Sept 14 - Saturday (Tel Aviv)
Arrival into Tel Aviv, Independence Hall and Jaffa (Joppa).
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel to drop off baggage and pick up those who have arrived early, lunch and then our first stop is the Hall of Independence.
After dinner, we will do a quick walking tour of the famous sea port of Joppa.
After dinner, we will do a quick walking tour of the famous sea port of Joppa.
Sept 15 - Sunday (Tiberias)
Caesarea, Mt Carmel, Acco, Rosh HaNikra, Galilee
It will be an early start as we head to the extraordinary port city of Caesarea where Paul gave witness and then to the aqueduct. On to Mt Carmel, The Valley of Jezreel and to Acco (Acre) a city Paul visited that was rebuilt by the crusaders. Explore the underground city and have lunch in the Souk. Then to the very top of the country to Rosh HaNikra, up the cable car, which is the steepest in the world and see the sea grottoes and the 'Ladder of Tyre'. The view from the cable car is breathtaking.
Sept 16 - Monday (Tiberias)
Galilee
Exploring the shores of Galilee, we will go to the the newly opened ancient site of Magdala where we will be guided by a local dedicated site guide. The Ginnosaur Boat, the Mount of Beatitudes, Chorazin and the wonderful Capernaum are next. Capernaum is a favourite for some of us, the place that Jesus called home for a couple of years - so much to see. Walk to natural amphitheater. Listen to the words of the master.
Jump on a boat and sail on the Galilee - this will be a highlight. Disembark, tour of Kibbutz Ein Gev and enjoy fish and chips (and small bread rolls) for lunch.
On to Tel Megiddo, Mount Tabor and Nazareth to see the sunset from Hill of Precipice.
Jump on a boat and sail on the Galilee - this will be a highlight. Disembark, tour of Kibbutz Ein Gev and enjoy fish and chips (and small bread rolls) for lunch.
On to Tel Megiddo, Mount Tabor and Nazareth to see the sunset from Hill of Precipice.
Sept 17 - Tuesday (Tiberias)
The Golan
A trip up to the north of the country; we pass by the borders of Lebanon and Syria (not too close) to Katzrin and Gamla, El Rom and the Valley of Tears. The Valley of Tears is the name given to an area in the Golan Heights after it became the site of a major battle in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, known as the Valley of Tears Battle, which was fought between 6 and 9 October. We will see the hardware that is left in the fields.
Then we travel onto Nimrod's Castle, Banias (Caearea Philippi and the gates of hell) and Tel Dan. Depending on the weather we might see if we can get all the way to Mount Hermon.
Then we travel onto Nimrod's Castle, Banias (Caearea Philippi and the gates of hell) and Tel Dan. Depending on the weather we might see if we can get all the way to Mount Hermon.
Sept 18 - Wednesday (Tiberias)
South of Galilee, Nazareth, Valley of Jezreel
Tel Jezreel "God soweth" was an ancient Israelite city and fortress originally within the boundaries of the Tribe of Issachar and later within the northern Kingdom of Israel, the place of the royal palace of King Ahab adjacent to the vineyard of Naboth. The city was also the hometown of Ahinoam, third wife of King David, Michal, Saul's daughter being the first and Abigail, widow of Nabal being his second. The breathtaking views that the site commands to the north and east show why there was strategic importance. From here you can see the valley, Gilboa, Mount Tabor and all the surrounding towns. We will go to Gilboah, the ancient well preserved Beth Shean, and Ein Harod for a drink.
Sept 19 - Thursday (Jerusalem)
To Jerusalem
On the way to Jerusalem we will see the excavations at Shiloh and see the likely location that the Tabernacle found its resting place once the times settled in the land.The tent shrine (the Tent of Meeting: Heb. Ohel-Mo'ed) where Joshua and Eleazar divided the land among the tribes who had not yet received their allocation (Joshua 18:1-10) and dealt with the allocation of cities to the Levites (Joshua 21:1-8). Subsequently, Shiloh became one of the leading cities shrines in ancient Israel, a status it held until shortly before David's elevation of Jerusalem.
Stopping at the tank museum for a look and some lunch we will head to the Mt of Olives where we will get our first glimpse of this special city and walk down the hill through the garden over the Kidron valley and into the city.
