Bible Land Expedition
2012
 
"Israel: Land of Promise"
 
Israel 
 21 February - 2 March
 
Guided/Instructed by
John Moore, Ph.D. 
 
I   T   I   N   E   R   A   R   Y
 
Note: Itinerary is subject to adjustments based on scheduling requirements and other variables.

Day 1 (Tue, Feb 21) Travel day. 
 
Day 2 (Wed, Feb 22) Arrive Amman; overnight Movenpick Dead Sea Resort & Spa. You can end the day with a dip in the "infinity" pool overlooking the Dead Sea as the sun sets spectacularly over the Judean Highlands.
 
Day 3 (Thu, Feb 23) Jordan Valley, Gilead, Decapolis area, Galilee: border crossing to Israel; Beth Shean; Tiberias; overnight Tiberias. We'll travel through the heart of the kingdom of Gilead conquered by Moses, which later became Solomon's Gilead District. We'll enter the "Ten Cities" area visited by Jesus, and the home town of the Gaderene Demoniac, first missionary to the Roman world of the Transjordan. We'll pass near Ramath Gilead and cross the Jordan into Israel, visiting Beth Shean where Saul's body was hung from the city wall. It's also the site of Scythopolis, a remarkable example of a Roman city. We'll enter Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee through a little-known Early Bronze Age city, home to a little family of Hittite potters with interesting ties to the story of Abram centuries later.
 
Day 4 (Fri, Feb 24) Galilee, Golan: Hazor; Dan; Caesarea Philippi (Banyas); Jordan River; overnight Tiberias. Get ready for an unbelievable day. We'll pass though areas frequented by Jesus and his disciples. We'll visit Jesus' favorite northern city built by Herod Phillip. We'll glimpse Mount Hermon, probably the Mount of Transfiguration.  We'll meander up to mammoth Hazor, "chief among all the Canaanite cities," conquered and burned by Joshua. We'll visit Middle Bronze Age Laish/Dan of Abram's time, and later Dan of the Israelites. We'll see the altar built at Dan by Jereboam, and stand against the huge walls of the Iron Age city. Many great views await. We'll finish the day with one of the most spectacular views in the Land from atop the Golan Heights, where you'll see the entire shorline of the Sea of Galilee from one spot. Amazing!
 
Day 5 (Sat, Feb 25) Galilee: Jordan River; Bethsaida; Capernaum; Korazin; boat ride on the Sea of Galilee; overnight Tiberias. On this day we'll walk the streets, paths, and trails followed by Jesus and his disciples. We'll stroll through the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Phillip, and see the views witnessed by a blind man healed by Jesus near Bethsaida. We'll walk through the gates of Zer/Zed, capital of the Kingdom of Geshur overlooking Lake Kinneret, hometown of Absalom's grandparents, the King and Queen of Geshur, allies and in-laws of King David. We'll visit the three cities of the "Evangelical Triangle," cursed by Jesus and destroyed by the Romans a generation later, as predicted. In the late afternoon we'll see the famous "Jesus Boat," then catch a boat from Ginnosar to Tiberias, a Sea of Galilee experience you'll never forget. "Wow!" will be quite appropriate.
 
Day 6 (Sun, Feb 26) Jezreel Valley, Harod Valley, Coastal Plains: Jezreel (city); Megiddo; rolling stone tombs; Caesarea Maritima; overnight Jerusalem, Olive Tree Hotel. Talk about a road less traveled! On this day we'll head up the Jezreel Valley and visit Jezreel, city of Ahab and Jezebel. We'll get views of Mount Gilboa (of Saul and Jonathan), En Harod (of Gideon), Mount Tabor, Endor (of witch fame), Nazareth (of Jesus), and the fertile bread basket of ancient Israel. Solomon's guardian city, Megiddo, awaits us with many stories to tell, and amazing views. Along the way we'll stop at some of the best examples of rolling stone tombs in the Holy Land. When we get to Ceasarea on the Sea, we'll sense the remarkable abilities of King Herod as a builder extraordinaire. We'll drop by Paul's place of "imprisonment" for an unforgettable appointment with New Testament history.
 
