PRE-EXTENSION: 7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION
- $799.
DAY 1 --
NEW YORK
/
ISTANBUL
(Tuesday,
February 24, 2009)
Tour
members are welcomed at
JFK
International
Airport
for our departing flight to
Istanbul
via widebody aircraft arriving
the next day. Meals served on board.
DAY 2 –
ISTANBUL
/
IZMIR
(Wednesday,
February 25, 2009
)
We
will arrive in
Istanbul
where we will transfer to our flight to
Izmir
where we will be met by our guide and on to our hotel to enjoy an afternoon of
leisure.
DAY 3 –
IZMIR /
PAMMUKALE
(Thursday,
February
26, 2009
)
Today
we drive to Sardis,
a Lydian capital where the largest synagogue from the Roman area was discovered.
We will explore the massive scale of the
Temple
of
Artemis
and the white marble royal road, the gymnasium and the synagogue.
Then visit to
Philadelphia
(Rev. 3:7-13) “The City of Brotherly Love” which will always be remembered
as the “church that kept the faith.” This
afternoon we stop at Pammukale, a unique, magnificent natural formation, sure to
be one of the highlights of your trip. Overnight
in Pammukale.
DAY 4 –
HIERAPOLIS
/
LAODICEA
/
MILETUS
/
IZMIR
(Friday,
February
27, 2009
)
This
morning we start with a visit to
Laodicea
another one of the Seven Churches (
Rev
3:14
-22) chastised for being
lukewarm. Continue to
Miletus
where Paul predicted his own death. Next
we visit
Izmir,
site of another of the Seven Churches where we visit the church
of
St. Polycarp,
the oldest church in ancient Smyrna.
Continue to our hotel for overnight.
DAY 5 –
IZMIR
/
EPHESUS
/ KUSADASI
(Saturday,
February
28, 2009
)
Today
we see the crown jewel of the Seven Churches –
Ephesus.
This one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world.
Visit the Odeon, the marble street where Paul held daily discussions, the
Library of Celcus, the
Temple
of
Hadrian
and the great theater where Paul causes a riot.
Also visit what’s left of the Temple
of
Diana.
Finally we’ll visit the House of the Virgin Mary where the Apostle John
cared for the mother of Jesus. Continue
back to our hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6 –
IZMIR
/
PERGAMUM
/ THYATIRA /
BURSA
(Sunday,
March
1, 2009
)
Our
first stop is
Pergamum
,
modern
Bergama
.
We visit first its majestic Acropolis and remarkable Graeco-Roman
theater, steepest in the world; then its famous Aesculapium, antiquity’s
nearest equivalent to a modern general hospital.
We continue southeast to another city singled out in a letter from John;
Thyatira; Paul’s first European convert
Lydia
,
who accepted the Lord at
Philippi
,
was a seller of purple from Thyatira. Continue
to
Bursa
where we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 –
BURSA
/
ISTANBUL
(Monday,
March
2, 2009
)
Departing
Bursa
we begin our drive to
Nicaea,
site of two ecumenical councils in the Byzantine period and later fro its tiles
during the
Ottoman Empire
.
Continue on to
Bursa,
currently the fourth largest city in
Turkey
and the first capital of the Ottoman
Empire
in the 14th Century, before the Ottomans took
Constantinople
.
Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 –
ISTANBUL
(Tuesday,
March
3, 2009
)
This
morning we begin our day with a visit to the Topkapi
Palace
with it’s dazzling displays of treasures of the Ottoman Sultans.
Then we’re off to visit St. Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine
architecture from the 6th century seen in all those skyline scenes of
Istanbul
.
From here it’s on to the 17th century Ottoman Blue Mosque,
famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles.
We end our day with a visit to the famous bazaar, which gives new meaning
to “shop ‘til you drop.” After
time for browsing we return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 9 –
ISTANBUL
/ TEL
AVIV
,
ISRAEL
(Wednesday,
March
4, 2009
)
Today
we return to the
Istanbul
airport for our flight to Tel Aviv,
Israel
where we will be met and transferred to our hotel.
HOLY LAND TOUR
BEGINS HERE -
$1,899
DAY
1 --
NEW YORK
/
ISTANBUL
-
Tuesday March 3, 2009
Tour
members are welcomed at
JFK
International
Airport
for our departing
flight to
Istanbul
via widebody
aircraft arriving the next day. Meals served on board.
DAY
2 --
ISTANBUL
/ TEL AVIV /
TIBERIAS - Wednesday, March 4th
This morning we arrive in
Istanbul
and transfer to
our flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival in Tel Aviv we are met by our guide who
will be with us for the time we are in the
Holy Land
. Board our bus and
travel to Tiberias where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY
3 -- TIBERIAS / BET SHEAN / SEA OF GALILEE / TIBERIAS - Thursday,
March 5th
This
morning we follow the Rift Valley running parallel to the Jordan, along the
route Jesus most frequently traveled to Jerusalem. We visit Bet Shean at the
foot of
Mt.
