Biblical Odyssey Tour & Cruise

Israel, Palestine, Turkey & Greece

Duration
21
Departure
25 May 2024
Price from
16,725

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Sorry you missed it! We have a recording of the evening. please email [email protected] to request a copy.
City Location Date Time Booking Link
Selah Office, Surrey Hills Victoria or Zoom August 29, 2023 7:30 pm RSVP

OVERVIEW

Possibly the most epic and exciting tour that Selah has ever done! Odyssey means a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience.

An opportunity to visit the Holy Lands of Israel & Palestine before embarking on a luxury cruise from Israel to Biblical sites in Greece and Turkey. This Selah experience ticks so many boxes!

Escorted by Mike & Sarah Raiter who love Jesus and the Word, and will facilitate intellectual & creative experiences as you travel the lands of the Bible.

The joy of cruising – not having to check in and check out of hotels will make this trip relaxing and fun. We have included important shore excursions to Biblical sites & allowed you free time in the other ports to relax and do as you please.

The Oceania Vista is a small luxury ship built in 2023 that holds a maximum of 1200 people with 800 staff. In Israel we will stay in well located comfortable 5 star hotels.

This is truly the trip of a lifetime! We only have a limited number of cabins/places so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Mike Raiter is the Director of the Centre for Biblical Preaching. He’s based in Melbourne but travels across Australia and around the world preaching and training people to preach. He worked for 11 years as a missionary in Pakistan. He’s spent much of his life teaching in theological colleges in Australia and Asia. He’s the author of over 40 books and articles including the 2004 Australian Christian Book of the Year, Stirrings of the Soul. When he’s not speaking somewhere, Mike loves going for city walks with Sarah, wrapping his mind around cryptic crosswords, and devouring crime novels.

Sarah Raiter is a nester and a traveller from way back. Born of American parents, raised in Pakistan and married to an Aussie Pom, she’s a cultural hot pot: a lover of home and of airports; of tasting plates and mountains; of oil painting, word painting and coffee; of ambient lights and lots of shoes at the door. It’s 40 years since she married a preacher in shining armour and, with a degree in Home Science/Fine Art took up high school teaching. It couldn’t be soon enough that this was happily replaced with mothering four kids, mentoring and creating. You’ll now find her empty nesting at St James Old Cathedral where Mike and she live and worship. See some of Sarah’s artwork and reflections at https://containingcolor.wordpress.com

ITINERARY

We will arrange one transfer from the airport to Jerusalem that meets EK933 arriving at 10.25am.

Shabbat means a potentially later than normal check in time but we will do our best to get you checked in asap.
If you prefer to arrive one day early then this can be arranged.

Welcome meeting at 6pm followed by dinner.

Overnight : Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

D
After breakfast, we travel out of Jerusalem to Bethlehem. You will need your passport to enter Palestinian Territory. Here we will visit the Church of the Nativity, and if permitted the cave of Jerome where St Jerome lovingly translated the Bible into Latin. We will shop for olivewood souvenirs before travelling to Jericho (security permitting), the oldest inhabited city on the earth. Spend time at the ancient ruins and Mount of Temptation reached by cable car.
On our return to Jerusalem we will visit Bethany Beyond Jordan, the traditional site of the River Jordan where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. Continue for sunset & drinks at Wadi Qelt, the Judean wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days & 40 nights.
Return to Jerusalem for dinner.

Overnight : Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
Today is a great day! We start at the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. We then walk down Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. Continue to the Via Dolorosa, Passing the Stations of the Cross, we visit St Anne church and the pools of Bethesda. Come to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, site where Jesus was crucified and buried, and rose again. Free time in the Old City to wander. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight : Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we make an early start to visit the Dome of the Rock located at the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem (security permitting). We then visit the Western Wall and have some time of prayer & reflection before continuing to the Southern Steps of the Second Temple and Davidson Centre. The afternoon is free - you might want to visit one of the museums (by tram or taxi) or walk the Ramparts Walk on top of the City Walls, or visit the Tower of David or the City of David.
An easy 10 minute walk will get you back to the hotel in time for dinner.

