Introducing Israel. Land of the Bible. 7th - 14th November Eight Days - Selected Highlights

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1 Introducing Israel Land of the Bible 7th - 14th November 2017 Eight Days - Selected Highlights

2 Day 1 - Tuesday 7 November Outward Journey Assemble at London Heathrow airport and check-in for the El AL direct flight to Ben Gurion airport in Israel. On arrival, travel by private coach up to Jerusalem to stop for a first panorama of the Old City from Mount Scopus. On to the hotel for room allocation and refreshments. Day 2 - Wednesday 8 November Jerusalem and Bethlehem Start the day viewing a helpful model of Jerusalem from the Gospel period and the museum of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Explore the City of David with King David s Palace, Nehemiah s Wall, Hezekiah s Tunnels and the huge Pool of Siloam. South to the Shepherds Fields to reflect on Ruth and Boaz, Samuel and David and the birth of Christ. Then into Bethlehem s Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity - built over cave dwellings from Gospel days. Day 3 - Thursday 9 November Old City and Regions Cross the Temple Mount (Mount Moriah) where the Jewish Temples stood and Jesus taught. On to the Pool of Bethesda where the cripple was healed, then follow the way of the cross from the Judgment Hall to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Walk along the Cardo (Roman main street) through the Christian and Jewish quarters to Zion Gate. Then on to the Old City streets to the Western (Wailing) Wall to witness Jewish prayers and traditions. Next to the Southern Wall excavations to see the original Temple Steps, Ancient Gates, Mikveh Baths, and the location of the Temple Pinnacle - areas that Jesus would have walked.

3 Dinner & Overnight in Jerusalem The Flight Flying time approximately 4hrs 50mins. Flight distance approximately 2,200 nautical miles. Cruise height approximately 34,000 feet. Dinner & Overnight in Jerusalem City of David It was probably located on the southern slopes of Mount Moriah as the water source of the Gihon Spring was nearby. King David conquered the city around 1004 BC from the Jebusites and established his capital, uniting the people. Here, Solomon was anointed King and built the first Temple to which the Ark was brought. Dinner & Overnight in Jerusalem Temple Mount Considered to the Mount Moriah where Abraham offered Isaac and is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was orignally a threshing floor bought by King David from Araunah the Jebusite to build the Temple. The area measures some 45 acres and is said to be able to accommodate all the Cathedrals in England.

4 Day 4 - Friday 10 November Mount of Olives and Gethsemane Call at Bethphage where the Palm Sunday Journey commenced. On to the Mount of Olives summit with its breathaking panorama of the Old City walls and Gates. Amble down the Palm Sunday Path to the tear-shaped Chapel of the Tear-Drop. Enter the Garden of Gethsemane for reflection. Finish the day at the Garden Tomb to see a 1st Century rolling stone tomb and share in a private communion service. Day 5 - Saturday 11 November Dead Sea and Galilee Down the Jericho Road to Masada and ascend to Herod s mountain-top winter palace by cable car. Here, Jewish zealots withstood the Roman army after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. On to the Dead Sea for an opportunity to float and bathe in the unique mineral rich waters. Continue to the Oasis of Jericho, which Jesus often passed through, to see the excavated fallen walls. North through the great Rift Valley by Mounts Gilead and Gilboa to the shore of the Sea of Galilee and the hotel. Day 6 - Sunday 12 November Hermon and Golan An early start to travel onto the Golan Heights to the slopes of Mount Hermon and ascend by chair-lift to the summit with its breathtaking views. On to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus took the disciples and walk the nature trail to the waterfall. At nearby Dan, the Biblical Capital, see the Canaanite Gate and the Altar of Sacrifice. Return to Galilee through the Huleh Valley nature reserve.

5 Dinner & Overnight in Jerusalem Gethsemane Located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, below the City walls which in Gospel days was probably a private garden with olive oil production facilities. According to the Gospels, Jesus often visited there as he did on the night of the Passover. The site is occupied by the Church of All Nations, replacing orginal Crusader and Byzantine ones of smaller size. Dinner & Overnight in Galilee Masada Herod s mountain-top winter palace and fortress, some 300 metres above the Dead Sea. Here, Jewish zealots withstood the Roman army after the fall of Jerusalem. Inhabitants numbered 960 and after the siege only two women and five children were found alive. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dinner & Overnight in Galilee Mount Hermon It is an actual cluster of mountains with three distinct summits, each of similar height. It rises some 2,814m (9,232 ft) above sea level and is the source of the Jordan River which flows into the Galilee and Dead Sea. For many, this is the high mountain referred to by Matthew and Mark where the transfiguration took place.

6 Day 7 - Monday 13 November Gospel Galilee Commence the day with a private sail across the sea from Tiberias to the northern shores - sailing in a wooden boat based on a design form the 1st century. Dock and visit: Ginosar Museum - see its preserved 1st century fishing boat. Mt.of Beatitudes - overlooking the sea where Jesus taught. Tabgha - seaside setting of Jesus resurrection appearance. Capernaum - Galilean centre of Jesus ministry. Then round the eastern shores by Gadara to circumvent the Sea and stop at the River Jordan where it flows south from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Day 8 - Tuesday 14 November Nazareth Depart Galilee after breakfast, travelling towards Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation, built over the original ancient village. Then to The Nazareth Village with its helpful reconstructions, which give the visitor a window on rural, farming and village life in the Gospel period. On to Ben Gurion airport, via the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea, for the afternoon return flight to London Heathrow. Flights (Projected) London Heathrow with EL AL Israel Airlines Flight Depart Arrive Outbound LY316 14:20 21:10 Inbound LY

7 Dinner & Overnight in Galilee Sea of Galilee A harp shaped fresh water lake known in Hebrew as kinor (harp), measuring approximately 33 miles in circumference, around 140ft deep and 680ft below sea level. Little of the shoreline has changed since Gospel days. Even today, late afternoon cold winds from Mount Hermon can very quickly turn the tranquil sea into a raging storm. The Nazareth Village Based on excavation on its present site and extensive research, the terraces were restored. Using identical materials and building methods a village was constructed that re-created 1st century Nazareth as accurately as possible. H O T E L S JERUSALEM New Ritz Hotel Oriental style with roof-top gardens and close by the Old City TIBERIAS Ron Beach Hotel With lakeside landscaped gardens, pool, and a short walk to the city centre / marina H O T E L S

8 Prayer for Peace Psalm 122 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem......Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. Maranatha Tours Ltd Est. 25 Years