Tour Itinerary From Rostad Tours

Day 1 Depart to Egypt (Feb 21, 2011)

Today we meet at the airport to begin our fascinating journey to the Land of the Bible.

Day 2 Arrive Cairo (Feb 22, 2011)

Today we arrive in Cairo and are taken to the hotel. We'll meet for dinner then rest after our overseas journey.

Day 3 Sakkara - Giza Pyramids (Feb 23,2011)

Giza pyramids This morning we visit Sakkara and the ancient Step Pyramid of Zoser, a predecessor to the more famous Giza Pyramids. Also seen is one of the tombs, or mastabas, belonging to a noble. The interior is filled with colourful murals depicting life during ancient Egyptian times. Then we proceed to the Giza Plateau to be amazed at the awesome sight of the three Great Pyramids. The largest is the Cheops Pyramid, built around 2690 BC using over two million stone blocks. We also see the Sphinx, with its human head and body of a lion. Then we visit a Papyrus factory to learn how the Egyptians made paper. We return to our hotel or some may want to take an optional Felucca sailboat ride on the Nile.

Day 4 Museum - Old Cairo (Feb 24, 2011)

Cairo mosque at sunset We begin our day by visiting the incredible Egyptian Museum with over 100,000 exhibits including statues, mummies, and other archaeological treasures. It is impossible to see everything but the highlight will be the fabulous contents from King Tutankhamun's tomb. In the afternoon we visit the Citadel, a fortress built by sultan Saladin in the 12th century from where we can enjoy a commanding view over the city. Within the fortress lies the Mohammed Ali Mosque, an excellent example of Islamic architecture. Then we visit Coptic Cairo to learn more about the Christian roots of this ancient land. Tonight we enjoy the Sound and Light show at the pyramids.

Day 5 Sinai - Saint Catherine (Feb 25, 2011)

Sinai landscape This morning we travel into the Sinai Peninsula, the land bridge between Africa and Asia. It was here that Moses received the Ten Commandments and also where the Holy Family crossed when they fled Bethlehem. Our journey takes us under the Suez Canal then into the South Sinai. A stop will be made at Uyun Musa, the "Spring of Moses", where the prophet is said to have stopped with the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea. Then we continue to the settlement of Saint Catherine where we have dinner and an early bedtime in preparation of the big day tomorrow.

Day 6 Mount Sinai - To Taba (Feb 26, 2011)

Mount Sinai, Egypt Those of us that feel up to the challenge will arise very early in the morning to begin our journey up Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Moses. The climb up will take three hours and camels are available for hire for those wishing to save themselves for the final ascent of steps to the summit. The view is spectacular and the impressions will be with us for the rest of our lives. After our descent we rejoin the others and visit the St. Catherine Monastery, which contains the Basilica originally built by Emperor Justinian in 527 AD. Then we return to the hotel to check-out and pick up a box lunch for our trip north through the Sinai. Our destination is Taba, a beautiful resort located along the Gulf of Aqaba.

Day 7 Taba - Free Day (Feb 27, 2011)

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of our resort.

Day 8 Wadi Rum - Petra (Feb 28, 2011)

Wadi Rum Landscape This morning we'll cross southern Israel into Jordan where we meet our Jordanian guide and travel to Wadi Rum, acclaimed by many as one of the most stunning desert-scapes in the world, where we will enjoy a four-wheel drive excursion into the desert. This is where many scenes from the film "Lawrence of Arabia" were shot with local Bedouin families taking part. Then we travel to Petra (WHS), such a rare find of antiquity and considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. Petra was the capital of the Nabateans, a nomadic people that settled here more than two thousand years ago. They controlled the trades routes of ancient Arabia and the city became well-known for its refined culture and massive architecture.

Day 9 Petra Sightseeing (Mar 1, 2011)

Treasury at Petra Today we visit the remarkable rose-red city of Petra. First we enjoy a short ride on horseback to the entrance. Then a mile-long canyon, with walls up to 200 meters high, leads us into the city. The Treasury, Petra’s most famous monument, suddenly appears before us in all its splendour. This is the first of many visually stunning buildings we'll see carved out of the brilliant sandstone. In the afternoon we will visit "Little Petra" - another site with amazing carved structures built by the Nabateans.

Day 10 Madaba - Mount Nebo - Bethany (Mar 2, 2011)

Monument on Mount Nebo Our journey takes us north through Jordan to Madaba to see the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land, made from over two million small stones. Our next stop is Mount Nebo, from where Moses surveyed the Promised Land after forty years in the wilderness. The views of the Dead Sea (4000 feet below) and the Jordan Valley are spectacular and on a clear day the church spires of Jerusalem are visible. Then we visit "Bethany beyond the Jordan", believed to be the site where John the Baptist lived and where Jesus was baptized. Afterwards we cross the border and proceed to our hotel in Jericho - the lowest city in the world.

