Departure from Toronto to Amman (Jordan).

Welcome to JORDAN. Arrive at Amman International Airport, Jordan. After we complete immigration formalities at the airport, we drive to the capital city Amman. Check in to our hotel. In the evening, we have a get together where we get to know the fellow group members. Time of bonding, prayer and thanking God for His plans in our lives. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Amman.

After breakfast we leave immediately for Petra. Situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea and inhabited since prehistoric times, the rock-cut capital city of the Nabateans, became during Hellenistic and Roman times a major caravan centre for the incense of Arabia, the silks of China and the spices of India, a crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges. An ingenious water management system allowed extensive settlement of an essentially arid area during the Nabataean, Roman and Byzantine periods. It is one of the world’s richest and largest archaeological sites set in a dominating red sandstone landscape. The ancient city of Petra in Jordan became one of the 7 New Wonders of the World when it was chosen in 2007 by a vote of 100 million people. Tour the breath taking” Rose Red City”, Petra by horseback or by foot which begins at the “Siq”, a magnificent winding canyon road. At the end of the passage, you will arrive at Petra’s most beautiful monument “The Treasury” carved out of the solid rock. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Amman.

After breakfast we explore the Jordanian Capital Amman, mentioned in the Bible by the name of Rabath Ammon in the story of King Og (Duet 3:11). Visit the famous Citadel and Roman Theartre of Amman. Later we visit Madaba, the city of Mosaics”, only 30kms south of Amman. Madaba is repeatedly mentioned in the Old Testament as Medeba (Numbers 21:30). This lovely town is home of St. George’s Church which houses the Madaba Map, a 6th century Byzantine Mosaic map showing ancient Palestine, Egypt, Jerusalem and other holy sites. This map is the oldest known Geographic floor Mosaic in Art history and is considered a remarkable example of Byzantine Christian Art. After lunch we continue to Mt. Nebo, (Deut 34:1-7) the most revered site in Jordan. Mt. Nebo is presumed to be the site of Moses’ death and burial place. On top of the mountain is a Franciscan Church with beautiful 4th and 6th century mosaics. Visit the Serpent Monument near the Church. From a platform in front of the church you can take in a breathtaking view like Moses across the Jordan valley and the Dead Sea, Jericho to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. This is also the place from where God showed Moses the promise land from a distance. We then drive back to city of Amman. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Amman.

Breakfast and check out early morning from the hotel. After breakfast we take a 2 hrs scenic drive to the Israeli Border called Sheikh Hussain Bridge. At the border we will meet our representative who will guide us through the immigration formalities. Welcome to ISRAEL. Drive to the village of Cana (John 2:1-11) where Jesus performed His first Miracle, changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Take an opportunity to taste and buy the famous Cana wine. After Lunch, we visit Nazareth village, an authentic first-century farm and archaeologically accurate re-creation of the hometown of Jesus with real ties to the life and time of His friends, family and fellow Nazarenes. We then visit Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus and home of Mary and Joseph and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation built over the grotto where Archangel Gabriel appeared to announce Mary that she would bear a son, Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). We also stop by Joseph’s workshop. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Nazareth.

After breakfast get set to explore the charm and beauty of the blessed area of Galilee. We take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on the water (Matthew 14: 15-23). The ride will end at Ginnosar where you visit the Ancient Boat from the time of Jesus that was found nearby. We visit Yardenit where you renew baptismal vows. This is the site of the baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist. It is necessary for you to wear white clothes to enter the river, Jordan. Please carry a set of extra clothes and a towel so that you can enter the Jordan river. Drive to the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1-20) where we shall visit the heptagonal church that was built by the Italian architect Berluzzi. Proceed to Tabgha for a visit at the Church of the Loaves and the Fish (Matthew 14: 14-34). Driving along the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee we reach Capernaum, the town of Jesus, where he lived in the house of Peter performing from there his miracles and healings. Before we drive back to the hotel, we ascend Mt. Tabor to visit the beautiful Church of Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-8) Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Nazareth.

