Tour of Israel and Turkey
with
Fraser J. Harding
9 Oct to 30 Oct 2010
Israel: | Beersheba, Eilat, Masada, Dead Sea, Golan Heights, Galilee, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, Bethlehem, Jerusalem... |
Turkey: | The Churches of Revelation, Troy, Gallipoli, Istanbul (Constantinople)... |
SATURDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2010
Depart from your capital city with Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines via Singapore and Istanbul to TEL AVIV, ISRAEL. (Meals in Flight)
SUNDAY 10TH OCTOBER
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)
MONDAY 11TH OCTOBER
En route today we will visit CAESAREA, 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. We will visit the Australia Israel Friendship Forest at Shorashim. Passing through the MEGGIDO VALLEY, we see the large plain where the final battle of Armageddon is prophesied to take place. We continue to the picturesque Sea of Galilee for overnight. (B-D)
TUESDAY 12TH OCTOBER
We journey to Nazareth where Jesus grew to manhood. Some interesting time is spent at Nazareth Village, recreating lifestyle as it was in the time of Jesus. We visit the Mt of the Precipice for a view over Nazareth and the surrounding Jezreel Valley. We return to Galilee for some free time to reflect by the Sea. Overnight Galilee. (B-D)
WEDNESDAY 13TH OCTOBER
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)
THURSDAY 14TH OCTOBER
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)
FRIDAY 15TH OCTOBER
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, and 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. Arriving to our resort hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea, there is time for a ‘float’ in the medicinal waters. Overnight Dead Sea. (B-D)
SATURDAY 16TH OCTOBER
This morning we travel to the southern border of Israel at Elat on the Red Sea. We pass by the location of the former cities of Sodom & Gomorah, visiting the recreated Wilderness Tabernacle at Timna before arriving to the beautiful Red Sea. Overnight Elat. (B-D)
SUNDAY 17TH OCTOBER
Our journey takes us into the Negev through Avdat, a 2nd century Nabatean city, Sde Boker, burial place of Ben Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, and on to Beer Sheva, site of Abraham’s well and the famous and victorious charge of the Light Horse. Continuing on we make our memorial ascent up to Jerusalem. We arrive at the British War Cemetery on Mt Scopus for a magnificent sunset view over the Old City. Overnight Jerusalem. (B-D)
MONDAY 18TH OCTOBER
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. We continue to the Herodium, Herod’s administrative centre and burial place. We return to Jerusalem for overnight. (B-D)
TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER
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 20TH OCTOBER
This morning we tour 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 visit the YAD VASHEM HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL, a memorial built in honour of the six million Jewish lives taken in the Holocaust. The afternoon is free to make your own lunch arrangements and explore the Old City or just relax at your hotel. Overnight Jerusalem. (B-D)
THURSDAY 21ST OCTOBER
Free day in Jerusalem. (B-D)
FRIDAY 22ND OCTOBER
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. From there we continue to the airport for our afternoon flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Overnight Istanbul. (B-L-D)
SATURDAY 23RD OCTOBER
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)
SUNDAY 24TH OCTOBER
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)
MONDAY 25TH OCTOBER
Early start for a full day of touring. 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)
TUESDAY 26TH OCTOBER
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)
WEDNESDAY 27TH OCTOBER
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)
THURSDAY 28TH OCTOBER
Free morning in the Port city of Kusadasi to enjoy the leather & rug markets. After lunch we transfer to Izmir for our onward flight to Istanbul and Singapore. (B-Meals in flight)
FRIDAY 29TH OCTOBER
Afternoon arrival to Singapore to connect with our flight to your capital city. (Meals in flight)
SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER
Morning arrival to your capital city. (Meals in flight)
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