Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Program for Egypt and Israel - 9 Days

1st Day, Arrival Cairo
Upon arrival to Cairo airport by your flight, you will be met and assisted through the immigration. Drive to hotel in Cairo for diner and overnight.

2nd Day - CAIRO
After breakfast, visit Giza Pyramids, Pyramids Panorama, Enter the 2nd pyramid/Sphinx. Lunch at a local restaurant. Sightseeing of Old Cairo, Coptic Museum, St. Georges Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Diner and overnight in Cairo.

3rd Day-  TRANSFER TO ST. CATHERINE 
Transfer to St. Catherine by coach. Visit and Sightseeing of Mara,
Rafidim, Pi-Hahiroth. Stop on the way for Lunch in a local restaurant.
Check into Hotel at Ste Catherine.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

4th Day - ST. CATHERINE – TABA – DEAD SEA
Early in the morning climb the Mountain and visit the Monastery. Then drive to Taba border. Cross Taba border to Israel and continue to your hotel.
Diner and overnight Biankini Resort, Dead Sea.

5th Day – DEAD SEA – JERICHO – BETHLEHEM
Start your day with a swim in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. The Sea has a high concentration of various healing chemical salts so that one cannot sink in it. Continue to visit Jericho the world’s oldest town. See the sycamore tree that Zacheos climbed to see and hear Jesus and Elisha Spring. Then continue to Bethlehem, visit the Church of the Nativity built over the traditional site of the manger where Jesus Christ was born. Proceed to the Shepherds’ Field where the Angel of the Lord appeared to the Shepherds on that first Christmas Eve and announced the birth of the Savior (Lk. 2:8-18). Diner and overnight at Jerusalem Gates Hotel.

6th Day - JERUSALEM
After breakfast drive to Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives for a spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem and the Old City. On the slopes of the Mount of Olives are various small churches commemorating key events in Jesus’ later life.. At the foot of the Mount of Olives is the Garden of Gethsemane with its eight olive trees; it was here that Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:32-52; Matthew 26:36-46).  Beside the Garden is the impressive Church of All Nations. Enter the ‘Walled City’ through St. Stephen’s Gate and see the Crusader Church of St. Anne, mother of Mary, and the excavated twin Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the Crippled (John 5:1-9). Continue following the Stations to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher built over the site of Golgotha Calvary (Matthew 27:33-62; Mark 15:22-47; Luke 23:33-56.. Continue to the Western Wall the last remnant of the Temple.
Diner and overnight in Jerusalem.

7th Day - JERUSALEM
Mount Zion and visit the Church of St. Peter In Gallicantu (Caiaphas’ House), where Jesus was imprisoned and interrogated by the High Priest (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72). Visit the site of King David’s Tomb and the Upper Room where the Last Supper took place. (Matthew 26:17-35; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-38. Proceed to Ein Kerem (Luke 1:57-80) to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, erected over the grotto where he was born. Drive north to Tiberias.
Diner and overnight at King Solomon hotel or Bali Hotel Tiberias.

8th Day - SEA OF GALILEE - CAPERNAUM - TABGHA - MOUNT OF BEAUTITUDES - YARDENIT
Cruise on the Sea of Galilee (John 6:16-21; Matthew 8:23-27).  Proceed to visit Capernaum (Mark 1:21-35), a lakeside village frequently referred to in the New Testament as home to St. Peter and a site built atop of a synagogue said to be where Jesus Christ preached.  View to the east the ruins of Bethsaida (John 1:44; Matthew 1:20-24).  We continue along the shore to Tabgha (John 6:1-15), scene of the Feeding of The Five Thousand.  There are two Churches; The Church of the Multiplication on the site of the miracle, and The Franciscan Church, the church for the people poor in spirit, the meek, the pure in heart and the peace makers. Nearby is the village of Magdala, birthplace of Mary Magdalene.  We continue to Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-16), where tradition places the spot where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.  Proceed to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-19) where thousands of Christians are baptized (14) and/or renew their baptismal vows. Lunch with boat ride.
Diner and overnight in Tiberias.

9th Day - NAZARETH – CANA – MT TABOR - TEL AVIV
Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38), childhood home of Jesus. Visit the Mary’s Well and The Basilica of the Annunciation with its underground grotto where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced the forthcoming birth of Jesus. On to Kana visit the wedding church, miracle of the wine.
Then on to Mount Tabor – the mount of Transfiguration, climb to the Mount Tabor visit the Monastery.
Drive to Tel aviv airport for your flight back.