Christmas Holiday Experience 2019

CHRISTMAS HOLY LAND EXPERIENCE “Come and experience what you have got in your heart and prepare for a special unique Christmas with the joy of Baby Jesus”.

Visiting Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jericho and Hebron

6th - 10th December 2019

Thursday/Friday: We meet our Leader Fr Frankie Bajada at the Malta International Airport at 9.55pm for check in.

Board Air Malta Direct Flight KM 828 on Friday at 00.55am to Tel Aviv Israel where we arrive at 04.40am.

FRIDAY DAY 1

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport and transfer to Bethlehem Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet our local representative, who will escort us outside to meet our driver. Arrive to Bethlehem Hotel in the beautiful town of Bethlehem where we check in and have breakfast.

BETHLEHEM HIGHLIGHTS  Star Street: which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a pilgrimage route in 2012 together with the Church of Nativity.  Manger Square: Located in the heart of Bethlehem with the Church of Nativity standing opposite the Mosque of Omar, the Square is adorned by shops, restaurants and narrow alleyways leading to Bethlehem’s hidden quarters and markets.  Church of Nativity: The Church of Nativity lies in the centre of Bethlehem near Manger Square. It is one of the oldest working Churches in existence today and built over the grotto where tradition holds that Mary gave birth to Baby Jesus.  The Market: The Old Market of Bethlehem (Al Souq) is a typical Middle Eastern bazaar where one can find fresh fruits, vegetables, spices and local sweets.

Walking through the market offers a glimpse into the town’s daily life.  Followed by tasting the best falafel in town at the Efteem Restaurant. Efteem is a falafel restaurant located just around the corner of the Manger Square in Bethlehem.

We roam and walk along the Separation Wall and learn about its impact on Bethlehem.

View the many graffiti works on the wall including artwork by the famous British artist Banksy.

Visit the Walled Off Hotel and tour its museum.

Some shopping follows. Back to the Hotel for Dinner.

SATURDAY DAY 2

JERUSALEM - THE OLD CITY Today we visit Jerusalem the Old City  Four Quarters of the Old City: Learn about the diversity of Jerusalem as you walk through its four quarters; the Christian Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter and the Armenian Quarter.  Souqs and Bazaars: The tour will take you along some of the most famous Souqs and Bazaars in the Old City including Souq Kan al-Zait, Souq Al-Qattanin, Souq Aftimos Al-Dabbagha and more.  Mount of Olives: Up to the top of Mount of Olives for a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Golden Gates. A stroll down to the bottom of the mountain to see the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations.

Here Jesus prayed in many occasions and it is the place where he was eventually arrested.  Mount Zion: The site of the Upper Room where it is believed was the room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22, 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts1.13 and Acts 2)  Via Dolorosa: Retrace the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross). While experiencing the colourful bazaars, alleyways and marketplaces we will also have moments testing negotiating skills.  Church of the Holy Sepulchre: It is believed by many Christians that this was the site of Golgotha where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.  Western Wall: Walk through the stairways to the Western Wall promenade. The Western Wall is considered the Holiest place for the Jews.  Lunch at Al Nasser Restaurant located on Souq Khan es-Zeit Road, the main thoroughfare of the Muslim Quarter, Al Nasser Restaurant serves authentic Jerusalem-style grilled meats without any unnecessary bells and whistles.

Afternoon: We will return to our hotel for the rest of the day at leisure for dinner.

Evening: We will join thousands of people who attend the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Bethlehem’s Manager Square on Saturday night to mark the start of the holiday season. A fireworks display and festiveness accompany the annual ceremony in the run up to Christmas Eve that attracts thousands of tourists from around the world.

SUNDAY DAY 3 BEIT SAHOUR / JERICHO Our first stop is at Beit Sahour. Beit Sahour a Palestinian town east of Bethlehem, meaning “the house of vigilance,” consists of two Arabic words: beit meaning “house,” and sahour meaning “night watch.” The name of the area reflects its importance for the shepherds of long ago. The land provided their flocks with good grazing during the day and safety in its numerous caves at night. It is not a coincidence that this area has been associated with the place where, according to Biblical tradition, the angel appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Christ (Luke 2:8–20).

We will drive south towards the Magic of the Dead Sea. As we get closer to the shores of the Dead Sea we will start to descend to the lowest point on the surface of the earth. The descent is 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. We will visit Jericho.

JERICHO Jericho governorate spans from the Dead Sea to the mountains on Ramallah’s eastern flank.