Day 7 (Mon, Feb 27) Central Highlands, environs of Old Testament Jerusalem: Haas Promenade overlook;  the Jerusalem of Melchizedek and the Jebusites; City of David (Area G, Gihon water works and walls of OT Jerusalem); Broad Wall; Middle Gate; overnight Jerusalem. This is surely a double "Wow!" day. We'll show you views of the ancient city of Salem, later the city of the Jebusites, and then the capital city of King David. Would a glimpse of David's palace, now being excavated, get you going? How about standing on the defensive walls of Melchizedek's city, or walking through the tunnel dug by King Hezekiah? What about standing at the place where Abram met with King Melchizedek, or the very spot where Solomon was anointed king of Israel? And this will be only the beginning. You're in for quite a day! 
 
Day 8 (Tue, Feb 28) Central Highlands, environs of New Testament Jerusalem: Mount of Olives overlook; Garden of Gethsemane; Temple Mount (Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Temple precinct); SW Temple Mount Excavations; Pools of Bethesda; Via Dolorosa; Israel Museum;  overnight Jerusalem. On this day, we'll touch the Passion of the Christ. Later we'll stand on the site of the Israelite Temple, then walk down a Herodian street where giant architectural stones crashed down on the stone pavement as the Romans destroyed the Temple complex in AD 70. And the Western Wall plaza is always full of fierce and tender emotions.
 
Day 9 (Wed, Feb 29) Judean Wilderness, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea: Qumran; Ein Gedi; Masada; Jericho (if possible); overnight Jerusalem. Many Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and John the Baptist spent time in the wilderness we'll visit on this day. We'll visit Qumran, the "home" of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and view the battleground where Kedorlaomer fought against the army of Sodom and Gomorrah over one and a half millennia earlier. We'll see Ein Gedi (Hazazon Tamar) where Kedorlaomer defeated the Amorites, and see why it was also one of King David's favorite haunts centuries later. Herod the Great's mountaintop fortress, Masada, is spectacular from every angle, and the tram ride up is great fun. You'll marvel at the last "last stand" of the First Jewish Revolt. If we can (and we usually succeed), we'll scoot over to Old Testament Jericho and see some subtle-but-fantastic remnants of Joshua's conquest.
 
Day 10 (Thu, Mar 1) Border crossing into Jordan; overnight Movenpick Dead Sea Resort & Spa; departure for some. What a great time to enjoy the wonderful views eastward over the Dead Sea as the sun sets over Jerusalem and Bethlehem to the west.
 
Day 11 (Fri, Mar 2) Depart for home.
You'll remember this trip for the rest of your life!
 
Email Brandy at TSU, bforrest@tsu-edu.us, if you have questions, or are ready to sign up for this exciting BLE package.
_______________________________________

TOUR CLOSED
 
Bible Land Expedition
2012
 
"Jordan: A Biblical Journey"
 
The Hasemite Kingdom of Jordan
29 February - 11 March
 
Guided/Instructed by
Steven Collins, Ph.D. and John Moore, Ph.D.
 
I   T   I   N   E   R   A   R   Y
 
Day 1 (Wed, Feb 29) Travel day. 
 
Day 2 (Thu, Mar 1) Arrive Amman, Jordan; overnight Movenpick Dead Sea Resort & Spa. You can end the day with a dip in the "infinity" pool overlooking the Dead Sea as the sun sets spectacularly over the Judean Highlands.
 
Day 3 (Fri, Mar 2) Rift Valley; Southern Transjordan Desert; Gulf of Aqaba; overnight Movenpick Aqaba. We'll travel along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. Along the way we'll visit Bab edh-Dhra (mistakenly identified as Sodom by some) and Lot's Cave. The drive to Aqaba is nothing short of spectacular! Aqaba is the area where ancient Ezion Geber is located, passed by Moses and Joshua, and later an important sea port for King Solomon.
 
Day 4 (Sat, Mar 3) Aqaba; Wadi Rum; overnight Movenpick Petra. We'll follow the track of Moses and the Israelites from Ezion Geber northward through the desert. Some great sights await us in the Wadi Rum where we'll intersect with the story of Lawrence of Arabia. Then we'll make our way to Petra. What a great day!
 
Day 5 (Sun, Mar 4) Edom: Petra; overnight Petra. We'll visit the amazing rose-red, Nabatean city of Petra carved out of surrounding sandstone cliffs. From the 2nd century BCE through the 2nd century CE, the Nabateans controlled regional caravans from their Petra headquarters. Aaron was buried on a mountain top near Petra. This is a great day for some serious hiking, or just casually enjoying the wonders of Petra, recently voted one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It is truly awesome!
 
