THE HOLY LAND AND BIBLICAL JORDAN

Transcription

1 THE HOLY LAND AND BIBLICAL JORDAN October 8 through 20, 2018 TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE

2 OCTOBER 8 THROUGH 20, 2018 Dear friends, Susalee and I are honored to be leading a St. George s Pilgrimage to the Holy Land this October We welcome your interest in this rare opportunity to visit the most holy sites for Christians in the entire world. This will be my fourth journey to the Holy Land in my years among you, and the overwhelming testimony of our past pilgrims is that the experience is truly unforgettable. We are delighted that the Rev. Michael Blaess will also be among us offering leadership. The dates for this pilgrimage are October 8th 20th, and this brochure lays out a carefully considered itinerary that includes holy sites in the Galilee, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, as well as a visit to Petra in Jordan. As with our highly successful 2017 Anglican Roots pilgrimage to England, we are again working with Connoisseurs Tours who has extensive experience planning pilgrimages to the Holy Land. I assure you our accommodations will be nice and comfortable and that our days thoughtfully planned. I am also excited that we have been able to secure the services of guide Yusef Eideh with whom I have led pilgrimages in the past. He is outstanding. It is my hope and expectation that we may have a group of parishioners participate. You may note the intentional use of the term pilgrimage in this brochure. This trip is not merely a tour or sight-seeing excursion. A pilgrimage is about spiritual growth and discovery through a journey to sacred places. And the Holy Land is unlike any other place on the planet. We will follow in the paths of pilgrims to Israel through the centuries, and as I can testify from personal experience, it is impossible not to ask one s self over and over, did he walk here where I am standing? If you have the ability to go, I sincerely hope you will give this pilgrimage serious consideration. I am confident that the experience will enliven your faith, dramatically increase your knowledge of the Bible, and inspire you for greater faithfulness and ministry upon your return. It will also provide an unforgettable occasion to deepen relationships with fellow pilgrims from the parish. We will be active throughout each day, but we will have a lot of fun too! As there is a limited number of spaces, I encourage you to be in touch with Executive Assistant, Claudia Taylor, ( ) soon to reserve your spot or to ask any questions. Again, Susalee and I are very excited and privileged to share this experience with you. Yours in Christ, Susalee and Leigh

3 THE HOLY LAND AND BIBLICAL JORDAN PILGRIMAGE Day 1: Monday, October 8- Depart Home Depart for Tel Aviv. Connoisseurs Tours Concierge Air Service will assist each traveler with securing airline tickets from their home city to and from Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast provided in air. Day 2: Tuesday, October 9- Arrive Tel Aviv, Meet-and-Greet Transfer to Netanya Upon arrival at Tel Aviv s Ben Gurion airport, we will be met by our guide and transferred to the Seasons Hotel in Netanya for dinner and overnight. Our hotel is located on the Mediterranean with breathtaking views of the coastline. (D) recently discovered stone bears the inscription "Pontius Pilatus, of Judea," clearly demonstrating Pilate's position and administrative authority. Later Caesarea became an important center of religious study and training. The great early Christian scholar and apologist, Origen, visited Caesarea in 231 CE and turned the city into a center of Christian learning. Origen built a huge library that became a magnet for scholarly study. When the Emperor Diocletian unleashed the Great Persecution ( CE), Caesarea became the site for the death of a number of Christian martyrs, whose fates are described in the work of Eusebius, On the Martyrs of Palestine. Next we drive to Nazareth and Cana. We will have an opportunity to have a short renewal of marriage vows at the church in Cana the site of our Lord's changing of water into wine at the wedding feast. We will then proceed to the Ron Beach Hotel of Tiberius for dinner and overnight on the shores of Lake Tiberias. Day 4: Thursday, October 11- Tiberias/ Caesarea Philippi We will start the day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and visit several gospel sites around Capernaum. Among these are the church built over St. Peter s home, Day 3: Wednesday, October 10- Caesarea Maritima /Nazareth Our first stop is Caesarea Maritima. This most amazing Roman ruin of a man-made harbor city of Roman times saw Paul argue his defense against Agrippa. When Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the prefect of the province also traveled to Caesarea Maritima to ensure order was kept. His name was Pontius Pilate. Until recently, Pilate's existence was known only through literary sources, but a and the remarkable sixth-century synagogue. Though there is no finite knowledge of the time this synagogue was built, archaeologists estimate that it dates back to the 1st century AD. The Roman officer who asked Jesus to heal his servant is credited with building the synagogue as a token of good PILGRIMAGES@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

