Bible Lands Tour with optional Athens & Aegean Cruise Extension

Transcription

1 Bible Ls Tour with optional Athens & Aegean Cruise Extension 20 th SEP 6 th / 13 th OCT nights in Israel Jordan! $8690 * Per Person This tour will also commemorate 100 years since the Last Australian Light Horse Charge at Semakh the Battle of Tiberias. Call Olive Tree Travel our official travel agent

2 Hi! I m Ian Worby, Regional Director of UCB Asia Pacific & Vision Christian Media. My wife My & I are looking forward to touring Israel with you. How marvellous it will be to travel the l where Jesus lived & walked. We ll be hosted by experienced guides who also know & love Yeshua our Saviour. You need to act today as we are receiving many expressions of interest. I hope you can join us in Israel in TOUR DATES Bible Ls Tour 20 th September 6 th October Optional Athens & Aegean Cruise Extension: 4 th 13 th October Israel & Jordan Tour Sep / Oct Itinerary Thu 20 September 1 DEPART AUSTRALIA Depart Australia* on our Thai Airways flights to Bangkok. On arrival, proceed to our connecting El Al flight bound for Tel Aviv. *note: Brisbane participants will need to depart Australia on 19th September. Accommodation with breakfast late check out will be arranged for you in Bangkok. Fri 21 September 2 ARRIVAL ARRIVAL TEL AVIV, JAFFA, NEOT KEDUMIM After our morning arrival into Ben Gurion Airport, we ll meet our guide driver. Neot Kedumim Biblical Gardens will be our first stop. After lunch we will continue to the Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, it is a place of great significance to the modern State of Israel. Then onto the ancient sea port city of Jaffa. Check into our beautiful hotel in Tel Aviv located right on the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy a well-earned rest in the afternoon before dinner a good night s sleep at our hotel in Tel Aviv. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Our visit to Israel & Jordan includes: Sail on the Sea of Galilee Visit Jesus hometown of Nazareth Get baptised in the River Jordan Float in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth Experience the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, Rimon Crater - spectacular views! Have fun on a Wadi Ram 4WD Safari Ascend the fortress mountain of Masada in the Judean Desert Explore the Old City of Jerusalem & walk in the footsteps of Jesus Walk through the amazing tunnels under The Western Wall Celebrate Communion at the Garden Tomb Our 7 day optional Athens & Aegean cruise extension: Experience Ephesus Visit to Ancient Corinth where apostle Paul resided in for 18 months Walk through the architectural wonders of the Golden Age of Pericles; the Propylaia, the Parthenon the Erechtheion Explore St. John monastery Cave of Apocalypse in Patmos *regular intervals subject to change

3 3 Sat 22 September CAESAREA, MT. CARMEL, MEGIDDO, NAZARETH, TIBERIAS Today we will head up the coast to Caesarea Maritima its spectacular ruins. We will see a short presentation (if time is permitted) also stop briefly at the nearby ancient aqueduct. Next stop is Mt. Carmel for a delicious falafel lunch (included) from where Elijah performed great exploits where the Jezreel Valley (Megiddo) is spread out before us like a patchwork quilt just a short drive from there is Tel Megiddo which is our next stop. After driving through the Jezreel Valley we ll head to Nazareth Village for a tour to see what life was like for Yeshua growing up. If time permits, we will take a drive up to Mt. Precipice before making our way to our hotel, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for dinner overnight. (B, L, D) Sun 23 September 4 MT BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM, SEA GALILEE BOAT RIDE, YARDENIT Our day today is spent all around the beautiful Sea of Galilee. We will visit the Mt. of Beatitudes where Yeshua preached the Sermon on the Mount. Capernaum, Yeshua s home town during the majority of His ministry years is our next port of call. Then we will visit the Primacy of Peter, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Afterward, we will visit the 1st century fishing boat at Nof Ginosar enjoy a time of sailing in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, followed by a delicious St Peters fish lunch (included). To finish off our day, we will drive to Yardinet on the Jordan River for those desiring to be water baptised before heading back to our hotel for dinner overnight. (B, L, D) Mon 24 September 5 BANIAS, GOLAN HEIGHTS This morning, we drive to Mt. Arbel then we ll head north to Tel Dan, which was 1 of 2 sites where idolatry was established by King Jeroboam; next stop is Banias (Caesarea Philippi), where Yeshua asked His disciples an incredibly important question. We then make our way through the Golan Heights, an area particularly important strategic for Israel s safety security. Then we will ascend Mount Bental. Then it s back to the hotel on the Sea of Galilee for dinner overnight. (B, D)

