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* The ITINERARY FOR THE 13 DAY GREECE & ISRAEL TOUR!
February 5 - 17, 2012. Click here for a COLOR BROCHURE (PDF)
This tour begins in Greece. We will visit a number of sites within Athens, as well as Corinth, Mycenae, and Delphi. We then fly into Tel Aviv to begin the Israel portion of the tour. Here, we experience about 40 biblical sites. We end the tour with a wonderful free day in Jerusalem.
This tour will be co-led by Dr. Tom Tribelhorn, seminary professor and author, "My Professor Says." Dr. Tom has joined me for a number of tours in the past.
DAY 1, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5—DEPARTURE FROM U.S.
Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Athens. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience.
DAY 2, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6—ARRIVE ATHENS
We arrive in Athens early morning – following passport control will board our bus as we drive toward the heart of Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Mt. Lycabettus for a great panoramic view of the entire city of Athens.
DAY 3, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7—ATHENS, CORINTH, MYCENAS, ATHENS
Following breakfast this morning we depart Athens.We immediately travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. We then travel to the ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters.Visit the ruins of the ancient city, see the remains of first – century shops, the agora where Paul was on trial at the Bema, the Fountain of Peirene,Temple of Apollo and visit the archaeological museum.The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone paths that the Apostle Paul walked.The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period.We will enjoy a devotional in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached that will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. After the visit to ancient Corinth we travel to the ancient fortified city of Mycenae.We enter the fortress through the Lion Gate, named after the two magnificent lions carved into the rock above the doorway (now unfortunately headless) see theTomb of Agamennon in the shape of a Beehive. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8—ATHENS, DELPHI, ATHENS
After breakfast we board our bus for the drive to Delphi once known as the center of the universe, located about 94 kilometers outside of Athens. In ancient times Greek mythology tells of a powerful god Apollo, god of the sun, who had slain a dragon named Python. In his honor the Temple of Apollo was erected.We will visit the Delphi Archeologist Museum which houses the original ancient artifacts that were found among the ruins.The Charioteer of Delphi is a highlight and the marble statues of Kleobis and Biton should not be missed.The ability to see what existed over 2,000 years ago is amazing to say the least. Some of the antiquities were found in miraculous condition and others have missing or broken pieces. We return back to Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9—FLIGHT TO TEL AVIV, CAESAREA, HAIFA
We arrive inTel Aviv in the early afternoon where we are met by our guide and driver.We'll have a half day of site-seeing.We'll stop at the site of Caesarea (Acts 9 & 25). Located right on the Mediterranean Sea, you'll be impressed by this Herodian city. We then drive to our hotel in Haifa, also on the sea. Dinner is served, with an optional walk to follow.
DAY 6, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10—CARMEL, MEGIDDO, NAZARETH, ARBEL, TIBERIAS
Today we depart for Galilee, visiting the following biblical sites Mt. Carmel (1 Kgs. 18), Megiddo (Armageddon; 1 Kgs. 9:15; Rev. 16:16), Nazareth (Luke 1 and 2), Cana (John 2) and Tiberias (John 6:23). We end the day on top of Mr. Arbel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We drive to our "kibbutz-hotel" (Maagan) on the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. After dinner, we enjoy sitting on the beach for an optional time of fellowship and worship.
DAY 7, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11—GALILEE, UPPER JORDAN, GOLAN HEIGHTS
There is nothing quite like watching a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee from your hotel. We begin our day with an inspiring boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden replica of the "Jesus Boat." We sail to Nof Ginnosar where we will see a 1st century boat. Today will include many biblical sites along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and in the Upper Jordan Valley: e.g. Capernaum (Matt. 4:13), Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5–7),Tabgha (Feeding of 5000; Mark 6), Magdala (Matt. 15:39;Luke 8:2); Caesarea Philippi (Paneas; Mark 8:27), view Mt. Hermon (Deut. 3:8), and the Border of Lebanon (Josh. 11:17), We end our day in an optional baptism in the Jordan River at Yardenet. Dinner and overnight once again for our second night at Maagan. An optional beach-side gathering will once again take place.