The city itself is an oasis in the desert and prides itself as the oldest continuously inhabited place in the world.  Jericho City Centre: The City Centre is dominated by Jericho’s main Mosque.

Experience the vibrant City Centre of Jericho lined up with many shops and restaurants.  Tree of Zacchaeus & the Russian Museum: Located inside the Museum compound. The large sycamore Tree symbolizes the History of the tax collector, Zacchaeus and his meeting with Jesus Christ.  Hisham Palace: Built in the 8th century during the Umayyad period as a hunting lodge and winter resort, the site is an excellent example of Islamic architecture.  Tel Sultan (Ancient Jericho): Excavation on the site has revealed layers of cities and human habitation dating as far back as 9600 – 7700 BC, around 10,000 years, earning Jericho the name of “the Oldest City in the World”  Mount of Temptation: Considered the site where Christ was tempted by the devil during his 40-day fast, today a Greek Orthodox Monastery clings to the cliff some 350 meters above Sea level.

 St. Andreas Coptic Church: Behind an oasis garden a church is built over a mosaic floor of a Byzantine church, reminding the encounter of Jesus with the tax collector at his home.  Lunch at Qumran  Dead Sea Swimming: End the day with some free time to swim and float in the Dead Sea and enjoy its rich minerals.

Ending with dinner at the hotel.

Monday Day 4 Hebron

Another breakfast at our hotel. We leave Bethlehem and travel to Hebron.

About Hebron Hebron is a Palestinian city located in the southern West Bank, 30 km south of Jerusalem.

Nestled in the Judaean Mountains, it lies 930 meters (3,050 ft) above sea level. It is the largest city in the West Bank, and the second largest in the Palestinian territories after Gaza, and home to 215,452 Palestinians (2016), and between 500 and 850 Jewish settlers concentrated in and around the old quarter. The city is divided into two sectors: H1, controlled by the Palestinian Authority and H2, roughly 20% of the city, administered by Israel. The city is venerated by Jews, Christians, and Muslims for its association with Abraham, containing the traditional burial site of the biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs, within the Cave of the Patriarchs. In Judaism it is considered the second-holiest city after Jerusalem, while Islam regards it as one of the four holy cities.

Visits will include:  Hebron, Old City: Walk in the Old City of Hebron and learn about the political situation and divisions in the town (Areas H1 H2).  Explore the Souq (market) with its arched roofs and maze of alleys lined with shops and stalls that sell everything from pottery, olive wood and glass to fresh and dried fruits.  Ibrahimi Mosque: Al Haram Al Ibrahimi (Sanctuary of Abraham) also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs– the resting place of great Patriarchs or Prophets Jacob, Isaac and Abraham (Ibrahim), and their wives Leah, Rebecca and Sarah – is sacred to three monotheistic faiths. .  Hebron Glass Factory: Visit one of Hebron’s famous glass blowing factories, a traditional craft in the Hebron area that dates back to the Roman and Phoenicians periods.

We will return to our hotel for the rest of the day at leisure and for some last shopping.

We end the day with dinner at the hotel.

Tuesday Day 5

Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport We leave for Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, arriving at 3.30am to board the flight back home with Air Malta KM 829 which leaves at 6.30am, arriving in Malta at 8.35am.

Tour Prices per person: Adult in Triple €750 Adult in Double €815 Adult in Single €890 + Supplement of €50 for light lunch in Qumran, Jerusalem and Hebron

Included in this experience • • • • •

Air Malta flight airfare Malta - Tel Aviv - Malta Leader and Spiritual Director Transport according to the programme Local English speaking guide Tips to guide and driver

5 days/4 nights accommodation: • •

4 nights in Bethlehem Hotel taxes and service charges

Tours and guiding: • • • •

Touring in a AC vehicle/motor-coach with a professional licensed driver A professional government licensed English speaking guide Entrance fees to all sites Cable car to the Mount of Temptation

Meet, assist and transfers: • • •

Meet and assist at Ben Gurion Airport, immediately after passport control Transfer on arrival from Ben Gurion Airport to hotel in Bethlehem Transfer on departure from hotel to Ben Gurion Airport

Meals included: • • • •

Daily buffet dinners at hotels Palestinian style buffet breakfast daily Falafel lunch at Efteem Restaurant, Bethlehem Typical Palestinian lunch in Jerusalem, Qumran and Hebron.

Not included: Insurance (which is a must for every participant)

NOTE: The above schedule of this trip may change from day to day according to unforeseen circumstances.