Holy Land Tour for Deaf & Hearing Impaired

Ph: (61) 07 5530 2900

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11th November - 2nd December, 2013

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Hosted By: Sign Church www.signschurch.org.au

5th to 20th September, 20135th to 20th September, 2013

Tour price: $6785Business Class upgrade is available upon request

Greek Island packages, extensions to Europe and Dubai stopovers can be arranged through Inner Faith Travel

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Tour organised and hosted by Sign Churchwww.signschurch.org.au

MONDAY 11th November 2013MONDAY 11th November 2013

Evening departure from Australia with Emirates Airlines via Dubai to Cairo, EGYPT. (Meals in flight)

TUESDAY 12th NovemberTUESDAY 12th November

Morning arrival to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel to rest and refresh. Remainder of the day free. Overnight Cairo. (D)

WEDNESDAY 13th NovemberWEDNESDAY 13th November

Our day begins with a tour of the majestic Pyramids & Sphinx. After lunch by the Nile and a short sail on the Nile in a Felucca we visit the Egyptian Museum that houses TUTANKHAMEN’S TREASURES. Overnight Cairo. (BD)

THURSDAY 14th NovemberTHURSDAY 14th November

Tour Coptic Cairo including the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue and Muquattam Mountain’s spectacular cave church located in Cairo’s dump. Overnight Cairo. (BD).

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FRIDAY 15th NovemberFRIDAY 15th November

An exciting day awaits us as we depart Cairo, by air-conditioned coach for our crossing of the SUEZ CANAL, to MT SINAI. We travel through the arid and ancient countryside of Egypt following in the footsteps of Moses to arrive at the base of Mt Sinai for overnight. An evening meeting with our tour guide and those climbing this mystical mountain. (B-D)

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SATURDAY 16th NovemberSATURDAY 16th November

For the adventurous, an early morning expedition to the summit of Mt Sinai has been planned. We will ride our camel two thirds of the way under the starlit desert sky. Then make a vigorous climb up the final ascent of 350 steps carved by monks over the centuries.

Be prepared for unparalleled views of this mountainous region drenched in brilliant shades of purple, pink and red as the sun rises. Don’t forget your camera for some tremendous shots.

(torch is recommend also) It is believed that Moses viewed the burning bush near the base and received the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments on the summit.

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We return to our hotel for a hearty breakfast and to refresh ourselves before a visit to the St Catherine Monastery, which dates back to the 3rd Century. We then continue our “Exodus” north through the wilderness of Sinai to Eilat, ISRAEL, to overnight on the shores of the Red Sea. (B-D).

SUNDAY 17th NovemberSUNDAY 17th November

This morning we visit Timna and the recreated Wilderness Tabernacle. Afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities or a dip in the Red Sea. Overnight Eilat. (BD)

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MONDAY 18th NovemberMONDAY 18th November

Proceeding north we pass by the location of Sodom and Gomorrah. We ascend to the mighty fortress of MASADA, the site of the last heroic 3-year stand of 960 Jewish defenders against the Roman Empire. From its heights (by cable car) we enjoy tremendous views of Jordan and the Dead Sea. Arrive at your resort hotel located on the shores of the Dead Sea. Once you have settled in you are free to enjoy a ‘float’ in the medicinal waters of the Dead Sea. Overnight Dead Sea. Bookings for the mineral rich spa treatments must be made with your tour guide in advance. (BD)

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TUESDAY 19th NovemberTUESDAY 19th November

From Beer Sheba we travel northward via Ashdod and the MEDITERRANEAN SEA PORT of CAESAREA, site of Herod’s Palace, home of Cornelius and where Paul was brought to trial. Morning coffee, then view the aqueduct.

