ISRAEL AND GREECE March 14-28, 2023
pastors dave and will sawkins
There is nothing like going to Israel where God
revealed Himself in time and space. The early church father, Jerome, described Israel as “The Fifth Gospel.” Once you’ve been there, combined with a Greek cruise Apostle Paul and John sites, you will never read the Bible the same again.
itinerary
TUES, Mar 14, 2023 Depart USA
We must be at the airport 2 hours before flight time.
ENROUTE TRANSATLANTIC
WED, Mar 15, 2023 Tel Aviv / Netanya
Today, we arrive in Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, we are met and assisted by our guide and transferred to our hotel.
OVERNIGHT RAMADA HADERA HOTEL, HADERA
MARCH 16, 2023 THURSDAY CAESAREA MARITIME / MT. CARMEL / MEGIDDO / MAGDALA
After a full Israeli breakfast, we travel along the Mediterranean coast. Today we visit the following sites:
* The ruins of Caesarea Maritime where Paul was imprisoned before being sent to Rome.
* Mukraka, the location of Elijah's altar where he slew the prophets of Baal and the magnificent panoramic view from Mount Carmel.
* The excavation of Tel Megiddo overlooking the Valley of Armageddon. The ruins of Megiddo are 30 civilizations deep going all the way back to the Canaanites.
* Continuing to the Sea of Galilee, we visit the ruins of Magdala on the western shore. It is the home town of Mary Magdalene.
BREAKFAST: MEDI TERRA HOTEL or SIMILAR
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO CLUB, TIBERIAS
https://www.fattal-hotels.com/hotels_in_israel/tiberias_hotels/leonardo_club_tiberias/
MARCH 17, 2023 FRIDAY JESUS BOAT / BOAT RIDE / MOUNT OF BEATITUDES
TABGHA / PRIMACY OF PETER / CAPERNAUM
Today's highlights are:
* A visit to the ancient boat from Jesus’ time which was recently recovered from the lake.
* A sail on the Sea of Galilee and a time of worship.
* The Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount
* Tabgha where Jesus fed 5000 with the fish and loaves of a small boy.
* Primacy of Peter, site of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to disciples on the shore of Galilee. John 21 "feed my sheep" declaration to Peter. From here we also see and ponder possibilities of the Eremos Cave.
* Capernaum, the city of Jesus so central to His ministry. The ruins of Peter’s house are still seen and the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus spoke. It is referred to often in Scripture.
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO CLUB, TIBERIAS or SIMILAR
MARCH 18, 2023 SATURDAY GIDEON SPRINGS / MOUNT PRECIPICE / NAZARETH,
NAZARETH VILLAGE / TEL DAN / CAESAREA PHILIPPI / GOLAN HEIGHTS
Todays agenda includes
* Gideon Springs where Gideon chose 300 to fight an overwhelming Midianite army
* Mount Precipice where the people intended to kill Jesus, but He simply walked thru them and away.
* Jesus’ boyhood home of Nazareth including a visit to the recreated Nazareth Village.
* Ancient Tel Dan, where the Dan Tribe emigrated and created the golden calf. Here are the unearthed city gates, a paved road, and remains of fortifications.
* See Banias Springs, the source of the Jordan River
* Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed Christ as Messiah.
* Returning to the Sea of Galilee via the Golan Heights
BREAKFAST, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO CLUB, TIBERIAS or SIMILAR
MARCH 19, 2023 SUNDAY Gideon Springs / Beth Shean / Genesis Land / Bethlehem
This morning on our way to Jerusalem, we stop at Gideon Springs where Gideon chose 300 to fight against the Midianites. We next visit the Decapolis city of Beth She’an. The ancient city on the tel above is where Saul and his sons were hung after their defeat at Gilboa. Beth She'an is one of the best preserved of all the Decapolis cities. We drive south through the Jordan River valley and ascend the Judean Hills near Jericho for a delicious Bedouin lunch in “Abraham’s tent.” Entering Jerusalem we continue to nearby Bethlehem where we see the shepherd’s fields and visit the site of Jesus’ birth.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM
https://www.grandhotels-israel.com/grand-court-hotel-jerusalem-gallery
MARCH 20, 2023 MONDAY Mount of Olives / Southern Wall / Temple Mount / Western Wall /
Kotel Tunnel / Via Dolorosa / Church of the Holy Sepulcher / Mount Zion
Drive to the Mount of Olives for an outstanding view of the city and surrounding area. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley and the Tomb of Absalom, Zachariah and James. Our morning walking tour begins in the temple area on Mt. Moriah where we visit the excavated archeological site near the southern wall of Temple Mount. Afterwards, if circumstances allow, we visit the Temple Mount where we see the Dome of the Rock. Leaving the Mount, we visit the Western Wall, and walk through the Kotel Tunnel. Emerging from the tunnel, we also visit the Golden Gate, the Pinnacle, St. Stephen’s Gate, the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Ecce Homo Arch. We view the Gabbadia pavement and continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We exit the tunnel and go up to Mount Zion to visit the Room of the Last Supper a the traditional site of King David's tomb.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM
MARCH 21, 2023 TUESDAY David's City / Hezekiah's Tunnel / Herodian Tunnel / Garden Tomb