Day 6 (Mon, Mar 5) Shobak Castle; Kerak Castle; Wadi Kerak; overnight Movenpick Dead Sea. A great Crusader day! We'll experience two of the magnificent castles in the region. Shobak gives us a great view of what an ancient fortified city looked like. Kerak demonstrates the power and wealth of the Crusaders as they struggled to control the Holy Land. We'll be moving along the Kings' Highway on which the Israelites traveled through the Transjordan. Some great pics for sure. 
 
Day 7 (Tue, Mar 6) Transjordan Highlands: Madaba Plain; Aroer; Dibon; Machaerus; Heshbon; Mount Nebo; overnight Dead Sea. We'll pass through the lands of the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, and many of the cities conquered by Moses and the Israelites. We'll view the spectacular Arnon Gorge (Wadi Mujib) from Aroer, which became the southern border of the tribe of Reuben. We'll trace the steps of Moses to Mount Nebo where he viewed the Promised Land, and later was buried. Along the way we'll also pay a visit to the place where John the Baptizer was beheaded. 
 
 Day 8 (Wed, Mar 7) Transjordan Highlands: The Kingdom of Ammon; Amman Citadel (biblical Rabbath-Ammon); sites around Amman; overnight Dead Sea. We'll visit the Amman Museum and a wide range of historical sites in the area, from the Bronze Age and Iron Age to the Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. And there's a lot of great scenery to behold en route!
 
Day 9 (Thu, Mar 8) The Eastern Desert (biblical Arabia): The Desert Castles; overnight Dead Sea; overnight Dead Sea. These wonderful structures, some dating from the Roman Period through the Islamic Period, lined the ancient caravan routes and provided lodging, water and meals for travelers. They were important, necessary stops along ancient trade routes through the region. This day will provide extraordinary, unforgettable experiences!
 
Day 10 (Fri, Mar 9) Jordan Valley, Gilead, Decapolis: Jerash; Umm Qais (Gadara); Pella; Deir Alla; overnight Dead Sea. We'll travel through the heart of the kingdom of Gilead conquered by Moses, which later became Solomon's Gilead District. We'll enter the "Ten Cities" area visited by Jesus, and the home town of the Gaderene Demoniac, first missionary to the Roman world of the Transjordan. We'll take in an incredible view of the Yarmuk River Gorge with views of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan to the north. We'll pass near Ramath Gilead and visit Pella. We'll also visit the site where the famous "Balaam Inscription" was excavated. A one-of-a kind day (again!). 
   
Day 11 (Sat, Mar 10) Dead Sea, Jordan River, the Kikkar of the Jordan: the Cities of the Plain (Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim); Abel Shittim; Joshua's march to the Jordan crossing; site of Jesus' baptism; overnight Dead Sea. We'll walk over evil's "ground zero" at Sodom (massive Tall el-Hammam), stand on its defensive ramparts, and even touch the ashes of its destruction. We'll visit the location of the Israelite encampment on the Plains of Moab at Abel Shittim, and stand where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant rested for many months before being carried across the Jordan River. We'll see panoramas of the Land so spectacular that you won't believe you're actually there. We'll follow the footsteps of Joshua and the Israelites to their Jordan River crossing point. We'll trace the story of Elijah and Elisha. We'll visit Bethany beyond Jordan where John baptized Jesus. An unbelieveable day!
 
Day 12 (Sun, Mar 11) Depart for home.  You'll never forget this trip!
 
Email Brandy at TSU, bforrest@tsu-edu.us, if you have questions, or are ready to sign up for this exciting BLE package.

Click on an itinerary to view it:

Israel/Jordan: 31 Oct - 14 Nov 2012

Israel: 21 Feb - 2 Mar 2012
__________________

Bible Land Expedition
2012
 
"Highlights of the
Biblical World"
 
Israel & Jordan
31 October - 14 November
 
Guided/Instructed by
Steven Collins, Ph.D. and Leen Ritmeyer, Ph.D.
 
I   T   I   N   E   R   A   R   Y
 
Note: Itinerary is subject to adjustments based on scheduling requirements and other variables.

