ISRAEL

November 2–8, 2008 $1,275 ••• May 3–9, 2009 $1,475 ••• November 8–14, 2009 $1,475 Priced as land only, based on sharing a double room • Single supplement: $395

ITINERARY:
Sunday, Day 1:   Tel Aviv

Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to the Grand Beach Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Monday, Day 2:   Tel Aviv – The Galilee

Travel north along the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the East, which became the Christian springboard to the West. Ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Drive to the mound of Megiddo, har megiddo in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. After surveying the Plain of Jezreel, proceed to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, built over the home of Mary. View Nazareth and the surrounding area from Mt. Precipice, from which the angry mob attempted to cast Christ to His death following His teaching in the synagogue. Continue to Kibbutz Ma'agan, located on the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday, Day 3:   Sea of Galilee Area

Drive along the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, visiting the synagogue and the place where early Christians remembered Peter’s house being located. Continue to Tabgha (short for Heptapagon, “seven springs”) to view the mosaics in the Church of the Loaves and Fishes. Visit St. Peter’s Primacy, a Franciscan chapel commemorating Christ’s command to Peter to “Feed my sheep.” Ascend the Mt. of Beatitudes, and listen to Jesus’ teachings. Visit Kibbutz Ginnosar’s Yigal Allon museum to see the “Jesus Boat.” This boat was discovered in 1985 when a severe drought caused the Sea of Galilee to recede. End the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight at Kibbutz Ma’agan.

Wednesday, Day 4:   The Galilee – Jerusalem

Begin the day at the Decapolis city of Beit Shean, where about 20 layers of civilization have been revealed. Survey the magnifi - cent Roman and Byzantine ruins—the theatre, bathhouses, ancient rest rooms, market areas, and colonnaded streets. Continue south through the Jordan Valley to Jericho to visit the tel of this oldest city, and view the traditional mountain of Jesus’ temptation. Stop at the Mt. of Olives for an orientation to Jerusalem. Follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“the Lord weeps”). See the Church of the Agony and the Garden of Gethsemane. Visit the Church of Pater Noster, commemorating the teaching of the Lord’s Prayer, which appears on colored tiles on the walls of the church in 100 different languages. Continue to the Ambassador Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Thursday, Day 5:   Jerusalem

Visit the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site (Bar Mitzvah ceremonies may be underway). Ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. Descend to the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, which is perfectly preserved from the Crusader period and has remarkable acoustics. Experience the final steps of Christ as you walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Drive to the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, and conclude the day with a visit to the model of Jerusalem, representing how the city looked on the eve of the Jewish revolt, 36 years after the Passion of Jesus.

Friday, Day 6:   Jerusalem – Bethlehem

Drive to Mt. Zion, to a church called St. Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. Here, the Assumptionist Fathers propose, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus. Visit a second-story room that commemorates the “upper room” in which Jesus shared the Last Supper with the disciples. Drive south to visit Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years. See the Shepherds’ Fields as you approach Bethlehem. Conclude the day with a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Return to Jerusalem for the night.

Saturday, Day 7:   Jerusalem / Dead Sea

Drive through the Judaean desert to Qumran to view Cave # 4, which contained the greatest quantity of Dead Sea scrolls. Continue south to Masada and take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66-73 AD). Enjoy a float in the Dead Sea where the density of the salt content makes it impossible to sink. Return to Jerusalem and visit the Garden Tomb this evening. Prepare for departure late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

All Tours Include: Accommodations: 4-Star hotels in Israel, Jordan, Greecce and Turkey, 5-Star hotels in Egypt and 3-Star hotels in Rome Breakfast and dinner daily Sightseeing and entrance fees to sites listed in itinerary English-speaking guide throughout, except on days of leisure Driver and transportation in airconditioned motorcoaches Airport transfers and porterage outside of U.S. Hotel service charges and taxes Airport transfers for extensions

Not Included in tours: Airfare Tips to guides, driver and hotel staff Airport/border transfers in Israel Lunch Beverages with dinners Airport transfers and porterage outside of U.S. Passport and visa fees Border crossing fees Travel protection insurance

Pre & Post Tour Add-ons*

Add to your Holy Land experience by visiting additional Bible Lands destinations

*Prices for add-ons are based on a minimum of four people. Pricing for less than four people will be higher.
Egypt   Greece   Italy   Jordan   Turkey  


Click Here for a Tour Reservation Form

For further information, contact:
Paige Vogie

124 E. Main St., 4th Fl.
Ephrata, PA 17522
(717) 721-7302
(800) 418-2929 Ext. 81302
E-mail:paigev@mtstravel.com

Tour Features and Conditions

Responsibility

Pre & Post Tour Add-ons*

Add to your Holy Land experience by visiting additional Bible Lands destinations

*Prices for add-ons are based on a minimum of four people. Pricing for less than four people will be higher.
Egypt   Greece   Italy   Jordan   Turkey  

EGYPT - CAIRO

$495 land only, based on double occupancy. Single supplement $150

ITINERARY:
Day 1:   Arrival

Arrive at Cairo International Airport or Taba border (from Israel). Meet and greet with a transfer to the Pyramids Park Intercontinental Hotel, overlooking the pyramids.