4 faith and gratitude to Jesus for his miracle work. Liturgical documents indicate that Jesus held regular sermons in this synagogue, most notably the famed sermon on the Bread of Life (John 6: 35-59). Of this ancient synagogue, only the western wall remains intact. It was the foundation for a later synagogue built on the same grounds some three centuries later. OCTOBER 8 THROUGH 20, 2018 We will also see Mt. Beatitudes where Jesus gave his most famous address, the Sermon on the Mount and Tabgha, (the place of Seven Springs ) the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and Jesus Resurrection appearance (John 21). From there, we drive to Caesarea Philippi, the source of the Jordan River whose modern name is Banias. This is the monumental site where Jesus asked, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? It was Simon, later called Peter, who was inspired to answer: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. In reply, Jesus declared: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:13-20) Dinner and overnight in Tiberias at The Ron Beach Hotel. Day 5: Friday, October 12- Tiberias/Jordan This morning we will drive to Mt. Tabor which looks out over the valley of Armageddon to visit the Church of the Transfiguration and celebrate Communion. Throughout history, Mt. Tabor has been a place of mystique where humanity has sought contact with the divine. Its unique contours captured the imagination of ancient people who attached to it supernatural qualities. We continue to drive through the Jezreel Valley and will cross into Jordan through Sheik Hussein border. Once in Jordan, we drive to Jerash, ancient Gerasa the beautiful city founded in 300 BC by the soldiers of Alexander the Great. We will experience the ruins of the Triumphal Arch, the Forum, the Theatre, and the Cardo Maximus (Main Street).This is one of the best preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Dinner and overnight at the Marriott at the Dead Sea. Day 6: Saturday, October 13- Mt. Nebo, Tell Al-Kharrar Today we climb Mt. Nebo where Yahweh told Moses to see the promised land before dying (Deut. 34:1-4). Mt. Nebo was the final stop in Moses historic flight from Egypt to the Holy Land with two million Hebrew slaves. It is here on Pisgah, as it is also called, that Moses spent his final days just before the people of Israel crossed to the promised land of Canaan. We continue to the Baptismal site at Tell Al-Kharrar, a site of natural beauty and a National Park site set aside by Jordan's King Abdullah to preserve and protect the historic area. The archaeological remains suggest

5 THE HOLY LAND AND BIBLICAL JORDAN PILGRIMAGE that Christians have been worshiping here since the second century and that this was indeed the place where John baptized Jesus. Our group will also worship in this place. After returning to the hotel, you are welcome to have a float in the Dead Sea! Overnight at the Marriott Hotel at the Dead Sea. Day 7: Sunday, October 14- Petra We drive south to visit the beautiful Rose City of Petra one of the ancient wonders of the world. Walking or riding a horse or a carriage through a narrow Wadi, we emerge facing the amazing Treasury building. Carved directly into vibrant red, white, and pink sandstone cliff faces, the prehistoric Jordanian city of Petra was "lost" to the Western world for Day 8: Monday, October 15- Jericho/ Jerusalem Today we cross the Allenby Bridge back into Israel and make our way to Jerusalem. On the way, we will visit the ancient city of Jericho. From over a century of excavations, archaeologists have unearthed and studied Jericho s Neolithic tower. This tower dates to BC. On the basis of this discovery, archaeologists have claimed that Jericho is the oldest city in the world. Just outside the Old City lies the road on which Jesus restored the blind beggar Bartimaeus sight (Mark 10:46-55). Within the Old City a sycamore tree still stands that is said hundreds of years. Located amid rugged desert canyons and mountains in what is now the southwestern corner of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Petra was once a thriving trading center and the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 BC and AD106. We will spend the greater part of the day seeing the Treasury, Amphitheatre, Necropolis, the Court and the Prison and climbing some of the amazing rock formations. Dinner and overnight at the Marriott Petra Hotel. to be the tree the tax collector Zacchaeus climbed to see Jesus amid a throng of followers. Zacchaeus later became a convert and gave one-half his fortune to the poor (Luke 19). PILGRIMAGES@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

