Holy Land Pilgrimage March 5 - 17, 2017 13 Days • 22 Meals

Escorted by Dr. Shelley Tidy

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem - Credit Paul Herbert

Journey with us to the Land of the Bible; walk the narrow streets of Old Jerusalem; stroll by the shores of the Sea of Galilee; discover the magic of Bethlehem and Nazareth. Can there be a better way to renew our faith and to gain insights into the meaning of the Bible than a journey that allows us to experience first hand this fascinating land?

This special journey features one night at Netanya, a popular resort on the Mediterranean, four nights near Tiberias at a resort kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee, two nights in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and four nights in the heart of the Holy City of Jerusalem. Staying at comfortable first class hotels with breakfast and dinner included daily, we will enjoy in depth explorations of familiar sites from the Bible. Enjoy detailed commentary and special reflections from our Israeli guide and Canadian tour escort. Space on this special departure is limited. Call today to reserve your places.

INCLUSIVE FEATURES

Return airfare from Canadian cities listed via Toronto to Tel Aviv on Air Canada

Accommodations in first class hotels and resorts as indicated or similar

22 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 11 breakfasts, D - 11 dinners)

Services of your tour escort from Canada, plus our guide in Israel

Transfers and baggage handling

All gratuities and taxes for included services

Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy 4 nights by the Sea of Galilee in a kibbutz resort, to experience the Jewish settlement

Visit Nazareth, the home town of Jesus and Cana, where he performed his first miracle

Explore the traditional site of the famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’, Mount of Beatitudes

Follow the Jordan River Valley from the Sea of galilee to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth

Spend two nights in Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus and home to `the Church of the Nativity, to gain insights into the modern life of the Palestinians

Final 4 nights will be in the Holy City of Jerusalem with visits to the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, Temple Mount, if possible, as well as many other sites familiar to Jesus during his life

TOUR ESCORT

Dr. Shelley Tidy is a hospital chaplain and recently retired as a Pastoral Care Associate at St. Paul’s Bloor Street.

She is currently working part-time as chaplain at Toronto

East General Hospital and remains active at St. Paul’s.

Early in life she caught the travel bug with a family motor trip through Italy and France en route to Switzerland. With

her husband Ashley she has made transatlantic crossings

on the Queen Mary II including voyages to Norway, around

the British Isles and down the east coast from Quebec to New

York. Land journeys have taken

her around the United Kingdom,

Ireland, the Holy Land, Canada and the New England States,

and Bermuda her country of

birth. At the church she has

enjoyed organizing annual day trips for parishioners to Stratford,

St. Jacobs, and down the Grand

River.

March 5, Sunday Depart Canada

Tour members from across Canada gather in Toronto for the overnight flight to Tel Aviv.

March 6, Monday Tel Aviv / Netanya

We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, located at Lod, biblical Lydda (Acts 9:32) near the twin city of Tel Aviv - Jaffa. This is Israel’s largest urban centre, established in 1909 by some 60 Jewish families. After clearing formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel in nearby Netanya. The

balance of the day is at leisure. Seasons Hotel (1 night) D

March 7, Tuesday Caesarea / Megiddo / Sea of Galilee

This morning we drive north crossing the Plains of Sharon and following the old coastal road which linked Egypt and Babylon as we journey to Galilee. Visit Caesarea, the ancient Roman seaport where Pontius Pilate had his base. Visit Megiddo, one of King Solomon's fortified walled cities. We continue on to Tiberias and our home by the Sea of Galilee for the next four nights.

Kibbutz Nof Ginosar (4 nights) BD

March 8, Wednesday Mount Hermon / Golan / Nimrod

We begin our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee then drive to Banias (ancient Caesarea Philippi-Matthew 16:13ff) at the foot of Mount Hermon. Banias is one of the three sources of the Jordan River. We drive along the Golan Heights with stark reminders of the Israeli / Syrian war of 1967 where we will also see the ruins of the Crusader castle of Nimrod with its panoramic view of Upper Galilee, Golan and Lebanon. Visit the site of Tel Dan, site of the northernmost city of ancient Israel. We return via the Hula Valley, where modern methods have changed swamps into rich farmlands. Back at our kibbutz we will have an opportunity to visit the historical Jesus Boat. BD

March 9, Thursday

Capernaum / Tabgha / Mount of Beatitudes

Early this morning we will visit Capernaum, the centre of Jesus' Galilean ministry with its ancient synagogue and Tabgha on the shores of Galilee. It is also the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and the Church of the Primacy of Peter built around an out-cropping of Galilean rock. We continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of the famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’. Drive along the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee, to the excavations of ancient Bethsaida, a fishing village known as the birthplace of Peter, Andrew and Philip. Continue to Kursi, with its Byzantine Church and to Korazim, site of an ancient Jewish settlement. BD

March 10, Friday Sepphoris / Nazareth / Mount Tabor

Our first stop today is at Sepphoris, an ancient synagogue noted for its wonderful mosaics including scenes from the life of Abraham and Sarah and a Zodiac. We pass Cana, the site of Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding feast en route to Nazareth, hometown of Jesus, where we will visit the striking Basilica of the Annunciation which is built over the traditional site of Joseph’s home, and in contrast, the unadorned Church of the Synagogue. At St. Gabriel’s Church we shall also see Mary’s Well. In the afternoon, we continue to the heights of Mount Tabor, traditional site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. BD

