In the Paths of Jesus and Paul
with
Pastor Grant & Helen Spangenberg
PASTOR NARACOORTE CHURCH OF CHRIST
and Trevor & Sue Barnett
CHAPLAIN NARACOORTE HIGH SCHOOL
22 Feb to 13 Mar 2011
Israel: | Bethlehem, Masada, Dead Sea, Golan Heights, Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem... |
Turkey: | The Churches of Revelation, Gallipoli, Istanbul (Constantinople)... |
Greece: | Corinth, Athens... |
TUESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2011
Depart Adelaide with Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines via Singapore and Istanbul to TEL AVIV, ISRAEL. (Meals in Flight)
WEDNESDAY 23RD FEBRUARY
Morning arrival to the HOLY LAND. We will transfer to our hotel by the Mediterranean Sea to rest. In the afternoon we will sojourn in the ancient city of JOPPA, home of Simon the Tanner and where Jonah, fleeing from the Lord, embarked his ship for Tarshish. Time to stroll through the narrow streets filled with art galleries and cafes. Overnight Tel Aviv. (Meals in flight -D)
THURSDAY 24TH FEBRUARY
En route today we will visit CEASAREA, site of Herod's Palace, home of Cornelius and where Paul was brought to trial. We travel to MT CARMEL and Muhraqa, where Elijah called down fire from Heaven to defeat the prophets of Baal. Passing through the MEGGIDO VALLEY, we see the large plain where the final battle of Armageddon is prophesied to take place. We then journey to Nazareth the village where Jesus grew to manhood. We visit the Mt of the Precipice for a view over Nazareth and the surrounding Jezreel Valley, before continuing on to the beautiful Sea of Galilee for Overnight. (B-D)
FRIDAY 25TH FEBRUARY
Today, we explore the historical region of Galilee. Remember how Jesus walked on the water? Our special traditional sailing vessel will take us across the Sea of Galilee, stopping in the middle for a time of reflection and worship. Rejoice! Jesus is alive. We disembark at Nof Ginnosar a kibbutz located on the shores of the Galilee where we will see the remains of a boat from the time of Jesus. Arriving later to CAPERNAUM, the city of Jesus, we visit the ruins of the synagogue where Jesus performed many miracles. We will visit ST PETER’S PRIMACY CHURCH. You will see the new excavations of ST PETER'S house and visit TABGHA, where Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fishes to feed the multitudes and later ascending to the top of the MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, where we will pause to read the Sermon on the Mount. We will enjoy a St Peter’s fish lunch. Before returning to our hotel we will visit the Jordan River baptismal site. Overnight Galilee. (B-L-D)
SATURDAY 26TH FEBRUARY
After breakfast, we travel to the Golan Heights with Mt. Hermon in the background. We will explore Tel Dan, and plan to have lunch at Kfar Bloom. Then we journey on to Banias, and visit CAESAREA PHILIPPI, where Peter confessed his faith in Jesus and on to Mt. Bental. Overnight Galilee. (B-D)
SUNDAY 27TH FEBRUARY
Early morning departure South, following the scenic Jordan Valley passing by Beit Shean where Saul’s headless body was hung on the Gates of the city. Then we pass by Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered, Ein Gedi David’s refuge from King Saul, and on to Masada where we ascend by cable car to the fortress for magnificent views of the Dead Sea and across to Jordan. Time for a ‘float’ in the medicinal waters of the Dead Sea before we climb up through the ‘Mountains of Israel’ to JERUSALEM the City of the Great King. Overnight Jerusalem. (B-D)
MONDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2011
We begin our day with a pilgrimage to where it all began – BETHLEHEM of EPRAHTAH, the birthplace of Messiah. We make a short visit to Manger Square and the Church of Nativity and also the Shepherds Fields, en route passing by Rachael's Tomb. Returning to New Jerusalem where we view the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament Building) before continuing on to the Israeli Museum including a visit to the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and a model of the ancient city of Jerusalem in the time of Christ, including the Jewish Temple. We finish our day with time at the YAD VASHEM HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL, a memorial built in honour of the six million Jewish lives taken in the Holocaust. Overnight Jerusalem. (B-D)
TUESDAY 1ST MARCH 2011
Experience the atmosphere that sets Jerusalem apart from any other city in the world. We have a full day of touring Old Jerusalem, following in the footsteps of Jesus, including the MT OF OLIVES and the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. Entering into the OLD CITY through ST STEPHEN'S GATE we visit the POOL OF BETHESDA, where Jesus cured an invalid, and continue to the Ecce Homo Convent to view the Lithostratos, and to visit the PRAETORIUM, site of the public trial and condemnation of Jesus. We continue through the picturesque Bazaar streets passing the Stations of the Cross along the VIA DOLOROSA arriving to the Holy Sepulchre Church. Then, time to visit the WESTERN WALL, the most sacred site for the Jewish people. We finish our tour of the Old City at the Christ Church, oldest Protestant church in the Middle East located near the Jaffa Gate. You will have the option to return to the hotel or stay on and enjoy extra time in the Old City. Overnight Jerusalem. (B-D)