Overnight : Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
  • christian pilgrimage
Today we take a day trip from Jerusalem and travel south through the desert to Masada National Park,­ Herod’s magnificent fortress, with its palaces, bathhouses and ramparts was also the last stand of the Jews against the Romans. Pop on your swimmers for a float in the Dead Sea then take a refreshing dip in the waterfall at Ein Gedi Spring which also has biblical significance (1 Samuel 24:1-2).
Return to Jerusalem for dinner.

Overnight : Herbert Samuel Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
  • Cistern at Masada
Today we farewell the holy city of Jerusalem and drive to Nazareth – most of the monuments in Nazareth, the town where Jesus grew up, are devoted to Mary and this is where the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) took place. Appreciate the artwork at the church of the Annunciation and continue to the Sea of Galilee. We will enjoy a boat ride on the lake and visit Jesus' home base at Capernaum and finish the day at Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and see a recently discovered first century synagogue that Jesus most definitely would have preached at! A short visit to Duc in Altum where the Raiters will lead a devotion.
Check in to our spectacular hotel right on the shores of the lake for a 2 night stay.

Hotel: Galei Kinnaret, Sea of Galilee

Included Meals:

B
D
A wonderful day around the Galilee!
We travel to the hillside of the Mount of Beatitudes where it is believed that Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. It is now a beautiful garden setting with spectacular views of the lake. We then enjoy a traditional St Peter's Fish lunch before visiting Tabgha, the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 as told in the gospels. Our day ends at the boat museum to see a first century wooden fishing boat that was dug out of the Galilean mud in the 1980's. Remainder of the day is free.
Return to the hotel for rest and dinner.

Hotel: Galei Kinnaret Hotel, Sea of Galilee

Included Meals:

B
L
D
Check out of Sea of Galilee hotel and travel to Beat Shean for guided visit.
Continue to Haifa and board the ship at 1pm. Afternoon free onboard.

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
D
The group will be collected from the ship in Haifa for a day trip to Megiddo, Sepphoris & Caesarea Maritima. Return to the ship in Haifa and sail overnight to Ashdod departing at 10pm.

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
We dock in Ashdod at around 6am. After breakfast, the group will be collected from the ship for a visit to the ANZAC Memorial Centre at Beersheba where the Australian ANZACs from the 12th and the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade charged the city in October 1917. Visit the Commonwealth Graves Cemetery and the ANZAC Museum.
Continue to Tel Lachish, Israel’s newest National Park but with relics dating back to 1 Chronicles!
Our last stop will be Beit Guvrin, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site that has a rich history from the First Temple era. There are also 800 impressive caves, including the Bell Cave, to explore.

Return to the ship in Ashdod for dinner and set sail for Cyprus at 9pm.

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
We dock in Cyprus at 10am.
At 11:00am our group will be collected by our local English-speaking licensed Bible focused tour-guide from the port of Paphos.
According to the Acts of the Apostles, after landing at Salamis and proclaiming the Word of God in their synagogues, the prophets and teachers, Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus, travelled along the entire southern coast of the island of Cyprus until they reached Paphos (46-48 AD). At Nea Paphos (the ancient site), we will see a column near the Basilica of Aghia Kyriaki (Chryssopolitissa), known as the Apostle Paul’s Pillar (Acts 13:6-13). In the House of Dionysos we see the superb Roman mosaics, the Agora, the Asclepeion, the Odeon, and more. After a free time for lunch own expense) at the old harbour of Kato Paphos, we visit the Tombs of the Kings. Return back to the port at 4:30 p.m.

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
We arrive in Alanya around 8am. The city of Alanya sits on a lovely gulf, backed by the pine-forested Taurus Mountains on Turkey's beautiful Mediterranean coast. Alanya is truly a tale of two cities with its irresistible combination of beaches and history. The ship will dock at the Alanya Cruise Port from 8am until 6pm.

Today you can enjoy the view from Alanya Castle, the ancient city of Side, see the Damlatas Cave, visit the Roman theatre in Aspendos, trek to Sapadere Canyon or visit the Alanya Archaeological Museum.

