Pictures from the Holy Land

The Holy Land

Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

Led by:

The Rev. Orion Davis

March 26 – April 8, 2017

Trip map

DAY 1, Sunday, March 26, 2017 - Depart USA for a trans-Atlantic flight with a connection in Istanbul and final flight into Tel Aviv, IsraelMeals on aircraft. M

DAY 2, Monday, March 27, 2017 - We arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel where we clear immigration, meet our guide and transfer to the waiting coach and drive to Caesarea.  We will overnight at the beautiful Dan Hotel on the shores of the Mediterranean SeaMeals on aircraft. M

DAY 3: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - We explore Herod’s City-Caesarea, once capital of the Roman province.  Here we visit the Roman and Crusader remains and the harbor from which St. Paul was taken prisoner to Rome.  We visit the fertile valley known as the plain of Megiddo which has been the scene of horrible carnage and almost constant strife.  Legend portrays this area as the stage for the final battle of history:  Armageddon (Rev. 16:16).  The excavations at Megiddo have uncovered a fortified city built by Solomon (1 Kgs. 9:15).  We continue to the Roman city of Sepphoris where Jesus would have spent much of his early life, transfer to Kibbutz Nof Ginosar on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for dinner & overnight. BD

DAY 4: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - This morning we travel to Mt. Tabor, the traditional spot of the Transfiguration.  The Church of the Transfiguration incorporates two chapels; one of Moses and one of Elijah, continue to Nazareth, home of the Basilica of the Annunciation.  We will return to our kibbutz where you can stroll around the tranquil grounds.  Dinner and overnight Sea of Galilee. BD

DAY 5: Thursday, March 30, 2017 - “He is going ahead of us to Galilee” (Mt. 28):  Capernaum; Tabgha; Korazin; Primacy of Peter; Mount of Beatitudes:  We begin at Capernaum where we shall walk in the ancient synagogue and see St. Peter’s house.  We continue to Korazin (Mt. 11:21) before traveling to Tabgha where we will see the mosaics of the Loaves and Fishes and celebrate Holy Eucharist.  We share a St. Peter’s Fish lunch and then visit the Mount of Beatitudes to rehear the Sermon on the Mount and then we will hike down to the shore of the Sea of Galilee as Jesus and his disciples would have done.  We visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter before returning to our kibbutz.  Dinner and overnight at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar BLD

DAY 6: Friday, March 31, 2017 - The upper Galilee:  Golan Heights; Hazor; Dan: Caesarea Philippi; Mt. Hermon:  We travel to Caesarea Phillippi, once the largest city in northern Israel.  It is here that Jesus said to Simon, “and upon this rock I will build my church” (Mt. 16: 13-20).  Near the foot of Mt. Hermon, we will walk along the Jordan River to the Springs of Banias and renew our baptismal vows.  We will drive to Tiberias where we will board a boat reminiscent of those used during Jesus’ time and sail to Capernaum and then back to our kibbutz where we visit the museum that holds the 1st century boat discovered in the mud around the sea.  Dinner and overnight at the kibbutz. BD

DAY 7: Saturday, April 1, 2017 - We continue to Beth Shean to see the best preserved Roman-Byzantine town in Israel.  Beth Shean was located on the old trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean.  We will have lunch in Sebaste and then explore the ancient Sebaste and visit Jacob’s Well near Nablus where Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink and then promised her “living water” (John 4:5-47).  We continue to our kibbutz on the shores of the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight. BLD

DAY 8: Sunday, April 2, 2017 - The Judean Wilderness:  We drive along the Dead Sea to Masada, the isolated mountain-top fortress about 440m above the banks of the SeaMasada was first fortified as early as the 1st or 2nd century BC and then enlarged by Herod the Great.  For those who wish, there will be the opportunity to hike down the mountain.  Then we are off to Ein Gedi for a walk to a spectacular oasis/waterfall where David hid from Saul.  We return to the kibbutz on the Dead Sea and the opportunity for a dip in the Dead Sea for those who wish.  Dinner and overnight. at the Dead Sea. BD