WEDNESDAY 2ND MARCH
Morning visit to the GARDEN TOMB, where we will share together in a Communion Service with the empty tomb in the background. The serenity of this place makes it a spiritual oasis within this bustling city. This is the ultimate place of worship in Jerusalem. After a farewell lunch at Yad HaShmona we continue to the airport for our afternoon flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Overnight Istanbul. (B-L-D)
THURSDAY 3RD MARCH
City tour of Istanbul visiting Topkapi Palace, the Old City¹s underground cisterns, the Saint Sophia Basilica, the majestic Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome. We will visit the 15th Century Macedonian Ahrida Jewish Synagogue and finally the Grand Bazaar with its 4,000 shops and stalls. Overnight Istanbul (B -D)
FRIDAY 4TH MARCH
Drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula where we will visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine cemeteries, see the old trenches and view the monument to Kernal Ataturk (1881-1938) the founder of the Turkish Republic. Then we cross the Dardanelles by ferry to the beautiful coastal city of Canakkale. Overnight (B-D)
SATURDAY 5TH MARCH
After breakfast we travel to Troy to see the legendary city and the replica of the Wooden Horse and recall the great works of Homer. We drive to Alexandria Troas founded by Alexander the Great. St. Paul visited here at least twice and it is where Paul raised the young Eutychus from the dead and had a vision calling him to preach the Gospel in Macedonia. Then drive to Assos, this Hellenistic city where St. Paul rejoined his companions. Acts 16:8-11; 20:5, 6, II Tim. 4:13 II Cor. 2:12. We travel to the amazing ruins of PERGAMUM (Rev. 2:12-13) where we will climb the Acropolis and stand beneath the portals of the Temple of Trajan. We read where Pergamum is referred to as Satan’s seat. Visit the Acropolis with the steepest theatre of the ancient world and the Temple of Trajan. Then visit the Red Basilica, which was an Egyptian Temple, later converted to a church in the 1st century and the Aesclepium built to honour the Roman/Greek god of healing. We are also view the inscriptions on the white stone mentioned in Rev 2:12, 17. (Rev. 1:11; 2:12- Thyatira) (Acts 16:14, Rev. 1:11; 2:18-24) - Smyrna (Rev. 1:11; 2:8) From Pergamun we drive through the beautiful mountains and olive groves to the port city of Izmir, known in the New Testament as SMYRNA (Rev. 2:12-17). Overnight Izmir (B-D)
SUNDAY 6TH MARCH
We visit the Velvet Castle built by one of Alexander the Great¹s generals, the Agora, Roman Aqueduct and the Lion statue that reminds of the Roman persecution of the followers of Christ. Drive to Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydia, where the first coin of the world was invented. See the ruins of the early Church constructed next to the Temple of Diana. The Synagogue from the 3rd Century AD, Gymnasium and the Bathhouse from the 2nd century. Continue to Alasehir to see the 1st century Philadelphia Church. From a distance view the ruins of LAODICEA (Rev. 3:14) situated below and across the plain from Pamukkale. Then up to the necropolis of Hierapolis, and the wonderful hot springs and limestone cascades on the mountainside of Pamukkale. Overnight Pumakkale. (B-D)
MONDAY 7TH MARCH
En route to Ephesus we visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the grave of St John the Apostle. In the centre of Selcuk we will see a huge statue of the Goddess Artemis who Paul spoke against in Ephesus. We tour the ruins of EPHESUS, (Rev. 2:1) once the Roman capital of Asia of which Paul asked, "is there a greater city"? We will walk the ancient marble streets past the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Basilica of St. John the Apostle. Overnight Kusadasi. (B-D)
TUESDAY 8TH MARCH
Transfer to Izmir for our flight to Athens. Afternoon arrival to Athens for overnight. (B-D)
WEDNESDAY 9TH MARCH
Morning city tour of Athens. We will climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. We will then walk to nearby Mars Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Overnight Athens. (B-D)
THURSDAY 10TH MARCH
Our route out of Athens takes us by the Saronic Gulf via the historic Corinthian Canal (quick stop for photos) to ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was to this megalopolis where the apostle Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. Here, see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio's Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an absolute must! We continue to visit to Lechaion and also see the ruins of early Christian 5th century basilica at the ancient port of Cenchreae before returning to Athens for Overnight.(B-D)
FRIDAY 11TH MARCH
Free morning in Athens. Afternoon transfer to the airport for our flight home via Istanbul and Singapore. (B-Meals in flight)
SATURDAY 12TH MARCH
Afternoon arrival to Singapore where we connect with our flight to Adelaide. (Meals in flight)
SUNDAY 13TH MARCH 2011
Evening arrival home with memories to last a lifetime. (Meals in flight)
 | Home | Choose a Tour | Discover your Destination | Learn about Us | Links | Contact Us |  |