6 OCTOBER 8 THROUGH 20, 2018 We will see the new city and view Mt. Temptation. The mountain, with a gravity-defying monastery clinging to its sheer face, is traditionally regarded as the mountain on which Christ was tempted by the devil during his forty-day fast. Afterwards, we continue to Jerusalem for dinner and a relaxing overnight. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel David Citadel. Day 9: Tuesday, October 16- Ein Karem/ Bethlehem This morning we drive to Ein Karem. Christian tradition places the birth of John the Baptist who announced the coming of Jesus Christ, his cousin in this picturesque village southwest of Jerusalem. Luke s gospel tells of the circumstances of John s birth (1:5-24, 39-66). have a quiet, unobstructed visit in a shrine that is visited by thousands daily. After church, we will return to the hotel for breakfast and time to rest. We will then visit the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives has always been an important feature in Jerusalem s landscape. From the 3rd millennium BC. until the present, this hill has served as one of the main burial grounds for the city. On the Mount of Olives, we will experience the Church of the Holy Ascension. This church was taken by Saladin in 1187 and converted into a mosque and remains such today. Within contains what is considered to be the last footprint of Jesus on earth before he ascended into heaven. We will explore the Church of Paternoster, where Jesus taught the Lord s Prayer in the cave that forms the grotto under the church. When the Crusaders built a church here in the 12th century, they called it Pater Noster, Latin for Our Father. From there, we continue to Shepherd s Field. In Bethlehem, we will visit several important sites including the Basilica of the Nativity, the Manger of the Chapel of St. Jerome, and the Crusader Cluster. The Basilica of the Nativity is the oldest complete church in the Christian world and was built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. It replaced the original church of Constantine the Great, built over the cave venerated as Christ s birthplace, and dedicated in AD 339. Dinner and overnight at Hotel David Citadel in Jerusalem. Day 10: Wednesday, October 17 - Jerusalem This morning we start with the 6:30am service at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The early start ensures we Halfway along the slope of Mount of Olives, we will see Dominus Flevit. This is the site where, looking down on the city, Jesus wept as he prophesied its future destruction(luke 19:37-44). Within 40 years, in AD 70, Jesus prophesy was fulfilled. Roman legions besieged Jerusalem and burnt the Temple and leveled the city. The New Testament says nothing about the death and burial of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, but a strong Christian tradition places her tomb in a dimly-lit church at the foot of the Mount of Olives. We will visit what is now called the Virgin s Tomb as well as the Grotto of Jesus Arrest. We pause at the Garden and Church of Gethsemane. Early Christian pilgrims located the Garden of Gethsemane at the

7 THE HOLY LAND AND BIBLICAL JORDAN PILGRIMAGE bottom of the slope of the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple Mount. Byzantine, Crusader, and a modern church were built successively on the site where it is believed that Jesus prayed to the Father hours before his crucifixion. We will also visit Mount Zion to experience St. Peter in Gallicantu, the Cenacle, and the Dormition Abbey. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel David Citadel. Day 12: Friday, October 19- Jerusalem and evening flight home This morning you are free to explore Jerusalem or simply relax before we gather for lunch. We will do some last minute exploration after lunch and enjoy an early farewell dinner together before departing for the airport. Most flights departing for the United States leave late evening after 10:30PM. Day 13: Saturday, October 20- Arrive home Day 11: Thursday, October 18- Jerusalem We will start the day with a walking tour of the Old City to explore the most iconic and pivotal sites of the holy city of Jerusalem. We will visit the Temple area, see the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque, St. Anne Church, and the Pool of Bethesda. After lunch, we will trace the final footsteps of Jesus and walk together the Via Dolorosa. From this moving experience, we will view the Church of the Flagellation, Ecce Homo Arch, and the Church of the Resurrection to complete our day in Old Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel David Citadel. PILGRIMAGES@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

8 OCTOBER 8 THROUGH 20, 2018 ACCOMMODATIONS Seasons Hotel in Netanya Tel Aviv 1 Night The Seasons is a boutique hotel set on a cliff overlooking the stunning coast of Netanya. The spacious rooms feature sea views, air conditioning, and all include separate seating and sleeping areas, plus free Wi-Fi. On the beach below, you can rest on a chaise and enjoy the warm Mediterranean breezes. Restaurant where you can start your day with an elaborate breakfast buffet or enjoy Middle Eastern specialties for lunch or dinner and L'Affresco, the Italian restaurant where you can feast on homemade pizza and pasta. For relaxation, you can swim in the outdoor pool and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Petra Mountains. David Citadel Jerusalem 4 Nights Ron Beach Hotel Tiberias 2 Nights All the rooms at Ron Beach Hotel have spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and snow-covered Mount Hermon. The hotel offers a swimming pool, fitness center, private beach, souvenir shop, and a beautiful garden. Overlooking Jerusalem's old city walls, the David Citadel hotel enjoys a stunning location in central Jerusalem. The timeless alleyways of the Old City, the Western Wall and Tower of David, the bustling Machne Yehuda market, the Mamilla Avenue and an abundance of New City attractions are all within easy walking distance from this landmark hotel. The Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa Jordan 2 nights Located on the sandy shores of the enthralling Dead Sea, The Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa welcomes travelers with five-star resort lodging. All of the spacious, stylishly appointed hotel rooms and suites provide sensational views of the Dead Sea. Petra Marriott Hotel Petra 1 Night The Petra Marriott Hotel overlooks stunning Petra. Almost all the spacious rooms have spectacular views of the valley. There are several culinary choices such as Dushara