Day 1 (Wed, Oct 31) Departures.
 
Day 2 (Thu, Nov 1) Arrive Amman, Jordan; overnight Movenpick Dead Sea Resort & Spa. You can end the day with a dip in the "infinity" pool overlooking the Dead Sea as the sun sets spectacularly over the Judean Highlands.
 
Day 3 (Fri, Nov 2) Transjordan Highlands: Mount Nebo; Heshbon; Aroer; Dibon; Machaerus; overnight Movenpick Petra. We'll trace the steps of Moses to Mount Nebo where he viewed the Promised Land, and later was buried. From Nebo you'll see a dramatic panorama sweeping from the Dead Sea northward up the Jordan Valley, and the Jordan Disk, home of the infamous Cities of the Plain. We'll visit the site where John the Baptizer was beheaded. We'll pass through the lands of the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites and many of the cities conquered by Moses and the Israelites. We'll view the spectacular Arnon Gorge (Wadi Mujib) from Aroer, which became the southern border of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.
 
Day 4 (Sat, Nov 3) Edom: Petra; overnight Movenpick Dead Sea. We'll visit the amazing rose-red, Nabatean city of Petra carved out of surrounding sandstone cliffs. From the 2nd century BCE through the 2nd century CE, the Nabateans controlled regional caravans from their Petra headquarters. Aaron was buried on a mountain top near Petra. This is a great day for some serious hiking, or just casually enjoying the wonders of Petra, recently voted one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It is truly awesome. The trip through the Rift Valley, the length of the Dead Sea, is also a spectacular sight!
 
Day 5 (Sun, Nov 4) Jordan Valley, Gilead, Decapolis, Galilee: Jerash; border crossing to Israel; overnight, Kfar Blum in the Upper Galilee. We'll travel through the heart of the kingdom of Gilead conquered by Moses, which later became Solomon's Gilead District, then visit the city of Jerash of the Decapolis from the Roman era. We'll pass near Ramath Gilead and cross the Jordan into Israel. We'll enter Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee through a little-known Early Bronze Age city, home to a little family of Hittite potters with interesting ties to the story of Abram centuries later.
 
Day 6 (Mon, Nov 5) Galilee, Golan: Hazor; Dan; Caesarea Philippi (Banyas); Jordan River; overnight Upper Galilee. Get ready for an unbelievable day. We'll pass though areas frequented by Jesus and his disciples. We'll visit Jesus' favorite northern city built by Herod Phillip. We'll glimpse Mount Hermon, probably the Mount of Transfiguration. We'll visit Middle Bronze Age Laish/Dan of Abram's time, and later Dan of the Israelites. We'll see the altar built at Dan by Jereboam, and stand against the huge walls of the Iron Age city. We'll meander down to mammoth Hazor, "chief among all the Canaanite cities," conquered and burned by Joshua.  Many great views await!
 
Day 7 (Tue, Nov 6) Galilee: Jordan River; Bethsaida; Capernaum; Korazin; boat ride on the Sea of Galilee; overnight Tiberias. On this day we'll walk the streets, paths, and trails followed by Jesus and his disciples. We'll stroll through the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Phillip, and see the views witnessed by a blind man healed by Jesus near Bethsaida. We'll walk through the gates of Zer/Zed, capital of the Kingdom of Geshur overlooking Lake Kinneret, hometown of Absalom's grandparents, the King and Queen of Geshur, allies and in-laws of King David. We'll visit the three cities of the "Evangelical Triangle," cursed by Jesus and destroyed by the Romans a generation later, as predicted. In the late afternoon we'll see the famous "Jesus Boat," then catch a boat from Ginnosar to Tiberias, a Sea of Galilee experience you'll never forget. "Wow!" will be quite appropriate.
 
Day 8 (Wed, Nov 7) Jezreel Valley, Harod Valley, Coastal Plains: Jezreel (city); Megiddo; rolling stone tombs; Caesarea Maritima; overnight Jerusalem, Olive Tree Hotel. We'll visit Beth Shean where Saul's body was hung from the city wall. It's also the site of Scythopolis, a remarkable example of a Roman city. We'll head up the Jezreel Valley and visit Jezreel, city of Ahab and Jezebel. We'll get views of Mount Gilboa (of Saul and Jonathan), and visit En Harod (of Gideon). We'll glimpse Mount Tabor, Endor (of witch fame), Nazareth (of Jesus), and the fertile bread basket of ancient Israel. Solomon's guardian city, Megiddo, awaits us with many stories to tell, and amazing views. When we get to Ceasarea on the Sea, we'll sense the remarkable abilities of King Herod as a builder extraordinaire. We'll drop by Paul's place of "imprisonment" for an unforgettable appointment with New Testament history.
 