Gilboa, where King Saul
was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman and Byzantine occupations, and
view the ancient tel,
Roman
Theater
and
mosaics. In the afternoon we enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the
Sea of Galilee
to
Capernaum,
then visit Tabgha
and the Mount of Beatitudes. Our last stop today will be at the River Jordan
then transfer to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
DAY
4 -- TIBERIAS / NAZARETH / CAESAREA / JERUSALEM - Friday, March 6th
We
leave Tiberias for Jerusalem, on the way visiting Nazareth, boyhood home of
Jesus. We pass through Cana,
where Jesus
performed His first miracle, then proceed across the Plain of Jezreel to
Megiddo
to visit the
excavations of over 20 different civilizations. Visit Muhraka on
Mount Carmel.
In the afternoon
we visit
Caesarea
on the
Mediterranean,
the Roman
aqueduct and port, Crusader's Moat, and the famous
Roman
Theater
. We pass through
Tel Aviv on our way to
Jaffa
(Joppa), the city
of
Jonah
where Peter had
his housetop experience at the home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10). Proceed by
way of the
Aijalon
Valley
to Jerusalem
for check-in and
dinner at our hotel.
DAY
5 -- JERUSALEM / MASADA / JERICHO - Saturday, March 7th
We
begin our day with a stop at Bethany, home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus. Drive
to
Masada
and ascend by
cable car to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD,
Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against
Rome
. We see the
remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church.
Continuing alongside the
Dead Sea
, 1300 ft. below sea level -- the lowest spot on
earth -- we proceed to Ein Gedi. Here we will have a stop for lunch and swim in
the
Dead Sea
or walk the path to see the waterfall in the
desert. This afternoon we continue to
Qumran
and the caves
where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We travel to
Jericho
, the world's
oldest city. From the excavated tel atop the ruins of ancient
Jericho
we view the lush
green
Jordan
Valley
, Elisha's spring
and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. We will head up to
Jerusalem
and return to the
hotel for dinner.
DAY
6 -- JERUSALEM / NEW CITY / BETHLEHEM - Sunday, March 8th
This
morning we visit the New City of Jerusalem, Mount Zion, the Upper Room, the tomb
of King David and Dormition Abbey. We enter the Jewish Quarter of the Old
City
to visit the
Wohl
Archaeological
Museum, displaying the
newly restored Herodian Quarter. Remains of this area of
Jerusalem
date back to the
time of the Herodian Dynasty (37 BC to 70 AD). Proceed to the Shrine of the Book
where we see the Dead Sea Scrolls on display then view the Knesset (Israeli
parliament) building. Continue to visit Yad Vashem, a memorial of the Holocaust
and visit the
Model
City. This afternoon we
continue to
Bethlehem
to visit the
Church of the Nativity, the Manger, Crusader's Cloister and the Grotto of St.
Jerome. We then view Shepherds' Field and the Fields of Boaz. En route to
Jerusalem
we see the Tomb of Rachel before returning to the hotel for dinner.
DAY
7 -- JERUSALEM / MT. OF OLIVES / OLD CITY - Monday, March 9th
Today
we drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem, visit the
Church of Pater Noster and the Chapel of Ascension, then proceed to the Garden
of Gethsemane. Crossing the
Kidron
Valley, we pass the tombs
of Absalom, Zechariah and St. James, then visit the Church
of
St. Peter
of Gallicantu
(Caiaphas' House). We enter the Old
City
this afternoon
through the Zion Gate and see the Cardo and the remains of Nehemiah's Wall on
the way to the Western (Wailing) Wall. We visit the Dome of the Rock on the Temple
Mount, the
Church
of
St. Anne, the Pool of
Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation,
Lithostrotos and
the Arch of Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man"). We follow the Via Dolorosa
(Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and end our day in the
Garden Tomb before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY
8 -- JERUSALEM / NEW YORK - Tuesday, March 10th
We
transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to
cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early
Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.
POST
EXTENSION:
EGYPT
- $499
DAY
11 --
JERUSALEM
/ TABA / ST.
KATHERINE'S - Tuesday, March
10, 2009
Today
we pass through the
Valley
of
Elah, the site of David
and Goliath's battle, through the region of Adullom where David took refuge
from Saul, and pass
Beersheba, ancient city of
Judah
, a watering hole
and trading post for thousands of years. It is the center of desert traffic,
located on the edge of the vast
Negev
Desert.
Here we catch a
glimpse of Bedouin life. Then on to Eilat on the
Red Sea and cross into
Egypt
at Taba. Continuing through the desert, we come to St. Catherine's Monastery and
Mt.
Sinai, traditional site
of Moses' receiving the 10 Commandments. We check in to the hotel for dinner and
overnight.
DAY
12 -- ST. KATHERINE'S /
MT.