The cruise ship will offer a range of excursions for you to partake in (not included in tour price).

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
Turkey's most notable beach resort, Marmaris has a chic feel to it. An elegant, palm-lined promenade weaves its way around the shoreline, while the marina plays host to a flotilla of gleaming white yachts. The city boasts immense ancient ruins amid the colourful beauty of the Turkish Riviera’s glowing scenery. The ship will dock at the cruise terminal from 8am until 7pm.

Some things you could do today include visit Marmaris Castle and Museum, stroll along the Marmaris Marina, explore the city’s Old Town and visit the ancient city of Kaunos.

The cruise ship will offer a range of excursions for you to partake in (not included in tour price).

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
The ship is scheduled to arrive in Patmos around 8am. On arrival we will enjoy a 2 ½ hour excursion to St John’s Patmos.
There are two UNESCO World Heritage sites celebrating the life of the Apostle John.
See the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John wrote The Book of Revelation.
Visit the Monastery of Saint John, home to a thriving theological school.
Admire the chapel holding the relics of the revered saint and view frescoes depicting his life and miracles. Discover rare icons, chalices and 33 leaves of Saint Mark’s Gospel in the monastery’s museum.
The ship sets sail at 9pm.

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
Docking at Kusadasi at 7am we will be collected as a private group at 8am to travel to ancient Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, under the tutelage of an expert guide.
Enjoy a guided look at some of the sites’ most breathtaking ruins. See relics of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Delight in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy free time in Kusadasi to shop or attend a carpet-making demonstration.
We sail from Kusadasi at 6pm sharp.

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
Docking at Volos at 9am.
Travel inland to visit two of six remaining Monasteries of Meteora, astonishing UNESCO World Heritages sites on a full day tour.
Wonder at the precarious placement of the monasteries atop steep sandstone cliffs, and admire the marvelous Agios Stephanos Monastery, resilient survivor of several battles.
Appreciate the splendid Byzantine icons, artifacts and frescoes on display at the Varlaam Monastery.
Relish a traditional Greek lunch at a nearby restaurant.

We set sail from Volos at 7pm bound for Northern Greece.

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
Our ship docks in Thessaloniki at 7am.
We will disembark as a private group at 8:00am from the Cruise Terminal of the port of Thessaloniki. Meet with our local English-speaking licensed Biblical focused tour guide and depart by private air conditioned motor-coach to visit Philippi travelling along the Egnatian Way (Via Egnatia) which Paul did on foot.
On our way to Philippi we stop to see the Lion statue of Amphipolis (brief stop for photos). Afterwards we continue to Philippi, (Acts 16:12-40; 20:6) the site where the apostle Paul preached his evangelistic sermon to women who had gathered at the river. You will visit the river where Paul baptised Lydia, a purple fabric merchant, who became the first Christian woman to be baptised on European soil (Acts 16:14, 15, 40).
You will see the crypt, dating from the Roman period, which according to church tradition may have been the place where Paul was flogged and imprisoned. Also at Philippi you will see, the ancient Roman forum built during the time of Augustus and mentioned in the Book of Acts as the place where Paul was publicly punished after he healed the demon-possessed girl (Acts 16:19). You will see the Basilicas and the Greek Theatre (4th century BC), which was converted into an arena by the Romans and used during the persecutions of the early days of the church. Paul’s letter to the Philippians was addressed to the local Christians 14 years after his first visit there.
Of all the churches Paul founded, probably none was as near and dear to him as the church at Philippi (Acts 16:9-33). Philippi was named after Philip II, king of Macedonia father of Alexander the Great. The Roman road Via Egnatia crossed this city and ran from Rome to Byzantium. Return to the port of Thessaloniki to re-embark on our cruise-ship and sail for Mykonos at 6:00 p.m.


Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
D
We arrive in Mykonos at 9am. The cruise ship will offer a range of excursions for you to partake in (not included in tour price) or you can simply enjoy wandering through the narrow, winding streets of this delightful seaside village with its whitewashed houses, flowers and brightly painted shutters and doors. Stand beneath the windmills on the hill. Visit the archaeological museum and an old bakery still using a 15th century wood-burning stove.
Tonight we set sail after dinner at 10pm.

