FMC Travel Club A subsidiary of Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (Inc.) www.fmc.org.nz Club Convenor : John Dobbs Travel Smart Napier Civic Court, Dickens Street, Napier 4110 P : 06 8352222 E : [email protected] In the footsteps of Jesus, the Patriarchs and Prophets 13 March to 17 April 2017, 35 days ex Tel Aviv (estimated cost $8000pp as at November 2015) Based on a minimum group of 7 participants, and subject to currency fluctuations Leader : Phillip Donnell Scene of divine revelations, home of the People of the Book, background of the marvels recorded in the Bible… lands sacred to Jew, Christian and Moslem. Visiting this region, retracing the footsteps of Jesus, the patriarchs and the prophets, is more than just a journey; it is a pilgrimage to the very source of faith… PRICE INCLUDES : All accommodations in Jordan, Sinai and Israel All transport in Jordan, Sinai and Israel and connections between the 3 countries Most meals (all breakfasts, all dinners, lunches in Jordan and Sinai and special Shabbat dinner in Israel) The services of an experienced and knowledgeable Kiwi leader throughout National Parks passes, entrance fees (including World Heritage sites) and inclusions as shown in the daily itinerary PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE : Flights to / from the region and arrival / departure airport transfers Travel insurance (mandatory) Lunches in Israel Personal incidentals e.g. internet, tipping, optional expenses, etc Trip Leader Phillip Donnell has been a student of the Bible all his life, with a special interest in the historical geography of the Bible lands. He has travelled extensively in the Middle East, particularly in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. He has an M.A. in Geography, a Bachelor of Divinity and a Master of Theology in Applied Theology. For twenty years he was a Baptist pastor in four different churches. He has also been a teacher of Geography, English and ESOL, and is a published author of poetry, articles and short stories. Phillip currently lives in sunny Tauranga with his wife Katrina. He has three married children and eight grandchildren. He really enjoys visiting other countries and interacting with different cultures, and counts his experiences in the Middle East as among the most life-changing. I am delighted that Phillip has prepared this itinerary and is available to lead this exciting trip for the travel club. If you have any questions you would like to put to Phillip, he welcomes your contact at [email protected] For me, taking a trip to the Bible Lands wasn’t like any other – not so much a vacation as an education and an inspiration. Some parts of the cultures seemed foreign, but the oddities I observed and experienced often found their roots in places familiar, such as the Old and New Testaments. In that way, taking a trip to these lands felt like taking a trip inside the Bible. It wasn’t just seeing the sites that gave me insight into the Scriptures. The whole experience took me there. And 99% of those who have travelled to these places agree that experiencing them has strengthened their spiritual life… Phillip Donnell Trip Organisation and Overview We aim to include these aspects in all our small group trips : Thorough research and planning A ‘trip of a lifetime’ - ‘if you only visit once’ thinking to the itinerary construction An experienced NZ trip leader, plus local guides or similar where helpful or necessary Adventure and variety - walking explorations with cultural aspects too Some flexibility, worthwhile options and down time incorporated, as appropriate The companionship and satisfaction of shared travel with like-minded Kiwis Aspects of learning and community, coming away with new understanding and great memories The details of all participants will be registered with the NZ Consulates in Amman and Tel Aviv. Plus we will register relevant details on www.safetravel.govt.nz These matters are precautionary and essential to properly managed travel to this part of the world. At least one pre-trip newsletter will provide further information than can be included here. These also typically provide a recommended gear list, any adjustments to the final itinerary, accommodation lists, details about transport logistics, updated security matters, recommended funds for personal use / options etc and of course the list of trip participants. At any stage, questions can be directed to the trip leader Phillip Donnell or the travel club convenor, John Dobbs. Israel We mix the services of local operators with our own arrangements for seamless convenience and flexibility. To achieve our itinerary, we need to be largely independent, so we use two ‘people movers’ for transport. This means we need two main drivers and two others named as supporting drivers. Phillip will of course be the ‘main’ driver and his is the lead vehicle. Roads and highways in Israel are of a high standard and overall distances not too great. Driving is on the right and signage is in English. Israel is considered one of the safest destinations, and this is due to the highly visible presence of security people and systems in place. It pays to be vigilant, respectful and patient however. Expect lengthy questioning and bag searches on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. Suspiciously parked vehicles are towed or destroyed, street markets and public facilities are spontaneously closed at the vaguest rumour of a threat. When entering transport terminals, shopping malls etc your bags will be searched and sometimes X-rayed. You will also be checked by a metal detector or body search and probably asked if you have a gun! It’s amazing how quickly you get used to this, however. Likewise there are very strict systems in place when entering or returning from the occupied West Bank. Israel is nominally a ‘Jewish state’, but 25% of the near 8 million population are not actually Jewish. Arab Christians, Arab Muslims, Druze, Bedouin etc make up the numbers. Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant absorbing country on earth. There are many nuances that make this region so fascinating, for all its conflict, controversy and tragedy. Traditions, religious and otherwise, play a huge part in daily life. Although Israel is located in the Middle East, it is a strongly western leaning society. The water is safe to drink and the cuisine is influenced by many aspects and its immigrants, so wide ranging and featuring plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Food is healthy, interesting and draws families together. We hope to include at least one special Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner and preferably with a local family. Jordan In Jordan we use the services of a long standing local operator with a strong ethical and conservation stance. This means we have the constant services of an English speaking trip leader, with all arrangements made, ahead. While minor changes may be necessary, we are following established routes and visiting places where western visitors travel to and are made welcome. No visit to this part of the world would be complete with including the sights and history of Jordan. The Jordanians themselves are very hospitable and welcoming, and tourism infrastructure here is reliable and robust. We stay in mid range hotels on a twin share basis with facilities. There is good drinking water available and the cuisine of the country is typically Arabic, wholesome and delicious. Shish kebabs, hummus, falafel, salads, grains, mezze, chicken and lamb all feature. IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS, PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS 5 glorious weeks in Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Territories, culminating with Easter in Jerusalem – the most comprehensive tour available from NZ! A "do-it-once (in a lifetime) and do-it-properly" opportunity! ITINERARY *For more details of the places mentioned below, see: www.allaboutjerusalem.com, www.jerusalem.com, www.BiblePlaces.com, www.seetheHolyLand.net, www.BibleWalks.com , www.israel-webguide.com, www.goisrael.com, www.bible-history.com, www.gemsinisrael.com, www.ilmuseums.com, www.israelinsideout.com, www.travelujah.com DAYAND PLACES VISITED DATE (on some days it may be a selection from those listed) ISRAEL Participants need to arrive in Israel by 1 p.m. on Monday, 13 March 2017 You will be met at Ben Gurion Airport and taken to your accommodation in Jerusalem. Day 1 Entry to Pilgrimage Monday Lydda (Lod) (healing of Aeneas, burial place of St George), Abu Ghosh, (possible site for 13 March Emmaus), Kiriath Jearim (home of the Ark of the Covenant for 20 years) O/n Jerusalem Day 2 Jerusalem: Mountains and Valleys Tuesday *Mount of Olives: The Evangelical Tower of the Ascension (Lutheran), Russian Church of the 14 March Ascension, Chapel of the Ascension, Church of the Paternoster, Mount of Olives Observation Point, Dominus Flevit, Russian Church of St Mary Magdalene, Church of All Nations, Garden of Gethsemane *Kidron Valley, Valley of Hinnom (ancient child sacrifice),Potters’ Field (Aceldama – death of Judas). O/n Jerusalem Day 3 Where It All Began Wednesday City of David Visitors Centre, Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel (walk through it!), Gihon 15 March Spring, Pool of Siloam (healing of blind man) *Afternoon at leisure O/n Jerusalem Day 4 The Most Controversial Piece of Real Estate On Earth Thursday Temple Mount, Wailing Wall, Western Wall Tunnel, Golden Menorah, Temple Institute 16 March (Treasures of the Temple Exhibition), Davidson Centre (ruins of Second Temple) O/n Jerusalem Day 5 Super Structures Friday Cave of the Patriarchs edifice at Hebron (tombs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), Herodion (Herod’s 17 March palace/burial place), Mar Saba monastery (largest in region) O/n Jerusalem Day 6 To You Is Born A Saviour Saturday * Rachel’s Tomb, Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity), Beit Sahur (Shepherds’ Fields) 18 March *Bethany (El Azariya), home of Mary and Martha, Lazarus O/n Jerusalem Day 7 The Past in the Present Sunday *Mount Scopus (biblical Nob – which features in the lives of David, Ahimelech and King Saul + 19 March Anzac Cemetery) *Givat Ram: Wahl Rose Park, the Supreme Court, the Knesset, the Menorah statue, Botanical Gardens, Israel Museum (Dead Sea Scrolls in the “Shrine of the Book”, model of the city in the Second Temple Period).