The Knights Hospitaller of St John Tou r Middle Eas t a nd Eu rope 13-30 SEPTEMBER 2016 LED BY DOUGLAS STURKEY & RODNEY ROBERTSON TOLL FREE 1300 554 654 MORE INFORMATION www.missiontravel.com.au/knights2016 The current day St John Ambulance reflects a tradition of service instituted by a religious order founded in the 11th century to aid andMiddle treat pilgrims to the holy city of Jerusalem. Eas Known then ast the Ordera of thend Hospital of St.Eu John and impacted rope by the conflict between Christians and Muslims for dominance over the Holy Land, they became engaged militarily in defending Christian institutions by force of arms when necessary as an adjunctive task to their principal role in caring for the sick and poor. When Jerusalem fell in 1187 the Order fled to Rhodes, then onto Malta, where they flourished for over 250 years and left their greatest legacies in feats of engineering, architecture, and art. This tour follows in their footsteps, from Jerusalem to Rhodes, Malta and then onto Rome and London. Explore how the Order shaped history and culture throughout the Mediterranean and Europe, attracting considerable support in Europe, and evolving to become one of the most active charitable institutions in the health and medical sectors in Australia and indeed the world. Active in Australia for over 130 years, St John Ambulance Australia is a self-funding, charitable organisation represented in all States and Territories dedicated to helping people in sickness, distress, suffering or danger. This tour has been established by St John Ambulance ACT to raise funds and awareness of the volunteer efforts of St John Ambulance ACT and its affiliates nationwide. This tour is led by Doug Sturkey, a member of the Order of St John. Douglas Stu rkey As a diplomat, Douglas opened the Australian High Commission in Malta. During his term on the island he became fascinated by the history of the “Knights of Malta” and their physical contribution to the country’s development. He paid the first of several visits to Rhodes on his way home in order to learn about an earlier period of the Hospitallers’ history. Subsequently, he was also able to visit Jerusalem and other centres of Order of St John activity in the Middle East, many of them more than once. In retirement as a cruise ship lecturer, he has actively promoted the the history of the Knights Hospitaller. Doug joined St John Ambulance ACT in 1992. He has been an active member of the Community Care Branch since 1998, Chair of the Branch from 2005 to 2014 and a member of the governance Board. For much of that period he was also an officer of the Priory of the Order in Australia, having been appointed by the National Board to the position of Director of Ceremonies. In that role he was responsible for arranging the ceremony of national Chapter Meetings and Church Services at St John conferences from 2000 to 2011, reflective of the traditions of the Order and its customs over many centuries. Rodney Robe rtson Rod is a graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon and has served in a variety of operational and command appointments. In 2008 Rod Robertson established his own management consultancy and in a volunteer capacity, joined the Board of St John Ambulance ACT in 2013 and he is currently the Chair of the Finance & Audit and Investment committees. Rod has been awarded an Operational Service Medal – Iraq and Australian Service Medals for Special Operations; Service in SE Asia; and Peace Monitoring in Bougainville. He is an entertaining orator and passionate about all things St John Ambulance, co-hosting the tour to ensure that your experience is memorable and worry free. A tax deductible donation of $500 per person would be greatly appreciated to assist St John Ambulance ACT to help people in sickness, distress, suffering or danger. Every dollar donated is fully passed on to assist those in need. Please refer to the Mission Travel website for details. DAYItinerary 1 / SEPTEMBER 13: DAY 6 / SEPTEMBER 18: Departure day Jerusalem – Rhodes (B, D) This evening you depart on your Emirates flight headed to Amman. Today you transfer to the airport for your flight to Rhodes. You arrive on the 14th of September at approximately 9:30am. Climb up to the hill and visit the monastery of Our Lady and the remains of the ancient Acropolis of Lalyssos, one of the three DAY 2 / SEPTEMBER 14: ancient cities of Rhodes Island. We can walk along a “Golgotha”, – ( ) a tree sheltered pathway with a series of shrines with scenes Amman Jerusalem D ) of the Holly Passion. We will continue our tour driving by the Upon your arrival into Amman you are met at the airport by our medieval walls to the summit of Mount Smith, the Acropolis