www.missiontravel.com.au/stjohns2015

mission travel group

mission travel group

To the Holy Land, Turkey and Greece, with New Testament scholar and vicar of St John’s Toorak, the Venerable Dr Bradly Billings. The 2015 New Testament Discovery Tour is an initiative of St John’s Anglican Church Toorak and is open to all interested persons, together with their family and friends. The tour will follow the footsteps of Jesus across the Holy Land, beginning in the north around the Sea of Galilee, and progressing south to the holy city of Jerusalem. Along the way we will visit many of the sites associated with the life and ministry of Jesus. We will then transit by air to the bustling, and fascinating, city of Istanbul in Turkey, to follow in the footsteps of the apostle St Paul, visiting some of the places where his evangelistic journeys and preaching resulted in flourishing Christian communities around the ancient world. Along the way we will visit Anzac Cove (Gallipoli), a site sacred to Australians for other reasons. From ancient Ephesus we will embark on a two night cruise through the Greek islands, visiting Patmos, where St John is said to have written the Book of Revelation, and calling into Santorini and Crete also. The tour concludes with a visit to Corinth, and then Athens, in Greece. In addition to local, English speaking guides, there will also be opportunity for additional instruction on sites of relevance to the New Testament by the tour leader, Dr Bradly Billings, together with devotional services, including the Eucharist, at places of particular spiritual import.

Dr Billings is a New Testament scholar and Anglican priest. He is Archdeacon of Stonnington & Glen Eira, vicar of St John’s Toorak, and a faculty member teaching in New Testament at Trinity College Theological School, the University of Melbourne. He has degrees in Theology and Ministry, a Master of Arts in Classics & Archaeology (on ancient Ephesus)

TOLL FREE 1300 554 654 www.missiontravel.com.au

from the University of Melbourne, and a Doctorate in Theology (on the Last Supper narrative). He has published several articles in academic journals and has a particular interest and expertise in the experience of early Christianity in the Roman world.

Led by the Venerable Dr Bradly Billings

Friday 6 March Depart Australia Depart Melbourne on your Emirates flight to Dubai departing at 9.25pm arriving in to Dubai at 5.30am on Saturday 7 March.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Saturday 7 March Dubai – Amman – Sea of Galilee After our arrival into Dubai at 5.30am we take a connecting flight to Ammandeparting at 7.30am arriving Amman at 9.30am. Proceed through immigrationand be met by our tour company who will escort you to the Israel bordercrossing. Once across the border we will travel North to the Sea of Galilee. Checkinto your hotel which is a kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, for a welldeserved rest!HOTEL: Nof GinosarMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Sunday 8 March Sea of Galilee – Tabgha - Capernaum Today we will see the ancient boat from the time of Jesus and enjoy a sail on awooden boat on the Sea of Galilee. We travel on to Tabgha, the site of themiracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. From there we visit the hillsabove the Sea where we find the Mount of Beatitudes. It was here that Jesusgave us the beautiful words from Matthew’s gospel. We will finish our day atCapernaum, the area where Jesus spent most of his ministry.HOTEL: Nof GinosarMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Monday 9 March Nazareth - Cana Today we visit the town of Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle turningwater into wine. Continue on to Nazareth the town where Jesus grew up. We’llsee the beautiful mosaics at the Church of the Annunciation and spend sometime at Nazareth Village, a 1st century working farm that gives us a glimpse ofwhat Nazareth was like in Jesus’ time. We’ll end our day with a Baptism serviceat the Jordan River before we return to our hotel in Tiberias for overnight.HOTEL: Nof GinosarMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Tuesday 10 March Jordan Valley – Jericho – Bethany - Jerusalem After breakfast travel through the beautiful Jordan Valley to Jericho a flourishing oasis in the Judean Desert at the northern end of the Dead Sea. Archaeological research has confirmed Jericho as being the oldest