Hotel: Onboard Oceania Vista

Included Meals:

B
L
D
Our final stop is Athens, the Greek capital. Our cruise-ship will dock at the port of Piraeus. Disembarkation after breakfast. At 08:00am. Meet with our local English-speaking Bible oriented tour-guide outside the Cruise Terminal and proceed right away for our morning excursion out of Athens. This takes us by the Saronic Gulf, where in 480 BC history was changed! The small Grecian fleet managed to defeat the enormously powerful armada of the Persians. From here, via the historic Corinthian Canal, we arrive at ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It is the city where Paul stayed for one and a half years during his first visit, the longest he stayed in any of the cities he visited except Ephesus. Paul wrote at least four letters addressed to the church of Corinth two of which are found in the New Testament.
From Corinth he wrote three and possibly four epistles addressed to the first Christians in Rome, Thessalonica and Galatia. You will visit the ancient Agora (forum), the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema where Paul stood in front of Gallio (Acts 18:12-17), the Roman pro-consul of Achaea. You will see the inscription of Erastus, the treasurer of the city, mentioned in the epistle to Romans (Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20). The small local archaeological museum here is an absolute must!
In Romans 16:23 Paul mentions his friend Erastus and we will see an inscription to him at the site. Then we see the ruins of early Christian 5th century basilica in Cenchrea before returning to the hotel in Athens for check-in.
At 6:30 p.m. depart by private bus for our farewell Greek traditional buffet dinner with music, folk dances and songs.
Around 10:30 p.m. return back to the hotel for overnight rest.

Hotel: Divani Palace Hotel

Included Meals:

B
D
Buffet breakfast at hotel, then check-out. At 7:45am meet our guide in the hotel lobby and we start our morning Athens city tour.
We climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis, the sacred rock of Athens, the citadel and the sanctuary of the city in antiquity.
We visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Then, we go to nearby Mars' Hill (Areopagus) to read Acts 17:22 where Paul gave his famous speech to the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:18-34) and spoke about the inscription: “to an unknown god”.
Then transfer to Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” for departure flight home.

Included Meals:

B

Highlights

  • The best of Biblical Israel over 7 days including Bethlehem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Masada and more
  • Beersheba ANZAC Memorial
  • Luxury cruise on the 2023 built Oceania Vista
  • Specialist shore excursions covering biblical sites including Patmos where John wrote Revelation, ancient Ephesus, ancient Philippi and the monasteries of Meteora
  • Leisure ports including Marmaris and Alanya in Turkey & Mykonos in Greece
  • Day trip to Ancient Corinth post cruise with overnight in Athens for farewell dinner and show

Map

Destinations

TOUR INCLUDES

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Travel with
like-minded people

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Christian
Tour Leaders

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Option of land
only package

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Option of upgrading
to single room

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Meals

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Sights and entry
fees listed

OUR PRICING

Pricing

Category Description Twin PP Single
Tour & Cruise Only Category B4 Veranda Stateroom $16,725.00** $27,390.00**
Tour & Cruise Only Category B3 Veranda Stateroom $16,875.00** on application
Tour & Cruise Only Category B2 Veranda Stateroom $$17,015.00** on application
Tour & Cruise Only Category A3 Veranda Stateroom $17,595.00** on application
Tour & Cruise Only Category A2 Veranda Stateroom $18,690.00** on application
Israel Tour only 23 May - 4 June $7,185.00 $9,999.00
Cruise only Category B4 1-13 June Haifa to Athens $12,790.00 $13,075.00

Tour is priced on a minimum of 24 passengers.

**Earlybird pricing - only valid until 31 October 2023. From 1 November the pricing will increase by $1,000 per person (Full tour).

Limit of 2 cabins per category so please book early. Cabin upgrades to Concierge Level, Penthouse Suite or other Suites on application & subject to availabiliity.

Inclusions
Exclusions
Departure Date Booking
25 May 2024 BOOK NOW

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