DR. WENDELL ESTEP'S ISRAEL
AND GREECE ITINERARY
Day 1-Friday, May 20: We depart Charlotte today for Tel Aviv and the Holy Land. After a stop in Newark, New Jersey, we fly non-stop to Israel.
Day 2-Saturday, May 21: Shalom — Welcome Home! We arrive into Tel Aviv’s Gen Gurion Airport. After arrival formalities, we board our deluxe motor coach and drive north up the coast to the ancient port of Caesarea Maritima. We then drive further up the coast to Mukhara at Mt. Carmel where Elijah fought the prophets of Baal. We visit Tel Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon before arriving at our hotel in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.
Day 3-Sunday, May 22: This morning we sail across the Sea of Galilee by boat and visit Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes. Afterwards, we proceed to the area on the Jordan River for baptism. Those who wish to be baptized will be given the opportunity to do so here. Next we leave the Sea of Galilee and drive past Jericho on our way down to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. We check in to our Dead Sea hotel and then have the afternoon to float in the healing waters of the Dead Sea. Or you may choose to use the spa services at the hotel (fees not included).
Day 4-Monday, May 23: Today we go UP TO JERUSALEM! We stop at Qumran on the way where, in 1947, a Bedouin shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, we drive to the top of the Mount of Olives for a spectacular panoramic view of the City. Afterwards, we take the Palm Sunday Path upon which Jesus made his triumphal entry, to the Garden of Gethsemane. Next, we visit the Church of St. Anne and see the Pool of Bethesda. We make our way to the Sisters of Zion Convent to visit the site of Pilate’s judgment area in Antonio’s Fortress. We actually see the pavement on which He may have trod.
DAY 5-Tuesday, May 24: Today we visit more of the Old City and spend some time at the Western Wall, then ascend the Temple Mount. We see the area where the Temples once stood and will do so again. We see the Western Wall and the Southern Steps of the Temple. At some point, we will walk through the Rabbi’s Tunnel which passes through most 2,000 years of Jerusalem’s history. After dinner this evening at our hotel, we have an evening program at the Tower of David, a true night-time spectacular.
Day 6-Wednesday, May 25: This morning we begin our day at Mount Zion. We tour the Upper Room and see the Tomb of King David. We walk to the House of Caiaphas, then later the Roman Cardo in the Jewish Quarter of the New City. We then drive to the Israel Museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display. We see the Model City of Jerusalem, a fantastic replica of the City in the time of Jesus. Late afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb where we view Golgotha, the Empty tomb and have a communion service.
Day 7-Thursday, May 26: We have our final Israeli breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the airport for our flight to Athens, Greece. (We depart Israel with a new fervor in our hearts and spirits to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, Psalm 122:6.) We arrive in Athens and transfer to our motor coaches for a tour of Athens and Corinth. We drive past the Academy, the University and the Parliament with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We continue to the Acropolis and the Parthenon. On the slopes of the Acropolis we will visit the Areopagus on Mars Hill, site of Paul's address to the men of Athens about their "unknown God" (Acts 17). Next we drive out to Corinth, taking the road along the Saronic Gulf, fairly the same route that the Apostle Paul took. Corinth was an important place and congregation in Paul's odyssey (Acts 18 and Letters to the Corinthians). Corinth was the largest, richest, and most pleasure-loving city of Greece in the 3rd century BC, so it gave Paul plenty to renounce when he came here in the 1st century AD. Paul worked here three years with Aquila and Priscilla. We then return to Athens for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8-Friday, May 27: This morning we transfer to the port of Piraeus for embarkation on our cruise ship. We sail to the island of Mykonos with its breathtakingly beautiful white-washed buildings and churches. We take a short excursion by bus from the boat to the city center and have the opportunity to wander on our own through the many side streets with homes above the shops and numerous outside waterfront cafes. Evening departure for Patmos.
DAY 9-Saturday, May 28: This morning we arrive at the Turkish port of Kusadasi, the doorway to Ephesus and rich ancient history. In Paul’s time, Ephesus was a port city on the Aegean Sea. Now, due to natural changes and a build up of silt, etc., it is an approximate ten-mile bus trip from the current port city of Kusadasi. We walk through historical, ancient Ephesus, a truly spectacular archeological site and base for much of Paul's missionary work (Acts 19 and Letter to The Ephesians). Paul labored and ministered here for three years. He laid the foundation for the strongest Christian church of the First Century. This afternoon we sail for the Island of Patmos. We visit the traditional grotto where John received the revelations while in exile and St. John's Monastery atop the island. Evening sail for Crete.
DAY 10-Sunday, May 29: Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. It is also the home of the great Minoan Civilization. Having visited this remarkable site your coaches will take you to the heart of Heraklion where you will be given some free time to explore its beauties. After reboarding our cruise vessel, we depart for the island of Santorini. The island of Santorini is the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. In the town of Fira white-washed houses, narrow streets, open air-cafés and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, accessible by cable-car. Santorini is particularly famous for its spectacular sunsets. (A guided shore excursion is not included in this stop. You are on your own to ride the cable car to the top to visit the many shops and cafes, experience the beautiful vistas from the top, or simply relax by the sea at one of the many restaurants below.) Evening sail back to Piraeus (Athens).
Day 11-Monday, May 30: We have breakfast aboard the ship then disembark and board our private motor coaches for transfer to the Athens airport. We depart for Newark at 12:00 noon and arrive back into Charlotte at 8:00 p.m. We return home with new and deepened friendships and wonderful memories to last a lifetime.
Louis Cruise Lines' M/S Aquamarine
7th Dimension Travel & Tours always provides their guests an "Outside Superior Stateroom." We never price our tours on inside staterooms, then ask you to pay extra to get a room with a view! We have been operating these tours since 1984; therefore, our suppliers know and appreciate us. They also know how to please our passengers. Many times our groups are given even further upgrades by the cruise line when space is available at no extra charge. It pays to travel with the best! http://www.louiscruises.com/
