israel

The Holy Land
Spiritual Director: The Rev'd David Prothero

israel2

Introduction

“If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my hand wither if I prize not Jerusalem above all my joys!” Psalm 137

Throughout the centuries one of the goals of the Christian has been to visit the Holy Land. It is an intense and powerful experience to be in the Holy City of Jerusalem and in the Galilee and richly brings the Old Testament, New Testament and the waves of post-biblical history alive. It helps us understand not only our own faith but also that of Judaism and Islam and the emotions that have dominated and still dominate the Land. These days of pilgrimage can leave a lasting impression that enriches our life at all levels.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - WEDNESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER

Heathrow - Tel Aviv

Afternoon check in at Heathrow Airport for El Al flight, departing at 3:35pm. Dinner will be served during the flight. Arrive Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport at 9:20pm. Transfer to Jerusalem for a 4-night stay.

DAY TWO - THURSDAY 4TH NOVEMBER

Tel Aviv - Jerusalem

After breakfast, we descend from the Mount of Olives to visit the Chapel of the Ascension and the Pater Noster Church where the Lord's Prayer is inscribed in over 90 languages. Walk down the narrow path past the chapel of Dominus Flevit (The Lord Wept), to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed on the night before his arrest. We finish the morning at the Church of All Nations, built over the Rock of Agony. In the afternoon we travel to Mount Zion where we visit the Upper Room, the site of the Last Supper, the Dormition Abbey, the house of St Mark and the tomb of King David. We visit the Church of St Peter in Galicantu (House of Caiphas) where Peter thrice denied Jesus.

DAY THREE - FRIDAY 5TH NOVEMBER

Yad Vashem - Ein Karem - Bethlehem

This morning we visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial, before travelling to the village of Ein Karem, where John the Baptist was born and Mary visited Elizabeth. Continue onto Bethlehem via the Shepherds Fields then visit Manger Square, the Basilica and the Cave of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Return to Jerusalem.

DAY FOUR - SATURDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

The Old City of Jerusalem

We leave the hotel early today to walk the narrow streets of the Old City. We enter the city at St Stephen's Gate and visit the Western Wall before we join the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa). Regrettably, the Temple Mount is no longer accessible. We see the pool of Bethesda, and then the Ecce Homo Arch (Behold the Man) site of Pontius Pilate's judgement, now partly within the Sisters of Zion Convent. Continue down the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus rose from the dead. We end this morning with a visit to the Garden Tomb. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY FIVE - SUNDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

Dead Sea - Jericho - Galilee

This morning we depart Jerusalem, driving down the winding road which was the setting for the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Drive to Masada where we ascend by cable-car to the famous fortress. We then go to one of the beaches to bathe in the Dead Sea. Afterwards, we travel through the Jordan Valley to Tiberias, and our hotel near to the Sea of Galilee.

DAY SIX - MONDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

Cana - Nazareth - Megiddo - River Jordan

Depart Tiberias for Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle, where at a wedding feast he turned water into wine (John 2:1-4). Continue to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood town; visit the basilica of the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-28; 2-39). After Eucharist we visit the nearby church of St Joseph and Mary’s Well. Now the way takes us to Megiddo, the fascinating ancient town overlooking the Jezreel Valley and where 26 levels of civilisation have been excavated, here there are ruins of the city gates and the horse stables of Solomon’s fortress city (1 Kings 9:15). Our visit ends with a spectacular walk through the subterranean water tunnel. Drive from here to Yardenit, the Baptism site where the Jordan River flows from the Sea of Galilee. Afterwards we return to our hotel.

DAY SEVEN - 9TH NOVEMBER

Capernaum - Mount of Beatitudes

The Sea of Galilee is rich in the memories of Jesus’ ministries along its shores. We begin today with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Capernaum where Jesus lived (Matthew 4:13) and from where, whilst he was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee he met Simon named Peter and his brother Andrew (Matthew 4: 18-20), and also James and John (Matthew 4:21-22). This is where Jesus healed the servant of the centurion (Matthew 8:5). See the house of Peter where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14). Ascend the Golan Heights and drive along the mountain range with breath-taking views of the Sea of Galilee. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 1-7; 28). Next is a visit to nearby Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes (Matthew 15: 29-38). Afterwards we return to our hotel. Eucharist will be celebrated during the day.

DAY EIGHT - 10TH NOVEMBER

Mt Carmel - Tel Aviv - Heathrow

This morning, we depart Tiberias and travel to Mt Carmel, overlooking the bay of Haifa. If there is time we will also visit the ancient port of Caesarea Maritime on the Mediterranean coast. We continue to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, for our return El Al flight to London, departing at 5:15pm. Dinner will be served during the flight. We are scheduled to arrive Heathrow at 8:55pm.

Travel Dates and Cost:

3rd November 2010 - 10th November 2010
Eight Days
£998

Book now

Terms of Payment:

Please send £120 deposit (plus the insurance premium, if the cover we offer is required) per person with a completed booking. Cheques must be made payable to Pax Travel Ltd. Balance payment payable by 3rd September 2010

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Return scheduled flights on El Al: Heathrow – Tel Aviv. U.K. and Israel airport taxes. 7-nights in 3-star equivalent accommodation in shared twin-bedded rooms with private facilities as follows: 3rd – 8th November Capitol Hotel (or similar), East Jerusalem, 8th – 10th November Restal Hotel (or similar), Tiberias. Meal plan: 7 buffet breakfasts and 7 dinners. All touring by air-conditioned coach in Israel. English speaking local licensed guide to accompany the group throughout the pilgrimage, boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, entrance fees as per the itinerary, religious services arranged on request. ATOL and AITO 100% financial protection.

EXTRAS:

Single room supplement at £168 per person for 7 nights (only 6 single rooms available), travel insurance at £28.50 per person, lunches, drinks and souvenirs. Gratuities to guide, driver and hotels (US$30), U.K. coach transfers.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Anglican