Extension 1 • Rome
EXTENSION 1
Rome - 4 Days / 3 Nights
Day 1 • Tel Aviv/Rome, Italy
We board our plane for Rome this afternoon. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel by our friendly Signature Tours International representatives. The night is in Rome.
Day 2 • Rome
Today we visit the Church of St. Paul’s Outside the Gates, the Catacombs, Circus Maximus, Nero’s palace, and the place of Christian persecution. The remainder of the day is for free time on our own to explore or relax. Dinner and overnight are in Rome.
Day 3 • Rome
We begin our day with a visit to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in the world’s smallest nation, the Vatican State. In the Sistine Chapel we see Michelangelo’s overwhelming painting on the ceiling. This afternoon we visit Venice Square, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, the Roman Senate, the Sacred Way, the Trevi Fountain, Mamertine Prison where Paul spent his final days, and the 50,000 seats Coliseum. We return to our hotel in Rome for the night.
Day 4 • Rome/Hometown, U.S.A.
Today our plane returns us home to the U.S. We hold many wonderful and inspiring memories to be relived and treasured for the rest of our lives.
Extension 2 • Greece
EXTENSION 2
Greece - 4 Days / 3 Nights
Day 1 • Tel Aviv/Athens, Greece
It’s farewell to the Holy Land as we board our plane for Athens. Upon arrival, we are met by our friendly representatives who assist us to our hotel. On the way to our hotel, we enjoy an orientation tour of this marvelous city in the “cradle of civilization.” The rest of the day is for free time on our own. Dinner and the night are in Athens.
Day 2 • Athens/Cape Sounion
Our morning tour of this classical city takes us to the Acropolis with the Parthenon, one of the archaeological wonders of the world. We visit the Areopagus, where Paul preached concerning the “Unknown God,” as well as the Agora, Hadrian’s Arch, Syntagma Square and buildings of the modern era. This afternoon we have an excursion to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon with its view over the dazzling waters of the Saronic Gulf. Viewing the sunset from this spot is thought to be one of the most beautiful scenes on earth! We return to Athens for dinner and the night.
Day 3 • Athens/Peloponnese (Ancient Corinth/Mycenae/Epidauros)
Today we have an all-day excursion to some of the most important sites of the Peloponnese. First we go to ancient Corinth, the city to which two of the Apostle Paul’s epistles were addressed. It flourished as a port during the 1st century A.D. We follow in St. Paul’s footsteps as we visit the Temple of Apollo, the Agora where tradition has it that Paul preached. We continue to Mycenae (1350 B.C.) to see the Lion Gate and Tomb of Agememnon. The tour ends at Epidauros (from 3rd & 4th century B.C.), with contains the sanctuary dedicated to the healing god Askelepeios and the open air theatre, the best preserved theatre in all of Greece. We return to Athens for overnight.
Day 4 • Athens/Hometown, U.S.A.
We board our flight home to the U.S., carrying with us memories of the Holy Land and Greece that will last a lifetime.
Extension 3 • Rome & Greece
EXTENSION 3
Rome & Greece - 5 Days / 4 Nights
Day 1 • Tel Aviv/Rome, Italy
Today we board our plane for Rome. Upon arrival, we are met and assisted to our hotel by friendly Signature Tours representatives. Dinner and overnight are in Rome.
Day 2 • Rome
Today we begin by visiting the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s magnificent ceiling painting, and St. Peter’s Basilica. This afternoon we go to Venice Square, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, the Roman Senate, the Sacred Way, the Trevi Fountain, the 50,000 seat Coliseum, and Mamertine Prison, where Apostle Paul spent his final moments. Dinner and the night are in Rome.
Day 3 • Rome/Athens, Greece
We board our plane for Athens this morning. Upon arriving there, we are met and assisted by our friendly representatives. En route to our hotel, we enjoy an orientation tour of this ancient city, the “cradle of civilization.” The rest of the day is free time on our own. We have dinner and stay the night in Athens.
