OVERVIEW
Join Rev John Carrick from St Thomas’ Burwood on a trip of a lifetime to the Holy Lands of Israel, Palestine & Jordan.
We will follow roughly in the lifetime of Jesus’s ministry, starting in Bethlehem, then to Nazareth and the Galilee area where he preached, healed and proclaimed that the Kingdom of God is here. We then continue to Jerusalem with a few day trips to sites outside of the city. Our tour concludes in Jordan (Biblical Moab) to visit Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Each day will be like walking through Scriptures – with a mixture of both Old & New testament sites. We will sing, pray, read our Bible and walk the very streets that Jesus, his disciples and saints of old all tread.
Join us on what will be a transformative discipleship experience that will forever change how you read the Bible!
The majority of travellers will be from St Thomas’ Anglican Church Burwood (VIC), but like minded people are also welcome to join.
John Carrick has been the Vicar at St Thomas’ Burwood since 2016 and Vicar of both St Thomas’ Burwood and St Edward’s Blackburn South since 2023. Prior to this, John was an Assistant Minister at St Hilarys Kew and Director of St Hilary’s Hope
John trained at Ridley College was ordained in 2008 and started ordained ministry in St Luke’s South Melbourne serving as curate and then Associate Minister.
The inspiration for this tour came from John’s recent to visit to Israel on Selah’s Origins of Christianity tour with Prof John Dickson. He now wants to showcase all that the Holy Land offers to encourage and inspire parishioners and friends.
ITINERARY
Farewell Australia and travel to Tel Aviv. Anyone buying the air and tour package will be met on arrival and transferred to the hotel in Bethlehem.
Included Meals: None
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International airport, we will clear customs and be met and transferred to Bethlehem.
If you are making your own flight arrangements, be checked in and ready to meet the group by 7pm in the hotel lobby for a welcome and dinner.
Hotel: Paradise Premium Hotel, Bethlehem
If you are making your own flight arrangements, be checked in and ready to meet the group by 7pm in the hotel lobby for a welcome and dinner.
Hotel: Paradise Premium Hotel, Bethlehem
Included Meals:
D
“For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him”.
Today we start our retracing of the Bible with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is now a busy Palestinian town which doesn’t look much like it would have 2000 years ago!
Today we will visit the Church of the Nativity which commemorates the Birth of Christ, but also house the cave of St Jerome who translated the Bible into Latin, making it accessible to common folk. Continue to the Bethlehem Bible College to meet the team and enjoy a lecture of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict from a Christian perspective, followed by lunch at the College. After we farewell our friends at BBC, we visit Shepherd Fields and have a time of worship in the Chapel. Time to shop for olivewood and souvenirs before we continue to Herodian, where King Herod’s tomb was recently discovered. Farewell the West Bank and travel north to the Sea of Galilee. Check in to your hotel for dinner & overnight.
Hotel: Sofia Hotel, Tiberias
Today we start our retracing of the Bible with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is now a busy Palestinian town which doesn’t look much like it would have 2000 years ago!
Today we will visit the Church of the Nativity which commemorates the Birth of Christ, but also house the cave of St Jerome who translated the Bible into Latin, making it accessible to common folk. Continue to the Bethlehem Bible College to meet the team and enjoy a lecture of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict from a Christian perspective, followed by lunch at the College. After we farewell our friends at BBC, we visit Shepherd Fields and have a time of worship in the Chapel. Time to shop for olivewood and souvenirs before we continue to Herodian, where King Herod’s tomb was recently discovered. Farewell the West Bank and travel north to the Sea of Galilee. Check in to your hotel for dinner & overnight.
Hotel: Sofia Hotel, Tiberias
Included Meals:
B
L
D
“A prophet is not without honour except in his own town and in his own home.”
A fantastic day trip today as we have an early start departing Tiberias to Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus. Here we will visit the Church of the Annunciation, then to Nazareth Village which will give you a glimpse of what life in Nazareth was like in the first century. Continue to nearby Megiddo. For Christians the word Megiddo is synonymous with the end of the world as mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Megiddo, or Armageddon, will be the site of the Final Battle. Drive to the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea Maritima, the port that the apostle Paul departed from on his missionary journeys. Spend some time looking at the Roman sites and weather permitting enjoy a swim! On way back to Tiberias we will visit Sepphoris the ancient capital of Galilee and centre of Jewish learning where we reflect on Galilee and the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry.