After breakfast we travel towards Haifa, Israel’s largest port city, built on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. We visit the Stella Mares Church which is built on the cave where Elijah stayed and then continue to Muhraqa, (1 Kings 18:20-40) the place of sacrifice and the site where Prophet Elijah defeated the false prophets of Ba’al. We then visit the village of Ein Karem – where we visit the birthplace of John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth & Zechariah, Mary’s spring and the Church of Visitation (Luke 1:39-56). We then enter Bethlehem. Bethlehem is located in the Judah province (Luke 2:15), the birthplace of Jesus. Meditate on the glory of the Birth of our Savior at the Church of the Nativity. (The birthplace of Jesus). This church is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world Sing Christmas Hymns! Celebrate! What a glorious feeling! Drive to the Shepherd’s field and the Cave Chapel, a recent Byzantine excavation and past Ruth the Moabite’s fields to the Judean Wilderness. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Bethlehem.

After breakfast we ascend the Mt. of Olives overlooking the Holy City of Jerusalem. Visit the Ascension site, (Luke 24:50-51) which commemorates the ascent of Jesus to Heaven. The Pater Noster Church, (Matt 24:3) where according to tradition, lies the cave where Jesus brought his disciples and spoke to them about the mystery of the end. It is also believed to be the place where Jesus gave the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples (Matt 6:9-13). We then walk down the Sunday Palm Road where we stop at the Chapel of Dominius Flevit, where Jesus wept over the imminent destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41- 44). The chapel is built in the shape of a tear as a reminder to this event. We then visit the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed while Judas betrayed him to the Romans (Luke 22:39- 46). Take a look at Olive trees in the garden which are more than 100 years old. Visit the Basilica of the Agony (Church of all Nations), which stands out from afar. We then descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth (1305 ft. below sea level). We make a brief stop at a private beach, for lunch and later take the opportunity to float in the salty buoyant water, rich in minerals. Later drive to Jericho believed from carbon tests to be the oldest city in the world. It is also the place where Jesus stopped on his way to Jerusalem on the eve of the Pass-over and he cured the blind man during His stay at Zacchaeus’ house. We visit the Mount of Temptation (Matt 4: 1-4) where Jesus was tempted by the devil. We also visit the Sycamore tree (Luke 19:1-10) which Zacchaeus had climbed to see Jesus. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Bethlehem.

In the morning we drive to Jerusalem and visit pool of Bethesda. (John 5:1-15), and the birth place of Mary. We will also see Pilate’s Judgment Hall; the Chapel of the Flagellation where, according to tradition, the Roman soldiers scourged Jesus and placed a crown of thorns on his head. Early tradition held that Pontius Pilate stood here and thundered “Ecce Homo!” Which means “Behold the man?” Which is what Pilate said when he presented Jesus to the crowd? (Mk 15: 1-15; LK 23: 3-25; Mt 27: 11-30). We then walk a part of the Via Dolorosa (Way of Grief) (Mark 15:1-47), traditionally accepted as the last route trodden by Jesus. We walk through the vibrant bazaar to get to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher built over the Golgotha, the place of crucifixion – site of Calvary. We then visit the Garden Tomb and remember Christ’s death and resurrection by participating in Holy Communion. Visit to the Western Wall and later, we visit Mt. Zion. Here we visit the Cenacle – room of the Last Supper (Matt 26:17-29) and the Tomb of King David. This is also believed to be the place of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). We also visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu which symbolizes Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Luke 22:54-62) as He had prophesied at the Last Supper. Later we visit the House of the high priest, Caiphas, where Jesus was imprisoned. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Bethlehem.

After Breakfast, check out from hotel. We visit the Temple Institute, Jerusalem. The Temple Institute’s Holy Temple Museum includes a highly advanced, state-of-the-art presentation of the Temple-ready sacred vessels created by the Institute, garments of the High Priest, oil-paintings depicting aspects of the Divine service of the Holy Temple and a model of the Holy Temple Complex. Visitors will also be able to see a scaled-down stone altar, made in accordance with Torah law, transportable and completely ready for use on the Temple Mount. After Lunch, we will have time for shopping and to purchase souvenirs. Transfer to Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion International Airport.

We depart from Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv for Toronto.