Franciscan Spirit Tours Invites You to Join us for a Very Special Journey to the Holy Land Lead by Dr. Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ:

Biblical Women/ Inclusive Biblical History

Days 1-2 -  New York / Tel Aviv / Galilee / Caesarea
Arrive in Tel Aviv, and travel by bus to Galilee. We visit, time permitting, Caesarea Maritima. This magnificent harbor city was built by Herod the Great. We will stroll through the ancient city where Peter learned that the Gospel was for all people and where Paul was imprisoned

Day 3 - Nazareth/Cana/Mt. Tabor
The morning starts with a visit to Nazareth, home of Mary and childhood home of Jesus. Afterwards, we continue to Cana, where Mary inspired Jesus' first prophetic miracle. While there, we will speak with a local Israeli-Arab-Christian about historical and contemporary experiences in the region. Later, we will undertake a spectacular taxi ride up Mt. Tabor, where we remember Debborah and Barak and the transfiguration of Jesus

Day 4 - Galilee / Capernaum / Tabgha / Magdala / Beatitudes / Ginnosar / Bethsaida / Chorazim
Today we will see many sites around the Lake of Galilee, reminiscent of Jesus and his Galilean ministry. Among the stops will be Capernaum, Tabgha (visited by the pilgrim Egeria), Magdala (home town of Mary Magdalene), the Mt. of Beatitudes, the ancient boat at Ginnosar, Bethsaida and Chorazim, cities cursed by Jesus, and Kursi, where the miracle of the swine was commemorated

Day 5 - Hatzor Dan / Caesarea Philippi / Katzrin
Today, we head north to the Old Testament sites of Hatzor Dan, northernmost city of ancient Israel with its nature preserve, and Caesarea Philippi in the shadow of Mt. Hermon. On the way back, a restored Talmudic village at Katzrin shows us how people lived in the region in ancient times

Day 6 - Jorday Valley / Qumran / Bethany / Jerusalem
We journey down the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem, stopping briefly at the site of the ancient city, Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the church of Bethany, where we remember Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Day 7 - Ain Karem / Bethlehem / Jerusalem
Travel to Ain Karem and Bethlehem, places connected with Jesus' birth and John the Baptist and the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Free time in the afternoon to visit the Israel Museum or other activities.

Day 8 - Jerusalem / Old City
Today will be spent entirely in Jerusalem. We will go first to the Mt. of Olives, then spend the rest of the day in the Old City at the Bethesda Pools, also known as the church of St. Ann, the Ecce Homo arch and Lithostratos, the church of the Holy Sepulchre (otherwise known as the church of the Resurrection), the Western Wall, and Mt Zion

Day 9 - Return to the US OR continue on to Rome

---

May 20 - May 28 Optional excursion to Jordan May 17 - May 20 From $2345

---

Included:
- Round trip airfare from New York to Tel Aviv
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Superior Hotel accommodations
- Tour manager
- Ground transportation via Private motorcoach
- Entrance fees to sites visited

Not included:
- Airport Taxes and Fuel Charges (Estimated $175-225) which will be calculated at the time of final payment
- Lunches/Tips/Personal spending money

Discounted Price
The discounted price of $2295 is in effect until 95 days prior to departure. After that date, reservations may be made on a space-available basis for an additional $100 plus any increase in airfare.

College Credit
Note: College credit is available as an independent study course but needs to be approved by your University or College. Franciscan Spirit Tours will provide details for those interested.

COMBINE WITH "Early Christian Women/Women in Antiquities
Combine your journey with our Rome tour, "Early Christian Women / Women in Antiquities" and save over $250 off the cost of taking each separately.

---

Optional Excursion to Jordan/Beersheva*
Day 1 - Arrive in Amman and visit the Roman theatre
Day 2 - Visit the Decapolis city of Jerash, its famed circular forum, the mosaic map of the Holy Land in Madaba, mosaics of Mt. Nebo, where Moses sited the Promised Land, and the Baptismal Site visited by Byzantine pilgrim
Day 3 - We take an early morning departure for a full-day excursion to the rose-red city of Petra before crossing the border into Israel.
Day 4 - We continue our journey toward Tel Aviv, stopping at the ancient site of Beersheva, southernmost city of Judah, reminiscent of Abraham and Sarah, near where Hagar wandered in the wilderness. At the end of the day, we join the rest of our Holy Land pilgrims for the remainder of the journey.

Additional cost: $595 (inclusive of taxes) and Jordanian visa (about $20 - at border) $160 single supplement.