Hotel: Sofia Hotel, Tiberias
A fantastic day trip today as we have an early start departing Tiberias to Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus. Here we will visit the Church of the Annunciation, then to Nazareth Village which will give you a glimpse of what life in Nazareth was like in the first century. Continue to nearby Megiddo. For Christians the word Megiddo is synonymous with the end of the world as mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Megiddo, or Armageddon, will be the site of the Final Battle. Drive to the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea Maritima, the port that the apostle Paul departed from on his missionary journeys. Spend some time looking at the Roman sites and weather permitting enjoy a swim! On way back to Tiberias we will visit Sepphoris the ancient capital of Galilee and centre of Jewish learning where we reflect on Galilee and the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry.
Hotel: Sofia Hotel, Tiberias
Included Meals:
B
D
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Galilee to Capernaum. Visit the site of Capernaum and enjoy a special service on the shore of the Lake. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.
Travel by coach to Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and the site of recently discovered first century building including a synagogue. Today we will enjoy a traditional St Peter’s fish lunch as well as a visit to the museum housing a first century boat found recently in the lake shoreline. Conclude the day with a spectacular view of the lake from Mount Arbel.
Hotel: Sofia Hotel, Tiberias
Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Galilee to Capernaum. Visit the site of Capernaum and enjoy a special service on the shore of the Lake. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.
Travel by coach to Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and the site of recently discovered first century building including a synagogue. Today we will enjoy a traditional St Peter’s fish lunch as well as a visit to the museum housing a first century boat found recently in the lake shoreline. Conclude the day with a spectacular view of the lake from Mount Arbel.
Hotel: Sofia Hotel, Tiberias
Included Meals:
B
L
D
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Today we enjoy a day in the great outdoors as we travel North to Caesarea Philippi. This is the place where Peter had the epiphany “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” Matt 16:15-16. Travel on to Tel Dan National Park to see Canaanite ruins dating back to 1 Kings, before enjoying a winery lunch in the Golan Heights. Return to Tiberias for our last night in the Galilee.
HOTEL: Sofia Hotel, Tiberias
Today we enjoy a day in the great outdoors as we travel North to Caesarea Philippi. This is the place where Peter had the epiphany “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” Matt 16:15-16. Travel on to Tel Dan National Park to see Canaanite ruins dating back to 1 Kings, before enjoying a winery lunch in the Golan Heights. Return to Tiberias for our last night in the Galilee.
HOTEL: Sofia Hotel, Tiberias
Included Meals:
B
L
D
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
Check out of the Sofia Hotel and travel a short distance to Beat Shean, one of the 10 pagan cities that made up the Decapolis (Matt 4:25) where Jesus visited. This impressive Roman city will display the power & might of the Roman empire in Jesus’s day. Continue to Jerusalem and check in tour hotel where will stay 5 nights. Remainder of the day is free – why not check out the Machane (Market) Yehuda just a few blocks from the hotel, or the Old City is just a few stops on the tram.
HOTEL: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Check out of the Sofia Hotel and travel a short distance to Beat Shean, one of the 10 pagan cities that made up the Decapolis (Matt 4:25) where Jesus visited. This impressive Roman city will display the power & might of the Roman empire in Jesus’s day. Continue to Jerusalem and check in tour hotel where will stay 5 nights. Remainder of the day is free – why not check out the Machane (Market) Yehuda just a few blocks from the hotel, or the Old City is just a few stops on the tram.
HOTEL: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
We start the day at the Mount of Olives which gives you an exceptional overview of the Old City of Jerusalem.
We then walk down Palm Sunday Road and visit Dominus Flevit church (Jesus wept), before continuing to the Garden of Gethsemane & the Church of all Nations.
We have a private space booked in the olive grove for a special time of reflection and communion.