Day 4 • Athens/Old Corinth
We begin our sightseeing this morning at the Acropolis with its Parthenon, one of the classical world’s greatest wonders. We then visit the Areopagus, where Paul preached concerning the “Unknown God.” Other important sites we see are the Agora, Hadrian’s Arch, Syntagma Square, and buildings of the modern era. This afternoon we drive to ancient Corinth, the 1st century port city to which two of Paul’s epistles were addressed. Following in St. Paul’s footsteps, we visit the Temple of Apollo, the Agora where he preached, and then return to Athens for overnight.
Day 5 • Athens/Hometown, U.S.A.
As we board our plane today back to the U.S., we carry with us many wonderful and inspiring memories to be relived and treasured for the rest of our lives.
Extension 4 • Athens / Corinth / Greek Island
EXTENSION 4
Athens/Corinth/3-Day Greek Island Cruise - 6 Days / 5 Nights
Day 1 • Tel Aviv/Athens, Greece
Today we board our plane for Athens. Upon arrival, are met by our friendly representatives who assist us to our hotel. En route to the hotel we enjoy an orientation tour of this city, known as the “cradle of civilization.” The rest of the day is free time on our own to explore or relax.
Day 2 • Piraeus/Greek Island Cruise: Mykonos
After a leisurely morning, we transfer to the port city of Piraeus to embark on our cruise. We first sail to Mykonos, a vibrant island with a colorful harbor, all-white houses and windmills silhouetted against the blue sky. Shop here for fine woolens or jewelry, stroll down the narrow street, or taste a delicious crepe.
Day 3 • Cruise: Rhodes
We glide early into the harbor of Rhodes, which in ancient times was straddled by the famed Colossus. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, this mammoth statue was completed circa 300 B.C. and destroyed by Saracens. This unique island reflects Roman, Saracen, Turkish, Medieval and Italian influences. The old city, built by Crusader Knights of the Order of St. John, has changed little from Medieval times. Verdant landscape is interspersed with remnants of ancient settlements, the most famous being Lindos and Kameiros.
Day 4 • Cruise: Kusadasi, Ephesus, Turkey, Patmos
Today we dock in Kusadasi. You may wish to take the shore excursion, a short ride to the ruins of Ephesus, one of Asia Minor’s richest cities at one time. It was a popular Roman resort, a center of trade, commerce, culture, and religion. St. Paul spent three years here. You walk marble streets to the Temple of Diana, the giant theatre where the riot of the silversmiths occurred and much more. Later, we stop at Patmos, where exiled John penned the Apocalypse. Time permitting, you may visit the mile-high monastery, dating from the 11th century, to see a treasure of Byzantine art and religious artifacts.
Day 5 • Piraeus/Corinth/Mycenae/Epidauros
Arriving this morning in Piraeus, we take an all-day tour of Classical Greece. We stop at the Corinthian Canal, an engineering marvel cut out of solid rock and connecting the two seas. In Corinth, a flourishing 1st century port, we visit the Temple of Apollo and in Mycenae, we see ruins of the Lion’s Gate and the Tombs of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. We see the sanctuary, dedicated to the god Asklepios, and an open-air theatre at Epidauros, one of the best preserved in all Greece. Dinner and overnight are in Epidauros.
Day 6 • Athens/Hometown, U.S.A.
We travel early to the Athens Int’l Airport for our flight back home to the U.S., bringing with us many wonderful and inspiring memories to be treasured and relived for the rest of our lives.
Extension 5 • Italy
EXTENSION 5
Italy - 6 Days / 5 Nights
Day 1 • Tel Aviv/Rome
We board our plane this afternoon as we fly to Rome, the “Eternal City.” We are met by friendly representatives and transferred to our hotel. Dinner and the night are in Rome.
Day 2 • Rome
Today we begin by visiting the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s magnificent ceiling painting, and St. Peter’s Basilica. This afternoon we go to Venice Square, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, the Roman Senate, the Sacred Way, the Trevi Fountain, the 50,000 seat Coliseum, and Mamertine Prison, where Apostle Paul spent his final moments. Dinner and the night are in Rome.This morning, we visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s magnificent art, and St. Peter’s Basilica, all in the world’s smallest nation, the Vatican State. The afternoon takes us to Roman Forum, Mamertine Prison where Paul spent his final hours, the 50,000 seat Coliseum, and Church of St. Peter in Chains to marvel at Michelangelo’s “Moses”. We then drive by Venice Square, Temple of Saturn, and the Arch of Titus. There is free time to explore on our own or just relax before dinner. Overnight is in Rome.