4 Tue 25 September 6 BATTLE OF TIBERIAS COMMEMORATIONS 7 BEIT SHEAN, SACHNE, QASR EL YAHUD, DEAD SEA Today marks 100 years since the Last Light Horse Charge at Semakh the Battle of Tiberias. We will then leave the Galilee drive to Beit Shean, the capital city of the Decapolis which has incredible ruins interesting New Covenant history. Afterwards we will enjoy a picnic lunch in the beautiful Sachne parkls. We will drive down the Jordan Valley into the wilderness region to Qasr El Yahud, the actual site of Yeshua s baptism by John close out our day at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth! Floating in the salty water is an experience you cannot afford to miss! Enjoy dinner overnight at our hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea. (B, L, D) Wed 26 September MASADA, EIN GEDI, QUMRAN, JERUSALEM Today we will cover some incredible history, beginning with King Herod s mountain fortress on Masada. Then we will stop at Ein Gedi, the oasis in the desert that was so important to King David his men when hiding from King Saul. Next stop is Qumran, where the most important archaeological discoveries in modern history were found! Finally, the moment we have been waiting for...we ll drive up to Jerusalem, the Holy City where Yahweh has chosen to establish His future throne on earth where He has placed His name! Enjoy dinner overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. (B, D) Thu 27 September 8 CITY OF DAVID, SOUTHERN STEPS, WESTERN WALL TUNNELS, YAD HASHMONA, BIBLICAL DINNER After breakfast, we will be privileged to walk through portions of the City of David through Hezekiah s Tunnels, the very site where Jerusalem first became Israel s capital. We then head back to the Old City to walk to the Southern Steps that led into the Temple see the many mikvot (ritual baths) used by the Jews for cleansing & sit on the very steps where Yeshua taught. We will continue on to the Western Wall, so sacred to Jews for the past 2000 years where they pray daily facing the site where the Temple (Holy of Holies) used to st, then explore the Western Wall Tunnels which lead down to the very Herodian Street of Yeshua s day. Finally, end our day at Yad Hashmona on the outskirts of Jerusalem (if time is permitted) toshare a Biblical meal together. After dinner we will return to our hotel in Jerusalem. (B, D)

5 Fri 28 September 9 ISRAEL MUSEUM, YAD VASHEM, KNESSET We begin our day at the Israel Museum to see the scale of model Of Jerusalem of Yeshua s days. We ll also see the famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Visit the nearby Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, which is very sobering but incredibly important. There are a growing number of voices around the world denying the Holocaust ever happened it s important we never, ever forget the truth. We will visit the famous Menorah across from the Knesset, Israel s Parliament. After Lunch, we will conclude the day at the Machane Yehuda markets to see the hustle bustle of pre Shabbat preparations continue on to the Western Wall to experience the Welcoming of Shabbat celebrations then return to the hotel for Shabbat dinner overnight. (B, D) 11 Sun 30 September MT. OLIVES, OLD CITY, VIA DOLOROSA, MT SCOPUS WAR MEMORIAL After breakfast today, we visit the Mt. of Olives for a breathtaking view of the Holy City before we begin the descent down the Palm Sunday walk to Dominus Flevit where Yeshua wept over the city. Further down we will come to the Gethsemane private garden where He agonised in prayer just prior to His arrest. We then enter the Old City to the Pools of Bethesda where Yeshua healed the crippled man, afterward a short walk to Ecce Homo, the place where Pilate presented Yeshua after His scourging from point that we will walk the Via Dolorosa. We will finish the day at the Mt Scopus War Memorial Cemetery where many of the ANZACs are buried. (B, D) 10 Sat 29 September BETHLEHEM OUTLOOK, HERODIAN, GARDEN TOMB, SOUND & LIGHT SHOW This morning after breakfast, we will begin our day with a stunning view of the Shepherds Fields near Bethlehem before continuing to Herodian fortress built by King Herod. We will then proceed to the Garden Tomb to celebrate communion together. We will see that the Tomb is empty because He is Risen indeed! After dinner we will see the Tower of David Sound Light Show. (BD) 12 Mon 1 October ALLENBY BRIDGE, MT NEBO, PETRA Today we leave Jerusalem will journey to the Jordan River cross the Allenby Bridge (through border crossing formalities) into Jordan where we will be met by our Jordanian guide. Once through, we will continue to Mt. Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised L before his passing. Proceed down south to Petra for check-in, dinner overnight (B, D)

