“…on Holy Ground”visiting the people and places of the Holy Land November 4-13, 2009 Optional extension to Petra: November 13-16

WED, 04 NOV Depart USAA meaningful journey of learning and discov-ery begins today. Board your aircraft in Phoenix and connect with the overnight international flight to Amman, Jordan. (Meals in-flight)

THU, 05 NOV Arrive AmmanUpon arrival in Amman, meet your guide and driver and transfer to the hotel for din-ner and overnight. Golden Tulip Hotel (Meals in-flight, D)

FRI, 06 NOV Amman/Galilee Travel to the Jordan/Israel border; after clearing Customs and Immigration, you will be greeted by your Christian guide and driver. Board your private motor coach and drive through the Jordan Valley for visits to Capernaum, Peter’s House, Tabgha, the Church of the Multiplica-tion, and the Mount of Beatitudes. Transfer to your accommodations for dinner and over-night. Nof Ginosar Kibbutz (B, D)

SAT, 07 NOV Galilee/Nazareth/Galilee Start the day at your kibbutz with a visit to the Jesus boat, so named because the boat, which was dredged from the bottom of the Galilee, dates to the time of Jesus. Embark on a boat ride on the peaceful waters of the Sea of Gali-lee. Enjoy a lunch of St. Peter’s fish, and then drive to Nazareth to visit the Church of the An-nunciation, the Greek Orthodox Church and Mary’s Well. Drive to the town of Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, the changing of water into wine. End the day with a visit to the Yardinet Baptismal Site where the Jordan River flows from the Sea of Galilee. Nof Ginosar Kibbutz (B, L, D)

SUN, 08 NOV Galilee/BethlehemEarly morning departure to Bethlehem to attend Worship (in Arabic) at Christmas Evangelical Lu-theran Church, whose pastor, the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, has gained international attention for his ministry in helping to better the lives of his fellow Palestinians. After worship gather for fel-lowship with parishioners. Local residents and staff members will be invited to join the group

for lunch at Il’Iliyeh Restaurant at the Interna-tional Center of Bethlehem during which many enriching conversations can flow. Stroll into the Old City of Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square. The last visit of the day will be Shepherds’ Fields in nearby Beit Sahour (which means Place of the Magi). This is the best place to view Bethlehem, as it would have been seen by nearby shepherds during the time of the birth of Jesus. (B, L, D)

MON, 09 NOV Jerusalem/BethlehemTransfer to Jerusalem and meet with Rev. Mark Brown (LWF regional representative), visit Au-gusta Victoria Hospital located atop the Mount of Olives, and hear the story of the healing work being done there. Savor the stunning panoram-ic view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, walk down the Palm Sunday Road stopping at Church of Ascension, Pater Noster, and Geth-semane. Continue to Lutheran Church of the Redeemer for a visit, then attend an inter-faith forum with Christian, Jewish and Muslim repre-sentatives. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure for resting, reflection, independent exploration or shopping. Return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

TUE, 10 NOV Jerusalem/BethlehemTransfer to Jerusalem and start the day at the Temple Mount or Haram al Sharif, with the Al Aqsa Mosque, sacred for the Muslims, second only to Mecca; continue to the Western Wall, the holiest site in Jerusalem for Jews; and then walk the Stations of the Cross along the Via Do-lorosa ending at the Church of Holy Sepulchre. See Caiaphas’ house, where Jesus was arrested before being put on trial. End the day with communion at the Garden Tomb. Return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

WED, 11 NOV BethlehemThis morning take a tour of the International Center of Bethlehem (ICB), which is connected to Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church and a part of the ministry of the Evangelical Luther-an Church of Jordan and the Holy Land. Here you will see how the ICB empowers local Pal-

estinians by offering training in various fields for employment as well as advocating for other causes. Board your coach for a tour of Dar Al Ka-lima School, Academy and Health and Wellness Center, also a part of the ELCJHL ministry. Visit a classroom, and learn how this complex, which serves Palestinians living in the West Bank – Christians and Muslims alike - brings hope and healing to a suffering community. Visit the Dheisheh Palestinian Refugee Camp, and then return to Abu Gubran for an evening visit with Pastor Mitri Raheb. (B, D)

THU, 12 NOV Bethlehem/Dead Sea/AmmanTravel to the Dead Sea this morning where you will have time for an optional float in this unique body of water. Drive past Masada, the rocky plateau on which the Zealots held their last resistance against the Roman conquerors, and visit the archeological site at Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Cross the border into Jordan, and after clearing Immigration continue to Amman. En-joy a panoramic city tour of Amman en route to the hotel. Join the group for a Farewell Din-ner before an evening transfer to the airport. Golden Tulip (B, D)

FRI, 13 NOV Amman/USAYour flight departs just after midnight. Arrive home this same day enriched with a new un-derstanding of the ancient and contemporary world of the Holy Land. Or continue on the op-tional extension in Jordan. (B, Meals in-flight)

Code: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerItinerary subject to change.

Group Travel DirectorsMinneapolis, MN USA800-747-2255

www.gtd.org

INCLUSIVE PRICE FROM PHOENIX: $3275 per person, double occupancy

Optional extension: $715 per person, double occupancy

Round-trip economy class airfare from Phoenix via Delta Airlines •or other ARC/IATA approved scheduled carrier. Eight nights accommodation in superior tourist class hotels and •Christian guesthouses, double occupancy, with private facilities. Hotels as listed or similar.Breakfast and dinner daily with two lunches as outlined in the •itinerary.Transfers and transportation by deluxe motorcoach. •Extensive sightseeing throughout; entrance fees included. •Luggage handling of one piece per person. •Experienced English-speaking tour guides from arrival in Amman •through departure from Amman.Gratuities to drivers and guides (for your convenience, $125 per •person has been included).Airport/foreign departure taxes (currently $345 per person). •Jordan visa (fee currently $47 per person for multiple entries) is •required for U.S. citizens; GTD will assist with processing. No visa is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Israel and Palestine; non-U.S. citizens may require a visa.Comprehensive documentation including travel accessory, bag •tags, name tags, flight and land itineraries, destination literature, customs information, travel tips and more.

Inclusions

OPTIONAL EXTENSION IN JORDAN, November 13-16This four-day optional extension in Jordan is packed with highlights: Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan thought to be the location of Jesus’ baptism by John, Mount Nebo from where Moses viewed the Promised Land, the Christian village of Madaba with the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land, the Crusader Castle Shawbak, and amazing Petra, the rose-red city carved out of the mountains, which was lost to the world for 1000 years.

Code: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerItinerary subject to change.