city in the world. Jericho was the first city conquered by Joshua in the Promised Land and it appears as the background for many incidents in the New Testament. Continue on to the town of Bethany, the home town of Mary. Martha and Lazarus, as well as Simon the leper. Drive into Jerusalem for check in to our hotel and dinner.HOTEL: Olive Tree Hotel, JerusalemMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Wednesday 11 March Bethlehem - Jerusalem Today’s tour begins with a visit to the Shepherd’s Field on the outskirts of Bethlehem where the angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. Visit the Church of the Nativity and enjoy lunch in Bethlehem. From there we’ll go to the Mount of Olives where well see a breathtaking panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem. We’ll walk a part of the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus went with the disciples on the final night before his crucifixion. There we’ll visit the Church of All Nations and the garden with its ancient olive trees. Next we’ll go to Mount Zion where we’ll see the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb. From there we’ll go to the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night. Finally we’ll return to our hotel for overnight.HOTEL: Olive Tree Hotel- JerusalemMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Thursday 12 March Dead Sea – Masada - Qumran - Jerusalem After breakfast we will drive through the desert and along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada a massive rocky outcrop in the Judean Desert close to the shore of the Dead Sea and the site of the most dramatic act in Jewish history when Jewish rebels elected mass suicide rather than submit to Roman capture in 73 A.C. After visit there will be time for a Swim in the Dead Sea the lowest spot on the surface of the globe. Here you can experience floating and swimming in these waters which have amazing healing powers. Continue to Qumran remains of a settlement on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea and the site of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by desert Bedouins. Return to Jerusalem.HOTEL: Olive Tree Hotel- JerusalemMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Friday 13 March Jerusalem Our day will begin with a visit to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the place most precious for Jews around the world. We’ll continue from there to the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the crippled man. Church of St. Anne before we begin our walk down the Via Dolorosa, following the path Jesus

took to the cross. We’ll visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and walk through the fascinating Arab market. We’ll tour through the Jewish Quarter where we’ll see the Roman Cardo and other sites of interest. At the end of our visit we’ll return to our hotel for Shabbat.HOTEL: Olive Tree Hotel- JerusalemMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Saturday 14 March Jerusalem - Free Day Today is an opportunity for you to explore this amazing city at your own pace.You could visit the New Jerusalem and the Israel Museum or return to the Old Cityfor some shopping and see the other Quarters of the Old City.Enjoy our last dinner in Israel tonight as we prepare to fly to Turkey tomorrow.HOTEL: Olive Tree Hotel - JerusalemMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Sunday 15 March Jerusalem - Tel Aviv - Istanbul Travel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv’s Ben Ghurion International Airport for a flight toIstanbul. Suggested flight TK795 departs Tel Aviv at 12.30pm arrives Istanbul at 2.50pm.Upon arrival you will be met and transferred from the airport to your Istanbul hotel for a 3 night stay.HOTEL: Amiral Hotel, IstanbulMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Monday 16 March Istanbul Today we will enjoy all that Istanbul has to offer! Visit Topkapi Palace, theHippodrome, Blue Mosque, underground cistern and of course, the amazing Grand Bazaar.HOTEL: Amiral Hotel, IstanbulMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Tuesday 17 March Istanbul – Free Day A visit to St Sophia this morning then the rest of the day at leisure in Istanbul -perhaps a cruise on the Bosphorus River or a visit to the Spice Market?HOTEL: Amiral Hotel, IstanbulMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Wednesday 18 March December Gallipoli - Dardanelles - Canakkale An early morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone PineCemetery and Chunuk Bair. Cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale for dinner andovernight.HOTEL: Akol Hotel, CanakkaleMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Thursday 19 March Troy – Pergamum - Kusadasi Today we visit Troy with its famous wooden horse. Then continue to Pergamum,

