Pictures from Israel

The Holy Land and Jordan

Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus and Moses

Led by:

The Rev. Tom Schacher
First Presbyterian Church
East Hampton, NY

April 16 – 30, 2012

Trip map

DAY 1, Monday, April 16, 2012 - Depart the U.S. from New York's JFK Airport on our flight into Tel Aviv, IsraelMeals on board the aircraft. M

DAY 2: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 - Our Pilgrimage in this Holy Land begins:  After meeting our guide for the Holy Land, we travel to Netanya on the shores of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea for dinner and overnight. MD

DAY 3: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - We have come to see for ourselves (John 1:45-46):  Herod’s City-Caesarea; The Majesty of Carmel; Armageddon. . . . to the Sea of Galilee.  We head north toward Caesarea, once capital of the Roman province, where we visit the Roman and Crusader remains and the harbor from which St. Paul was taken prisoner to Rome.  We continue toward Mt. Carmel (Is. 35:2), a symbol of strength, beauty and fertility for OT prophets.  Traditionally, Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal is located at Muhraqa (‘the sacrifice’), a peak offering a spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley.  This fertile valley, also known as the plain of Megiddo, 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 Har-Megiddo have uncovered a fortified city built by Solomon (1 Kgs. 9:15).  We continue to the kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee where we will have dinner and overnight. BD BLD

DAY 4: Thursday, April 19, 2012 - Today we will explore the Holy sites of Nazareth and the area surrounding Nazareth.  We will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, the Orthodox Church, Christ Church (the oldest Anglican Church in the Middle East) and Mary’s Well.  We will visit Nazareth Village, a reproduction of Nazareth as it would have looked during the time of Jesus.  We see Mt. Tabor, the traditional spot of the Transfiguration.  The beautiful church was constructed on the site of a fiercely contested Crusader fortress.  We visit Sepphoris, a major town in the first century near Nazareth.  This is probably where Jesus and Joseph worked.  We will return to the kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for our dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 5: Friday, April 20, 2012 - He is going ahead of us to Galilee” (Mt. 28):  The Sea; Capernaum; Tabgha; 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.  From Tabgha we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee all the way back to Tiberias.  Afterwards, we will journey to 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 museum that holds the 1st century boat discovered in the mud around the sea.  We will return to the kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for our dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 6: Saturday, April 21, 2012 - We depart for Jericho, considered to be the lowest and oldest city on earth.  After our visit here, we will cross the Allenby Bridge into Jordan and visit Madaba to see the mosaic of the Old City of Jerusalem.  We will visit Mt. Nebo where God showed Moses the Promised Land and then continue to Petra for dinner and overnight BD

DAY 7: Sunday, April 22, 2012 - A day to explore the Red Rose City of Petra which some historians equate with Sela, a town in which the Israelites had a famous victory over the local Edomites.  We will have the choice to walk to the site or to take a carriage ride through the dramatic “siq” or canyon.  We will see the Treasury, carved in pink stone, and continue past the Roman Theatre, the Corinthian Tomb and Palace Tomb.  As we continue we see the theatre, the Roman Soldier Tomb, the Columbarium and much more as we make our way to the High Place of Sacrifice located at the top of Jabal Mount.  The High Place of Sacrifice is considered to be the oldest major cultic facility in Petra.  We visit the museum and, for those who take the 60 minute walk to the Monastery, they will be rewarded with the best sites in Petra.  We will depart for Amman where we will have dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 8: Monday, April 23, 2012 - We will drive to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, believed to be the true baptismal site of Jesus.  Here we will renew our baptismal vows and then, we cross back into the Holy Land and continue along the Dead Sea to Masada, the isolated mountain-top fortress about 440m above the banks of the Sea.  Masada 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 either climb Masada to the top or to hike down the mountain.  We visit 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.  Afterwards, there will be time for a dip in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.  Then we are off to Ein Gedi for a walk to a spectacular oasis/waterfall where David hid from Saul before we travel to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 9: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - The Holy City: Temple Mount, Muslim, Jewish and Armenian Quarters:  Through St. Stephen’s Gate to the Holy City, we enter the walled city of JerusalemSt. Anne’s Church, a Crusader jewel, stands 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 visit the Armenian Quarter and St. James Cathedral and St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Church where, according to Syrian tradition, Jesus and his disciples shared the last supper.  Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. BLD

DAY 10: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - The Passion:  Palm Sunday Walk:  We will walk along the Palm Sunday Path from the top of the Mount of Olives into the City, visiting the Tomb of Lazarus, the Church of Dominus Flevit, the Mosque of the Ascension, the Church of the Lord’s Prayer, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Tomb of Mary.  We will have free time this afternoon for resting or shopping.  Overnight Jerusalem. BLD

DAY 11: Thursday, April 26, 2012 - Bethlehem:  We visit Herodion, built by Herod c. 24 BCE as both a palace and a fortress.  The Herodium sat on the flattened top of a hill that rises c. 400 feet above the surrounding terrain.  The roof and upper stories of the Herodium no longer exist; the remains of four towers, however, are still visible.  Josephus describes the Herodium as follows, "The fortress...is naturally strong and very suitable for such a structure, raised to a (greater) height by the hand of man and rounded off in the shape of a breast.”  We visit 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.  Depending on security, we will visit the Tomb of Abraham in Hebron, or return for a free afternoon in Jerusalem.  We will have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. BLD

DAY 12: Friday, April 27, 2012 - A full day free for those who wish to take some time for shopping or visiting old sites.  You might visit the New city sites such as Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and the Knesset, the Israel Museum, which houses the Shrine of the Book, and the artists’ community of En Kerem, or perhaps take the day to wander the suq of the Old City picking up souvenirs.  A dip in the Mediterranean at Joppa is possible as well!  Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. BD

DAY 13: Saturday, April 28, 2012 - The Holy City:  Christian Quarter:  Today we move along the Via Dolorosa which winds its way through the busy markets of the Old City.  We will stop for prayer at the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa before ending our walk at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, scene of the Crucifixion and site of the Tomb.  We will celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Chapel of Abraham in the Holy Sepulchre.  Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. BLD

DAY 14: Sunday, April 29, 2012 - Today we are free to explore on our own.  This evening we join together for our farewell dinner.  Overnight Jerusalem. BD

DAY 15: Monday, April 30, 2012 - We will board our flight in Tel Aviv for our return to the United States arriving back in the USA this afternoon.  We return home with our souls nourished from walking in the footsteps of Jesus and Moses.  Meals on the aircraft. M

Price: $4,319.00.  Price is based on double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from New York's JFK Airport.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single supplement $1,189.00.

* Excludes airline taxes and surcharges that will be added to your final payment invoice.  Estimated taxes as of November 29, 2010 $501.69 per person.

* Price is subject to change until the air space is confirmed and confirmation of the rates for 2012.

Departure taxes to be paid on site and not included:  Israel exit tax at Allenby $48.00 per person and Jordan $12.00 per person (rates are subject to change)

Final Payment due January 13, 2012

Cancellation Penalties
◊ November 29, 2010 – January 12, 2012: $100 per person.
◊ January 13, 2012 – February 28, 2012: $200 per person.
◊ February 29, 2012 - April 16, 2012: NO REFUND

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, M Meals on Aircraft

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

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