAY 9: JERUSALEM APRIL 22 2009 (B,D) Today's tour begins with a visit to the Shepherd's Fieldon the outskirts of Bethlehem where the angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. From there we'll go to the Mount of Olives where we'll see a breathtaking Panoramic View of the Old City of Jerusalem. We'll walk a part of the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus went with the disciples on the final night before his crucifixion. There we'll visit the Church of All Nations and the garden with its ancient olive trees. Next we'll go to Mount Zion where we'll see the Upper Room and King David's Tomb. From there we'll go tothe House of Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night. Finally we'll return to our hotel for overnight. Overnight Jerusalem- Hotel Grand Court
DAY 10: DAY 10: JERUSALEM: TIBERIAS CAPERNAUM APRIL23 2009 (B,D) Today we explore the historical area of Galilee. Remember how Jesus walked on the water? Our boat will take us across the Sea of Galilee, stopping in the middle where there is a time of reflection and singing. We disembark at Nof Ginosar a kibbutz located on the shores where we will see the remains of a boat from the time of Jesus. Arriving later to CAPERNAUM, the city of Jesus, we visit the ruins of the synagogue where Jesus performed many miracles.You will see the excavations of ST PETER'S house and visit TABGHA, where Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fishes to feed the multitudes. Later we ascend to the top of the MOUNT OF BEATITUDES. Brendan will bring a teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. We return to Tiberias Overnight. Hotel to be advised.
DAY 11: DAY 11: TIBERIAS - NAZARETH APRIL 24 2009 (B,D) A free morning to relax around the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Travelling on and Circling the Sea of Galilee we see such places as Migdala, Mt Arbel, Horns of Hitti, Beit Saida, Gamla, Kursi and Ein Gev Kibbutz to arrive at the JORDAN RIVER. This is an opportunity for those wishing tobe baptized. We continue on to the GOLAN HEIGHTS and UPPER GALILEE, visiting Hazor Museum and KUNEITRA, overlooking the Syrian Border and a United Nations post. We will visit the source of the Jordan River on the slopes of Mt Hermon where St Peter made his confession at CAESAREA PHILIPPI returning to NAZARETH for overnight. Overnight Nazareth- Hotel to be advised.
DAY 12: DAY 12: NAZARETH _ MT TABOR SEPPHORISMEGIDDO : TEL AVIV APRIL 25 2009 (B,D) Today we leave Nazareth and will arrive at Haifa via a quickstop at Mt Tabor. We'll continue to Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophetsof Baal. Next we'll travel To Akko for a visit of the old,famous crusader stronghold and medieval fortifi cations. We'll continue our day with a drive along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea by the Sea. There we'll see the Roman ruins of the great Theater and Aqueduct, as well as the Crusader city later built on this site. This is the placewhere Paul left for his final missionary journey. Overnight Tel AVIV - Hotel to be advised.
DAY 13: DAY 13: TEL AVIV - ISTANBUL (D) APRIL 26 2009 Sun Apr 26 2009 at 6:30am Depart from TEL AVIV TLV Sun Apr 26 2009 at 8:45am Arrive at ISTANBUL Airline : TURKISH AIRLINES Early morning arrival to TEL AVIV airport for flight to Istanbul. Meet with your tour director at the international arrivals terminal outside the customs area and continue to your hotel. Half day sightseeing tour of Istanbul followed by Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. Hotel - please request Yasmak Sultan Hotel.
DAY 14: DAY 14: CLASSICAL ISTANBUL - FULL DAY: APRIL 272009(B,D) Depart from the hotel after breakfast to visit historicalhighlights of Istanbul includingthe CHORA CHURCHKARIYE MUSEUM, the ROMANHIPPODROME, the BLUEMOSQUE, the ST. SOPHIA MUSEUM, the TOPKAPIPALACE and the GRAND BAZAAR.Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.Hotel - please request Yasmak Sultan Hotel.
