Holy Land Tour 2016
In January of 2016, we will embark on a journey to the land where Jesus Lived. To walk where Jesus walked…to see the sun rise from the Sea of Galilee as Jesus saw it…to see the city from the garden of Gethsemene…This is our Journey.
This 10-day experience will begin Tel A Viv. From there, we will travel to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, walk in the wilderness, visit the Dead Sea and look out over the landscape from the mountaintop fortress of Masada. We will conclude the tour in and around the city of Jerusalem. This once in a lifetime experience will help us to deepen our faith and promises to give us a better understanding of the stories and truth we find in the Bible.
TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1: Thursday, January 28 – Outbound flight from the US
Day 2: Friday, January 29 – Afternoon arrival and transfer to coastal area hotel
Day 3: Saturday January 30 – Coastal Plains to the Sea of Galilee
Day 4: Sunday January 31 – Upper Galilee and Golan
Day 5: Monday February 1 – Around the Sea of Galilee
Day 6: Tuesday February 2 – Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea
Day 7: Wednesday February 3 – Modern and Ancient Arad, Wilderness of Zin (Num 21)
Day 8: Thursday February 4 – Masada, En Gedi, Qumran, Judean Wilderness up to Jerusalem
Day 9: Friday February 5 – Jerusalem the Capital City
Day 10: Saturday February 6 – Environs of Jerusalem (optional morning worship service in English)
Day 11: Sunday February 7 – Jerusalem the Holy
Day 12: Monday February 8 – Jerusalem that Jesus Knew – late evening return flight
Day 13: Tuesday February 9 – Arrival in the U.S.
TRIP COST
The cost for the Holy Land Tour is based on number of travelers in our group, the more we can get to go, the better our rate will be.
$3900.00 Per Person – Trip price includes Airfare, all hotel, tour fees, and most meals. Not included are some lunches, and spending money for things like souvenirs.
Secure your spot today with your $300.00 Deposit.
For more information regarding this trip, please contact Scott Allen in the Church office.
GENERAL INFORMATION
What to Wear
Much of the tour is spent outdoors. Temperatures in late January and February range from the mid 40’s in the morning to high 60’s in the afternoon and it can be very windy. Layering works well since each day we will be indoors, outdoors, on and off the bus and so forth. You might want to bring a hat and gloves for the cooler, breezy mornings. Dress is casual: jeans, sweaters, pullovers, etc. Wear shoes with good support. You will be doing quite a bit of walking on uneven surfaces: rocky dirt, loose sand, wet conditions by rivers, climbing uphill and downhill, sidewalks, cobblestone streets, and lots and lots of steps.
Hotels
The hotels are clean, comfortable, and typically 4- star quality. They will have Wi-Fi and most have computer stations in the lobbies. There is usually a fee for the Wi-Fi, but it’s becoming more available without cost. Some hotels have indoor pools. Feel free to bring swimwear and enjoy these amenities as you like.
Food
The food is excellent – we eat breakfast and dinner in the hotels each day. The meals are served buffet-style, and there will be a wide variety of local cuisine. Most of the lunches are not included in our tour fees. We eat lunch “on the road” while out touring. Some of the stops will have more than one option for places to eat. Lunch will range from $10.00 to $14.00/person.
Currency
American dollars are welcome most everywhere. It is recommended that you exchange some currency at the hotel desk into shekels for those places that do not take the US dollar. Most places will take dollars but give you change in shekels.
Electricity
Israel runs on 240 volts. Most laptops, shavers, smart phones, and similar devices come equipped for the higher voltage. Check your device. You may only need to purchase an adaptor and not a voltage converter.
Flight Information
The flight to and from are quite long, remember to wear comfortable clothing and bring things to keep you occupied (music, books, etc). Most international flights have personal in-flight entertainment and it is also advised to get as much sleep as you can.
Journal
Having something like a notebook or journal is always nice to be able to capture your thoughts and the many new insights the tour will inspire. We should be able to have a couple of amazing Sunday services while we’re there, a true blessing to be a part of and ones you’ll want to have a way to remember.
Security
Be advised that Israel has higher security levels than we are used to. All Israeli citizens are required to serve a stint in the military after High School. You will see young people in uniforms, in full combat gear, carrying weapons. This is normal; no worries.
Souvenirs
There will be many opportunities to purchase souvenirs. Our guide is helpful regarding suggestions about where to purchase and where not to purchase. We will have some time in the Jewish quarter. It’s a great place to eat, walk around, and shop.