DAY 9: Monday, April 3, 2017 - “Up to Jerusalem”:  We begin with a visit to Qumran where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  We then travel to Jericho, where we find the remains of the oldest city in the world.  We will travel by cable car to the Mount of Temptation to visit the Monastery of the Temptation where Jesus was tempted by Satan during his 40 day fast (Mt. 4: 1-11).  We will continue traveling up to Jerusalem and stop for a hike to St. George’s Monastery, an ancient retreat literally built into the side of the mountain.  As we travel into Jerusalem, we will find a site on Mt. Zion or the Mount of Olives in order to see the city and orient ourselves.  Then it is on to our hotel for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 10: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 - Life’s Bread, Jerusalem and Bethlehem:  Through St. Stephen’s Gate to the Holy City, we study the model of ancient Jerusalem to orient ourselves to the city.  We walk to St. Anne’s Church, standing on a property facing the Temple Mount.  Once inside we find ourselves singing (the acoustics are glorious).  Nearby, we visit excavations which speak to us of Jesus’ healing at the “pool with the five porticos.”  We walk together to the Temple Mount Dig, to the Dome of the Rock, to the Western Wailing Wall and the Jewish Quarter.  We will visit the ancient excavated cisterns that were found under the Old City and explore the excavations of the Temple Mount Dig.  We will then depart for Bethlehem for lunch at a wonderful Arab restaurant called Two Moustaches.  After lunch, we will visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field and have some time for shopping before returning to Jerusalem for a visit to The House of Caiaphas, site of the imprisonment of Jesus prior to his crucifixion.  We will have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. BLD

DAY 11: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 - The Passion:  Pater Noster; Palm Sunday Walk; Dominus Flevit; Church of the Agony; Garden of Gethsemane; Cave of the Olive Press:  We begin our walk at the Pater Noster, built over the sight where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer.  Then, we will walk along the Palm Sunday Path stopping to celebrate Eucharist in a private garden that is a part of Gethsemane.  From here we shall move on to walk the Via Dolorosa, winding through the busy markets of the Old City.  We shall end our walk at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, scene of the Crucifixion and site of the Tomb.  The rest of the day is free for further exploration in the Old City.  After dinner at our hotel in Jerusalem, we visit the Scottish Hospice where a consortium of Arab women sell their handmade wares. BD

DAY 12: Thursday, April 6, 2017 - Ein Kerem and New Jerusalem:  Today we visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, the Knesset, and the Israel Museum which houses the Shrine of the Book, continue to Ein Kerem.  It is here that, according to Christian tradition, John the Baptist was born and lived.  We will visit the Church of St. John the Baptist which dates from the 17th century but is built over older Byzantine and Crusader structures.  We will also visit the Church of the Visitation which commemorates the Virgin Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, mother of John.  Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. BD

DAY 13: Friday, April 7, 2017 - A full day free to explore the Old City on your own, shop, rest and pack.  We will join together for a “farewell to the Holy Land” dinner this evening and overnight in Jerusalem. BD

DAY 14: Saturday, April 8, 2017 - We will return to the US today spiritually fulfilled having walked in the footsteps of Jesus.  Breakfast and meals on the aircraft. BM

Price: Pricing $3,699.00.  Price is based on 25 Pilgrims, double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from Atlanta, GA.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single supplement:  $1,499.00

Pricing does not include airline taxes and fuel charges estimated to be $400+.  These will be added to your final invoice.

Payments
◊ $200.00 non refundable deposit due with application and copy of passport.
◊ October 1, 2016 - $1500.00 payment per person due.
◊ January 15, 2017 – Final payment due.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until October 1, 2016: $200 per person plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ October 2, 2016 – January 15, 2017: $500 per person plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ January 16, 2017 or later: NO REFUND

Terms and Conditions:
◊ 1. PRICES ARE CASH.  AMERICAN EXPRESS ACCEPTED FOR FINAL PAYMENT ONLY ADD'L 4.0%.
◊ 2. Names as on passport.  If name is incorrect and tickets reissued, $50 fee plus change fees from airline.
◊ 3. $100 deviation fee plus any additional airfare, hotel, tour or admission charges.

Worldwide Pilgrimage Ministries provides the following basic travel insurance for you at no additional cost:
◊ Trip Delay - $1,000
◊ Baggage & Personal Effects - $1,500
◊ Baggage Delay - $250
◊ Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses - $25,000
◊ Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation - $150,000
◊ Travel Assistance & Concierge Services are provided By Travelex's designated providers.

It is recommended that you purchase additional coverage.  Go to our website www.worldwidepilgrimage.com and click on Travelex Insurance to read the coverages and rules regarding existing conditions or call 800-228-9792 Location # 09-1983.  An application for travel insurance will be included with the receipt for your deposit.  We strongly recommend that you seriously consider this coverage.

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, S Snack

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.

Note that Israel is a physically demanding destination.  Good shoes and some preparing for the trip on the stair master are invaluable aids to a healthy and happy pilgrimage.