Holy Land: Praying Where Jesus Prayed with, the Atlantic Central District of the Florida Annual Conference with Dionne Hammond, Superintendent | Nov 6, 2023
Join the Atlantic Central District of the Florida Annual Conference with Dionne Hammond, Superintendent, starting at $3,896* from Orlando, FL, on November 6, 2023. You will see the baptismal site of Qasr el Yehud, Jericho, Qumran, Dead Sea, Herodion, Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity, Shepherds’ Field, the Walled Off Hotel, Caesarea, Mount Carmel, Tel Megiddo, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Sea of Galilee, Chapel of the Primacy, Magdala, ruins of Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Caesarea Philippi, Valley of the Doves, Mount Arbel, Nazareth, Samaria, Jacob’s Well, Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and more.
What’s Included
- All Inclusive Pricing
- Breakfast and Dinner Daily
- Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
- Domestic Airfare
- Entrance and Program Fees
- First Class Hotels
- Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
- Hotel Gratuities
- Guided Tours
- Live Audio Headsets
- Overseas Airport Transfers
- Study Guide
- International Airfare
- Administrative Fees
^ Additional Baggage & Optional fees may apply.
† If air purchased through EO.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 November 6 – Depart the USA
Day 2 November 7 – USA to the Holy Land
Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 November 8 – Jericho and Qumran
Visit the baptismal site of Qasr el Yehud, where tradition says Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Travel to Jericho (the oldest city in the world) and visit the ruins of the ancient city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6:1, 2 & 20). In the distance, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). Continue to Qumran, the location of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery. End your day with the opportunity to take a dip in the mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.
Day 4 November 9 – Herodion and Bethlehem
Explore one of the most exciting archaeological digs in Israel, the Herodion, the palace-fortress and final resting place of Herod the Great. In Bethlehem, visit the cave where Jesus was born (Luke 2:1-7) and the Church of the Nativity. Gaze out over Shepherds’ Field, where angels first proclaimed the Good News. Next, venture to the Walled Off Hotel, where you’ll learn what it’s like to live near the separation wall.
Day 5 November 10 – Caesarea, Mount Carmel, and Tel Megiddo
Visit the Roman aqueduct and theatre at Caesarea, a center of early Christianity and where Paul was imprisoned for two years (Acts 10). View Mount Carmel, the site of Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal (I Kings 18). Travel the ancient caravan route through the Jezreel Valley to Tel Megiddo, an exciting archaeological dig with layers of twenty different cities built on top of each other.
Day 6 November 11 – The Galilee
Enjoy a scenic drive to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee (Matt.4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the text of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached there (Matt. 5-7). Experience a special onboard worship service as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. As you pray in the Chapel of the Primacy, remember how Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ three times (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.
Day 7 November 12 – Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi & Chorazim
At the ruins of Tel Dan, see the altar built by King Jeroboam I (I Kings 12:25-30) and learn about where the “House of David” fragment from the First Temple Period was discovered. Continue to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter told the Lord, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” (Matt.16:16). Walk the streets of Chorazim, listed as a “city of woe” by Jesus.
Day 8 November 13 – Valley of the Doves, Mount Arbel, Nazareth, Samaria, and Jacob’s Well
Begin your day with a visit to the Valley of the Doves beneath Mount Arbel’s peak. Walk along its peak for a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee. Stop in Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Walk through the Church of the Annunciation, a structure built over the traditional home of Jesus. Visit Mount Precipice, where an angry crowd from the synagogue attempted to throw Jesus off a cliff. Continue past Tel Dothan, thought to be the place where Joseph found his brothers with their flocks (Genesis 37). Visit Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom and home to Ahab and Jezebel. See Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where the Israelites recited the blessings and curses of the Law. In modern-day Nablus (ancient Shechem), see where the Samaritan woman encountered Christ (John 4) at Jacob’s Well.
Day 9 November 14 – Jerusalem
Stand on the Mount of Olives and enjoy a remarkable view of the Golden City of Jerusalem. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from this place (Acts 1:9-12). Walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and pray beneath the ancient olive trees (Matthew 26:36-44). Step off the bus in the Old City and enjoy time on your own sightseeing and shopping and then make your way back to the hotel on your own, or remain on the bus and return to the hotel to relax for the rest of your day.
Day 10 November 15 – Jerusalem
This morning, explore the Davidson Center and the Southern Wall Excavations, including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. Remember how Jesus healed on the Sabbath when you visit the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-18). At Herod’s Antonia Fortress (Luke 23:1), see where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate. Walk the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”) and remember the Lord’s sacrificial love at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Share communion together at the Garden Tomb in celebration of His Resurrection.