6 13 Tue 2 October PETRA We will make an early start in Petra this morning. Travel on foot through the awesome CIQ valley. Visit the treasury explore hundreds of buildings, tombs, temples a 3,000 seat theatre from the first century AD. Dinner overnight is in Petra. (B, D) 14 Wed 3 October WADI RUM, AQABA, EILAT This morning we depart for Wadi Ram, the setting of Lawrence of Arabia for an exciting jeep tour of the magnificent red desert of Edom. Enjoy a Bedouin lunch (included) before making our way to Aqaba on the Red Sea to cross the border back into Israel where we will arrive in Eilat. Stroll the beachfront or nearby shopping mall. Return to our hotel for dinner overnight in Eilat. (B, L, D) 15 Thu 4 October EILAT, TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS, BEER SHEEBA, TEL AVIV Today is our final day! We will check out of our hotel in Eilat travel to Timna Park to see the Tabernacle in the Wilderness then drive north for a brief stop at the Ramon crater (if time is permitted) to enjoy the amazing view. We then travel via Beer Sheeba to Ben Gurion Airport for our flights home or to Greece Fri 5 October IN FLIGHT Sat 6 October ARRIVE AUSTRALIA Arrive back into Australia with wonderful memories of our journey! **Itinerary is subject to change

7 OPTIONAL Athens & Aegean Cruise Extension 4 th 13 th October Thu 4 October ARRIVE ATHENS Depart from Tel Aviv tonight on our Aegean flight A3925 from Tel Aviv at 9.20pm arriving into Athens at 9.30pm. On arrival into Athens we ll be met transferred to our hotel. Enjoy overnight in Athens. Fri 5 October CRUISE, MYKONOS After breakfast we will be transferred to the port of Piraeus where we will board our cruise. The ship sails at 11:30am will arrive into Mykonos at 6.00pm. Take a stroll along the narrow cobbled streets, past chic boutiques, white-washed churches elegant cafes. Shuttle buses operate continuously between the port Mykonos town. Overnight is onboard our cruise ship. (B, L, D) 17 Sat 6 October CRUISE, KUSADASI AND PATMOS Morning visit to Ephesus in Kusadasi. At Ancient Ephesus we find Immortal relics of the Hellenistic, Roman Early Christian era. At the archaeological site we will be given a guided tour among the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the marble-paved main Street of Kouretes, the Baths of Scholastica, Trajan s Fountain, the Public Latrines, the Residences of the Patricians, the Prytaneum, the Temple of Hadrian The Great Theatre, built in the 4th century B.C., could accommodate 24,000 spectators it is famous even nowadays for its acoustics. The finds from the excavations, which have yet brought to light only 13% of ancient Ephesus, reside in the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus, in the city of Selcuk. During the excursion we will have a chance to do some shopping see the carpet waving demonstration. In the afternoon, visit St. John monastery Cave of Apocalypse in Patmos. The picturesque alleyways wind upwards, towards the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, founded in 1088 by St. Christodoulos. The visit will open the doors for us to the Monastery s yard, the place where the monks take their meals the old bakery. Of exquisite beauty is the tour of the Byzantine Church of St. John, which is adorned with a wood-carved icon screen, important frescoes from several periods, with both mosaic other icons. Our next stop is the small museum which hosts religious treasures of inestimable value, like manuscripts, medieval textiles sacerdotal vestments. Walking down the stairs, the religious energy that we will experience is soul touching. Behind the chapel of St. Anne lies the entrance to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. We will see the cross engraved by St. John the Evangelist, according to tradition, the triple fissure in the wall of the cave, from where St. John heard God dictating to him the Apocalypse also the spot where he lay down to sleep. Overnight is onboard our cruise ship. (B, L, D)

