LAND OF THE BIBLE PILGRIMAGE
(8 DAYS, PROTESTANT)
With optional extensions to Rome, Greece, and Istanbul (Turkey)
(Which means you can do either just the 8 day program, or add to it either Rome or Greece or Istanbul. If in doubt - we are just an email or a call away).
overnight flight including dinner, breakfast and in-flight entertainment.
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. We are met, assisted and escorted to our hotel by aviatours staff. We meet for dinner.
After breakfast, we descend and take a boat ride to Capernaum (Luke 4:31) to visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and the Byzantine chapel at the site of Peter's House. We then continue to Tabgha (Matt 14:17, 19), the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fish, Mount of Beatitudes (Matt 5-7) and Magdala - home of Mary Magdalene. We continue to the Baptism site at the Jordan River, where those who wish, may renew their Baptism in this unique place Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
We start the day visiting the place where Jesus performed his first miracle – turning water into wine in Cana (John 2:11). Continue to Nazareth to visit the place where he lived as a young boy and visit a typical house of his time. Our next visit today will be to Megiddo- the Biblical city overlooking the Valley of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). In the afternoon, we reach the beautiful Bahai Gardens in Haifa. Drive to Caesarea(Acts 10:1ff),the port-city built by King Herod. Apostle Paul was put in prison here until he was expelled to Rome. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem
Our first stop will be the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:3) with a panoramic view of both the "old" and "new" Jerusalem. We follow the path down the Palm Sunday road to the Gardenof Gethsemane (Matt 26:36) and the nearby Church of All Nations. We then take a short drive through the Kidron Valley to reach Absalom and Zachariah's Tomb. Continue to MountZion (King David's tomb) and the Upper Room (John 13:1ff), site of the Last Supper. Nearby is the house of Caiaphas. We then dedicate time for a visit, pray and meditation at the Garden Tomb at Golgotha. Visit the tomb from where HE resurrected (John 19:40-41).We reach our hotel for dinner and overnight.
We drive south to the Dead Sea through Qumran, to visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We’ll then continue to Masada, the palace-fort built by King Herod. Here, in 73 A.D., 960 Jewish zealots committed suicide rather than surrender to the Romans. The plateau is reached via a cable car ride with a spectacular view of the plains surrounding it. We’ll also dip in the Dead Sea – rich with minerals, God’s gift to your skin. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
After breakfast we visit the modern city of Jerusalem, the famous Menorah near the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), the Yad Va Shem Museum (the Holocaust Museum). We will visit the Wailing Wall (the Western Wall) - the last remains of the Temple built by King Herod and the Rabbi’s Tunnel whichexposes to you the unique size of the Wailing Wall. Afternoon visit to the "little town of Bethlehem..." and its' Church of the Nativity and Milk Grotto(Luke 2:15). Our day ends with a farewell dinner and overnight in our hotel in Jerusalem. (If your flight departs at midnight, you will be transferred to the airport after dinner).
Transfer to the airport for our flight back home, (or to an extension to neighboring Jordan or Egypt). Arrival home in the U.S.A. on the same day. Welcome back. You have just returned from a lifetime experience.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO ROME
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome, we are met by our tour escort and transferred to our hotel. The balance of the day at leisure for independent exploration. Dinner and overnight.
After breakfast Today, a full day of sightseeing in Rome beginning with a visit to The Colosseum. This is the most ancient monument from ancient Rome. Its building began in 7.5. A.D. and was opened in 80 A.D an opening celebrated with a full day of bloody games during which, according to legend, five thousand animals were killed. Next you'll view the Roman Forum, cradle of western civilization, then up Palatine Hill, redesigned by Michelangelo, with its fine view of the Circus Maximus. Next is the most imposing of Rome's landmarks, the VittorioEmanuele Monument, a Baroque fantasy of sculpture and architecture in bronze and marble. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.After breakfast you'll begin a journey through the largest art collection in the world at the Vatican Museums. If one spent just 20 seconds looking at each work contained in the museum it would take 17 years to complete the task! Here you'll find great collections from the Greek, Roman, Egyptian and other past civilizations. Your visit culminates with a viewing of the freshly cleaned and restored Sistine Chapel, by Michelangelo, probably the greatest painting ever created. Viewing it is an experience of a lifetime! From there you will move on to St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican. There you'll see Michelangelo's famous Pieta and numerous other masterpieces by Bernini, Canova and Giotto. For those with a real sense of adventure you can climb to the top of the dome for a glorious view of Rome while the less adventurous ascend by elevator to the base of the dome for an equally thrilling view. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast we depart for Rome’s airport for our flight to USA.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO GREECE
Upon arrival to Athens we are met by our aviatours tour escort and transferred to our hotel. We start our exploration of the cradle of democracy with a visit to the Acropolis, the Agora and the Pnyx. We will see the Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential PalaceThe balance of the day at leisure for independent exploration. Dinner and overnight in our Athens hotel.
