Day 1: DepartureOur life-changing journey begins this evening as we board ourovernight flight to Jordan.

Day 2: Arrival JordanWe arrive in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and transfer toour lodging for the next two evenings in Amman. Enjoy dinner, re-tire to your room and be ready for an early departure in the morn-ing.

Day 3: PetraEarly this morning we turn southward toward the amazing moun-tain fortress of Petra, known to be inhabited by the Edomites - thedescendants of Esau. Begin the tour with a walk through the "Siq,"

an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone, to the city of Petracarved out of the rose red rock. The Treasury, El Khazneh, is oneof the most elegant remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh weare surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's carved andbuilt structures. Departing Petra, we travel northward on theKing's Highway where to the west we view the hills bordering theDead Sea. This is the area of the hilltop palace/fortress ofMachaerus, where John the Baptist was beheaded. We overnightin Amman this evening.

Day 4: Mt Nebo, Madaba, Tel AvivOur morning tour begins in the town of Madaba, the biblicalMedeba, 30 kilometers south of Amman. Madaba is best knownfor its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and at the Greek Ortho-

Petra, Mt. Nebo, Israel, & RomeFirst Class 14 Day Package

1 | www.pilgrimtours.com

dox Church of St. George we view the earliest surviving mosaicmap of the Holy land. Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tombof Moses, commands a spectacular view across the Jordan Valleyand the Dead Sea. Study the panorama as we read the scripture ofGod showing Moses the "Promised Land" before He brought himhome to heaven. As we travel west toward the Allenby Bridge, weview to the north the Plains of Moab, the area where the tribes ofIsrael camped before crossing the Jordan and picture the placewhere Jesus was baptized. Crossing the Jordan River into Israel,we drive to Tel Aviv area with the remainder of the afternoon free.You may wish to take a devotional time with the sunset over the“Great Sea,” a time of prayer and thanks for the special blessingsahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and then enjoy a goodnight’s rest.

Day 5: Caesarea, Megiddo & NazarethAfter breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coastof the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heardthe Good News from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see theRoman Amphitheatre and aqueduct, and then journey on to Mt.Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets ofBaal. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, theArmageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20levels of civilization. We drive through the area of Cana andNazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the NazarethVillage - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumedguides. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next twonights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee. (B, D)

Day 6: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Magdala, Seaof Galilee Boat RideFollowing breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuablenorthern sites. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to thedepths of alternative sacrifice and Caesarea Philippi, the site ofPeter’s Confession and pagan worship. We pass the possible site ofthe multiplication of loaves and fishes in Bethsaida and the Mountof the Beatitudes. Returning to Tiberias for a St. Peter’s FishLunch (other selections available), we then visit the ancient Fish-erman Boat followed by a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Abrief scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the

experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. In Capernaumwe view the excavations of the sea-side village and Peter’s home,followed by a visit to Magdala, home town of Mary Magdalene.The recent excavation of the First Century Synagogue and wellpreserved village makes Magdala one of the most interesting Bib-lical sites in Israel.

Day 7: Jordan River Baptism Site, Beth Shean, & DeadSeaWe begin our day with the opportunity to be baptized at the Jor-dan River Baptismal site. Next we travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site inIsrael, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordanvalleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupiedthroughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt.Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chiefcities of the Decapolis - a league of ten cities sharing Greek cultureand government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley southward,your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the “Landof Milk and Honey” and Israel’s intricate irrigation development.We pass ancient Jericho and view from a distance this city famedas the oldest in the world. To the east of Jericho along the JordanRiver Valley (Queser El Yehud) is the Israeli side of Bethany Be-yond the Jordan. In this area Jesus was baptized by John the Bap-tist, Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan, as well as where thechildren of Israel, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land. Ourlodging for the evening is at the Dead Sea – the lowest place onearth. Spend time in the special spa and enjoy a dip in the DeadSea for a relaxing float before dinner.