We make a brief stop in Haifa to overlook the harbour from the Gardens that sweep down the hillside in an amazing splash of colour. Our final destination is the Crusader City of Acco. Overnight Acco. (BD)

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WEDNESDAY 20th NovemberWEDNESDAY 20th November

Sleep In. In the afternoon we drive to Wadi Rum, a vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds, pastel coloured stretches of sandy desert and amazing rock formations known as jewels that rise from the desert floor. The desert landscape of Wadi Rum represents some of the most stunning countryside on the planet. Boarding 4x4s jeeps, we take a safari through the sand dunes, getting up close and personal to the surrounding scenery of Wadi Rum. Tonight, we enjoy a typical Jordanian dinner. Overnight Wadi Rum (B-D)

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THURSDAY 21st NovemberTHURSDAY 21st November

Morning tour of the Crusader Ruins of Acco. After lunch visit the Atlit detention camp. We travel to MT CARMEL and Muhraqa, where Elijah called down fire from Heaven to defeat the prophets of Baal. Enjoy magnificent views over the Valley of Jezreel and the MEGIDDO VALLEY, the large plain where the final battle of Armageddon is prophesied to take place. Overnight Galilee. (BD)

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FRIDAY 22nd NovemberFRIDAY 22nd November

Today we explore the historical region of Galilee. Remember how Jesus walked on the water? Our special traditional sailing vessel will take us across the Sea of Galilee, stopping in the middle for a time of reflection and singing. Rejoice! Jesus is alive. We disembark at Nof Ginosar, a kibbutz located on the shores of the Kinneret where we will see the remains of a boat from the time of Jesus. After a St Peter’s fish lunch we return to our hotel to relax and enjoy the facilities. Overnight Galilee. (BLD)

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SATURDAY 23rd NovemberSATURDAY 23rd November

CAPERNAUM, the city of Jesus! We visit the ruins of the synagogue where Jesus performed many miracles. You will see the excavations of ST PETER’S house and visit TABGHA & St Peter’s Primacy church, remembering the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes. Ascending the MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, we will read the Sermon on the Mount. Overnight Galilee. (BD)

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SUNDAY 24th NovemberSUNDAY 24th November

We enjoy the scenic countryside of the UPPER GALILEE travelling to the strategic GOLAN HEIGHTS to overlook the Syrian/Lebanese Border and a United Nations Post. From there we travel north climbing to the source of the Jordan River on the slopes of Mt Hermon. CAESAREA PHILIPPI is where St Peter made his confession that “Jesus is the Messiah”. Through the lush Hula Valley to Safed, centre of Jewish mysticism. Wander the rustic streets and discover the many art and craft galleries. Overnight Galilee. (BD)

MONDAY 25th NovemberMONDAY 25th November

Leaving Galilee we travel south through the Jordan Valley to Ein Harod, Gideon’s Spring, Beit Shean, where King Saul’s body was hung on the walls of the city. Visit Bethany on the Jordan where John the Baptist gave glory to the “Lamb of God”. We lunch in the Oldest City in the world, Jericho, where the ‘walls came tumbling down’ and site of Elisha’s Spring.

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Our route taking us via the Old Jericho Road (Security permitting) and Wadi Kelt where we will stop to view ST GEORGE’S MONASTERY.

We make our memorial ascent up to Jerusalem as the sun sets over the City of Gold. Visit the War Cemetery where you will find graves of the ANZAC’s. View Jerusalem from Mt Scopus. Overnight Jerusalem. (BD)

TUESDAY 26th NovemberTUESDAY 26th November

For an overview of the history of Israel we visit the Citadel of David Museum at the Jaffa Gate. Remainder of the day at Leisure. Use the Bible as your guide as you explore, spend time bargaining in the Old City bazaars, walk the ancient walls. Enjoy the wonder that is Jerusalem (BD) (Optional evening tour to the Herodian Tunnel)

WEDNESDAY 27th NovemberWEDNESDAY 27th November

(Beginning of Hanukkah – Festival of lights) An eight day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple. We awaken in the city of the Great King, Jerusalem, the geographic centre of the world. You can feel the atmosphere that sets Jerusalem apart from any other city in the world. We have a full day of touring Old Jerusalem, following in the footsteps of Jesus, including the Church of the Ascension, MT OF OLIVES and the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. Entering into the OLD CITY through ST STEPHEN’S GATE we visit the POOL OF BETHESDA, where Jesus cured an invalid and Church of St Anne.