Day 9 (Thu, Nov 8) Judean Wilderness, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea: Qumran; Ein Gedi; Masada; Jericho (if possible); overnight Jerusalem. Many Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and John the Baptist spent time in the wilderness we'll visit on this day. We'll visit Qumran, the "home" of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and view the battleground where Kedorlaomer fought against the army of Sodom and Gomorrah over one and a half millennia earlier. We'll see Ein Gedi (Hazazon Tamar) where Kedorlaomer defeated the Amorites, and see why it was also one of King David's favorite haunts centuries later. Herod the Great's mountaintop fortress, Masada, is spectacular from every angle, and the tram ride up is great fun. You'll marvel at the last "last stand" of the First Jewish Revolt. If possible, we'll scoot over to Old Testament Jericho and see some subtle-but-fantastic remnants of Joshua's conquest.
 
Day 10 (Fri, Nov 9) Central Highlands, environs of Old Testament Jerusalem: Haas Promenade overlook;  the Jerusalem of Melchizedek and the Jebusites; City of David (Area G, Gihon water works and walls of OT Jerusalem); Broad Wall; Israel Museum; overnight Jerusalem. This is surely a double "Wow!" day. We'll show you views of the ancient city of Salem, later the city of the Jebusites, and then the capital city of King David. Would a glimpse of David's palace, now being excavated, get you going? How about standing on the defensive walls of Melchizedek's city, or walking through the tunnel dug by King Hezekiah? What about standing at the place where Abram met with King Melchizedek, or the very spot where Solomon was anointed king of Israel? And this will be only the beginning. You're in for quite a day! 
 
Day 11 (Sat, Nov 10) Central Highlands, environs of New Testament Jerusalem: Mount of Olives overlook; Garden of Gethsemane; Temple Mount (Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Temple precinct); SW Temple Mount Excavations; Pools of Bethesda; Via Dolorosa; overnight Jerusalem. On this day, we'll touch the Passion of the Christ. Later we'll stand on the site of the Israelite Temple, then walk down a Herodian street where giant architectural stones crashed down on the stone pavement as the Romans destroyed the Temple complex in AD 70. And the Western Wall plaza is always full of fierce and tender emotions. We'll visit the Herodian villas and the house of Annas the High Priest.
 
Day 12 (Sun, Nov 11) Jerusalem: free day in Jerusalem; or guided excursion; overnight Movenpick Dead Sea. This is your chance to experience Jerusalem on your own, if you like, or you can join up with a walking excursion around the Old City.  
 
Day 13 (Mon, Nov 12) Jordan Valley; border crossing into Jordan; Umm Qais (Gadara); Dead Sea, Kikkar of the Jordan River:; overnight Dead Sea. We'll enter the "Ten Cities" area visited by Jesus, and the home town of the Gaderene Demoniac, first missionary to the Roman world of the Transjordan. We'll take in an incredible view of the Yarmuk River Gorge with views of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan to the north. We'll see the area where Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, and where Jesus was baptized. We'll trace the story of Elijah and Elisha. Truly a great day!
 
Day 14 (Tue, Nov 13) Dead Sea; Kikkar of the Jordan River: Plains of Moab; Abel Shittim; Beth Jeshimoth; Sodom and Gomorrah; overnight Dead Sea. We'll walk over evil's "ground zero" at Sodom (massive Tall el-Hammam), stand on its defensive ramparts, and even touch the ashes of its destruction. We'll visit the location of the Israelite encampment on the Plains of Moab at Abel Shittim, and stand where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant rested for many months before being carried across the Jordan River. You will never forget this day!
 
Day 15 (Wed, Nov 14) Depart for home. You'll take the Holy Land with you. All of it.
 
Email Brandy at TSU, bforrest@tsu-edu.us, if you have questions, or are ready to sign up for this exciting BLE package.
________________________________________