Day 14, Fri. May 31 – Pella, Gadara, Jerash, Jabbok River, Amman, Dead Sea

An early departure from our hotel in Netanya, Israel takes us to Sheikh Hussein Bridge. After meeting our guide and completing passport formalities, we enter the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. By motor coach we travel to a scenic overlook of Pella, where the Jerusalem Church fled in 65 A.D. We then continue to Jordan’s northern border driving thru the picturesque Yarmouk River Valley as we ascend to visit the ancient ruins of Gadara, the mountain top city center of the Gadarene Demoniacs. From there we can see the Sea of Galilee where Jesus had His encounter with them. We head back south to Jerash, ancient Gerasa of Roman Times, the city center of the Gerasenes, one of the best-preserved and most complete provincial Roman cities. Gerasa was one of the cities of the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Graeco-Roman cities dating from the 1st century BC situated in Jordan, Syria and Israel. Known for its extraordinary state of preservation, the ruins indicate human occupations at this location for more than 2,500 years. The most well-known monuments include the colonnaded street with sewers, the Temple of Zeus, the theatre, the Forum, and Hadrian’s Arch. Next, we drive further south thru the area that once was settled by the ancient Ammonites and Amorites, but later became part of ancient Israel where 2½ tribes settled. We cross over the Jabbok River where Jacob wrestled with God, then past the present capital of Amman, which once was the Decapolis city of Philadelphia and Old Testament Ammonite city of Rabbah. We arrive at our luxurious hotel by the Dead Sea with an optional swim in the Sea or hotel pools.

Day 15, Sat. Jun 1 – Bethany Beyond The Jordan, Sodom, Mt Nebo, Medeba, Macaerus, Arnon River, Moses’ Spring

We begin the day with a visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where John The Baptist did some baptizing and likely spot where he baptized Jesus. It was in this vicinity that the Prophets Elijah and Elisha did some ministry, and where Joshua and the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land thru the parted Jordan River. We take a leisurely walk thru the thickets to see John the Baptist Spring and then we continue to the Jordan River. As we exit we see the hill where tradition says Elijah was taken to Heaven. We then visit Tall el-Hammam which some scholars believe is the destroyed Biblical city of Sodom. By bus we then follow the reverse path of the Israelites on their way from the wilderness to the Promised Land. We ascend to the top of Mount Nebo to visit where it is believed Moses saw the Promised Land and was buried in the adjacent valley. Our drive continues to the town of Madaba, the biblical Medeba, where we see the well preserved ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. Next we drive south onto the Biblical King’s Highway. Soon we leave the main highway for a paid picture stop of the mountain palace of Herod Antipas where tradition says he beheaded John The Baptist. Returning, we make a brief stop at ancient Biblical Tel Dhiban, then continue driving south to the ancient border of Moab for a picture stop at the Arnon River Canyon. We then head east and enter the Desert Highway traveling south thru ancient Edom. We stop to see Moses’ Spring and then arrive at out Petra hotel.

Day 16, Sun. Jun 2 – Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Eilat

This morning we make a complete visit of Petra where we walk or take optional carriages thru the “Siq”, an immense colorful sandstone canyon, to the city of ancient Petra. Over 2000 years ago the Nabateans carved this city out of the rose red rock. The Treasury or El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant remains of antiquity. The canyon walls on both sides have hundreds of carved and built structures, and further in we see the conquering Romans also added structures to the city. We also offer an optional walk up the 852 steps to the Monastery. As we leave Petra in the afternoon, we make a picturesque stop to see Petra from a distance and Mount Hor where tradition says Aaron, Moses’ brother was buried. Our next stop is at Wadi Rum for a tour to see the breath taking beauty in the park. Our time in Jordan soon ends as we head south into ancient Midian, where the fugitive Moses settled for forty years. We arrive near the Red Sea or Gulf of Aqaba at the outskirts of Aqaba, Biblical Ezion Geber, where King Solomon based his fleet of ships. We arrive at the Arava Border to cross into Israel and drive to Eilat on the Red Sea shore, which is Biblical Elath, for a one night stay at our hotel.

Day 17, Mon. Jun 3 – Eilat, Red Sea, Tabernacle, Ariel

Today we visit the National Park Fish Observatory to see aquatic fish in their natural habitat among coral reefs. Next, we drive north to visit a life-size Biblical Tabernacle model and see colorful rock formations in the area of closed copper mines from the times of King Solomon and the ancient Egyptians. Depending on availability, we travel together either by bus or by air to reach our hotel to begin the Samaria/Hebron Extension.

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Price Per Person (based on double occupancy): (Rates based on minimum of 10 passengers)
Land Only	$1,195.00
Single Supplement	$279.00
Eilat to Ariel transportation (approximate)	$0.00-$150.00
(Depending on the size of the group and availability, travel by bus or by air from Eilat to Ariel will be decided by invoice time)
Limited Space – Reserve Early!
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For additional information, contact John Hodges by e-mail at: hodges777@gmail.com or by telephone:    708- 331- 4440

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Price Includes:   First class lodging, full time tour escort, admissions, breakfast & dinner daily, Visa and border taxes, guides, gratuities, and transportation as appear on itinerary with services of deluxe motor coach.

Not Included:   Lunches, optional travel insurance.