THE GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE to the HOLY LAND of ISRAEL
December 9-18, 2000
Led by
Our Grand Master, Sir Knight Bill Jones and his Lady Lois
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Dec. 9th, Day 1 - Depart USA on your way to Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Dec. 10th, Day2 - Arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport where your representative greets you and gives you an introduction about the forthcoming trip. Proceed to our hotel in the Galilee for the overnight stay.
Dec. 11th, Day 3 - Today we tour the Sea of Galilee, visit Capernaum and Simon Peter's House, Mount of the Beatitudes and Tabgha-the site of the feeding of the multitudes. Take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and enjoy a St. Peter's fish lunch in Tiberias. Back to our hotel for the overnight stay.
Dec. 12th, Day 4 - This morning we visit Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle. On to Nazareth to visit the magnificent Church of the Annunciation built on top of the Virgin Mary's House. Continue along the coast to Caesaria where St. Paul was imprisoned and Cornelius baptized; visit the Roman Theatre, Aqueduct and the Crusader ruins. Ascent to Jerusalem for the overnight stay.
Dec. 13th, Day 5, - Walk into the old city of Jerusalem. Experience the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and American quarters of the old city. See the Temple ruins and Temple Mount. On to our Procession of the Fourteen Stations of The Cross along the Via Dolorosa to the sacred Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Stroll through the many bazaars of the old city. Visit King Solomon's quarry located next to the Damascus Gate. On to Mt. Zion to see David's tomb, the Room of the Last Supper and the Dormition abbey. Overnight stay in Jerusalem.
Dec. 14th, Day 6 - In Jerusalem we visit the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, the Garden Tomb, the room of the Last Supper and the Church of Peter in Gallicantu, built over the palace of the high priest Caiaphas. Drive to Bethlehem to visit the ancient Church of Nativity, Manger Square, and view the beautiful Shepherds' Fields. Back to Jerusalem for the overnight stay.
Dec. 15th, Day 7 - A day of leisure. Your guide directs you to places you many visit at your own pace. Overnight stay in Jerusalem.
Dec. 16th, Day 8 - Today we drive to the lowest point on earth - the Dead Sea area. Tour Massada, site on the Jewish zealots' lst stand against the Romans. Later, drive to Ein Gedi to experience the salty water of the Dead Sea. Continue our journey to the Quman Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls wer found. Back to Jerusalem for an overnight stay.
Dec. 17th, Day 9 - Today we visit the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Later that day we drive to Jaffa, to visit St. Peter's Church and the House of Simon the Taner. Enjoy our farewell dinner and return to our hotel for the overnight stay.
