Jerusalem’s Old City: A Confluence of Faiths
Enter its sacred gates and meander its labyrinth of winding cobblestone streets densely packed in an area covering less than one square mile. In spite of its diminutive size, the walled Old City is of great symbolic importance for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Your journey with Collette includes venerable locations which have existed for thirty centuries. Walk along the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Observe the solemnity of the Western Wall, the only surviving remnant of Judaism’s most sacred shrine, the Temple Mount; and gaze in awe at one of the world’s great architectural masterpieces, the Dome of the Rock. To the Muslims it is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Israel
A Journey to the Holy Land
Departing October 21, 2008
10 Days • 14 Meals

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary as a nation as you journey with Collette Vacations on an inspirational trip to the Holy Land - where it all began. Walk through city streets that are well over 2,000 years old and visit some of the most ancient sites in the world.

Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv, Israel
Your tour begins in Tel Aviv. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a special welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3: Tel Aviv - Jaffa - Caesarea - Haifa - Acre - Tiberias
Begin the day with a stroll through the winding alleys of the artists quarter in the ancient port city of Jaffa. Continue along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins of the ancient Roman capital, Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 B.C. Visit the Roman Theatre, Aqueduct and Fortress. Your next stop is Haifa, where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the amazing Baha'i Shrine and Gardens on Mount Carmel. Travel the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation site of Tel Megiddo. Then it is on to the ancient Crusader city of Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, you will drive to your hotel in Tiberias. (B, D)

Day 4: Tiberias
This morning visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount, and Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. Proceed to Capernaum and cross the River Jordan to visit the Golan Heights. This evening enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Next, tour and have dinner at a communal settlement known as a Kibbutz, where you may have the opportunity to interact with some of its residents. (B, D)

Day 5: Tiberias - Nazareth - Jericho - Dead Sea
?Begin your day with a visit to Cana, considered to be the site of the First Miracle, where Jesus turned water into wine. ? From Cana, you will travel to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Mary's Well. Next, it is on to Beit Shean to see the ancient theatre. Continue along the Jordan River Valley to Jericho which, at over 2,000 years old, is considered to be the oldest city on earth. Afterwards, proceed to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps you will choose to enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea. Because of the density of the sea's waters, due to the salt content, you can effortlessly float in its beautiful healing waters. (B, D)

Day 6: Dead Sea - Masada - Qumran - Jerusalem
Today’s route via the shores of the Dead Sea leads to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former palatial fortress of Masada. Originally Herod's palatial fortress, Masada later served as a last bastion for Jewish freedom fighters against the Romans. ?Ascending the ancient walls of Masada by cable car, a visit to Herod's Palaces, the Roman Camp, and the Synagogue await. Later, a drive along the Dead Sea shoreline to Qumran culminates in a tour of the caves where the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This evening you arrive in one of the holiest cities in the world, Jerusalem. (B)

Day 7: Old City - Bethlehem - Jerusalem
A magnificent tour of the Holy City of Jerusalem begins with a drive to the old walled city. While walking through the four quarters that make up the Old City, you will visit the Western (Wailing) Wall, the Temple Area, the Dome of the Rock, the Pool of Bethesda, and the Church of St. Anne. Next you will walk the path of the Stations of the Cross as you traverse the Via Dolorosa, beginning at Pilate's Judgment Hall and ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. ?A stop in the biblical city of Bethlehem, spread along the Judean Hills, allows for a visit to the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus and the first church ever built. ? (B, D)

Day 8: Jerusalem
Drive to Mount of Olives for a breathtaking panoramic view of the amazing city of Jerusalem and the surrounding area. You will proceed to the Church of Ascension and the Garden of Gethsemane where you will view the Kidron Valley and the tombs of Mary, Absalom Zachariah, and James. Visit St. Peter in Galicantu and Mt. Zion where you see the room of The Last Supper and the tomb of King David. You will then view a scale model of Jerusalem and visit the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum to view the display of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Your sightseeing tour ends with a visit to the Garden Tomb. (B)

Day 9: Jerusalem
The day is at leisure to independently explore this fascinating city. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
(B, D)

Day 10: Jerusalem - Tour Ends
(B)

For more information write to: tconcepts@hamilton.net or call 402-694-5731 or 800-759-1006.

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