Itinerary
DAY 1: CAIRO. 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" (EL-MUALLAQA) and ST. SERGIUS CHURCH, said to stand above a crypt which sheltered the Holy Family during their flight from Egypt (Matt 2:13-23). Afterwards visit the COPTIC MUSEUM as well as the ST. MERURIUS CHURCH (Abu Seifein) with its extraordinary collection of icons and Coptic art. Welcome dinner at hotel and overnight Cairo. (D)
DAY 2: CAIRO: THE PYRAMIDS. 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. Overnight Cairo(B,D)
DAY 3: CAIRO- SHARM EL SHEIKH. An early morning Flight from Cairo to Sharm el Sheikh, the most popular Red Sea resort on the 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 "Burning Bush" (Exodus: 3 & 4). Overnight Sharm El Sheikh. (B,D)
DAY 4: SHARM EL SHEIKH. RED SEA CROSSING: NUWEIBA, EGYPT TO ISRAEL BORDER CROSSING. Reminiscent of the miraculous parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-22, 14:1-31), today sail by CATAMARAN from Nuweiba, Egypt, to EILAT Border crossing and journey to Masada and the Dead Sea. Overnight Dead Sea(BB,D)
DAY 5: MASADA-BEIT SHEAN-TIBERIAS. This morning you have the opportunity to make an early morning climb Masada to see the sunrise or you can float in the Dead Sea or enjoy a mineral treatment. (This must be pre-booked). Onto our coach we make a visit to David’s place of refuge from Saul, Ein Gedi. Continuing our journey north, we follow the scenic Jordan Valley via Jericho (security permitting) to the Decapolis City of BEIT-SHEAN where King Saul’s body was hung on the gates of the city. Excavations have uncovered eighteen levels of habitation in this ancient historical city. We continue our journey to Nazareth where Jesus lived and grew up. We visit the church of the Annunciation, which covers the boyhood home of Jesus. We pass through Cana where He performed His first recorded miracle and as we round the crest of a hill, the SEA OF GALILEE unfolds in a breathtaking panoramic scene before our eyes. We overnight in Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee. (B,D)
DAY 6: TIBERIAS- CAPERNAUM. 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 Tiberius Overnight. (B,D)
DAY 7: TIBERIAS – NAZARETH. A free morning to relax around the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Traveling 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 to be 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. (B,D)
DAY 8: NAZARETH - MT TABOR- SEPPHORIS- MEGIDDO- TEL AVIV. Today we leave Nazareth and will arrive at Haifa via a quick stop at Mt Tabor. We’ll continue to Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. Next we’ll travel To Akko for a visit of the old , famous crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications. 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 place where Paul left for his final missionary journey. We’ll continue to Tel Aviv to visit the Old Jaffa, an 8000 year old port city, visit the ancient ruins and walk along the restored artist’s quarter. We pass through Rabin’s square, place of assassination of Prime minister Itzhak Rabin. Tel Aviv for overnight stay. (B,D)
DAY 9: TEL AVIV- JERUSALEM. Our day will begin today with a morning drive from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, 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 Via Dolorosa, 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. (B,D)
DAY 10: JERUSALEM Today’s tour begins with a visit to the Shepherd’s Field on 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 to the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night. Finally we’ll return to our hotel for overnight. (B,D)
DAY 11: JERUSALEM. After breakfast we will begin the day visiting the Garden Tomb, and then drive to visit the New City. View the Knesset - the Israeli Parliament. Continue to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial. Visit Ein Karem - birth place of John the Baptist. Leave your fingerprints in Jerusalem and plant a tree in the Jerusalem Forest. Conclude your tour visiting the Holy Land Model where you will see the glorious Jerusalem as it was 2,000 years ago. Afternoon is free. Overnight Jerusalem. (B,D)
DAY 12: JERUSALEM – TEL AVIV Airport. Free morning in Jerusalem, transfer to airport to catch late afternoon flight to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul.
