Itinerary - Lutheran Germany & the Holy Land November 2-14, 2010

For further information, contact:
Pastor Nabil S. Nour
(Phil. 1:6)
c/o Redeemer Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 158
Armour, SD 57313-0158
(605) 724-2489 (ofc)
(605) 724-2722 (hm)

Itinerary - Lutheran Germany & the Holy Land Tour

November 2-14, 2010

• Day 1 Tue Nov 2: MINNEAPOLIS - GERMANY. Tour members gather at the ticket counter three hours prior to the departure to Europe. Dinner and breakfast are served in flight.
• Day 2 Wed Nov 3: BERLIN. Morning arrival at Berlin Airport where we are met by our tour escort and motor coach. Berlin is one of the greenest capital cities with more than a third of its territory comprising forests, lakes and parks. It has international flair and many places of interest and less familiar nooks and crannies as well as a flourishing cultural atmosphere. This afternoon, we visit the Reichstag (House of Parliament) on the roof terrace with glass cupola. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
• Day 3 Thu Nov 4: BERLIN - WITTENBERG. This morning, we leave Berlin and drive southward to Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Reformation and city of Frederick the Wise who was patron and protector of Luther. Luther lived here from 1508 until his death. We visit All Saints Church (Schlosskirche Allerheiligen) where Luther nailed in 95 Theses to the door and which contains the graves of Luther and Melanchthon. We then see the University where Luther taught and visit Luther’s House which is the largest and greatest museum of Reformation in the world. We also visit the Stadkirche of St. Marien where Luther used to preach. See the Luther Monument and Renaissance Town Hall. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
• Day 4 Fri Nov 5: WITTENBERG - EISLEBEN - ERFURT. This morning we drive to Eisleben which ranks amongst the most significant of all places having a connection with Luther. Although he only spent a little time here - he was born here on November 10th, 1483 and died here on February 18th, 1546 - old manuscripts indicate that he felt a special affinity towards Eisleben. We also visit the house of his birth and see the house where he died; St. Andrew’s Church where he preached his last sermon and where his body was laid out, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (Luther’s baptism church) where he was christened, and the Luther Monument. Continue to Erfurt for dinner and overnight.
• Day 5 Sat Nov 6: ERFURT - WEIMAR - EISENACH. Drive today to the historic town of Erfurt where Luther studied at the university and where our tour in Luther’s Footsteps includes a visit to the Barfusserkirche - Cathedral and Church of the Minorites II, a view of the Kramer Bridge lined on each side with timber-framed houses restored to their original condition. Then, we pay a highlight visit to the important Augustinian Monastery built in 1277 and now beautifully restored. The Monastery contains an exhibition on Martin Luther who was a monk here from 1505 until 1511. We continue to Weimar to visit to the Stadtkirche – St. Peter & Paul (Herderkirche) is included. Then to Eisenach birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
• Day 6 Sun Nov 7: EISENACH - WARTBURG - COBURG - FRANKFURT. This morning, we drive the short distance to Wartburg to visit the formidable Castle where Luther found refuge during the Imperial Ban. The castle was built in the 11th century and is where Luther translated the New Testament in the years 1521-1522 – we will see the “Luther Stube”. Then visit Bach’s house, whose birthplace we will visit to listen to some of his marvelous music played on historic instruments. Continue to Coburg to visit the art collection. Then on to Frankfurt for dinner and overnight.
• Day 7 Mon Nov 8: FRANKFURT - TEL AVIV. This morning, we fly to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our beautiful hotel in a Tel Aviv suburb where the thrilling journey of following in the footsteps of Jesus begins. Dinner is served at our hotel. Weather permitting; we suggest a walk on the beach.