8 18 Sun 7 October CRUISE, HERAKLION AND SANTORINI We sail into Heraklion this morning, where we can choose to stay on the ship enjoy its facilities or join an optional Shore Excursion. Our recommended excursion is the Minoan Palace of Knossos - to see the first European Civilization. In the afternoon we will sail into Santorini with more optional excursions available. Our recommended excursion is the spectacular Oia village perched on the Caldera Rim. Overnight is onboard our cruise ship. (B, L, D) 20 Tue 9 October ATHENS Enjoy a full day in Athens, seeing its highlights, visiting the Acropolis as well as the New Acropolis museum. Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the oldest cities in the world spanning a history of 3,400 years. Home of the great minds, philosophers teachers of ancient times such as Plato, Socrates Aristotle, Athens is the birthplace of democracy the cradle of Western Civilization. A bus tour will guide us through the highlights of Athens; House of Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Presidential Palace, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian s Arch, to lead us to the world renowned Acropolis. We will walk through the architectural wonders of the Golden Age of Pericles; the Propylaia, the Parthenon the Erechtheion. We walk to Areopagus or Mars Hill, the site where trials were heard before the Council of Elders where St Paul delivered his speech to the Athenians. Our visit is not complete without a tour of the New Acropolis museum, which houses the findings of the Acropolis of Athens. Dinner overnight is at our hotel in Athens. (B, D) 19 Mon 8 October ATHENS, DELPHI, ATHENS We disembark from the cruise ship travel north for a day tour to Delphi. In antiquity Delphi was known as the center or the navel of the earth for it was believed that when Zeus released two eagles from opposite sides of the world they would meet in Delphi. It reached its height in power in the 4th century as the sanctuary to the god Apollo. Pilgrims would gather here to seek advice from the great oracle, Pythia, on various matters including waging wars. We explore the sanctuary by walking up the Sacred Way to see the Treasuries, the Theater the Temple of Apollo. Visit the museum of Delphi marvel at the unique collection of artifacts from the excavation, including the bronze Charioteer one of the best preserved ancient works of metallurgy. Dinner overnight is at our hotel in Athens. (B, D) 21 Wed 10 October ATHENS, CORINTH, ATHENS Today we travel to the Peloponnese were we cross the Corinth Canal enjoy a visit to Ancient Corinth. Drive through the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, which separates Peloponnese from the Greek mainl connects the two Seas, the Ionian the Aegean. Continue to Ancient Corinth, one of the most important trading cities of ancient Greece dating back to the 6th century B.C. Visiting the archaeological site we will come across the Temple of Apollo, the agora, the sacred spring the Peirene Fountain. The apostle Paul resided in Corinth for 18 months in A.D Here he wrote the First Second Epistles to the Corinthians. We shall visit the site of the Bema of St. Paul, where he preached. Time permitting we will visit Epidaurus which was known in antiquity as a healing centre, the place where the god of medicine Asclepius was born was worshiped. The ruins of the sanctuary include among other things the Temple of Asclepius, the hospice a stadium. We will visit the Theatre of Epidaurus famous for its astonishing acoustics one of the best-preserved classical Greek structures still being used for theatrical musical performances. Dinner overnight is at our hotel in Athens. (B, D)

9 22 Thu 11 October DEPART ATHENS, TEL AVIV Enjoy a morning at leisure for last minute shopping relaxation. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival into Tel Aviv, transfer to our El Al Israel Airlines flight departing this evening. 23 Fri 12 October IN FLIGHT 24 Sat 13 October ARRIVE AUSTRALIA Arrive back into Australia with wonderful memories of the journey! **Itinerary is subject to change