9 THE HOLY LAND AND BIBLICAL JORDAN PILGRIMAGE IMPORTANT INFORMATION, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS TOUR COST: $ per person double occupancy, with a $ single supplement. DEPOSIT: $ per person deposit is required to confirm a reservation on a definite basis. Final payment is due July10, INCLUSIVE PRICES Tour Prices: Tour Prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, porterage, and the services of the local guides, drivers and the Tour Escort/ Guide are included, as per individual details of the itinerary. Transportation from arrival Airports to the beginning hotel is included in the cost of the tour on most journeys. Please review your specific itinerary for details. Transportation from the last hotel to the departure airport listed in the brochure is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other guests. Hotel Accommodations: The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort. Meals: Included meals are specified in the itinerary. Gratuities: All customary gratuities for hotel, restaurant staff, and local guides are included. NOT INCLUDED Air Transportation: Air transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. While airfare is not included in the cost of the tour, we do offer a Concierge Airline Service to help with your reservations. Connoisseurs Tours airline partners will assist you with coordinating flight schedules for each traveler in your party. Our airline concierge team will make managing your airline reservations effortless from the day we help you select the best flights through the day of your return. Gratuities to your Guide/Escort and drivers: Gratuities are not included to your overall guide/escort and coach driver, a recommended gratuity amount will be provided to you in your final tour documents. Connoisseurs Tours wishes to stress that this gratuity is optional and on a voluntary basis. Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as phone calls, use of fitness center, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, airline service fees, excess luggage fees, and other optional incidental extras are not included in the tour price. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Travel Protection: Connoisseurs Tours offers Cancellation/Delay/Medical Protection. The cost of travel protection is $ per person based on double occupancy. $ per person for single occupancy. Connoisseurs Tours strongly recommends that you purchase Cancellation/Medical Protection. Traveling is a big investment. It pays to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that can result in trip cancellation and additional expenses such as costs related to medical emergencies. This Travel Insured Protection Plan is specifically designed to provide you with peace of mind knowing you are protected against the financial impact of unexpected events while on your trip. Additional insurance is available to include the cost of your airfare. Please contact Connoisseurs Tours if you would like to insure the cost of your airline tickets after you have purchased your airline tickets. Health and Fitness: Connoisseurs Tours are moderate exertion journeys. Travelers must certify that they are in good health and can walk one to two miles a day. These journeys are not recommended for those who have mobility limitations such as walkers, wheelchairs and scooters. CANCELLATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS: All cancellations must be in writing. Schedule: From the time of booking to 90 days prior to departure: The deposit amount (per person) is non-refundable. 89 to 60 days prior to departure 50% of the tour price is non-refundable. 59 to 0 days prior to departure 100% of the full tour price is non-refundable. Itinerary Change and Flexibility: Connoisseurs Tours pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as PILGRIMAGES@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

10 OCTOBER 8 THROUGH 20, 2018 advertised. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to alter or curtail any aspect of the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels/ and or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any additional expense for these substitutions will be covered by Connoisseurs Tours. Responsibility: Connoisseurs Tours acts only as an agent for the traveler with respect to transportation, accommodations and other services offered on the tour. Connoisseurs Tours and the agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error omission, or for any injury, loss, accident or delay or irregularity that may be caused by any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier or through negligence or default of any subcontractor or other third party. The passage contract in use by the carriers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the traveler. Connoisseurs Tours and/or their agents are not responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to person or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other causes in connection with the tour for anything beyond their reasonable control. Connoisseurs Tours is not responsible for transportation or other delays or changes to the tour program beyond their control, nor any additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred by the traveler. It may be necessary or advisable for the wellbeing of all travelers to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the travelers, and such alterations will be made without penalty to Connoisseurs Tours. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to decline or not to retain any person as a member of any tour or to change or withdraw a tour as circumstances demand. All rates quoted are based on tariffs in effect at the time the tour was planned and are subject to change in the event of adjustment therein. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk and baggage insurance is recommended. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels of equal or superior quality. The proposals of this section are governed by Georgia law, and final payment by the traveler to Connoisseurs Tours shall be deemed to be consent to the above provisions. Any payment made towards a tour booking shall constitute a confirmation by the Guest on behalf of themselves and all other persons named on their booking that he or she has read, understood, accepted and agreed to the Terms & Conditions of this tour, the terms of which will apply to the Guest and all other persons named on their booking. NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? Call or Connoisseurs Tours for more information: Pilgrimages@ConnoisseursTours.com