Day 1 Wednesday, 6th September: Depart USA
Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an
overnight flight to Greece. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight. Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!
Day 2 Thursday, 7th September: Athens
We arrive in Athens and check into our hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or
take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the city. This evening our group will enjoy the first of many delectable European style dinners.
Day 3 Friday, 8th September: Mykonos
Athens tour Acropolis, Mars Hill where St Paul talked to the Judges. See Constitution Square
(Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the University,
the Academy and the National Library. Driving down Herodes Atticus street and the Evzones in
their picturesque uniforms and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis you will see
the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), the
Temple of Olympia Zeus and Hadrians Arch. On the Acropolis hill, you will visit the architectural
masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylee, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the Parthenon the monument that puts order in the mind and is harmony between material and spirit Beneath the Acropolis is the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is where St. Paul made his famous Men of Athens speech revealing a considerable knowledge of the Greek philosophy and character. Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription to an unknown God. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
We board our cruise ship in the Port of Piraeus (Athens). We arrive in the afternoon at the world famous Greek island of Mykonos. Mykonos combines the dazzling white beauty of a typical Cycladic island with a sophisticated jet-set atmosphere. Stroll at leisure through the white-washed, flower-decked alleyways to the church of Paraportiani, and along the waterfront to the famous windmills.
Day 4 Saturday, 9th September: Ephesus & Patmos
We arrive this morning at Kusadasi, Turkey and journey to Ephesus, which had become the capital city of the Roman Province of Asia by the time John wrote the Book of Revelation to the churches there. We walk through history in a city founded as early as the 10th century B.C. and in the magnificent excavations we see streets lined with wonderful public buildings such as the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Basilica of St. John and the great Theatre. We then sail to the former Roman prison island of Patmos where John received his Revelation, visiting the Grotto named for his book and the Monastery of St. John which houses ancient manuscripts including one of the Gospel. Visit at the House of Virgin Mary and celebrate Holy Mass.
Day 5 Sunday, 10th September: Heraklion & Santorini
The largest of the Greek islands, Heraklion (Crete) is well-known for its archaeological sites. Included excursion to the Palace of Knossos, the residence of the ruling house and also an administrative and religious center for the whole region. The buildings (a labyrinth complex) covered an area of 22 square miles. Architecture, frescoes and the perfect plumbing system surprise even modern visitors with the high standard of Minoan civilization 4000 years ago. Then to the island of Santorini, widely considered to be the lost continent of Atlantis. Off the entrance of the bay of Santorini there is the only active volcano in the Eastern Mediterranean. After you have strolled through the narrow streets you can enjoy the fascinating and marvelous sunset.
Day 6 Monday, 11th September: Tel Aviv
Morning disembark (7am) and transfer to the airport for our flight to Tel Aviv in Israel with El Al.
Arrive in Tel Aviv. Meet coach and guide, and transfer to 4 St. Josephs Hotel, Bethlehem, for 2 nights with dinner & breakfast.
Day 7 Tuesday, 12th September: Bethlehem
Full day in Bethlehem. Visit the Church of the Nativity and see the birthplace of Jesus and the Holy
Manger. See the Churches of St Catherine, St Jerome, St Joseph, and the Holy Innocents. Lunch at
hotel. Afternoon visit the lovely Milk Grotto, and the Shepherds Fields. Dinner at hotel.
Day 8 Wednesday, 13th September : Dead Sea
Morning drive by the Inn of the Good Samaritan, to the Dead Sea. Time to relax or float on the water near where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found at Qumran. Break for an opportunity to enjoy lunch. Afternoon drive into Jericho, see the Mount of Temptation, and the Sycamore tree of Zacchaeus. Drive to Nazareth, and stay at the 4 Legacy Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast and dinner.
Day 9 Thursday, 14th September: Nazareth
Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, see the Cavehome of the Holy Family, Josephs workshop, and
Marys Well. Depart for Cana and visit the church of the Wedding Feast site of Jesus first miracle.
Renewal of Wedding Vows for married couples on the trip. Lunch. Afternoon drive to Mount Tabor.
Ascend by taxi to the Church of the Transfiguration, and view the Valley of Armageddon. Return to
hotel for dinner.
Day 10 Friday, 15th September: Sea Of Galilee
Boat trip across the Sea of Galilee with relevant Bible readings. Drive to the Mount of Beatitudes for
reading of the great Sermon on the Mount. Lunch of St Peters Fish. Afternoon visit Capernaum to see the old Synagogue and the excavations of Peters house. Nearby, visit the church of the Primacy by the sea-shore, and the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha.
Day 11 Saturday, 16th September: Haifa & Mount Carmel
This morning we take the Mediterranean Coastal route from Galilee, visiting Haifa to see the iconic
terraced gardens then on to the Monastery of Stella Maris at Mount Carmel where where we will
celebrate Mass. Continue to Caesarea Maritima, located on the shores of the Mediterranean and view
the harbour from which St. Paul departed to spread the Gospel of Jesus. We will then ascend to
Jerusalem for our first nights stay in the Holy City. Checking into the St. George Hotel for 4 nights
with breakfast and dinner.
Day 12 Sunday, 17th September: Jerusalem
Drive to the Mount of Olives for group photo, and view the Old City. Visit the Ascension Dome,
Pater Noster church, Dominus Flevit, Assumption church and Grotto and the Garden of Gethsemane.
After lunch, visit church of St Peter in Gallicantu church of the Cock-Crow, and see the dungeon
where Jesus was held on Holy Thursday night. Walk around Mount Zion and visit the church of the
Dormition, Tomb of David, and Room of the Last Supper. Return to hotel for dinner.
Day 13 Monday, 18th September: Via Dolorosa
Very early morning we follow in the footsteps of Jesus and walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross)
to the Holy Sepulchre where we celebrate Mass. After Mass we return to hotel for breakfast. Later on
we will return to the Old City and visit church of St. Anne and Pool of Bethesda before visiting the
Western Wall. Afterwards there should be some free in Jerusalem for those who wish. Evening Holy
Hour in the Garden of Gethsemane. Dinner at hotel.
Day 14 Tuesday, 19th September: Ein Karem
Morning drive to Ein Karem to visit the church of the Visitation, and church of St John the Baptist. We return to the Jordan Vally to Qasr el Yahud the Baptismal site of Jesus on the River Jordan, here we can renew our Baptismal Vows before visiting Betheny and the tomb of Lazarus. Continue to Nebi Samwil and visit the tomb of Samuel the prophet before returning to the hotel for our final dinner.
Day 15 Wednesday, 20th September: Farewell to Holy Land
Coach transfer to Tel Aviv airport for early morning return flight to Orlando.
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