Day 3 • Rome/Florence
Today we travel north to the city of Florence. Our visit illuminates the riches of the Renaissance period with the genius of Michelangelo’s “David,” the marble Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery with Ghilberti’s “Door of Paradise,” the Santa Croce Church and the famed Ponte Vecchio spanning the Arno River. There is free time on our own for personal sightseeing or shopping. Dinner and overnight are in Florence.
Day 5 • Florence/Venice/Milan
Today we travel to beautiful Venice. And then, leaving the poetic ambience of Venice, we continue through the hills and across the Plain of Lombardy to Milan. There we have a guided tour of this Lombard capital. We see the Cathedral, La Scala Opera House, and if possible, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper.” Dinner and the night are in Milan.
Day 6 • Milan/Hometown, U.S.A.
Our plane flight returns us home to the U.S. We bring with us many wonderful memories to relive and treasure for the rest of our lives.
Extension 6 • Jordan / Petra
EXTENSION 6
Pre-Israel Tour to Jordan - 4 Days / 3 Nights
Day 1 • Departure from the U.S.A.
Today we begin our adventure in travel as we board a giant plane for our evening flight over the Atlantic.
Day 2 • Amman, Jordan
In Amman, we will are met by our friendly Signature Tours representatives who assist us. Amman is the capital city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In Bible times, it was called Rabbath Ammon. Today it has a population of 936,000. Dinner and the night are in Amman.
Day 3 • Mount Nebo/Petra
Traveling south through interesting countryside, we view Mt. Nebo, from which Moses was permitted to glimpse the Promise Land before his death (Deuteronomy 34:1). Before continuing on to the hidden city of Petra, we visit the Fountain of Moses. In Petra Camp, we begin a horseback ride through the Syk, the only access to the city carved out of rose-colored rock. There we explore the Treasury, the Prison, the Court, and the huge tombs prepared for the wealthy. We’ll return to Amman for overnight.
Day 4 • Amman/Natanya, Israel
After breakfast this morning we drive across the Allenby bridge, border crossing into Israel, and continue to Natanya for the night.
Extension 7 • Egypt
EXTENSION 7
Cairo, Egypt - 3 Days / 2 Nights
Day 1 • Jerusalem/Cairo, Egypt
We have an early morning departure by bus for Cairo. En route, we pass the Philistine cities before crossing into Egypt. Along the Sinai Peninsula, we pass several Bedouin villages where people still live as they did in Abraham’s time. We cross the Suez Canal and drive along the Nile River with its mud villages. Upon arrival in Cairo we check into our hotel, have dinner, and stay the night.
Day 2 • Pyramids/Sphinx/Cairo/Memphis/Sakkara/Cairo
Sightseeing begins with a visit to the famed Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We enter the largest one for a view of the tomb, and then, if you wish (not included in tour price), you can take a camel ride to the Sphinx, the huge guardian of the desert. Returning to Cairo, we spend time at the famous Egyptian Museum where the King Tut relics repose. Proceeding to Old Cairo, we see the Abu Sirgha Church, which is believed to mark the place where the Holy Family rested on their flight to Egypt. Then we visit the typical bazaars. Later, we drive along the Nile to Memphis (Biblical Noph), the most ancient Egyptian capital dating to Moses time. Here we see the huge statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. In Sakkara, we see the Serapeum Sarcophagi of the sacred Apis Bulls and King Djoser’s Step Pyramid, the oldest stone building in the world. Dinner and overnight are in Cairo.
Day 3 • Cairo/Hometown, U.S.A.
We take a morning homebound flight to the U.S. With us will be the treasured memories of our exciting and inspiring adventure to be relived in the days and years to come.