A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

Led by:

The Rev. Tim Heflin
Trinity Episcopal Church
Baton Rouge, LA

March 6 – 14, 2011

DAY 1, Sunday, March 6, 2011 - Depart from Baton Rouge on Continental Airlines connecting in Houston to Lufthansa and connecting again in Frankfurt, Germany before arriving at the final destination of Tel Aviv, IsraelMeals on the aircraft. D

DAY 2: Monday, March 7, 2011 - Our Pilgrimage in this Holy Land begins:  After meeting our guide for the Holy Land, transfer by deluxe motor coach to our hotel by the Mediterranean Sea.  Time, perhaps, for an evening stroll along the beach before dinner and overnight in NetanyaMeals on the aircraft and dinner. BD

DAY 3: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - We have come to see for ourselves (John 1:45-46):  Herod’s City-Caesarea; The Majesty of Carmel; Armageddon; Nazareth . . . . to the Sea of Galilee.  After breakfast, we head north toward Caesarea, once capital of the Roman province, where we visit the Roman and Crusader remains and the harbor from which St. Paul was taken prisoner to Rome.  We continue toward Mt. Carmel (Is. 35:2), a symbol of strength, beauty and fertility for OT prophets.  Traditionally, Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal is located at Muhraqa (‘the sacrifice’), a peak offering a spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley.  This fertile valley, also known as the plain of Megiddo, has been the scene of horrible carnage and almost constant strife.  Legend portrays this area as the stage for the final battle of history: Armageddon (Rev. 16:16).  The excavations at Megiddo have uncovered a fortified city built by Solomon (1 Kgs. 9:15).  We travel on to Akko, the walled port city that still shows the imprint of the crusader occupants.  We will visit Cana, site of the first miracle where Jesus turned the water into wine before we depart for Nazareth where we will have dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 4: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - “He is going ahead of us to Galilee” (Mt. 28):  The Sea; On the Boat; Capernaum; Tabgha; Mount of Beatitudes; Golan Heights; Caesarea Philippi; Mt. Hermon; Korazin.  We head north today to Caesarea Philippi and the Springs of Banias (Mt. 16:13) where Peter said:  “Thou are Christ”. There we will walk along the mouth of the Jordan River where we may renew our Baptismal vows.  We will reach the foot of Mt. Hermon before we travel to the Sea of Galilee.  We will visit the museum which holds the boat that built and used during the time of Christ and take a boat on the Sea to Capernaum where we shall walk in the ancient synagogue and see St. Peter’s house.  We shall visit Tabgha to view the mosaic of the Loaves and Fishes.  From there we move to the Mt. of Beatitudes where we rehear the Sermon on the Mount.  We return to Nazareth for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 5: Thursday, March 10, 2011 - From Nazareth “up to Jerusalem”. We explore Nazareth, home of Mary and Joseph and site of the Annunciation.  We will visit the Church of the Annunciation and then on to Mt. Tabor, the traditional site of the Transfiguration.  We continue to Jericho, the oldest human settlement in the world.  From the vantage point of the site in Jericho we have a spectacular view of the “Mt. of Temptation.”  Driving up to Jerusalem, we view the setting for the parable of the Good Samaritan, and St. George’s Greek Orthodox Monastery, literally carved out of a cliff.  Once in Jerusalem we find a site high above on Mt. Zion or the Mt. of Olives in order to orient ourselves.  Then it’s on to the hotel for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 6: Friday, March 11, 2011 - The Passion:  Palm Sunday Walk; Dominus Flevit; Church of the Agony; Garden of Gethsemane; Cave of the Olive Press; Kidron Valley to the House of Caiaphas.  From here we shall move on to walk the Via Dolorosa, winding through the busy markets of the Old City and praying at the Stations of the Cross.  We shall end our walk at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, scene of the Crucifixion and site of the Tomb.  The rest of the day is free for further exploration in the Old City.  This evening we will go to St. George’s for Evensong BD

DAY 7: Saturday, March 12, 2011 - Life’s Bread, Jerusalem and Bethlehem:  Through St. Stephen’s Gate to the Holy City, we walk to St. Anne’s Church, standing on a property facing the Temple Mount just as it was built by the crusaders.  Once inside we find ourselves singing (the acoustics are glorious).  Nearby, we visit excavations which speak to us of Jesus’ healing at the “pool with the five porticos.”  We walk together to the Temple Mount Dig, to the Dome of the Rock, to the Western Wailing Wall and the Jewish Quarter.  From there we go to St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Church, possible site of the Upper Room.  After lunch at Two Mustaches (a wonderful Arab restaurant in Bethlehem), we visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field.  Following dinner at our hotel, we will visit St. Andrew’s and Craftaid. BLD

DAY 8: Sunday, March 13, 2011 - The Judean Wilderness:  We drive along the Dead Sea to Masada and ride the cable car to the top.  Following lunch, we drive to Ein Gedi for a walk to a spectacular oasis/waterfall where David hid from Saul; then on to the Essene Center at Qumran, overlooking the Dead Sea.  We return to Jerusalem for a gala “farewell dinner” and overnight. BD

DAY 9: Monday, March 14, 2011 - After a very early wake up call, we will board our motorcoach and depart for Ben Gurion Airport where we bid goodbye to our driver and guide, board our trans-Atlantic flight, and journey home with a new appreciation of the Holy Land.  We will arrive back to Baton Rouge this afternoon. BL

Price: $2,399.00.  Price is based on double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Pricing based on minimum of 15 pilgrims.  Roundtrip air from Baton Rouge, LA Airport.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single supplement:  $499.00

Pricing excludes airline taxes and fuel charges estimated to be $495+. These may change.

Deposit $200.00 due with application

Final payment due November 15, 2010

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Before November 14: $100 per person plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ After November 15, 2010: NO REFUND

An application for travel insurance will be included with the receipt for your deposit.  We strongly recommend that you seriously consider this coverage.

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, S Snack

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.

Note that Israel is a physically demanding destination. Good shoes and some preparing for the trip on the stair master are invaluable aids to a healthy and happy pilgrimage.