Continue into the Old City along the Via Dolorosa with some time spent at the Pool of Bethesda, then to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the place largely believed by scholars to be the site of the death & burial of Jesus Christ.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Hotel: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
We start the day at the Mount of Olives which gives you an exceptional overview of the Old City of Jerusalem.
We then walk down Palm Sunday Road and visit Dominus Flevit church (Jesus wept), before continuing to the Garden of Gethsemane & the Church of all Nations.
We have a private space booked in the olive grove for a special time of reflection and communion.
Continue into the Old City along the Via Dolorosa with some time spent at the Pool of Bethesda, then to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the place largely believed by scholars to be the site of the death & burial of Jesus Christ.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Hotel: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
Start the day visiting the Temple Mount, now occupied by Muslims housing the Dome of the Rock & Al Aksa Mosque.
We then visit the Western Wall and then to the City of David outside the City walls. Here we will walk underground thorough Hezekiah’s Tunnel – an impressive water channel from the Gihon Spring to the City of David built by King Hezekiah in the 8th Century BC. This tunnel ends at the Pool of Siloam. Return to the Old City to the Davidson Centre and the Southern Steps of the Temple. See the boulders still lying where they fell at the destruction of the Temple in 70AD.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore more of the Old City or do some shopping.
HOTEL: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Start the day visiting the Temple Mount, now occupied by Muslims housing the Dome of the Rock & Al Aksa Mosque.
We then visit the Western Wall and then to the City of David outside the City walls. Here we will walk underground thorough Hezekiah’s Tunnel – an impressive water channel from the Gihon Spring to the City of David built by King Hezekiah in the 8th Century BC. This tunnel ends at the Pool of Siloam. Return to the Old City to the Davidson Centre and the Southern Steps of the Temple. See the boulders still lying where they fell at the destruction of the Temple in 70AD.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore more of the Old City or do some shopping.
HOTEL: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
Today is a free day for you to rest, shop or visit some of the other amazing places on offer in Jerusalem. Consider walking the Ramparts Walk on top of the city walls, or go under the Western Wall to see then tunnels and bridges dating back to First Temple times.
HOTEL: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
HOTEL: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
Today we travel to “New Jerusalem” to the impressive Israel Museum. The highlights here include the outdoor model of Jerusalem of around 70AD, and the Shrine of the Book – the home to the Dead Sea Scrolls. The museum is full of other amazing treasures and you will be given some time to explore.
After lunch we visit Yad Vashem – the Holocaust Museum – a challenging experience that allows us to pay homage to those lost during the Holocaust. On our way back to the hotel we will stop at the Garden Tomb for a time of prayer & reflection.
Return to the hotel for some free time before visiting the home of a Jewish family to experience and celebrate Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner.
HOTEL: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Today we travel to “New Jerusalem” to the impressive Israel Museum. The highlights here include the outdoor model of Jerusalem of around 70AD, and the Shrine of the Book – the home to the Dead Sea Scrolls. The museum is full of other amazing treasures and you will be given some time to explore.
After lunch we visit Yad Vashem – the Holocaust Museum – a challenging experience that allows us to pay homage to those lost during the Holocaust. On our way back to the hotel we will stop at the Garden Tomb for a time of prayer & reflection.
Return to the hotel for some free time before visiting the home of a Jewish family to experience and celebrate Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner.
HOTEL: Lady Stern Hotel, Jerusalem
Included Meals:
B
D
“I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie”.
Farewell beloved Jerusalem with an early start as we travel to Wadi Qelt for a spectacular view over the Judean wilderness where Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days & 40 nights. Continue south to the Jordan River to Qasr el Yahud, the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan river. Continue to Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found & hear about the Jewish sect knowns at the Essenes who had separated themselves and who meticulously observed ritual purity.
After lunch, we travel to the fortress of Masada where King Herod built one of his palaces and set up community where they could live protected from the Romans for many years.
Our last stop will be the Ein Gedi spring – an oasis in the Judean desert, where David hid from Saul (1 Samuel 23:29). Check in to our hotel on the Dead Sea for dinner & overnight. Take the opportunity to go for a float too!