DAY 13: ISTANBUL. Meet with your tour director at the international arrivals terminal outside the customs area and continue to your hotel. After check in to the hotel attend the welcome meeting with other tour participants headed by the tour director to have further info about the tour. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (D)
DAY 14: CLASSICAL ISTANBUL – FULL DAY. Depart from the hotel after breakfast to visit historical highlights of Istanbul including the CHORA CHURCH-KARIYE MUSEUM, the ROMAN HIPPODROME, the BLUE MOSQUE, the ST. SOPHIA MUSEUM, the TOPKAPI PALACE and the GRAND BAZAAR. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)
DAY 15: ISTANBUL - TROY – CANAKKALE In the morning depart for Canakkale. We will drive along the northern coasts of Marmara Sea. Lunch at Tekirdag. We will take the ferry to cross Dardanelles. Visit to legendary town of Troy. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale
DAY 16: CANAKKALE - TROAS - ASSOS - PERGAMUM - IZMIR: In the morning we drive to Troas visited by St. Paul on his 3rd Journey, (Acts 16:8-11;20:5-12; II Corinthians 2:12-13; Timothy 4:13), then continue to Assos (Acts 20:13-14) where St. Paul joined by St. Luke. After we finish our visit in Assos, we drive to Pergamum (2:12-17) visit the Acropolis and Asclepion, the Medical center of thermal cure. For evening, we continue to metropolis of Izmir (Smyrna, Revelation 2: 8-11), Homer's birthplace on the Aegean Coast. Overnight in Izmir. (B,D)
DAY 17: SARDIS - PHILADELPIA - LEODICIA – PAMUKKALE. Today visit three of Seven Churches. Drive to Sardis, one of the most picturesque areas of these seven cities. It is here St. John expressed his concern for pushing further with the progress of the city's faith (Revelation 3: 1-5). Move to Philadephia (Alasehir), a favorite city of Paul and John. Leodicia (Revelation 3: 14-22; Colossians 2: 1; 4: 13-16), was another prosperous city in the chain, where Christianity first spread. Later, proceed across valley to the neighboring city of Hierapolis along with the spectacular thermal pools of Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)
DAY 18: PAMUKKALE - EPHESUS – KUSADASI. Today is truly special! Drive to Ephesus (Ephesians; Revelation 1: 11, 2: 1-7; Acts 18: 19-28; 19: 1-4). It was the home of St. Paul between 54 and 57 A.D. Nearby we visit the Virgin Mary's House on a wooded hilltop where it was miraculously discovered. Finally we stop at the restoration of St.John's Basilica where, according to legend, he was buried. We then take a short drive to Kusadasi which is very popular holiday destination nearby Ephesus. Overnight in Kusadasi. (BD)
DAY 19: KUSADASI to IZMIR flight to ROME Rome overnight (BD)
DAY 20: ROME PILGRIMAGE This morning we will meet our local guide for a walking tour through the Vatican Museums. We wander the spectacular chambers leading to the Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo’s masterpieces, including the magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment. We continue through to the awe inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world for an informative tour. Here among many treasures we view Michelangelo’s moving ‘Pieta’. Continue by coach & guide to St. Maria Maggiore, St. John in Lateran (First Papal Residence), Holy Stairs, St. Paul Outside the Walls, a short stroll along the Appian Way before arriving at the Catacombs, underground burial tunnels for Christians and Hebrews. Rome overnight (BD)
DAY 21: ROME PILGRIMAGE After a private Mass at St Peter’s Basilica (optional) we continue our Christian Rome pilgrimage this morning featuring the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Circus Maximus, Colosseum, Forum, Capitol Hill and Santa Maria in Ara Coeli. A free afternoon to discover the sights of Rome. Strolling through the streets is like walking through the pages of a history book. Marvel at the Pantheon or visit the Church of St Ignatius with its amazing ceiling painted to look like a dome. Indulge in a gelati or sip coffee the Italian way, standing in a café. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain or window shop along the Via Condotti.
DAY 22: ROME TO OTHER EUROPEAN CITIES OR AUSTRALIA. Enjoy further free time today before extending in Italy, Malta or other European Cities or traveling back to Australia.