10 ISRAEL & JORDAN TOUR PACKAGE AUD $8690* per person twin share. Single supplement: AUD$2275* *Conditions apply. Subject to change. HOTELS TO BE USED + : Sep Renaissance Tel Aviv Sep Kibbutz Nof Ginosar Sea of Galilee Sep David Resort & Spa Dead Sea 26 Sep - 1 Oct Dan Hotel Jerusalem Oct The Village Hotel Petra Oct U Suites Eilat ISRAEL & JORDAN PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES: Return economy airfares from SYD/MEL/ BNE/PER BANGKOK TEL AVIV with Thai Airways & El Al Israel Airlines & current airport & departure taxes Airport meet, assistance, transfers & transport throughout in a luxury air-con coach + 13 nights hotel accommodation (as listed above - or similar) In 4 star superior hotels inc. daily breakfasts & dinners 4 lunches: Lunch in Druze Village, St Peters fish lunch, Picnic lunch in Sachne, Bedouin Lunch ALL PRICES EXCLUDE: Entrance fees to museums & all sights as mentioned in the itinerary inc. Sound & Light Show at David s Tower Complete sightseeing tours as per the itinerary with professional English speaking guides inc. whisper headsets Robe hire & Baptism certificates at Yardenit (Jordan River) All tips & gratuities for the hotels, restaurants, tour guide & driver ATHENS & AEGEAN CRUISE EXTENSION AUD $3490* per person twin share Single supplement: AUD$895* *Based on minimum of 15 participants. Conditions apply. Subject to change. ATHENS & AEGEAN CRUISE EXTENSION PRICE INCLUDES: Return economy class airfare with Aegean Airlines from TEL AVIV ATHENS TEL AVIV including taxes luggage 4 nights hotel accommodation 3 nights on board your Celestyal Cruise (as listed above - or similar) All Transfers & sightseeing in air conditioned deluxe vehicle WHAT TO DO NEXT: HOTELS TO BE USED + : 4-5 Oct Hotel Titania Athens 5-7 Oct CAT/XB outside cabins on Celestyal Cruises 8-11 Oct Hotel Titania Athens Complete sightseeing tour with professional English speaking guide for the l tour Breakfast & dinner at hotel. Meals unlimited drinks package during the cruise All tips & gratuities for the hotels, restaurants, tour guide, driver & crew Lunches (other than those in the itinerary) Beverages with meals Additional shore excursions on the cruise (aside from the 2 mentioned) Single supplement Travel insurance Incidental expenses of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, room service etc Any services not listed in Price Includes above FITNESS AND MOBILITY good level of general fitness the capacity to walk over uneven surfaces or up steps moderate inclines. Complete the booking form & pay deposit of $350 per person by Friday, 23rd February 2018 to Olive Tree Travel. Full payment will be required by Tuesday, 31st July Contact the friendly team at Olive Tree Travel today! info@olivetreetravel.com.au web: address: Suite 1, Level 1, 230 Balaclava Rd North Caulfield VIC 3161

11 Israel was a wonderful experience but sharing that time with you made it an even more of a special memory for us. K & G I thank God for you all & the wonderful time we had together in Israel. It was life changing for me as I have not done anything like this before what an incredible time it was. My Bible has not been the same since it is like I am reading a history book & a personal journal diary. It has come alive even more than ever before. R We had the most wonderful time I may never come down from the wonder of what we have seen. Mind-blowing is all I can say! To read the Scripture passages as we were there in the places was so special. Each day I enjoy reading the Word of God as it always strengthens me. So saying that, perhaps that was how we were able to walk so far each day (in His strength alone!) Blessings thank you for the wonderful experience. B TESTIMONIALS Hi Ian & My, thanks so much for a fantastic trip. It was an amazing experience to discover God s country & a real eye-opener to see the l that is spoken of in the Bible. The amazing amount we managed to see & do is a testament to Vision Christian Media & our guides. Every trip overseas is special but visiting Israel was literally life changing. I have already been praying that God will allow me to return one day. Thanks for being great leaders. J We re home now, however, we are almost still in Israel! This is quite extraordinary. Every day from morning to night we find ourselves talking about our God & virtually every part of the journey in the Holy L & the people we travelled with. We received an enormous blessing & are receiving. This is just a personal note to say to you how grateful we are for all you did before & during the trip. There must have been times when you were anxious & hassled, but you always acted with grace, patience & good cheer. Thank you for your friendship & care of us. V & J