Day 11 November 16 – Return to the USA or Enjoy an Extension
Return to the USA or Enjoy an Extension
Enhance Your Journey
Wonders of Petra & the Dead Sea Starting from $998
November 16 - 20, 2023 • $998*
A minimum of 8 travelers are necessary to operate the extension.
November 16 – Jerash
This morning, you will journey across the Allenby Bridge on your way to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Stroll through the oval piazza and wander along colonnaded streets etched by the wheels of ancient chariots. Stand in the grand theatre where an onstage whisper can be heard in the top row. Continue to Amman to check in for dinner and overnight.
November 17 – Madaba & Mount Nebo
Begin your journey south towards Petra today. Stop in Madaba, the City of Mosaics, to visit the Church of Saint George with its sixth-century, Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites. Continue to Mount Nebo, where Moses caught a glimpse of the Promised Land (Deut. 34). On a clear day, you can see all the way across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. End your day at the shore of the Dead Sea and check in at your hotel.
November 18 – Petra
Explore the city of Petra. Its entrance passes through a long, narrow gorge known as the Siq and can only be accessed by carriage, horseback, or on foot. Once inside the city, marvel at the intricate detail of a city that was cut into the cliffsides of rose-colored rock. Return to your hotel at the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.
November 19 – Free Morning at the Dead Sea
Enjoy a free morning at your hotel. Cross the border back into Israel and enjoy dinner in Jerusalem. Afterward, you will travel to the airport in Tel Aviv to begin your journey home.
November 20 – Return to the USA
Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions
Nile Cruise Extension Starting from $2398
November 16 - 22, 2023 • $2,398*
A minimum of 10 travelers are necessary to operate the extension
November 16 - Fly to Cairo
This morning, depart Jerusalem for Tel Aviv and fly to Egypt. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed to Cairo by your local guide. Enjoy dinner and overnight at your hotel in Cairo.
November 17 – Embark in Luxor
This morning, fly from Cairo to Luxor, ancient Thebes, which served as the Egyptian capital during the New Kingdom and the time of Moses. Visit the magnificent Temple of Luxor with its avenue of sphinx statues and mighty monumental columns. Continue to the Karnak Temple, which took over 2,000 years to build and is the largest religious building ever constructed. See the famed Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III, the temple of Amon, the Granite Scarabeus and the Sacred Lake. Board your Nile cruise ship and enjoy dinner.
November 18 - Valleys of the Kings & Queens & Esna
This morning, enjoy the sunrise over the Nile River before your visit to the Valley of the Kings. Tombs were constructed here for the kings and powerful nobles of Egypt for nearly 500 years. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. See the Colossi of Memnon, made of sandstone brought from Gabal El Silselah. Each colossus, including the pedestal and the crown, is about 21 meters tall and represents King Amenhotep III. See the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of only a handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs. Sail to Esna, enjoying afternoon tea before visiting the Temple of Khnum. Dinner & overnight onboard.
November 19 - Edfu & Kom Ombo
Visit the Edfu Temple on the west bank of the Nile. Dating to the Ptolemaic period, the temple was dedicated to the worship of the god Horus, represented as a falcon. It is one of the most beautiful Egyptian temples, distinguished by its huge splendid structure blending Pharaonic and Greek architecture. Enjoy lunch onboard as you sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Kom Ombo Temple. Built on a hillside, this temple was constructed in the Ptolemaic Roman era for the worship of the gods Haroeris and Sobek. It is noted for the relief engravings on its walls, which show ancient surgical tools, bone saws, and dentistry tools. Nearby, view the three mummified crocodiles in Hathor’s chapel.
November 20 - Aswan
Set sail on a smaller boat across the Nile to visit the temples at Philae, including the Temple of Isis, one of the greatest Temples in Egypt occupying a quarter of the island. Next, visit the High Dam, one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the twentieth century. It was constructed to replace the old Aswan dam built in 1902. The 3600-meter-long dam was constructed to protect Egypt from floods as well as provide irrigation and electricity to its citizens. View the Unfinished Obelisk, made of red granite brought from the quarries of Aswan. After exploring Aswan, fly to Cairo to check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.
November 21 - Cairo
This morning, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamun. Afterward, visit the Pyramids of Giza, constructed over 1,000 years before the birth of Moses. See the Great Sphinx and have the opportunity to ride a camel in the desert near the pyramids. Tour the Old City and see the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 AD, and view the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. In Old Cairo, visit the Abu Serga Church, built over the traditional site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their stay in Egypt. Prepare for your return flight home.
November 22 - Return to the USA
Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions
Departure Dates
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Monday, November 6, 2023From $3896* Register Now!