Day 2:   Giza

Begin the day in Giza, the melting pot of ancient and modern Egyptian civilizations. See the three Pyramids of Giza, which includes the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the oldest and only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Nearby is the Great Sphinx, carved almost entirely from one massive piece of limestone. Visit the ancient city of Memphis, the oldest capital of Egypt, to see the colossal alabaster statue of Ramses II. At nearby Sakkara, an ancient Egyptian cemetery, see the Step Pyramid and some of Egypt’s wall paintings and reliefs. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 3:   Cairo

This morning visit the Egyptian Museum to see some of the fabulous treasures of King Tutankhamen, including the famous gold mask, and the sculptures of Prince Rahotep and Princess Nofret. Stop at the Citadel, and visit the Mohammed Ali Mosque, which is also sometimes referred to as the Alabaster Mosque due to its extensive use of that stone on some of the exterior walls and other surfaces. Tour Old Cairo, including some of the churches of the Christian community in Coptic Cairo. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4:   Departure

Transfer to Cairo Airport for departure.

GREECE - ATHENS & CORINTH

$1050 land only, based on double occupancy. Single supplement $325

ITINERARY:
Day 1:   Arrival

Arrive at Athens International airport. Meet your representative and transfer to Hotel Titania for dinner and overnight. The rest of the day is free for personal interest.

Day 2:   Athens

Enjoy a city tour of Athens, the birthplace of democracy. Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill, where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life), the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. A short walk from your hotel is the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes.

Day 3:   Corinth

This morning depart Athens by motor coach, stopping for a rest and photos at the Corinth Canal. Travel to the ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul’s most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still fl ow from ancient to modern day. After the visit to ancient Corinth, travel to Mycenae to see the famous Lions Gate and the Tomb of Agamemnon in the shape of a beehive. Before retuning to Athens, visit the famous Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best well-preserved theatres in Greece. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 4:   Departure

Transfer to the Athens International Airport for departure.

ITALY - ROME

$1,475 land only, based on double occupancy. Single supplement $150

ITINERARY:
Day 1:   Arrival

Arrive at Rome Airport. Meet and greet with a transfer to Domus Sessoriana, your accommodations in Rome.

Day 2:   Paul’s Sites / Ancient Rome

Today’s touring is a combination of the most interesting sites which are linked with the life of the Apostle Paul in Rome. Visit the Insula di san Paolo Alla Regola, where Paul lived and met with the first Christians in Rome, and the Church of Santa Prisca, where Paul baptized Priscilla. In Ancient Rome, see Trajan’s Column and Forum, Capitoline Hill, Piazza del Campidoglio, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum.

Day 3:   Vatican Museum / Christian Churches

Visit the Vatican this morning, including St. Peter’s Square, the Court of Pigna, Belvedere Courtyard, Greek Cross Room, Galleries of the Candelabra, Apostolic Palace, Sistine Chapel, the Royal Stairway, and the Basilica of St. Peter with the beautiful Pieta by Michelangelo. In the afternoon visit many of the Christian sites of Rome, traveling along the Appian Way to the Church of St. John in Lateran, the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem, the Church of Saints Nereo and Achilleo, the Catacombs of San Sebastian, Abbey of the Three Fountains and St. Paul Outside the Walls

Day 4:   Departure

Transfer to the airport for departure.

JORDAN - PETRA

$990 land only, based on double occupancy. Single supplement $175

ITINERARY:
Day 1:   Arrival

Arrival in Amman, today the capital of Jordan. Transfer to the Regency Palace Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2:   Madaba / Mt. Nebo / Bethany / Petra

Depart Amman, stopping to visit St. George’s Church in Madaba, with a mosaic floor from the 6th century showing a map of the Holy Land as Christian pilgrims knew it. Continue to Mt. Nebo, from which God showed Moses the Promised Land. Stop at Bethany-Beyond-the- Jordan, where it is believed John the Baptist preached and baptized Jesus. Passing by the well-kept Crusader City of Kerak, arrive at your final destination of the Rose Red City of Petra, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in July 2007. Dinner and overnight at the Petra Panorama.

Day 3:   Petra – Amman

For hundreds of years, Petra was forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1812, and it must be entered on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. The Nabateans carved breathtaking temples and monuments, 800 in number, out of the multi-colored sandstone. See the 3,000-seat theatre, the Palace Tomb, the Monastery (Deir), and the Treasury, the most famous monument appearing dramatically at the end of the siq. Depart Petra and return to Amman for dinner and overnight.

Day 4:   Departure

Transfer for departure from Amman Airport or cross the Allenby Bridge into Israel and transfer to the Tel Aviv hotel to join the Israel Tour program.

TURKEY - SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION

$1350 land only, based on double occupancy. Single supplement $175

ITINERARY:
Day 1:   Arrival

Arrive Izmir. Meet and greet with a transfer to the Anemon Hotel in Izmir for dinner and overnight.

Day 2:   Izmir / Thyatira / Bergama / Izmir

In the morning drive to Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches of Asia. Paul may have visited the town during his missionary journeys. South of Lake Akhisar there are the ruins of a church. After lunch drive to Bergama, one of the seven churches, to visit the Acropolis, Temple of Athena, the ruins of the library, the Grand Theater, Red Court, the Church of St. John, the Health Center and the museum. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 3:   Sardis / Philadelphia / Laodicea/ Collosae / Hieropolis

Drive to Sardis, one of the seven churches, continuing to the two additional church sites of Philadelphia and Laodicea. In the afternoon, drive to Collosae and visit Hieropolis. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale at the Richmond Thermal Hotel.

Day 4:   Ephesus / Istanbul

In the morning visit Ephesus. During the first century AD Ephesus was the largest and the most important city in antiquity. Visit the church of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary. Continue to the museum of Ephesus. In the afternoon flight to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul at the Arcadia Hotel.

Day 5:   Istanbul

Full day tour of Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the Bosphorus cruise and the Grand Bazaar. Return to hotel.

Day 6:   Departure.

Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight home.

CST 2013363-40