In Their Steps Jorda n, Isr ael & Tu rkey (Plus Greece) 10 SEPTEMBER 9 OCTOBER 2016 LED BY MICHAEL & BRONWYN CHANT TOLL FREE 1300 554 654 MORE INFORMATION www.missiontravel.com.au
In Their Steps An invitation to join Michael & Bronwyn Chant on a personalised guided tour of the Bible lands. My sister tells me she can remember the time she first found out that Israel was a real place! One day, someone visited our church and said, I have just been to Israel, walked the streets of Nazareth and prayed in Bethlehem. This was a revelation. There really is a Nazareth? You can go to Bethlehem? You will not be surprised to learn, then, that before she was 21, she had visited the Holy Lands for herself. I was to follow soon after the first of many journeys that changed my life. And what about you? Have you ever asked questions like: How big is the Sea of Galilee? What would it be like to look inside a real (empty!) Tomb? What did Paul like about Ephesus? Once you have visited the Lands of the Bible, the Book becomes a real place, the towns have memories, the places have smells, the names have sights and sounds! The Bible comes alive! We have been privileged to lead hundred s of people around our favourite places in the Middle East, and see their faces shine for joy as the Bible comes alive for them. We walk the same paving stones that Jesus walked on; we pray at the old Temple wall; we sail on Galilee; we walk the streets of Jerusalem; we wonder at the great buildings of Athens. Will you join us to experience the lands of the Prophets and Apostles? Will you come with us and walk in their steps? I promise you that your personal devotions will never be the same again! Michael & Bronny Chant Tour Leaders
Itiner ary SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER: Home City Dubai EK 441 depart Adelaide 10.35 pm arrive Dubai 5.15am EK 413 depart Sydney 9.45 pm arrive Dubai 5.15am EK 435 depart Brisbane 8.50 pm arrive Dubai 5.25am EK 421 depart Perth 10.05 pm arrive Dubai 5.0 am SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER: Dubai Amma n Jer ash EK 901 Depart Dubai 8.40 am arrive Amman 9.30am Upon arrival we will be met by a local representative and assisted with your visa and immigration requirements to enter Jordan. After claiming our luggage we will travel North to the city of Jerash. Dubbed the Pompeii of the East, Jerash is a Greco- Roman ruined city located 80 miles north of Amman. The impressive, beautifully preserved ruins of Jerash include places of worship and other buildings from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods. HOTEL: Geneva Hotel, Amman MEALS: Dinner MONDAY 12 SEPTEMBER: Mt Nebo Madaba Petra After breakfast, we travel to Mt Nebo. The Lord forbade Moses from entering the Promised Land, but he granted him a spectacular view of it before his death. Enjoy the same spectacular view over Israel before continuing to the modern Arab village of Madaba, built on the ruins of biblical Medeba. During construction of the Church of St. George, the beautiful Madaba Map was found. This map is the oldest map of the Holy Land that is still in existence. Drive along the Kings Highway to Petra with a stop at the Karak Crusader Castle en-route. HOTEL: Petra Moon Hotel, Petra TUESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER: Petra A full day visit to the rose - red city of Petra which from 300 BC was inhabited by the Nabateans. Take a horse ride through the dramatic ciq or canyon. See the Treasury, carved in the pink stone, and continue past the Roman theatre, the Corinthian Tomb and Palace Tomb to the Roman road. Climb up to the High Place or the Deir or Monastery. HOTEL: Petra Moon Hotel, Petra WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Aqaba Timna Dead Sea Today we farewell Jordan and cross the border into Israel at Aqaba. Continue past the Red Sea resort town of Eilat to Timna National Park. See a life-size replica of the biblical tabernacle, based upon the biblical description. After lunch travel through the Negev desert to the Dead Sea and check in at the kibbutz style accommodation. HOTEL: Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Dead Sea THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER: Dead Sea Masada Qumr a n This morning enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea before continuing on to Masada. Masada is one of the most exciting and frequentlytoured places in Israel, and relates a story of perseverance and power, faith and surrender, ambitions, and a tragic end. Masada is situated on the top of a mountain with steep sides and a flat top like a parapet overlooking the desert panorama to the west and the Dead Sea to the east. We then travel to Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in the 1950 s. We then traverse across to Nazareth. HOTEL: Golden Crown Hotel, Nazareth FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER: Nazareth Megidoo Today we discover the town that Jesus grew up in with a visit to the 1st century working farm of Nazareth Village. Other important sites include the Church of the Annunciation and Mary s Well. This afternoon we will travel to Megiddo (the Greek name for Armageddon) overlooking the Jezreel Valley. HOTEL: Golden Crown Hotel, Nazareth Overnight: MV Visionary
SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER: Caesarea - Haifa Today we will drive to Caesarea to view the ruins which include the huge Roman Theatre. Drive to Haifa and Mt. Carmel - the site of Elijah s contest with the prophets of Baal. Travel north to the Galilee and check in to the kibbutz style accommodation on the shores of the Sea. SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER: Sea of Galilee - Jordan River We will travel by boat across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to visit Peter s House and the ancient ruins of the first century synagogue where Jesus preached. We will visit Tabgha, the chapel dedicated to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and the Mt of Beatitudes, the site of Jesus Sermon on the Mount. Later we will visit the Jesus Boat at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, a complete 1st century fishing boat. We conclude the day with a visit to the traditional Baptism site at the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This afternoon we will visit a local home for coffee & worship. MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER: Free Day Enjoy a free day on the shores of Galilee. TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER: Gola n Heights Northern Border We visit Korazim, a town condemned by Jesus for its lack of faith. Continue on to Banias, the site of Peter s confession and the present day Golan Heights where Israel, Lebanon and Syria come together. We will follow the fresh mountain waters of Mt. Hermon to the Sea of Galilee and to the outlet passage at the southern tip of the Sea, visiting Hazor Museum en route. Finish the day with a visit to Kursi, where Jesus cast the devils into a herd of swine. WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER: Mt Tabor Jericho Bethlehem Start the day with a visit to Mt Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration. Leaving the Galilee region, we will drive through the Jordan Valley and visit Jericho, where the walls came tumbling down and view the Mt. of Temptation and Elisha s Fountain. Drive to Bethlehem Bible College to share time with local believers. HOTEL: Ararat Hotel, Bethlehem THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER: Bethlehem Betha ny Jerusalem Today in Bethlehem we visit the Shepherd s Field and the Nativity Church and Manger Square. Continue on to Bethany, home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus and see the empty tomb and the winepress. Today, we arrive in Jerusalem. FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER: Mt of Olives Gethsema ne Zion Start the day at the Mount of Olives for a wonderful view of Jerusalem. See the Place of Ascension and the Pater Noster Church. At the foot of the hill see the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees and the Church of All Nations. Drive along the Kidron valley to St. Peter in Gallicantu built over the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas. On Mount Zion visit the tomb of David, Church of the Dormition and the Upper Room. SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER: Old City Garden Tomb Walk along the Via Dolorosa to Pilate s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of the Flagellation, the Ecce Homo Arch where Jesus was tried before Pilate. Then continue through the Old City bazaars to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. As the climax of our tour visit the Garden Tomb and Golgotha Place of the Skull, for a worship service. SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER: Jewish Old Quarter City of David Start the day with a visit to the Jewish Quarter starting at the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) and the Dome of the Rock and the Aqsa Mosque. See the Cardo, ancient Synagogue, Burnt House and Herodian Mansion. We will visit the City of David which is about 4,000 years old. We enter the Jewish Quarter through the Zion gate and see the Pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the blind man. Visit Warren s Shaft, where David breached the Jebusite defences of Jerusalem (opportunity to walk through Hezekiah s Tunnel). We see how the Jewish people now live in the old city, as well as during the Second Temple time.
MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER: Temple Steps - Isreal Museum - Yad Vashem We spend time at the Southern Steps which ascend to the Hulda Gate where Jesus and his disciples always entered when going to the Temple. Visit the Davidson Center, the archaeological site. Continue to the Tomb of the Kings for fascinating insights into ancient Jerusalem. In the afternoon a visit to Israel Museum and Shrine of the Book as well as Yad Vashem, Memorial of the Holocaust and the Model Museum. TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER: Free Day Day to enjoy Jerusalem at leisure. WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER: Free Day Enjoy a free day on the shores of Galilee. TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER: Jerusalem Telaviv Is tanbul This morning we will depart the hotel for our flight from Tel Aviv to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul we will be transferred to the hotel for dinner. HOTEL: Innova Hotel, Istanbul THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER: Is tanbul Today s city sightseeing tour will include the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. See the head of Medusa and experience the wonder of the Basilica Cistern. At the end of the tour we will spend some time at the Grand Covered Bazaar. HOTEL: Innova Hotel, Istanbul FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER: Is tanbul This morning we visit St. Sophia Church, a marvel of Byzantine architecture. We then drive to Chora Church with its beautiful mosaics and frescoes. This afternoon we will have a Bosphorus cruise where we will see the historical palaces, houses and buildings built along the European and Asian sea shores. HOTEL: Innova Hotel, Istanbul SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER: Gallipoli Today we will travel from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula where we will visit the Gallipoli War Museum and Anzac memorials (Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Nek, Chunuk Bair). HOTEL: Akol Hotel, Canakkale SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER: Troy Per agamum Izmir Today we will depart from Canakkale and drive toward Asia Minor. Visit the ancient city of Troy and continue on to Pergamum to visit the ancient healing centre (Asclepeion), the Acropolis and the Red Basilica. HOTEL: Grand Corner Hotel, Izmir MONDAY 3 OCTOBER: Ephesus Kusadasi Morning visit to the remains of the ancient Agora of Smyrna, before we drive to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, where excavation still continues. Walk along the marble streets and see Hadrian s Temple, the public baths, the Agora, the Library of Celcus and the Theatre. Continue on to Kusadasi, the port city. HOTEL: Charisma Hotel, Kusadasi
Tou r Cos ts Tour price is based on a minimum of 20 passengers travelling. Price per person twin share $9,600.00 Single room supplement $2,360.00 Greece Extension $1,499.00 Single room supplement $9,20.00 Inclusions Return economy airfares with Emirates or similar Accommodation in centrally located hotels Half board breakfast and dinner daily Air conditioned motor coach transport Entrance to all sights included in the itinerary English speaking local guides and drivers Visa and entry costs for Jordan and Israel (for Australian passports) Internal flight Tel Aviv/Istanbul Airport transfers Porterage to/from coach/lobby Tips and gratuities for drivers and guides Greece Extension Additional Inclusions All meals whilst on Greek Island cruise Outside cabin on Greek Island cruise Shore excursion to St. John Monastery and Cave of Apocalypse in Patmos Tips and gratuities for cruise staff Port charges Not included Turkish visa (USD $60.00 per person) Lunches, snacks, beverages Travel Insurance (MTG offers a 20% discount please contact us for a quote) Personal expenses laundry, internet, shopping Additional tips to hotel staff, waiters, shop staff etc. TOLL FREE 1300 554 654 MORE INFORMATION www.missiontravel.com.au
Greece Extension TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER: Kusadasi Patmos Early departure to airport for local flight to Istanbul, for those leaving the tour at this point. Otherwise, a morning escorted transfer to Kusadasi port to embark on cruise. Lunch onboard. Sail at 12 noon for Patmos where we enjoy our included tour to St. John Monastery and Cave of Apocalypse. Return to the ship and sail for Rhodes. CRUISE: Celestyal Cruise MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER: Rhodes Full day in Rhodes. Optional tour to Rhodes Old Town and Lindos or Philerimos. In the evening sail for Crete. CRUISE: Celestyal Cruise MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER: Crete Sa ntorini Morning arrival in Crete. Optional tour to Heraklion Museum or Minoan Palace of Knossos. At noon sail to Santorini. Afternoon arrival in Santorini. Spend all afternoon and evening in this unique volcanic island with breathtaking views to the Aegean Sea. Sail to Athens in late evening. CRUISE: Celestyal Cruise MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER: Athens Breakfast on board. Athens City tour. Visit Acropolis and Mars Hill. Enjoy a panoramic bus tour before check-in at hotel. Dinner tonight will be at a local outdoor restaurant in the lively Plaka area. HOTEL: Parthenon Hotel, Athens SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER: Athens Dubai After breakfast we will check out of our hotel. Depart around noon to Athens airport for our journey home onboard Emirates EK 106 which departs Athens at 4.10 pm and arrives Dubai 9.45pm. MEALS: Breakfast SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER: Dubai Aus tr alia EK 440 departs Dubai at 2.05 am arrives Adelaide at 8.05pm EK 414 departs Dubai at 2.15 am arrives Sydney at 10.05pm EK 432 departs Dubai at 2.45 am arrives Brisbane at 12.40am on 10 October