• Day 1: Depart the US - Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight to Israel.
• Day 2: Arrive in the Holy Land - You will be welcomed to the Holy Land by our representative and transferred to the hotel for dinner and your first overnight stay.
• Day 3: The Galilee - With Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt.4: 13, 23). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you’ll learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7). At Tabgha, the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000, you’ll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17). You’ll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). At the River Jordan you can remember your baptism in the Yardenit Baptismal Site.
• Day 4: Beit Shean, Nazareth, Megiddo and Caesarea - Visit the ruins of Beit Shean which was continuously inhabited for 5000 years and was one of the Roman cities Jesus passed on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem. Visit Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2: 23). Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other. Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new religion (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for Trial.
• Day 5: Jericho, Qumran, and Bethlehem - Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6: 1, 2, 20). From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4: 1-11). Even today, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem twists for miles as it climbs from below sea level into the Judean mountains. Jesus traveled the nearby Roman road, the setting of His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-36). Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. In Bethlehem, you’ll visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt. 1: 18 - 25; Luke 2: 1- 7). The church, which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby you’ll view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard.Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6: 1, 2, 20). From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4: 1-11). Even today, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem twists for miles as it climbs from below sea level into the Judean mountains. Jesus traveled the nearby Roman road, the setting of His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-36). Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. In Bethlehem, you’ll visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt. 1: 18 - 25; Luke 2: 1- 7). The church, which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby you’ll view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard.

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• Day 6: Jerusalem - Visit the Haas Promenade and enjoy a panoramic view from the south of Jerusalem, the Old City walls and the hill called Mount Moriah where Abraham was commanded by God to offer Isaac as a burnt offering (Gen. 22: 2, 4). View the Kidron Valley and the Valley of Gehenna. Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1: 9 - 12). Visit the Chapel of the Ascension. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed (Matt. 26: 36 - 44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night (Matt. 26: 57 - 65). Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12 - 26). View the site of King David’s Tomb.
• Day 7: Jerusalem and the Old City - Visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the ancient Temple including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
• Day 8: Leisure Day with Optional Masada and Dead Sea Tour - Explore on-your-own or visit Masada (additional charge), Herod’s mountaintop fortress which became the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Time permitting, you’ll stop briefly at the Shores of the Dead Sea for a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.siege ramp below. Time permitting, you’ll stop briefly at the Shores of the Dead Sea for a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.
• Day 9: Jerusalem - Travel to Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place where the Virgin Mary visited Elisabeth (Luke 1: 26-40). Time permitting, you will visit Yad Vashem. Visit and worship at the Garden Tomb, possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and experience the reality of the Resurrection. Your afternoon is free for exploring.
• Day 10: Extension to Egypt or Return to US - Depart on an exciting extension in Egypt beginning in Cairo or return to the USA!

• Day 10: Early morning departure from Jerusalem. Cross the Sinai, traveling ancient caravan routes across the Sinai to the base of Mt. Sinai for overnight. - Cross the Sinai, traveling ancient caravan routes across the Sinai to the base of Mt. Sinai for overnight. -
• Day 11: Mount Sinai, Elim, Red Sea Visit the Monastery of Saint Catherine at the base of Mount Sinai. Trace the route of the Exodus. Travel to Elim where the Children of Israel camped by the oasis of 70 palm trees. Your final stop of the day will be Marsh by the Red Sea where the waters were bitter. Continue on to Cairo for dinner and a four night stay.
• Day 12: Joseph's River and Lake - Travel south to view Joseph’s River and Lake, created by Joseph during the period of the seven year famine. Visit a grain silo of the kind established under Joseph’s rule to store grain during the sever years of famine. Tour the rural region of Egyptian farming and stop at an old corn mill. Travel as Abraham did to Memphis and on to Sakkara where you will see the Step Pyramid world’s oldest structure. See the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Board the overnight train to Luxor.
• Day 13 & 14: Valley of the Kings & Queens - Cross the Nile River to visit the world famous Valley of Kings and Queens (your lunches are included while in Luxor). After spending a night in Luxor, visit the magnificent Karnak Temple and the Luxor Temple. Board an overnight train to Cairo or fly to Cairo for an additional $100. (Check the "Luxor by train and plane" box on Registration Form. Includes dinner and hotel - subject to availability!)
• Day 15: Cairo - Admire the ancient treasures of the Egyptian Museum. Continue to the Sinai for overnight.
• Day 16: Cairo -
• Day 17: Return flight to the USA.

OR YOU CAN ADD THIS EXTENSION TO YOUR TRIP: WONDERS OF JORDAN AND PETRA

$598.00* per person double occupancy

Day 10 In the morning, you will cross the Allenby Bridge into Jordan. View the "promised land" as Moses did from the summit of Mt. Nebo. Nearby Madaba is home to a beautiful 6th century mosaic of Jerusalem. Visit Philadelphia, one of the ten cities of the Decapolis, and now Amman.



• Day 11 Early in the morning you’ll journey to the famous rock city of Petra, literally cut into the cliff sides. Return to Amman for a late dinner and overnight.
  
  
• Day 12 Explore the ruins of Jerash, Jordan’s best-preserved Greco-Roman town. Depart the Holy Land this evening.
  
  
• Day 13 Arrive in the USA.
  
  

Single Supplement:If you are interested in a Single Occupancy room or if a roommate was not available to be put into your room, the charges are as follows: (Please note: When available, single occupancy rooms are often smaller then double occupancy rooms!)

• If you will be joining us for Option #1: The Holy Land - Journey Through the Bible tour, there is a $425 charge for a single occupancy room.
• If you would like to continue your adventure and join us on the Wonders of Egypt Extension Tour, there is a $425 additional charge for a single occupancy room.

FINAL PAYMENT DUE AUGUST 17, 2009 Educational Opportunities will asses a late payment fee of $100 if you pay your balance after 8/17/2009!

Educational Opportunities Cancellation Policy & Fees: 100% of Cancellation Fees are covered by the optional Travel Insurance Program provided premium has been paid and reason for cancellation is insurable. Those who do not take insurance should be aware of the following cancellation penalties: From day of registration to 90 days prior to departure, you will be charged the $80 non-refundable administrative fee and a $99.00 non-refundable A Matter of the Heart registration fee. Thereafter, you will be charged any airline penalties and a single room supplement if your cancellation forces your roommate into a single.

The following charges also apply:

to departure
• 89-60 days = $400
• 59-45 days = $600
• 44-31 days = 40% of total cost
• 30-0 days = 100% of total cost

In addition, cancellation fees for extension tours are:

59-31 days = 25% of extension cost
• 30-0 days = 100% of extension cost

You must submit cancellation in writing.

Sorry, no discount coupons can be used on this tour.

Roommate Matching : While Educational Opportunities & A Matter of the Heart will try to match people with roommates, we CANNOT guarantee that a roommate will be available. Roommates may be assigned as late as 35 days prior to departure. If a roommate is not available, the following additional single occupancy charges will apply $425.00 for the basic tour and $350.00 for Luxor.