Continue our tour to Corinth. Apostle Paul lived here for eighteen months. He found a city of poor moral values and rejection but Corinth eventually accepted Christianity (Acts 18:1-17). We visit the Bema from which he preached to the Corinthians the Word of God. We also visit the Archeological Museum, the market, and the Temples. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Enjoy a full-day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra (including a buffet lunch).
We will depart Athens for our flight back home. Arrival on same day. You have just returned from a lifetime experience.
GREECE WITH 3 DAY CRUISE + ISRAEL
Overnight flight including dinner, breakfast and in-flight entertainment.
Arrival. Meet and assist by aviatours local representatives. Transfer to our hotel. Free time until dinner.
We will board our cruise ship for 3 unforgettable days. We will make our first stop in Mykonos. You can off board the ship and purchase coffee or visit the local stores. We will continue on our cruise, on viewing the most beautiful islands of the Greek island.
Arrival Kusadasi (Turkey). Departure to Ephesus, the most antique city and conservative of Asia Menor that during the century of I and II had a population of 250.000 habitants (Acts 19:1-41). This city monopolizes the richest of the Middle Orient. The apostle St. Paul visited Ephesus in 55- 58 AD and his ministries included preaching’s, conversions and baptism. He was also arrested here. Maria, the mother of Jesus resided in Ephesus after his crucifixion. During this excursion we will visit the temple of Adrian, the Roman Baths, the library, the Odeon and the theater. We will visit the house of Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John. We will then go to Patmos. This is where he wrote the book of revelations. (Rev 1:9-11). We will off board our ship for some free time on the island or participate in an optional excursion to St. John Monastery and the cave where he lived. Saturday, worship.
Our next port of call will be Crete where St. Paul appointed Titus as his helper and advised him to establish congregations in "every town" (Titus 1:5). In Santorini you will have an option to ride on a donkey or an elevator and see the from above one of the most beautiful islands. Return to the ship.
We visit Athens the cradle of civilization. Here we visit the Acropolis, the Agora and the Pnyx where democracy was born. We will see the Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Palace.After we visit Corinth. Apostle Paul lived here for eighteen months. He found a city of poor moral values and rejection but Corinth eventually accepted Christianity (Acts 18:1-17). We visit the Bema from which he preached to the Corinthians the Word of God. We will board or flight to Israel. Overnight in Tel-Aviv.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO TURKEY
We will visit theSt. Sophia (which for 1000 years was the largest Church in Christendom and now a museum), the Blue Mosque (so-named from its decorative blue-shaded tiles, glass and gemstones). Transfer to our Istanbul hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight rest.
After breakfast, Istanbul awaits. Also known as Byzantium and Constantinople, the city reflects two cultures: at one time, it was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and a site of Christianity. Seven Ecumenical councils were held in Turkey between the 3rd – 8th centuries, three of them in Istanbul. At another time it was the stronghold of the Ottoman Empire, embracing Islamic ideals. Our day of sightseeing will include visits to the famed TopkapiPalace, the Church of St. Savior in Chora and the Aqueducts of Valens. We will have a cruise aboard the Bosphorus cruise. Our day ends in the famous Bazaar where you can shop until you drop… Dinner and overnight stay in Istanbul
Flight back home. Arrival on same day.
THIS PROGRAM CAN BE ALTERED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF YOUR GROUP.
For more information about this program and prices email us at info@aviatours.net or call us during our business hours (weekdays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST) at 1(800) 950-0747