Day 8: Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Scrolls, Abraham'sTentOur day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortressof Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the fa-mous zealot stand. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, "Spring ofthe Goat," an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Becauseof its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site devel-oped a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves.This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated

82

Wailing Wall

the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Je-hoshaphat. Next, we visit Qumran Caves where the Dead SeaScrolls were discovered. This afternoon we will take part in theGenesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, where we enjoy a tripback in time: a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, com-plete with costume, dramatic presentation, and authentic food.Our lodging for the next three nights will be in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Day 9: Around Jerusalem, Bible TimesOn our way into the city we will visit the Wailing Wall and thenthe fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the SecondTemple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding ofthe amazing construction of the Temple Mount, giant stones,water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judg-ment. Before exiting the tunnel we see the immense cornerstonerejected by the builders. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pi-late, hear of those who conspired against Him and are remindedof His brutal beating and humiliation. From here we will also beable to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Ann’sChurch. This afternoon we visit the Southern Wall Excavations.This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for thecommon folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had their own en-trance from the higher eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, whichled to the Temple Mount from the courtyard have been unearthedalong with the purification pools. From here Jesus entered theTemple Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangerswho were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is theplace that Peter stood and preached and where thousands weresaved and baptized on the Day of Pentecost. We spend the re-

mainder of the day surrounding the birth of Christ with a visit toBethlehem. (B, D)

Day 10: Jesus' Steps, Last Days, Way of Suffering, Garden TombToday we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with apanoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of theRock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Geth-semane. How many have wished to be whisked back in time to geta glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a moment? Towalk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus'prayer and take time for personal reflection is important here.Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper Room"just outside the Zion Gate where the disciple whom Jesus lovedlaid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried, "myLord & my God." While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are re-minded of His way of suffering along with a visit to the Church ofthe Holy Sepulcher. Our guide will explain the differing opinionson the route that Christ was led and the actual place of crucifixionand burial is a very interesting study. The climax of the day is thearea of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, wherewe celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time ofpraise. (B, D) Important Note: Although the itinerary above obvi-ously emphasizes the spiritual aspect of this marvelous country,our guides are also experts in and passionate about the miracle ofthe return of the Jews and the restoration of the state of Israel.This fact, along with many modern day topics (military, politics,education, and other cultural aspects), will be woven into the com-mentary in order to give you well rounded information.

3 | www.pilgrimtours.com

Garden Tom

b

Day 11: Arrive RomeWe fly from Tel Aviv to the Rome airport, and transfer our lodgingfor the next three nights. This afternoon we will take an afternoontour of the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buriedin a remarkable tiered series of galleries. (B, D)

Day 12: Forum, Mamertine, Coliseum, Ostia AnticaWe begin our walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, whereour guide will divulge its secrets. We will visit the Arch of Tituswhich commemorated the sack of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70.We will view the Mamertine Prison exterior, where tradition saysthe Apostle Paul was imprisoned. The Roman church would saythat Peter was imprisoned here as well, but there is no imperialevidence that Peter was ever in Rome. Next, we visit the Coliseum,where thousands of people and animals perished during gladiator-ial games. The Coliseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughterof both humans and animals continued for three more centuries.Historians believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and80,000 people depending on how close the seating was. The floorhas recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessi-ble for people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, andelevators used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena.Hear the stories of the games that have fascinated people for hun-dreds of years. We conclude our day at the ruins of Ostia Antica,which provides an excellent example of city life in classical timesand the Ostian Gate, today called the Gate of St. Paul. (B)

Day 13: Vatican Museums, St. Peter's, Scala Santa, Abbeyof Three Fountains, St. Paul Outside the WallAfter breakfast you will begin a full day of sightseeing. First visitVatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the SistineChapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art atevery turn. After some free time for lunch, you will stop at TheAbbey of the Three Fountains, the traditional site of Paul's martyr-dom and the ancient street that he walked on. Next, visit the 4thcentury Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the site of Paul’stomb, and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his standagainst the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museumhouses the Steps from Pilot's Judgment Hall in Jerusalem broughtto Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. Additional sightsinclude the Arches of Constantine and Titus, Circus Maximus andthe beautiful marble monument called the Wedding Cake. (B)

Day 14: HomeThis morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home. (B)

PRICE PER PERSON:BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

Please contact us at800.322.0788

or mail@pilgrimtours.com

Coliseum

Three Fountains

4