March 11, Saturday Beth She’an / Jericho / Bethlehem

Today we journey south following the historic Jordan Valley to the Holy City of Jerusalem. At Beth She’an we shall see the extensive excavations of Scythopolis, a well-preserved Roman-Byzantine city. At Qasr el Yahud, at the traditional baptismal site on the shores of the Jordan River, we will have an opportunity to renew our vows. This site has only recently re-opened after over 40 years. Enjoy a short walk into the Judean desert en route to Jericho, the oldest city in the world. We will view the traditional area in which Jesus endured the temptations of the wilderness before we continue via Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, to the village of Bethlehem, the birthplace of

Jesus. Manger Square Hotel (2 nights) BD

March 12, Sunday Bethlehem Region

After enjoying the wonderful hilltop view of Bethlehem we visit Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem's main source of water for almost 2,000 years. Passing the monastery of Hortus Conclusus (“the sealed garden”) in Artas, we continue to one of the traditional sites of the “Shepherds’ Fields”. Experience the contrast between shepherds and kings when we visit King Herod’s Summer Palace (Herodium). Back in Bethlehem we will walk through the old town to the Church of the Nativity and visit the manger and St Jerome’s Grotto. Then walk through the traditional Souq to the Lutheran Christmas Church and meet with Pastor Dr. Mitri Raheb, the acting pastor, acclaimed writer and director of Dar al-Kalima consortium to discuss the Living Stones. Tour the college and the cultural centre that he established in an effort to help meet the cultural and educational needs of the Palestinian community. We then visit the Palestinian Heritage Centre, with its wonderful assortment of traditional crafts, and meet with its director, Mrs. Maha Saca. BD

March 13, Monday Old Jerusalem

Today we travel into Jerusalem and drive to the top of the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the ancient city of David and the old walled city. Visit the Bethphage Church, marking the starting point of the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. See the churches of the Ascension, Pater Noster and Dominus Flevit; visit the Garden of Gethsemane with its Basilica of the Agony and the traditional Tomb of Mary; view the Kidron Valley with its tombs of Absalom, Zachariah and James. The balance of

the day is at leisure. Olive Tree Hotel (4 nights) BD

The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

Tour Cost in Canadian Dollars (per person) Land Only (Join Netanya / Leave Jerusalem) ........... $2,965 Toronto ...................................................................... $4,145 Ottawa / Montreal ...................................................... $4,225 Halifax / Winnipeg ...................................................... $4,365 St. John’s ................................................................... $4,435 Regina / Saskatoon / Victoria .................................... $4,485 Calgary / Edmonton / Vancouver .............................. $4,425 Single Supplement .................................................... $1,055

Airfares from other gateways are available on request. Airfares and air carrier are subject to change and will be confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to Inclusive Features for details.

Tour price is based on sharing a twin-bedded room at hotels, a minimum 20 members and on rates, taxes and fees effective March, 2016 and are subject to change due to factors beyond our control.

The above prices DO NOT INCLUDE the cost of comprehensive insurance which is available on an optional basis and is strongly recommended. Insurance premiums vary with the cost and length of the trip as well as the traveller’s age. For passengers up to and including 74 years on departure date premiums will range from $215 to $285pp. Cost supplements for members aged 75-85 will range from $180 to $352pp. This insurance is effective from the date of purchase and carries limitations on pre-existing medical conditions. Please check our website for the most current information. Refer to enrollment form for general information and conditions.

Final payment will be due December 5, 2016

Deposit is $500 per person

To reserve your spot on this tour, complete the enclosed enrollment form, indicating the tour you wish to join and your home city, and forward it with your deposit to:

CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD 1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6

Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143

Email: tours@craigtravel.com / www.craigtravel.com

EFF20APR16

March 14, Tuesday Jerusalem

Enjoy a comprehensive walking tour of the Old City that will include (if possible) the Temple Mount with its Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, the Wohl Archeological Museum, and the restored Jewish Quarter with its ancient buildings and shops; follow the Via Dolorosa - the way of the Cross - through the Arab market of Old Jerusalem to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of the burial place of Jesus. Proceed to Mount Zion where we shall plan to visit the traditional sites of the Tomb of David and the Room of the Last Supper. We also plan to visit the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu and the Dormition Abbey. Late this afternoon we will make a short visit to Gordon’s Calvary with its Garden Tomb with a short private service (if possible). BD

March 15, Wednesday Dead Sea / Masada / Qumran

Descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest area on earth at 1,300 feet below the sea level and follow its shores to Masada, one of Herod’s fortress castles. We ascend to the fortress by cable car to explore the site, the last hold-out of Jewish resistance to the Romans in 70AD, and to enjoy views of the Dead Sea and the Mountains of Moab in Jordan. Later we will stop on the shores of the sea with an opportunity for a swim before continuing to Ein Gedi, with its nature reserve and biblical ibex, and Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery in 1947 and the Essene Monastery. BD

March 16, Thursday New Jerusalem

This morning, we explore New Jerusalem, visiting the Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem to view the world-famous, Chagall stained glass windows in the synagogue and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial. Continue to the Israel Museum to view an impressive model which reconstructs the Old City of Jerusalem as it was in Herodian times, then on to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This afternoon has been left free for personal pursuits: there are a number of excellent museums from which to choose and spend some time poking around the Bazaars in the Old City. This evening we gather for our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. BD

March 17, Friday Jerusalem / Canada

This morning we transfer to Tel Aviv airport for our return

Air Canada flight to Toronto. B

CT RATING 3 - Moderately Challenging: This is a busy itinerary involving long travel days, extensive visits to historic sites and considerable walking, with many stairs and some rough walking surfaces. Members must be physically active and healthy, able to maintain the busy schedule to fully enjoy the journey. This is an outline of the program but members should appreciate that the itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions and special interests of the group.

Wander through Jerusalem Bazaar

Masada and the Dead Sea - Credit A. Peral