Israel, Italy, Munich and Oberammergau
Ken Anderson is committed to Christian Group Travel experiences as great opportunities to see the sights, refl ect on Historical and Biblical truths in the company of other Christians.
He brings many years of experience escorting groups to Conferences and Travel experiences to many countries around the world. Having experienced the Passion Play in 2000, Ken is enthusiastic to encourage Christians to relive the Passion of Christ at Oberammergau as a true Pilgrimage experience.
The opportunity to combine Israel, walking in the steps of Jesus, contrasted with the beauty of the German countryside and the Passion Play in Oberammergau will be an unforgettable experience. The recall of memories will be very special. Ken, who now lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, has experienced forty years of Ministry at Parish, State and Nation level and now Co ordinates an exciting Coaching Programme for Pastors with Willow Creek Australia
Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play which was first performed in 1634. In the middle of the 30 Years War, after months of suffering and dying from the “Black Death,” or plague, surviving villagers swore an oath to perform a “Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten years. The Play, originally made up of just actors from the village itself, has grown to a stage production comprised of almost 2,000 performers, singers, musicians and stage technicians. The Play is performed in the 5,000 seat Passion Play Theater with its open air stage.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Depart Australia Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart Australia.
DAY 2: Arrival in Amman You will be welcomed to Amman by our airport representative and transferred to the border crossing at Allenby Bridge with an onward transfer to your hotel. Enjoy dinner before you rest.
DAY 3: The Galilee With Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt.4: 13, 23). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you’ll learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7). At Tabgha (the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000) you’ll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17). You’ll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21).
DAY 4: Beit Shean, Nazareth, Megiddo and Caesarea Visit the ruins of Beit Shean which was continuously inhabited for 5000 years and was one of the Roman cities Jesus passed through on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem. Visit Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2: 23). Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other. Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new religion (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for Trial.
DAY 5: Jericho, Qumran, and Bethlehem Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6: 1, 2, 20). From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4: 1-11). Even today, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem twists for miles as it climbs from below sea level into the Judean Mountains. Jesus traveled the nearby Roman road, the setting of His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-36). Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. In Bethlehem, you’ll visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt. 1: 18 - 25; Luke 2: 1- 7). The church, which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby you’ll view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard.
DAY 6: Jerusalem Visit the Haas Promenade and enjoy a panoramic view from the south of Jerusalem, the Old City walls and the hill called Mount Moriah where Abraham was commanded by God to offer Isaac as a burnt offering (Gen. 22: 2, 4). View the Kidron Valley and the Valley of Gehenna. Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1: 9 - 12). Visit the Chapel of the Ascension. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed (Matt. 26: 36 - 44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night (Matt. 26: 57 - 65). Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12 - 26). View the site of King David’s Tomb.
DAY 7: Jerusalem and the Old City Visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the ancient Temple including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross”, and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
DAY 8: Masada and Dead Sea Tour Today we will visit Masada Herod’s mountaintop fortress which became the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Time permitting; you’ll stop briefly at the Shores of the Dead Sea for a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.
DAY 9: Jerusalem Travel to Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place where the Virgin Mary visited Elisabeth (Luke 1: 26-40). Visit and worship at the Garden Tomb, possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and experience the reality of the Resurrection. Your afternoon is free for exploring.
DAY 10: Fly from Tel Aviv - Rome Check out from our hotel. We will be transferred to Tel Aviv for our flight to Rome. At 6 p.m. meet your Italian Tour Director and leave the hotel for a special dinner with wine in one of Rome's lively restaurants. (D)
DAY 11: Rome- Florence. Site seeing with your Local Guide this morning concentrates on ancient Rome: visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. We continue with a guided visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Next, visit monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA. In the early afternoon drive north along the Highway of the Sun into Tuscany and its hill-clad vineyards which house the famous Chianti wine, to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. (B)
DAY 12: Florence Follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo's celebrated ‘David’ and the magnificent CATHEDRAL. Admire Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery's heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise", and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. The afternoon is free for your leisure. Florentine leather goods and gold jewellery sold by the ounce are attractive buys. You may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant and try out the Chianti wines. (B)
DAY 13: FLORENCE-VENICE Through the wooded Apennine Hills and the lush plains of the River Po, the largest river in Italy, to Venice, a magnet for romantics and art lovers around the globe. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK'S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES' PALACE, and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. (BB)
DAY 14: Venice (morning) Drive to Munich Oberammergau A half day to explore Venice on your own: join the locals, have a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe, or wander through the narrow streets and discover Rialto Bridge. After lunch we depart for our journey to Munich. (B, D)
DAY 15: Munich - Oberammergau After breakfast, our morning sightseeing tour of Munich includes the Marienplatz with the famous Glockenspiel and an outside visit of Nymphenburg Palace. After lunch, we enjoy a wonderful ride through the Bavarian countryside to Oberammergau. (B, D)
DAY 16: Oberammergau (Performance Day) The highlight of our tour will take place today when we attend the performance of the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play. (B, L, D)
DAY 17: Oberammergau to Munich This morning we transfer to Munich. The rest of day is at your leisure.
DAY 18: Return flight home, or ongoing flight within Europe.