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We continue to the Ecce Homo convent to view the Lithostrotos and the Pavement and visit the PRAETORIUM, site of the public trial and condemnation of Jesus. Winding through the picturesque Bazaar streets passing the Stations of the Cross along the VIA DOLOROSA we arrive at the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE. Visit the CARDO, the heart of Jerusalem. Holy time to pray at the WESTERN WALL, the most sacred site for the Jewish people. Ascend the TEMPLE MOUNT to the Dome of the Rock, (security permitting) the site where Abraham offered up Isaac. Overnight Jerusalem. (BD)

THURSDAY 28th NovemberTHURSDAY 28th November

This morning we visit the GARDEN TOMB and celebrate a Communion Service with the empty tomb in the background. The serenity of this place makes it a spiritual oasis within this bustling city, providing ultimate atmosphere for worship in Jerusalem. We celebrate the resurrection of our King. Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in honour of the six million Jewish lives taken during WWII. we will sojourn in the ancient city of JOPPA, home of Simon the Tanner and where Jonah, fleeing from the Lord, embarked his ship for Tarshish. Time to stroll through the narrow streets filled with art galleries and cafes. Overnight Tel Aviv. (BD)

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FRIDAY 29th NovemberFRIDAY 29th November

Early morning departure from Tel Aviv to Athens,Greece. We will climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. We will then walk to nearby Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22) where the Apostle Paul delivered his well-known sermon. Our tour continues with the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Overnight Athens. (Breakfast in flight-D)

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SATURDAY 30th NovemberSATURDAY 30th November

Boarding our tour bus our route out of Athens takes us by the Saronic Gulf via the historic Corinthian Canal (quick stop for photos) to ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was to this megalopolis where the apostle Paul came and worked, established a thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New Testament. Here, see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small archaeological museum here is an absolute must! We continue to visit to Lechaion and also see the ruins of early Christian 5th century basilica at the ancient port of Cenchreae before returning to Athens for Overnight. (BD)

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SUNDAY 1st December 2013SUNDAY 1st December 2013

Morning departure from Athens via Dubai, for flight connections to Australia. (B-Meals in flight)

MONDAY 2nd DecemberMONDAY 2nd December

Evening arrival to Australia with a new understanding of the Bible and memories to last a lifetime! (Meals in flight)

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SUMMARY OF TOURPrice includes Round trip airfare Australia to Cairo & Tel Aviv / Athens to Australia with Emirates Airlines. Airport assistance, touring expenses in all countries visited, with an English speaking tour guide in new air conditioned coaches, overnight accommodations in 3-4 star hotels, with meals (Breakfast – Dinners) where indicated. All entrance fees, Sea of Galilee boat expenses, and majority of hotel and airport baggage handling.

GREEK ISLAND PACKAGES, EXTENSIONS TO EUROPE and DUBAI STOPOVERS CAN BE ARRANGED THROUGH INNER FAITH TRAVEL

TOUR PRICE $6785

This tour is being made possible through Auslan and Inner Faith Travel. Prices are subject to change at any time at the discretion of Inner Faith Travel due to currency fluctuations, flight rescheduling or airfare increases etc at time of publication being 31/11/2012.

Price does not include Drinks with meals, visa costs, Travel Insurance, tipping/gratuities, airline departure/ticket taxes (approx $800). Single room supplement cost available on request. Additional extra trips must be booked and paid for 60 days before departure.

Inner Faith Travel20 Grandview Terrace, Tallai, QLD 4213, Australia

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Fax to (61) 07 5530 3911

(61) 07 5530 2900