Stopping at the tank museum for a look and some lunch we will head to the Mt of Olives where we will get our first glimpse of this special city and walk down the hill through the garden over the Kidron valley and into the city.
Sept 20- Friday (Jerusalem)
Jerusalem
An early start to get to the front of the queue to see the Temple Mount which takes everyone by surprise - the site of Mount Moria and Solomons temple. It is Shabbat in Jerusalem so our plans are specific to this day. We will then head to the Israel museum. Some time will be needed in the Israel Museum, we will discuss the Jerusalem model which connects what you see today with what the city was like in the first century.
Visit the Shrine of the Book which is on the same site to see the original Dead Sea Scrolls, probably the most significant archeological find of all time.
On the way back to the old city we will stop at the garden tomb and after dinner descend under the Arab Quarter to the western tunnels.
On the way back to the old city we will stop at the garden tomb and after dinner descend under the Arab Quarter to the western tunnels.
Sept 21- Saturday (Jerusalem)
Jerusalem
We will do the Old City Ramparts walk, a rooftops tour of the Old City.
Stroll the oriental markets of the Arab Quarter. Walk along the walls from Jaffa Gate to Mt. Zion, visit the Garden tomb and do the Western Wall Tunnels tour which is nothing but extraordinary.
The excavations continue in the City of David and we will see the latest finds, then through Hezekiah’s tunnel (bring your torch), up to the Davidson Archaeological Center to see the Herodian stones of the temple that were dislodged by the Roman armies.
Visit the Burnt house and Cardo Wohl archaeological site (the likely Palace of Annas & Caiaphas)
Stroll the oriental markets of the Arab Quarter. Walk along the walls from Jaffa Gate to Mt. Zion, visit the Garden tomb and do the Western Wall Tunnels tour which is nothing but extraordinary.
The excavations continue in the City of David and we will see the latest finds, then through Hezekiah’s tunnel (bring your torch), up to the Davidson Archaeological Center to see the Herodian stones of the temple that were dislodged by the Roman armies.
Visit the Burnt house and Cardo Wohl archaeological site (the likely Palace of Annas & Caiaphas)
Sept 22 - Sunday (Jerusalem)
Jerusalem
A free day in Jerusalem
Sept 23 - Monday (Jerusalem)
Jerusalem
Visiting Bethlehem is difficult and time consuming but this morning we will visit the fortress of Herodian where we will get a great view of Bethlehem and the villages on the hill country of Judea Then onto the Herzl Museum followed by Yad Vashem and in the evening attend the Citadel of David for the evening sound and light show
Sept 24- Tuesday (Dead Sea)
The south, the Dead Sea
Leave Jerusalem heading south stopping at Lachish and the Valley of Elah. Then onto Beersheba where we hope to visit the Hatzerim Air Force Museum, where you will find a huge collection of airplanes and helicopters, all previously standard equipment of the Israel Air Force.
Then onto Beersheba and Australian war memorial and Negev museum. Abraham’s well and the new museum commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the Charge of the ANZAC Light Horse in Beersheba on 31 October 1917.
On to the shores of the Dead Sea where we will check into the hotel and it will be a rush to get to the sea to float in the salty waters and apply the the mud which is well known for its curative effects.
Then onto Beersheba and Australian war memorial and Negev museum. Abraham’s well and the new museum commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the Charge of the ANZAC Light Horse in Beersheba on 31 October 1917.
On to the shores of the Dead Sea where we will check into the hotel and it will be a rush to get to the sea to float in the salty waters and apply the the mud which is well known for its curative effects.
Sept 25 - Wednesday (Dead Sea)
The Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Masada
We will make the effort to go to the north of the Dead Sea to Qumran and see where the scrolls were found and on the way back down visit the Ein Gedi area and hike to the water falls. The afternoon will be at Masada, the fortress built by Herod the Great and the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans.
Then back to the Dead Sea for another swim.
Then back to the Dead Sea for another swim.
Sept 26 - Thursday (Eilat)
Timna Park, Eilat
Drive to Eilat, with brief stop at Mizpeh Ramon crater and a visit to the amazing Timna Park with a full size tabernacle. The summer evening should allow us plenty of time to explore the city of Eilat.
Sept 27 - Friday (Petra)
Over to Jordan, Wadi Rum
Over the border into Jordan, Aqab, drive to Wadi Rum for a desert 4WD tour, camel riding
and Bedouin BBQ and onto Petra for the evening.
and Bedouin BBQ and onto Petra for the evening.