DAY 15: DAY 15: ISTANBUL _ ANKARA APRIL 28 2009(B,D) Tue Apr 28 2009 at 9:00am Depart from ISTANBUL Tue Apr 28 2009 at 10:00am Arrive at ANKARA ESENBOGA Class : Y - Economy Class Airline : TURKISH AIRLINES Depart from the hotel to drive to the Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Ankara, the Turkish capital. After arriving in Ankara, drive to the old city to visit the AUGUSTUS TEMPLE, the most important Roman monument of Ankara, the Temple to Augustus and Rome built at the top of a little hill at the foot of the Acropolis, on the site of a pre-existing temple to local divinities. It is known as Monumentum Ancyranumand it became important when its restoration led to the discovery of the text (both in Latin and Greek) of the spiritual testament of Augustus (Index Rerum Gestarum). Then visit the MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILISATIONSwhich displays a unique collection of artifacts fromthe civilisations of Anatolia, making it the richest of itskind in the world, and one of the landmarks of Turkey,the MAUSOLEUM OF ATATURK. Afterwards drive toCappadocia by the Salt Lake via Aksaray. On the way from Aksaray to Cappadocia along the Silk Road, visit the AGZIKARAHAN KERVANSARAY. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 16: DAY 16: CAPPADOCIA APRIL 29 2009 (B,D) Depart from the hotel to visit the GOREME OPENAIR MUSEUM and the OZKONAK UNDERGROUND CITY. The highlights of the day also include visits tothe PIGEONS' VALLEY, AVCILAR VALLEY-MATIANOI, PASABAG- the MONKS' VALLEY, the OLD VILLAGE OF CAVUSIN, the VALLEY OF FAIRY CHIMNEYSDEVRENT,and the pottery manufacturing town of AVANOS. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. Hotel - To be advised.
DAY 17: DAY 17: CAPPADOCIA-KONYA APRIL 30 2009(B,D) Depart from the hotel for a drive to the town of GUZELYURT. In ancient times this town was known as Karbala and in Christian period as Kalvari, then Gelveri, in which one of the founder fathers of the Christian Church-St. Gregory of Nazianzus was born in AD 328. After sightseeing around the town, continue to the city KONYAvia Aksaray along the Silk Road. Visit the MEVLANA MUSEUM and the KARATAY MUSEUM in Konya. Dinner and overnight in Konya.Hotel - To Be advised
DAY 18: DAY 18: KONYA-PAMUKKALE MAY 1 2009(B,D) Depart from the hotel to drive to the town YALVAC, ancient ANTIOCH in PISIDIA, via the town AKSEHIR. Visit the Roman period remains of Antioch in Pisidia (where St Paul first opened the gospel to the Gentiles- Acts 13)and the local museum in Yalvac. Afterwards continue to the town of PAMUKKALE near the city of Denizli via the towns Cay, Dinar and Dazkiri. Have a brief stop at the site of Biblical. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. Hotel to be advised.
DAY 19: DAY 18: PAMUKKALE-IZMIR MAY 2 2009 (B,D) Depart from the hotel to visit the ruins of the ancient city HIERAPOLIS and the limestone wonders of Pamukkale. Then have a short ride to the site of ancient LAODICEIA - this is the first of the Seven Churches of Reveleation 2-3 that we will be visiting. Afterwards head north west to the town Alasehir, ancient PHILADELPHIA, the city of brotherly love, to visit the remains of the Church of St.John. Continue westward to the village of Sart, ancient Lydian capital SARDIS, to visit the Royal Road from Sardis to Susa, the GYMNASIUM, the SYNAGOGUE, the TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS, and the CHURCH. Then to IZMIR, ancient SMYRNA. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. Hotel Izmir - to be advised.
DAY 20: DAY 19: IZMIR - EPHESUS MAY 3 2009 (B,D) Depart from the hotel to visit the CHURCH OF ST.POLYCARP. Then drive to MT. PAGOS to see the remains from the Hellenistic Castle of Lysimachos with a full view over Izmir. Afterwards continue to the town of Selcuk to visit the remains of the ancient city of EPHESUS, the ARTEMIS TEMPLE, the HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY, the BASILICA OF ST. JOHN, the CAVE OF SEVEN SLEEPERS and the local MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY. Late afternoon flight from Izmir to Istanbul and back home to Melbourne or onto other European Destination. Sun May 3 2009 at 8:00am Depart from IZMIR Sun May 32009 at 9:00am Arrive at ISTANBUL Flight No : TK309 Class : Y - Economy Class Airline : TURKISH AIRLINES Flight Sun May 3 2009 at 1:30pm Depart from ISTANBUL Mon May 4 2009 at 7:30am Arrive at SINGAPORE Flight No : SQ491 Status : Confi rmed Class : W - Economy Class Airline : SINGAPORE AIRLINES Flight Mon May 4 2009 at 9:55am Depart from SINGAPORE Mon May 4 2009 at 7:15pm Arrive at MELBOURNE (TERMINAL 2) Flight No : SQ217 Class : W - Economy Class Airline : SINGAPORE AIRLINES