SINAI
/
CAIRO
-
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Those
who desire may climb
Mount Sinai
for the sunrise. Continue to St. Katherine's
Monastery where we visit the Chapel, then go to the traditional site of the
Burning Bush and the Chamber of the Skulls. We then head north to the
Suez Canal
and cross it to
Ismailia
and the desert
route to
Cairo
where we check into our hotel for dinner.
DAY
3 --
CAIRO
- MUSEUM &
PYRAMIDS - Thursday, March 12, 2009
This
morning we visit the
Egyptian
Museum
with its priceless
gems from the tomb of Tutankhamen and other world-famous relics. We tour Old
Cairo, including the Coptic church of "El Moallaka", dating from the
early fourth century and the Mohamed Ali Mosque. This afternoon's excursion
includes an exciting camel ride to the Pyramids and visit the Sphinx. Return to
our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY
4 --
CAIRO
/
NEW YORK
-
Friday, March 13, 2009
This
morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable
memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and
the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our
Bible reading.
"TERMS
AND CONDITIONS":
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Good
quality hotels with bath will be
used throughout tour. Price is based
on two people sharing a twin bedded room. An
extra charge of $45 per person per night will be charged when passenger does not
have a roommate or wishes a private, Single-room. (This is Not an Upgrade.)
MEALS:
Continental breakfast and dinner daily throughout the tour. Except
that no meals are provided in USA. Extra
charge for beverage or food not included in the itinerary or menu of the day.
(Beverage not included in dinners.)
SIGHTSEEING:
By modern motorcoach
including services of English-speaking guides and entrance fees to places
included in the itinerary.
NOT
INCLUDED: Airport
and airline taxes, Visa and border crossing fees, gratuities to guides, drivers
and porters and hotel personnel. (These tips, taxes and fees will be
approximately $490 and will be pre-collected.) (Note:
Egypt
is $85 and
Turkey
is $95 additional) Passport,
laundry, sightseeing or services other than those specifically mentioned, items
of a personal nature, excess baggage and airport porterage.
Hotel or food not included in USA
.
THE
TOUR PRICE:
Price is based on international tariffs and rates in effect on Date of
proposal and is subject to change without notice should there be a revision in
AIR or LAND rates prior to departure of tour. Price is based on a minimum of
passengers using double occupancy and departing from
New York
. In the event that a minimum
of passengers does not book the tour within 45 days of departure the agent
reserves the right to cancel or re-cost the tour. Late booking or changes may
result in and additional fee.
DEPOSIT
AND CANCELLATION: A
Non refundable deposit of $300 per person is required to secure reservations.
Balance must be paid in full not later than 60 days prior to departure of
tour. In event of
cancellation, refund in full will be made up to 60 days prior to departure.
(Excluding the $300 deposit.) Cancellation
59 or fewer days prior to departure will result in forfeiture of 100% of tour
price. Note: There is no exception to cancellation fee.
Date is effective when cancellation by letter, fax or e-mail is in hands
of Three Coins Travel, Inc. If Three Coins Travel cancels tour all money will be
refunded.
INSURANCE:
Travel Insurance is
available and is strongly recommended. It includes Trip Cancellation &
Interruption due to covered causes plus many other covered benefits - See
policy. (Insurance premiums are non-refundable.)
RESPONSIBILITY
AND LIABILITY: The
printed day-to-day itinerary and policy described in "Terms and
Conditions" constitutes the complete agreement between passengers and Tour
Company. The tour operator reserves the right to change the itinerary, delete or
substitute sites when tour operator feels it to be in the best interest of the
tour. While Three Coins Travel will attempt to assist passenger in obtaining
Valid Passport, Visa and Entry permits to all countries, they remain the sole
responsibility of the individual passenger. Three Coins Travel, Inc., and the
participating Tour Operators and travel agencies act only as agents of the
sightseeing contractors and others which provide the actual air transportation
and ground transportation and land and or other tour arrangements and are not
liable for civil unrest, acts of war, terrorism and/or any act, omission,
governmental warnings, delay, injury, loss or damage or non-performance
occurring in connection with these travel arrangements.
Passenger should note that none of these occurrences constitute reasons
for cancellation of tour. The tour operator reserves the right to remove any
passenger that operator feels is creating discord on the tour. This program will
be operated from
January 1, 2009
, to
December 31, 2009
.
PASSENGER
ACCEPTANCE: Payment
of deposit certifies passenger has read, understands and accepts the itinerary
and policy described under “Terms and Conditions” and agrees it is
contractual also that any dispute regarding this transaction will be handled in
King or Snohomish Counties of Washington, State.
EXCEPTIONS to
any of the above policy described under "Terms and Conditions" must be
in the hands of the tour members in writing from Three Coins Travel, Inc., dated
after
January 1, 2009
.
Seller of Travel Registration -
Washington
State
# 600 490 276 000