Day 11 Qumran - Masada - Dead Sea (Mar 3, 2011)

View from Masada An exciting day lies ahead as we visit the Dead Sea region - the lowest spot on earth, dropping over 300 meters below sea level. First we stop to see the ruins at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls - the oldest biblical documents ever found - were discovered hidden in caves inside clay jars. Then we arrive at Masada (WHS) and take a cable-car to the top of the mountain to see the remarkable fortress built by Herod the Great. Afterwards we have a chance to cure our ails in the restorative mud and water at the Ein Gedi Spa, next to the Dead Sea. The sensation of floating in the salt water here is a unique experience not to be missed - (bring along a towel). Afterwards we visit the ruins of ancient Jericho before returning to our hotel.

Day 12 Beth Shean - Belvoir - Galilee (Mar 4, 2011)

Yardenit - Jordan River This morning we drive north through the Great Rift Valley to visit Beth Shean, one of the cities of the Decapolis mentioned in the Bible. Over four thousand years of history can be found here including Egyptian monuments. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 749AD and recent excavations show us how marvellous the city would have been during its glory days. Then we stop at Belvoir Castle, a crusader castle with a magical view of the Galilee region. If time permits we will stop at Yardenit, where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee, a popular spot for baptisms. Then we proceed to our hotel along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Day 13 Galilee - Caesarea Philippi - Capernaum (Mar 5, 2011)

Banias - Caesarea Philippi This morning we visit the museum that houses the 2000 year old "Jesus Boat". Then we travel north to Upper Galilee and visit Dan, the largest of four sources of the Jordan River and the city that used to define the northern border of Israel. Next we visit Banias, previously known as Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus told Simon, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." Lunch at a kibbutz is included followed by a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. On board we have time for a short service as we contemplate stories from the Bible that relate to this area. Afterwards we'll visit Capernaum, where Jesus spent several years preaching. Next is Tabgha, where He performed the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. Then we visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.

Day 14 Sepphoris - Nazareth - Mt Tabor (Mar 6, 2011)

Church of the Annunciation Interior Our day starts with the impressive ruins at Sepphoris, formerly a city of great wealth and beauty, and believed to be the birthplace of Mary. Next is Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood home, to see the Church of the Annunciation and the beautiful mosaics of the "Madonna and Child", created by artists from around the world. Then we visit Nazareth Village, a recreation of what a Galilean farm and village would have been like 2000 years ago. Our final stop is Mount Tabor, believed to be the site of Christ’s Transfiguration. After an exciting taxi ride to the summit, we can enjoy the commanding view across the Jezreel Valley. Then we return to our hotel for our last night in Galilee.

Day 15 Megiddo - Caesarea - Jerusalem (Mar 7, 2011)

Caesarea Aqueduct Our first stop today is at Megiddo, where some believe the last battle, or Armageddon, will be fought. This was once a great city and over twenty levels of occupation have been uncovered. Then we continue to Caesarea, the former Roman capital of the region, founded by King Herod to honour Caesar Augustus. This is where Peter baptized the first Gentile convert and where Paul was held awaiting his trial in Rome. Excavated ruins include an amphitheatre, a hippodrome and an aqueduct. After lunch we make our way up to Jerusalem - a fascinating city that contains sacred sites for three religions. We stop at Yad Vashem, a museum dedicated to the memory of Holocaust victims, then proceed to our hotel.

Day 16 Mount of Olives - Bethlehem - Jerusalem (Mar 8, 2011)

Church of All Nations We start the day with a visit to the Mount of Olives, associated with several very important events in the life of Jesus, and where we enjoy an incredible view of Jerusalem. We walk down the hill, stopping at Dominus Flevit Church ("The Lord Wept") then pass through the Garden of Gethsemane to the Church of All Nations. Afterwards we drive to Bethlehem to visit one of Christianity’s most sacred sites - the Church of the Nativity - and the nearby Shepherd's Fields. In the afternoon we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum - where the Dead Sea Scrolls are preserved - and also the impressive model of ancient Jerusalem, which gives us insight into what the city was like in the first century AD.

Day 17 Old City of Jerusalem (Mar 9, 2011)

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem Our tour of the Old City of Jerusalem (WHS) starts at the Western Wall, where Jews come to pray. This is part of the original retaining wall of the Second Temple, built by Herod the Great in 20BC. On the Temple Mount we see the beautiful golden domed architectural treasure - the Dome of the Rock. We stop at St. Anne's Church, (listen to the beautiful acoustics), and see the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the lame man. Then we travel the "Way of the Cross" on the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After lunch, a walk through the Jewish Quarter brings us to the Cardo - the reconstructed main street from Roman times - and then to the Zion Gate where our bus is waiting. Then we visit the peaceful Garden Tomb, where we have the opportunity to take part in a private Communion service. We have free time the rest of the afternoon with the bus at our disposal to add any other sites of interest.

Day 18 Return Home (Mar 10, 2011)

This morning we are taken to the airport for our flight back to Canada where family and friends are eager to hear about our experiences.

Tour Map

Here is a map outlining our trip.

Getting Ready to Depart

Come back to this blog in the third week in February 2011when our journey will begin.  We hope to post our adventures daily and include pictures of our travels.