The Book & The Spade 2011 Archaeological Study Tour
Egypt, Jordan and Israel!
February 11-27, 2011
JOIN US!
BASIC ITINERARYDay 1, Friday, February 11
Depart Chicago O'Hare, meals and beverages enroute.
Day 2, Saturday, February 12
Arrive at Cairo airport. Transit to hotel, sightseeing as time permits. Overnight CAIRO
Day 3, Sunday, February 13
Visit the pyramids, the Cairo Archaeological Museum, and the Pharonic Village. Overnight CAIRO
Day 4, Monday, February 14
One final stop in Cairo and then enroute to St. Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai (traditional site of Mt. Sinai). Overnight St. Catherine's Monastery area hotel
Day 5, Tuesday, February 15
Early morning ascent for those who wish to see the sunrise at the summit and St. Catherine's Monastery, then fast ferry at Nuweiba to Aqaba, Overnight PETRA
Day 6, Wednesday, February 16
All day at Petra, voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Overnight PETRA
Day 7, Thursday, February 17
Stops at Machaerus, where Herod Antipas executed John the Baptist, and Madaba, the home of the Madaba Map of the ancient holy land. Also Tall el-Hammam (possibly Sodom), Wadi Kharrar (traditional baptismal site of John the Baptist), and Mt. Nebo. Overnight at AMMAN
Day 8, Friday, February 18
Decapolis cities: Jerash, Abila, Pella, and Betshean. Cross Jordan River to Israel, overnight along the Sea of Galilee
Day 9, Saturday, February 19
Along the Sea of Galilee: Mt. Arbel, Wadi Hamam, Magdala, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazim, boat ride on Sea of Galilee, overnight along the Sea of Galilee
Day 10, Sunday, February 20
Sepphoris, Nazareth Village, Church of the Annunciation, Megiddo, Caesarea Maritima, overnight JERUSALEM
Day 11, Monday, February 21
Temple Mount, South Wall excavations, Bethlehem, Church of the Nativity, Herodion, overnight JERUSALEM
Day 12, Tuesday, February 22
Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, City of David (Warren's Shaft, Hezekiah's tunnel) Pool of Siloam, House of Caiaphas (Gallicantu) overnight JERUSALEM
Day 13, Wednesday, February 23
Day trip to the Dead Sea, Genesis Land, Samaritan Inn Mosaic Museum, Qumran, Masada, overnight JERUSALEM
Day 14, Thursday, February 24
Western Wall tunnel, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb, overnight JERUSALEM
Day 15, Friday, February 25
Israel Museum (Shrine of the Book & Model of the Ancient City), Yad Vashem, Valley of Elah, Elah Fortress (Khirbet Qeiyafa), catch evening flight to U.S.
Day 16, Saturday, February 26
Free day. Farewell Dinner. Return flight.
Day 17, Sunday, February 27
Return home
Cost of this tour, per person, based on double occupancy: $4600.
Want to come along? Questions? Need more information? Contact Gordon Govier.
Minor changes in the itinerary are still possible, especially in Jerusalem. Download our four page study tour brochure (PDF format) by right clicking here and selecting "Save Target As."
THE BOOK & THE SPADE TOURS: An invitation
* Don’t be intimidated by the term “study tour.” All that means is that we are committed to making this trip as meaningful as possible for people who love the Bible. There are no tests and no pre-requisites. But we recognize the fact that your mind can only handle so much of a new experience so we work to help you prepare for the tour, and provide in-depth resources during the tour. We want to give you the best tour possible with a small, flexible tour group along with top quality guides and resources. We believe a tour like ours is a cost-effective investment in your spiritual growth as a believer and an experience you will remember and cherish for the rest of your life. This is not a typical Holyland tour.
2008 Tour Report
2001 Tour Report
1999 Tour Report