Join us for a Special Journey to the Holy Land Lead by Dr. Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ

At the Heart of the Holy Land - July 11th - 22nd, 2010

Days 1 & 2 - New York / Tel Aviv / Galilee - Depart the US. Arrive in Tel Aviv, travel by bus to Galilee.

Day 3 - Megiddo / Caesarea / Muhraqa / Mt Tabor - The morning starts with visits to the historic sites of Megiddo (Armageddon), Caesarea on the coast, where Paul came often and was imprisoned, and Muhraqa on Mt. Carmel, the site that commemorates the contest of Elijah with the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18) before undertaking a spectacular ride up Mt. Tabor, where we remember Debborah and Barak and the transfiguration of Jesus

Day 4 - Nazareth / Cana / Sepphoris / Mt. Arbel - Today we spend time in Nazareth, home of Mary and childhood home of Jesus. We continue to Cana, where Mary inspired Jesus' first prophetic miracle. While there, we may speak with a local Israeli-Arab-Christian about historical and contemporary experiences in the region before continuing on to Sepphoris, a town built during Jesus' childhood and Mt. Arbel, from where we will view Galilee

Day 5 - Katzrin / Banyas / Hatzor Dan / Mt. of the Beatitudes - Today, we head north to the restored Talmudic village at Katzrin, which shows us how people lived in the region in ancient times, before heading to the Old Testament sites of Banyas and Hatzor Dan, the northernmost city of ancient Israel, known for its rushing springs,nd the Mt. of the Beatitudes, commemorating the Sermon on the Mount

Day 6 - Galilee / Capernaum / Tabgha / Magdala/ Ginnosar / Bethsaida / Chorazim / Kursi - The focus today will be 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 ancient boat at Ginnosar, Bethsaida and Chorazim, cities cursed by Jesus, and Kursi, where the miracle of the swine is commemorated

Day 7 - Jordan Valley / Belvoir / Qumran / Bethany - We journey down the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem, stopping to renew baptismal promises in the Jordan River and pay visits to a Crusader castle at Belvoir, Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Bethany, home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Day 8 - Bethlehem / Jerusalem - Travel to Bethlehem, Church of the Nativity, Shepherds' Field and more, time permitting

Day 9 - Jerusalem / Bethsaida / Western Wall / Temple Mount - Today we will spend the entire day in Jerusalem, starting with the Bethesda Pools, also known as the church of St. Anne, the Ecce Homo arch and Lithostratos before exploring the Temple Mount and the Western Wall

Day 10 - Jerusalem / Mt. of Olives / Holy Sepulchre - We first visit the Mt. of Olives, then continue to the church of the Holy Sepulchre (a.k.a. the church of the Resurrection), Mt. Zion and St. Peter in Gallicantu, with its ancient steps

Day 11 - Free day to visit the Holocaust Memorial, Israel Museum,
OR:
Optional Excursion to Petra
Day 11 (optional) Petra
We take an early morning departure for a full-day excursion to the rose-red city of Petra. Explore a city dating back to __, viewing private homes, places of worship, government and administrative buildings along with the city's famous treasury and monastery. We return to Jerusalem late in the evening

Day 12 - Return to the US

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July 11th - 22nd, 2009 - (Approximately $3,500 - $4,000, per person, plus applicable departure and security taxes and fuel surcharges)

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Includes:
- Round trip airfare from New York to Tel Aviv
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Superior Hotel accommodations
- Tour manager and Guiding
- Ground transportation via private motor coach
- Entrance fees to sites visited

Not included:
- Airport Taxes and Fuel Charges (Estimated $175-300), which will be calculated at the time of final payment
- Lunches/Tips/Personal spending money

Discounted Price
The discounted price is in effect until April 5. After that date, reservations may be made on a space-available basis for an additional $100 plus any increase in airfare.