Driving to the City of David we see the excavated fortresses and passageways from David's conquest of the Jebusite's city as described in the 2nd book of Samuel. The City of David is where Jerusalem started. Hezekiah's Tunnel runs from the Gihon Springs to the pool of Siloam and acted as an aqueduct to provide Jerusalem with water during a siege. Visit the new excavations and walk through the Herodian tunnel that runs from the Pool of Siloam to the Davidson Center near the southern temple wall in the old city. This afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb of Jesus. There we have an orientation beside Calvary with a time for worship and communion.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM
MARCH 22, 2023 WEDNESDAY Dead Sea / Qumran / Ein Gedi / Masada
We leave Jerusalem for the Shore of the Dead Sea -the deepest point on earth (1200 feet below sea level) driving again through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea. We visit the ruins of an ancient Essene community of Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. We drive to the Nature Reserve Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the rage of King Saul. At the southern most point of today's journey we ascend Masada by cable car to visit the fortress where from 70-73 AD Jewish Zealots made a last desperate stand against the Roman Empire. On our way back to Jerusalem we can enjoy a short float on the Dead Sea if time and weather allow.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM
MARCH 23, 2023 THURSDAY Israel Museum / Yad Vashem / Ellah Valley / Jaffa / Athens
This morning, we visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scroll collection is exhibited and see the amazing model of ancient Jerusalem. At Yad Vashem we are reminded of the horrors of the holocaust. We now journey westward toward the Mediterranean visiting Ellah Valley, where David slew Goliath, and Jaffa where Jonah sailed for his encounter with the big fish. We enjoy dinner in Tel Aviv and proceed to Ben Gurion Airport to check in for our flight flight to Greece.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT KANINGOS 21 HOTEL, ATHENS
MARCH 24, 2023 FRIDAY Aegean Cruise / Mykonos
After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to Lavonia to begin our Aegean cruise. Your cruise covers the highlights of the Aegean including Ephesus and Patmos, First, however for the evening, it’s charming Mykonos with its famous windmills.e
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, OVERNIGHT CELESTYAL OLYMPIA
Mykonos
SAT, Mar 26, 2022 Ephesus / Patmos
Today we arrive at the port of Kusadasi to visit the ruins of the Biblical city of Ephesus. We will see the Celsus Library and the amphitheater where the apostle Paul preached. In the afternoon we cruise the short distance to Patmos and visit the cave where John wrote Revelation
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, OVERNIGHT CELESTYAL OLYMPIA
SUN, Mar 27, 2022 Herkalion / Santorini
Our ship arrives at the iconic Greek islands of Crete and Santorini. Visit Crete’s incredible Palace of Knossos and envelope yourself in the beauty of Santorini. Guaranteed Santorini sunset (weather permitting).
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, OVERNIGHT CELESTYAL OLYMPIA
Santorini
MON, Mar 28, 2022 Disembark Athens / Corinth
After disembarking in Athens, we travel to ancient Corinth to visit the ruins of the city where Paul worked. See the remains of first-century agora and where Paul was on trial at the Bema, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo, and visit the museum. Return to Athens.
In the afternoon, we visit the Acropolis and Mars Hill before checking in at our hotel in Athens
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT KANIGGOS 21 HOTEL, ATHENS
TUE, Mar 29, 2022 Transatlantic / USA
We transfer to Athens’ Airport for return to the US
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or extend to Rome Imperial Rome
After our morning flight we arrive where we are met and assisted by our driver and guide and set off to discover Imperial Rome. Paul wrote to the Christians of Rome and he eventually went there where his ministry continued, although he was technically a prisoner. Experience the glory of Imperial Rome when you visit the Coliseum, famous as a place of spectacle and death. See the Circus Maximus, Nero’s huge stadium was able to seat 250,000 for chariot races. See the Roman Forum, an ancient meeting place, market place, religious and political center. View the Arch of Titus commemorating Titus' conquest of Judea. You'll visit the Mamertima Prison, where it is believed that both Peter and Paul were imprisoned.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT ROME
WED Mar 30, 2022 Christian Rome
Discover the Vatican Museum for many of the world's masterpieces. In the Sistine Chapel, view Michelangelo's frescoes, which have been restored to their full, colorful glory. Tour St. Peter's Basilica where Michelangelo's "Pieta" -- the only work signed by the master -- will be just one of many highlights. Travel the famous Apian Way. Walk through the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Visit Tre Fontane, where Apostle Paul was beheaded. Walk through Via Del Corso, Piazza de Spagnia, and enjoy the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. In the evening choose a restaurant on your own. There are hundreds of choices.
OVERNIGHT ROME
THU Mar 31, 2022 Rome
Today is a day to savor Rome on your own. By now you will have the lay of the land and from your hotel most sites are accessible via local transportation. Return to previous sites or go exploring on your own. This is also another evening to find just the right place for dinner on your own.
OVERNIGHT ROME
FRI, Apr 1, 2022 Transatlantic / USA
We transfer to the Rome Airport for our return to the US