SCHEDULE COST

mission travel group

mission travel group TOLL FREE 1300 554 654

Holy Land Tour St Johns Toorak 6 - 26 March 2015

www.missiontravel.com.au

mission travel group

mission travel group TOLL FREE 1300 554 654 www.missiontravel.com.au

one of the Seven Churches addressed in Revelation.Visit the ancient MedicalCentre in Asclepion and continue to Kusadasi for overnight.HOTEL: Grand Onder Hotel, KusadasiMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Friday 20 March Ephesus A full day to enjoy the amazing Ephesus – the centre of travel and commerce inthe ancient world. See the Temple of Artemis, the library of Celcus, terracehouses, the spectacular agora and theatre. Return to Kusadasi for dinner andovernight.HOTEL: Grand Onder Hotel, KusadasiMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Saturday 21 March Cruise to Patmos Board our cruise ship and sail to Patmos. Upon arrival at Patmos we will visit theMonastery of St John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse where John wrote thebook of Revelation. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight as we cruise toCrete.HOTEL: CruiseMEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Sunday 22 March Cruise Crete - Santorini We enjoy the morning in Heraklion, Crete with an opportunity (optional tour) tovisit the ancient city of Knossos and other significant sites relating to the Minoancivilization dating back to 5th century AD.Re embark and sail to Santorini where the ship will dock overnight giving you theopportunity to go and enjoy an evening on the island. Overnight on board.HOTEL: CruiseMEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Monday 23 March Athens - Corinth Arrive in to Athens’ Piraeus port mid morning. We start our tour to Corinth, stopping at Corinthian Canal for photos and a refreshment break. We will tour the ancient site of Corinth where Paul lived for about two years establishing a strong church. Later he sent his first and second letters to Corinthians. Continue on to Cenchreae, to visit the ancient seaport from where the apostle Paul set sail for Ephesus. Our last stop is in Epidaurus, to see the sanctuary of Asclepios and the famous ancient theatre and the sanctuary of Asclepeios, the god of healing. Return to Athens to check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.HOTEL: Parthenon Hotel, AthensMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Tuesday 24 March Athens A full day in Athens starting with a climb up to the marble capped Acropolis Hillto see the famous Parthenon Temple, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike.Then continue with a visit to Mars Hill (Areopagus) where Apostle Paul preachedto the Athenians.Enjoy a panoramic bus tour to see the highlights of Athens: pass by the Tomb ofthe Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Constitution Square, the Academy, theNational Library, Panathenian Stadium, Hadrian’s Arch and the National Garden.HOTEL: Parthenon Hotel, AthensMEALS: Breakfast & Dinner–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Wednesday 25 March Athens - Dubai The morning is at your leisure. The coach will transfer the group to the airport forthe Emirates flight scheduled to depart at 3.30pm. The Emirates flight arrives intoDubai at 10.05pm.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Thursday 26 March Dubai - Melbourne Our flight home departs from Dubai at 3am arriving into Melbourne at 2.05am onFriday 27 March. There is a short stopover in Kuala Lumpur enroute.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Friday 27 March Arrival nto Melbourne The Emirates flight lands at 2.05am on Friday 27 March.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

TWIN SHARE PRICE AUD $7,699.00

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT AUD $1,760.00

TOUR ONLY (NO AIRFARE) $5459.00

TOUR PRICE PER ADULT based on a minimum of 20 passengers

Cost includes:

• Return economy class airfare from Australia to Amman and Athens to Australia flying Emirates

• International airfare from Tel Aviv to Istanbul

• Accommodation in 4 star hotels twin share 8 nights in Israel 6 nights in Turkey 2 nights in Greece

• 3 day/2 night Greek Island Cruise including full board

• Meet and assistance upon arrival and departure

• Transfers and touring in air conditioned coach

• English speaking driver and guides

• Sightseeing and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary

• Tips to guides and drivers• Porterage from coach to hotel

lobby and vice versa

Cost excludes:

• Travel insurance• Lunch, drinks• Personal expenses – laundry,

internet• Additional gratuities to waiters,

porters etc.• Any costs relating to extensions

after the tour

SCHEDULECOST

FOR BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES CONTACT MISSION TRAVEL GROUPMission Travel Group 3/400 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills, VIC. 3127 P: 03 9836 7199 or 1300 554 654E: info@missiontravel.com.au

Holy Land Tour St Johns Toorak 6 - 26 March 2015