DAY 8, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12—BETH SHAN, JERICHO, MT. OF OLIVES, BETHLEHEM
Following an optional sunrise service, we begin our drive down the Jordan Valley as we head towards Jerusalem.The highway will take us to many of the following biblical sites:he Jordan Valley as we head towards Jerusalem.The highway will take us to many of the following biblical sites: Beth Shan (1 Sam. 31:10); and Jericho, the ancient city where the wall came tumbling down (Josh. 2–6; Mark 10:46; Luke 19:1).The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is an ascent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. To concude our day, we will pass by Rachel's tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem, and visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd's Field. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem, with another optional walk.
DAY 9, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13—EIN GEDI, MASADA, QUMRAN, DEAD SEA
Leaving Jerusalem, we will descend down to the Dead Sea and the wilderness of Judah. Our first stop will be Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul.We will enjoy a walk back to the water falls, hopefully seeing ibex and cooneys along the way. Next, we drive further south along the Dead Sea to Masada Here we will ascend high upon the wilderness mountain by way of the cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. Here we survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces. An optional walk down the snake path will be offered.
In the afternoon, we drive back north to Qumran and the settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We end the day with a "float" in the Dead Sea (30% salt and mineral). We travel back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. Another optional walk will be offered.
DAY 10, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14—MT. OF OLIVES, TEMPLE MOUNT, POOL OF BETHESDA, VIA DOLOROSA, ISRAEL MUSEUM, YAD VASHEM
We get our first glimpse of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives, beholding a breath-taking panorama of the Holy City. We walk down the "Palm Sunday" route to the Garden of Gethsemane. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. An optional "orientation walk" to the Old City takes place following dinner. Next, we enter the Old City of Jerusalem through the Dung Gate, and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Temple Mount. On this site now stands the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in all Islam) and the El-Aksa Mosque. Our walk continues along the Via Dolorosa to St. Anne's Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Sister of Zion Convent (to see the Pavement where Jesus stood as he was being tried by Pilate), Ecco Homo Arch, and then to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
This afternoon you will be fascinated by your visit to the Israel Museum and the model of Jerusalem (1 to 50 scale model of Herodian Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus' time). Here we will also see the Shrine of the Book where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. A visit to Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust Museum is also planned.
DAY 11, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15—THE WESTERN WALL, SOUTHERN WALL EXCAVATIONS, JEWISH QUARTER, CITY OF DAVID, GARDEN TOMB
Our day begins by visiting the famous Western (Wailing) Wall of Jerusalem. You will have the opportunity to prayer at the Wall. Next, we visit the southern wall excavations where we will stand at the southern entrance to the Herodian Temple. Here, we will see the ancient boulders of the Temple and sit on the steps where Jesus no doubt taught. In the late morning, we will visit The Shoreshim Shop, where Moshe, an Orthodox Jew, will share an informative talk about his Jewish faith. We'll enjoy lunch in the quiet Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
In the afternoon, we will also visit the City of David, the ancient part of the city that dates back to the Old Testament. Here, you will see where Pastor John excavated back in the 1980's. After seeing the excavations, there will be an optional walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel. Flashlights and water shoes will be needed. Hezekiah's Tunnel (II Chr. 29–32) is a 1,720 foot tunnel that ends at the new excavations of the Pool of Siloam (John 9). Late in the afternoon we will visit the Garden Tomb with an optional communion service, a very special time of reflecting upon the death and resurrection of Jesus. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Our last optional walk takes place after dinner.
DAY 12, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16—FREE DAY IN JERUSALEM
Day without a planned program.Time to visit other places in and around the Old City, or revisit the places of most interest. Return within the walls of the Old City where bargaining is a must when you shop. Optional visits to the Upper Room, House of Caiphas, and Shindler's tomb, as well as other places of interest will be offered by Pastor John.This will be a great day of roaming around yourself and enjoying Jerusalem. We return for our farewell dinner at our hotel.We then depart for the airport inTel Aviv for our night flight back home.
DAY 13, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17—ARRIVAL BACK HOME
We arrive early in the morning back to the States. After customs, we say our goodbyes to the group as we find our connecting flights back home.The end of a great trip and a life- changing "journey of a lifetime!"
If you have any questions for Pastor DeLancey, about this book, his church or Israel ministry, about the tours he leads, or if you would like to be sent a packet of brochures and other information, please contact Dr. DeLancey:
412-999-5697
"Journey of a Lifetime"