of local representative who will assist you with the border transfer ancient Rhodes. into Israel. There are no activities planned for the day, depending on when you arrive you can chose to walk around and take in Following, we set off to see the highlights of the old town the sights and sounds of Jerusalem. In the evening there will be a such as the restored hospice of St. Catherine that shelters welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Eyal Hotel, Jerusalem. the Hellenic Educational Center of the Ministry of Culture in Dodecanese Islands. We will leisurely walk in the Old town, DAY 3 / SEPTEMBER 15: stroll along the street of the Knights with its medieval buildings, – – ( , ) towers, turrets and emblazoned facades. At the end of the tour Jerusalem Acre Haifa B D ) we will also visit the impressive Grand Master’s Palace & the After breakfast head for a long drive north to Acre. Here we visit medieval hospital of St. John now the archaeological museum. then Hospitaller’s castle and the old city. Continue to Haifa, the The evening at leisure to explore the town on our own. oldest port city for a panoramic view and visit Bahai Gardens. Overnight at the Hotel Mediterranean. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem at Eyal Hotel. DAY 4 / SEPTEMBER 16: DAY 7 / SEPTEMBER 19: ( , ) Rhodes (B, D) Jerusalem B D Today we will enjoy a full day touring in Haraki and Lindos. First After breakfast you start off on a busy day. You visit the Mt of Olives we will visit Haraki, the charming holiday village by the sea. We’ll for views of the city, descend via the Palm Sunday Walk and visit walk along the promenade towards the ruined Feraklos Castle, the Garden of Gethsemane. Walk the Via Dolorosa and visit the which overlooks the village. After visiting the Castle we will have Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Later you visit the Muristan, the site some free time to admire the local houses, tavernas, apartments of the original hospital of St John in Jerusalem. In the evening there lined up at the seaside road. will be a talk hosted by your tour leader at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem at Eyal Hotel. We will then drive to Lindos where we climb up to the ancient Acropolis, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. DAY 5 / SEPTEMBER 17: From the Acropolis, we will enjoy the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s bay, where the Jerusalem (B, D) apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Visit the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital. Visit the Church of the After the visit we will return to hotel or to Rhodes old town. Nativity in Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Hospital. Dinner and Dinner and overnight at Hotel Mediterranean. overnight in Jerusalem at Eyal Hotel. DAY 8 / SEPTEMBER 20: Rhodes – Malta (B, D) This morning we depart on a flight to Malta. Upon arrival in Valetta you transfer to the hotel in Sliema. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Victoria. DAY 9 / SEPTEMBER 21: DAY 12 / SEPTEMBER 24: Malta (3 Cities) (B, D) Malta – Rome (B, D) Today your morning is at leisure in Sliema. In the early afternoon After breakfast transfer to Valetta airport and fly to Rome. Enjoy enjoy a half day tour visiting three cities Vittoriosa, Senglea a guided tour encompassing the local sites such as the Trevi and Cospicua. You will visit the Inquisitor’s palace, the Maritime Fountain, Spanish steps and the Collosseum. Museum and St. Lawrence Church. The tour will finish at In the evening take part of a presentation at the. Dinner is the Vittoriosa Square to see the Great Victory Monument included. Overnight at Hotel Leonardo, Rome. commemorating the Great Siege. You will be offered an optional harbour cruise in typical harbour boat (namely “dghajsas”). DAY 13 / SEPTEMBER 25: Overnight at Hotel Victoria. Rome (B, L) DAY 10 / SEPTEMBER 22: After a lazy breakfast we head off on a guided tour of the Imperial Heritage by visiting the Roman Forum. We stop for a lunch at a ( ) ( ) Malta Veletta B local restaurant and then visit Palazzo Malta followed by a drive Today we will visit Valetta, the capital city of Malta. Embark on a to Aventine Hill and visit the Summer Palace of the Order. We walking tour including the Upper Barrakka Gardens and Auberge transfer back to the hotel for an overnight. Overnight at Hotel de Castille. Enter St. John’s Cathedral with its monuments to Leonardo. former members of the Order of St John and Caravaggio’s masterpiece of the Saint’s beheading and visit the archaeological DAY 14 / SEPTEMBER 26: museum (Auberge de Provence), The Grand Master’s Palace State Rooms, the Lascaris war rooms and casa Roaca Piccola.