HOTEL: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Dead Sea
Farewell beloved Jerusalem with an early start as we travel to Wadi Qelt for a spectacular view over the Judean wilderness where Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days & 40 nights. Continue south to the Jordan River to Qasr el Yahud, the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan river. Continue to Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found & hear about the Jewish sect knowns at the Essenes who had separated themselves and who meticulously observed ritual purity.
After lunch, we travel to the fortress of Masada where King Herod built one of his palaces and set up community where they could live protected from the Romans for many years.
Our last stop will be the Ein Gedi spring – an oasis in the Judean desert, where David hid from Saul (1 Samuel 23:29). Check in to our hotel on the Dead Sea for dinner & overnight. Take the opportunity to go for a float too!
HOTEL: Herbert Samuel Hotel, Dead Sea
Included Meals:
B
D
On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire.
Our last day in Israel comprises of travelling South through the Negev Desert to the Timna National Park which houses a replica of the Model of the Tabernacle. Cross the border from Israel into Jordan at the Red Sea border crossing. Once these formalities are completed, we drive to Wadi Rum, a moonscape of ancient valleys and towering weathered sandstone mountains rise out of the pink and white coloured sand. Enjoy a Jordanian desert experience including a jeep safari as well as option to camel ride or hot air balloon, overnighting in a luxury camp.
HOTEL: Sun City Camp, Wadi Rum
Our last day in Israel comprises of travelling South through the Negev Desert to the Timna National Park which houses a replica of the Model of the Tabernacle. Cross the border from Israel into Jordan at the Red Sea border crossing. Once these formalities are completed, we drive to Wadi Rum, a moonscape of ancient valleys and towering weathered sandstone mountains rise out of the pink and white coloured sand. Enjoy a Jordanian desert experience including a jeep safari as well as option to camel ride or hot air balloon, overnighting in a luxury camp.
HOTEL: Sun City Camp, Wadi Rum
Included Meals:
B
D
Breakfast in Wadi Rum before we drive to Petra! Known as the ‘Pink-Rose City’ or the “Lost City”, Petra is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. A breathtaking guided walking tour today through the ruins of ancient Petra – the city that the Nabateans carved out of solid rock dating back to 300 BC! special moments to walk through a passage the Siq, which dramatically opens up to reveal the Treasury Building (Al-Khazneh). We will see also the Roman Theatre, Corinthian tomb, Palace of Pharos’s Daughter, the Carved Roman Theatre and the Royal Courts, along with one of the oldest Cathedral of the Bishop high-chair. For those who can manage the strenuous climb, a path takes you up 1,000 steps to the high place: an ancient Nabatean sacrificial site with an Altar cut from the rock.
Travel to our Petra hotel for dinner before returning after dark for the spectacular Petra by Night experience. What a way to end our tour!
HOTEL: Old Village Hotel, Petra
Travel to our Petra hotel for dinner before returning after dark for the spectacular Petra by Night experience. What a way to end our tour!
HOTEL: Old Village Hotel, Petra
Included Meals:
B
D
Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan.
After breakfast we check out and farewell Petra and take the Kings Highway to Amman. Our final stop will be at Mount Nebo to say farewell to the Promised land in the place that Moses first saw it!
We then travel to Amman airport for our flight home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast we check out and farewell Petra and take the Kings Highway to Amman. Our final stop will be at Mount Nebo to say farewell to the Promised land in the place that Moses first saw it!
We then travel to Amman airport for our flight home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Meals:
B
Highlights
- Bethlehem
- Nazareth
- Sea of Galilee
- Jerusalem
- Masada
- Dead Sea
- Judean wilderness
- Wadi Rum desert camp
- Petra
- Mount Nebo
Map
Destinations
TOUR INCLUDES
Travel with
like-minded people
Christian
Tour Leaders
Option of land
only package
Option of upgrading
to single room
Meals
Sights and entry
fees listed
OUR PRICING
Pricing
| Category | Description | Twin PP | Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Only | No airfares | $7,698.00 | $10,995.00 |
| Airfare & Tour | ex Melbourne | TBC | TBC |
Inclusions
Exclusions
