Heading to Israel for a pilgrimage next month (technically 2 more weeks) on a tour organised by my aunt's church.
It'll be my first trip on a packaged tour as I've always been on "free & easy" trips every since I was a young kid.
I'm pretty psyched about this trip as it appeals to the religious part of me, as well as the historical nerd that I am! I can't believe I'm going to a city where the Romans once built their civilization... and where Jesus once walked on it's streets!
Day 1, 2nd Nov
Flight to Israel at night
Day 2, 3rd Nov
Arrive at Tel Aviv Airport in the morning (it's a 16.5hr flight+transit time by the way *sigh*)
Head to Caesarea via Coach.
Caesarae got it's name from King Herod who wanted to honour Roman Emperor Casesar.
It's located along the Israel Meditarreanian coast, somewhere in the north of Israel.
Here we'll be visiting a Roman amphitheater, Pontius Pilate Stella (a staircase in an ancient theatre that has an inscription written in the time of Jesus, revealing that Pontius Pilate was a real person) and an Aqueduct.
Head to Megiddo via Coach.
Armageddon is derived from Har Megiddo, which is a mountain in Megiddo. It's theorised that on the day of Jesus return, there will be a battle between Good & Evil here. From what I know, Megiddo is not unfamiliar to war, numerous battles since the time of Ancient Civilisation of Egypt was fought here.
Head to Mount Carmel
Here we'll be visiting Muraka Carmelite Monastery, which is the location where Elijah is honored for his victory over the Baal prophets.
In the Bible (1 Kings 18: 17-46), Both Elijah and the Baal prophets built an altar for burning an offering of a bullock to their respective Gods. Only thing is that they had to invoke their own Gods to light the fire for the offering. In the Bible, God lit the fire for the altar that Elijah had built, whereas the altar for the Baal prophets remained unlit, thus giving the victory of God over Baal.
We will also have mass in the Elijah Chapel here.
Head to Acre
Here we'll visit the Crusaders underground city (How cool is that!)
We'll then head to the Nazareth Plaza Hotel in Nazareth (Jesus' Home town) where we'll be sleeping for the night.
Day 3, 4th Nov
We'll have mass at the Basilica of the Annuciation.
We'll head to Saint Joseph's workshop, ancient Jewish/Christian purifying bath, Synagogue Church and Mary's well.
Head via coach to the supposed location of Cana of Galilee (Location where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding). From what I've researched, the location is not actually 100% confirmed, but the most likely location is Kafr Kanna which is located 7km north of Nazareth.
Head to Mount Tabor via coach.
This is the place believed to be where the transfiguration of Jesus took place (where He started to radiate light and he spoke to Elijah and Moses).
Head back to Nazareth for sleep time :)
Day 4, 5th Nov
We'll take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Head via coach to Capernaum (Home of the Apostles Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew).
Where we'll visit an ancient synagogue, St Peter's house, the Holy Ark relief, Mensa Christi (a church that holds a slab of chalk where Jesus had a meal with his Apostles after his resurrection) and finally Tabgha where the Church of Multiplication (supposedly the location where Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves of bread) is located. Mass will be held here.
Head to Banias via coach.
It is said somewhere near here, Jesus asked his Apostles who they thought He was, and Saint Peter replied that he believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
Back to Nazareth Hotel.
Day 5, 6th Nov
Head to Yardinit baptismal site where Jesus is believed to be baptised by Saint John the Baptist.
*To be continued... wanna sleep =X Continuation!
Head to Beit Shean by Coach
Here we'll visit the Scythopolis (an ancient Hellenic site), a Roman theatre and amphitheatre, Paladius Street ( i could not find any info on this..) and temples of religions that once existed along with the beginnings of Christianity.
Head to Jordan Valley by Coach, where we'll experience Judaen wilderness and visit the ruins of Jericho.
We'll also visit Qumran which is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
After which we will head to the Dead sea for ahmm floating.. (I'm actually scared.. =X)
We'll then head off to Jerusalem for dinner and break for the night.
Day 6, 7th Nov
We'll visit the Israel museum.
And then via coach we will head to Ein Karem which is where St John the Baptist was born.
After which we will head to Bethlehem via coach for Mass at the famous Church of Nativity.
We'll end off in Jerusalem for dinner.
Day 7, 8th Nov
We'll head to the peak of the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem, walk along the Palm Sunday Way and visit the chapel of Dominus Flevit.
After that a walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and have mass at the Church of All Nations.
We will then head to Mount Zion via coach to visit the Last Supper Room and the Abbey of Dormiton.
We will also visit the house of Caiphas the high priest and the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu (where it is believed to be the spot where St Peter denied the Lord 3 times).
Head back to Jerusalem
Day 8, 9th Nov
We'll visit the Temple Mount where the Western Wall (aka Wailing wall) and the Pool of Bethesda is.
We'll then walk along the Via Dolorosa (where Jesus walked on his way to be crucified) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (which is suppose to be Golgotha or the place where Jesus was crucified) for mass.
We will then walk back via the streets with bazaars to the Jaffa Gate, and visit the Jewish Quarters. Nearby we will also visit the ruins of the City of David.
Back to Hotel for dinner.
Day 9, 10th Nov
We'll visit a Franciscan Monastery and have some free shopping time after that.
We will then head to Emmaus Nicopolis, which is where Jesus is said to have appeared after his resurrection.
After that it's off to Tel Aviv via coach.
Here we'll visit Jaffa (it's a port-town mentioned a couple of times in the Bible), where we will see the Church of House of Tabitha, Saint Peter's Church, Simon the Tanner's House, Fisherman Harbour and Andromeda's Rock.
We will then end off with a trip back to the airport for the flight back :)