Sept 28 - Saturday (Amman)
Petra, Arnon Gorge
Explore the ancient city of Petra. The city is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Another name for Petra is the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved. Established possibly as early as 312 BC as the capital city of the Arab Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan, as well as Jordan's most-visited tourist attraction. The Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs who took advantage of Petra's proximity to regional trade routes to establish it as a major trading hub. The Nabataeans are also known for their great ability in constructing efficient water-collecting methods in the barren deserts and their talent in carving structures into solid rocks.
On the way north to Amman we will stop at the Mujeb Valley (Arnon Gorge) viewing site.
On the way north to Amman we will stop at the Mujeb Valley (Arnon Gorge) viewing site.
Sept 29 - Sunday (Amman)
Amman
Drive to Madaba the home to the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
See the view from Mt Nebo, view plains of Shittim where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his passing. Enjoy a breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.
Bethany beyond Jordan” and see the baptism site of John the baptist.
Visit the Citdael of Amman.
See the view from Mt Nebo, view plains of Shittim where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his passing. Enjoy a breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.
Bethany beyond Jordan” and see the baptism site of John the baptist.
Visit the Citdael of Amman.
Sept 30 - Monday (Pamukkale)
Turkey, Fly from Amman to Izmir - Hierapolis, Colossae and Laodecia
Fly from Amman to Izmir. Travel to Hierapolis and enjoy the “Cotton Castles” of white calcium rock formations and snowy white travertine's (one of the natural wonders of Asia Minor). The ecclesias here in Hierapolis, Colossae, and Laodicea once flourished under the ministry of Epaphras.
Oct 01 - Tuesday (Izmir)
Hierapolis, Philadelphia, Sardis & Smyrna
Explore incredible excavations at Hierapolis, including a Byzantine church, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Plutonium, which pagan cults once called “the entrance to hell.” At Philadelphia our Bible will come alive as we read it in light of firsthand study. We will visit Smyrna; poor and persecuted, the ecclesia at Smyrna suffered amidst prosperity for its refusal to worship the Roman Emperor. This proved to be the last stronghold of Christianity in Asia Minor. Home of the second century Bishop Polycarp who was burned alive at the age of eighty-six. Then on to Sardis, for the imperial court, the ancient Jewish synagogue and the Temple of Artemis.
Oct 02 - Wednesday (Istanbul)
Ephesus
Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade bordered streets. Paul's first visit to Ephesus was brief - in his second missionary tour (Acts 18:19-21) he stayed for about about three years. He visited during his third missionary tour (Acts 19:1 to 20:31). Luke's account of the worship of Diana appears in Acts 19:34-35.
The Great Theatre (stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29-31 could seat 25,000 people. Walk the marble-paved street with grooves made by chariot wheels. See the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre with a capacity of 24.000 spectators. Visit the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened.
Visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city.
The Great Theatre (stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29-31 could seat 25,000 people. Walk the marble-paved street with grooves made by chariot wheels. See the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre with a capacity of 24.000 spectators. Visit the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened.
Visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city.
Oct 03 - Thursday (Istanbul)
Thyatira and Pergamum and then to Istanbul
At Thyatira we will see the ruins of an ancient commercial centre, located in the fertile valley where the trade route passed. One of the town's cloth and dye merchants was a woman named Lydia, who conducted business as far away as Philippi. At Pergamum, we will see the acropolis and Great Theatre, the steepest of the ancient world, the altar of Zeus and visit the Red Basilica; once a pagan temple, it later converted into a Christian church. Finally, walk thru the Pergamum Asclepion, the famous medical centre of antiquity
At the end of the day return to Izmir and fly to Istanbul.
At the end of the day return to Izmir and fly to Istanbul.
Oct 04 - Friday (Istanbul)
Istanbul
Visit the highlights of Istanbul; the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - its three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman. We will visit the Roman Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia Museum and finish the day with a Bosphorus Strait sightseeing cruise with dinner.
Oct 05 - Saturday (Onward journey)
Istanbul
The last day, time to return home with one last walk in the ancient city unless we extend our trip. There is so much to do and see in Istanbul, many will stay on for at least a couple of days.
Oct 06 - Sunday(Onward journey)
onwards travel
Some will stay on for further travels in Turkey