• Day 8 Tue Nov 9: THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA - ANCIENT JOPPA - CAESAREA - MT. CARMEL - HAIFA - PLAIN OF ARMAGEDDON - TIBERIAS. After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast we visit ancient Joppa on the Sea where Jonah set sail and where Peter raised Dorcas from the dead. Joppa was also the home of Simon the Tanner. At Caesarea by the sea, we visit the Crusader's Castle, the Roman Amphitheater and water duct, and the port from which the Apostle Paul sailed to Rome. We then continue northward along the Mediterranean coast to Mount Carmel where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal by the Brook Kishon. After Haifa, we visit Megiddo and the Plain of Armageddon, Jezreel and Esdraelon. Visit Nazareth and Cana. Eastward, we arrive in Tiberias for dinner and overnight at our hotel and get our first glimpse of the beautiful Sea of Galilee.
• Day 9 Wed Nov 10: TIBERIAS - CAPERNAUM - CAESAREA PHILIPPI - MT. HERMON - GOLAN HEIGHTS. This day will be an exciting day in the Galilee area after a delicious breakfast. We depart from the Roman hot springs resort city of Tiberias via a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum (John 6:24) to visit the ancient ruins of the first century synagogue where Jesus preached (Matthew 4:13-17). Then on to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) and to Tabgha - the chapel dedicated to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes - (Mark 6:34-44). We then proceed to upper Galilee and the site of Peter's confession (Matthew 16:16) at Caesarea Philippi and to Mt. Hermon (Psalm 89:12), the probable site of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8) and the present day Golan Heights where Israel, Lebanon and Syria come together. We follow the fresh mountain waters of Mt. Hermon to the Sea of Galilee and to the outlet passage at the southern tip of the Sea. Then, we stop at the beautiful Pilgrims Park at the Jordan River for a baptism. Return to our hotel for overnight.
• Day 10 Thu Nov 11: TIBERIAS - NAZARETH - JERICHO - BETHLEHEM - JERUSALEM. Early morning departure to Cana and then on to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus, where we will visit the Church of the Annunciation (Luke 1:5-42) and Mary's Fountain (Luke 4:16-22). We continue past Bethshean and then south through the Jordan Valley to ancient Jericho where the walls came tumbling down (I Kings 17:1-6 and II Kings 2:19-22) and a commanding view of the Mt. of Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11) and Elisha's Fountain. Then continue to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, Manger Square, the Christmas Bell and Rachel's Tomb. Visit the Fields of Boaz and Shepherd's Fields and Caves. Shopping time in Bethlehem before driving to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
• Day 11 Fri Nov 12: DEAD SEA - QUMRAN - MASADA - BETHANY. Early morning departure to the Dead Sea, lowest point on earth. Then to Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Continue to Masada, truly a remarkable piece of history. We ascend Masada by cable car to walk among the magnificent ruins of the fortress, where, from 70 -73 A.D., the Jewish defenders made the last stand of the Judean revolt against Rome, and where the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a 6th century Byzantine Church are still on view. We continue on the Jericho Road viewing the Inn of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). On the return to Jerusalem we visit Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus (John 11:1-46). On to our Jerusalem hotel for overnight.
• Day 12 Sat Nov 13: JERUSALEM. Drive up to the Mt. of Olives for a panoramic early morning view of the city. Visits include the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster and Dominus Flevit. Walk the Hosanna Road if you like. Stop at the Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations. View the Golden Gate, visit the Pool of Siloam and Hezekiah's Tunnel. Afternoon visits include St. Peter's in Gallicantu, Mt. Zion, King David's Tomb, Room of the Last Supper and Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls. Continue to the ancient Old Walled City, highlighted by the Western (Wailing) Wall, the Temple area, Dome of the Rock, Via Dolorosa, Ecce Homo Arch, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Pilate's Judgment Hall, Chapel of the Flagellation, Pool of Bethesda, David's Tower, Damascus and Jaffa Gates. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
• Day 13 Sun, Nov 14: TEL AVIV - MINNEAPOLIS. Early this morning, we transfer to the Tel Aviv Airport for our return flight to the United States - the end of our most memorable journey.