“Following In The Steps of Jesus”
November 15-25, 2008

Day 1 – We BEGIN IN NEW YORK
Our group gathers from several states at JFK Airport in New York for our overnight flight via Royal Jordanian Airlines to Amman, Jordan. Our pilgrimage of a lifetime begins!

Day 2 – WE ARRIVE IN JORDAN
Upon our arrival at the Amman Airport, we are met, assisted with luggage and taken by a private and deluxe motor coach to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Amman.

Day 3 – WE EXPLORE JORDAN’S BIBLICAL SITES
After our breakfast at the hotel, our Jordanian guide will delight in showing us Madaba, the Byzantine center of master mosaicists: Hisban, Daibon and Busera. This is the ancient capital of the Ammonite, Moabite and Edomite Kingdoms so frequently mentioned in the Bible. Then we proceed to Mt. Nebo where Moses was permitted to look over the Promised Land before he died. Here we will view a rich collection of 3rd – 7th century mosaics. Crossing the border into Israel, we proceed to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. We then continue to Qumran, the site of the Essene Monastery destroyed by the Romans in 67 BC (where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found hidden in a cave in 1947). Following this, we’ll cable car up to Massada, the fortress where zealous Jews refused to surrender to Rome. Late that afternoon you can join us on a short swim (float) in the Dead Sea. We’ll have our evening meal and lodging in a most unique place…the Dead Sea.

Day 4 – WE BEGIN WITH JESUS’ BIRTH
Following our hotel breakfast, the guide will take us to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, which is situated over the stable grotto where Jesus is said to have been born. Then, we visit the Field of the Shepherds where His birth was announced. Our coach will then take us to Joppa, ancient Egyptian and Canaanite city and considered world’s oldest port. Jonah set sail from here for Tarshish; Tabitha was brought back to life by Peter. We will then drive along the Mediterranean Coast to Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 BC. It is said that here is where Cornelius was baptized by Peter and where Paul was brought to trial. From here we proceed inland to the port town of Tiberias, where we will have dinner and spend the next two nights overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

Day 5 – WE VISIT HIS BOYHOOD TOWN
After a hearty hotel breakfast, we shall venture to Nazareth where a boyhood Jesus helped Joseph in a carpenter shop. We visit the Church of Annunciation where the Angel is said to have appeared to Mary with news of a son. Mary’s Well is nearby. The Bible is coming alive as never before! Next, we visit Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle, changing water into wine. WE RETRACE HIS EARLY MINISTRY. Our excursion continues on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, remembering how Jesus walked on the waters of this Sea. We have a delightful cruise to Capernaum, birthplace of Peter and important city in Jesus’ ministry. Here, He lived, preached and performed many miracles. We will visit Tabgha, the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish. Then, we proceed to the Mount of Beatitudes almost hearing “Blessed are the peacemakers…” from the Sermon on the Mount. Next we visit Bethsaida, home of the Apostles Philip, Simon and Andrew. In this area Jesus fed the five thousand and healed a blind man. We have special baptism services in the Jordan River. Dinner and overnight at Tiberias.

Day 6 – WE PROCEED TO JERUSALEM
Following breakfast at our hotel, we shall board our coach for an exciting and eventful day of sightseeing. We visit Megiddo, associated with the Biblical site of the Battle of Armageddon. As we approach the outskirts of Jerusalem, our anticipation builds at the sight of this Old Walled City. Prior to our entry we will become oriented by visiting the model city of Jerusalem as it was in Christ’s time. Our driver will take us to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the Old City. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem (where we’ll spend the next three nights).

Day 7 – WE EXPLORE THE HOLY CITY
Enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we’ll begin our day to be filled with memorable experiences. We’ll drive to the top of the Mount of Olives; walk down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane (where Jesus prayed prior to His arrest); pray in the Church of All Nations; visit the Church of Ascension; and view the Palm Sunday Road. Then, we enter the Old Walled City for a visit to the Wailing Wall and the Temple Mount. We will have an inside visit to the Dome of the Rock (which houses the boulder where Abraham is thought to have prepared to sacrifice Isaac. We will see the Pool of Bethseda, and Pilate’s Judgement Hall. We will then be privileged to follow the Way of the Cross (via Dolorosa). What a powerful experience we’ll share as we visit a Garden Tomb and view a possible location of Calvary. Here we will take part in a Communion Service to remember. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8 – WE REMAIN IN JERUSALEM
Breakfast will be more leisurely this morning at the hotel. A special happening of the day will be our inside visit at the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are preserved. We will also have time to visit the possible area where the Last Supper was shared, Mount Zion and King David’s Tomb.

DAY 9 - JERUSALEM
Breakfast at the hotel. At mid day we’ll be free to discover Jerusalem on our own. You may wish to return to the Old City or you may choose to enjoy a mudpack at a Dead Sea health spa, or you might like to try some shopping. That evening we’ll have lots of experiences to share with each other. A group option is to enjoy the Folkloric Theatre where Israeli folk music and dance are featured. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10 – WE RETURN TO JORDAN
Before leaving Jerusalem, we shall breakfast at the hotel. Then our coach will take us to Bethany, the place of Lazarus’ tomb on our way to the border crossing back into Jordan. In time, we shall be preparing for a horseback ride into the marvelous city of Petra. (You may walk if you prefer…or hire a carriage to take you into this astonishing city.) The sights of this “rose-red city”, carved out of the limestone cliffs, are outstanding! We will see the Treasury, the Tombs, the Meeting Hall and other structures intricately carved into the cliffs. The “Indiana Jones” movie was filmed in Petra. Our farewell dinner and overnight will be in Amman.

Day 11 – WE RETURN TO NEW YORK
After an early morning breakfast at the hotel, we will pack up dazzling experiences and bid a reluctant farewell, returning home with a lifetime of memories. Our “pilgrimage of a lifetime” will enrich our understanding of the Christian faith as no other experience. We have, indeed, been privileged!