This tour of the Holy Land is Pastor Jim Aderman’s fourth journey to Israel and the surrounding countries. In addition to leading groups to Israel, he has led tours to Greece and Germany. He and his wife, Sharon, have also traveled to The Bahamas, England, Wales, and Scotland as well as to many places in the United States. Pastor Aderman has served Fairview Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milwaukee since 1987, is a published author, and a photography enthusiast.

$3,575, based on double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $475
Price for Egypt Extension: $495
Single Supplement for Cairo: $125

This tour price reflects special group rates. Deposits received after August 1, 2008, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Round-trip airfare from Chicago O’Hare Airport
• Accommodations in three- and four-star hotels
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Sightseeing and entrance fees to sites listed in itinerary
• English-speaking guide throughout
• Driver and transportation in air-conditioned motor coaches
• Hotel service charges and local taxes
• Tips to guides, drivers and hotel staff ($160 in Israel, $35 in Egypt)
• Current airline taxes and fuel surcharges ($365 for Israel only, $555 for Israel and Cairo)

Depart late evening from Chicago Airport on a transatlantic flight to Tel Aviv.

Sunday, November 9   Tel Aviv

Arrive in Tel Aviv at Ben Gurion Airport late in the afternoon. Drive through the agricultural stretches of the Sharon Plain, carpeted with orange groves and persimmon trees, to Netanya, along the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Dinner and overnight at the Blue Bay Hotel.

Monday, November 10   Netanya – The Galilee

This morning drive north along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea Maritima with its magnificent harbor, theater and aqueduct constructed during the reign of Herod. It was here that Paul testified to the Roman governor that Jesus is the Savior. Ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Drive to the mound of Megiddo, har megiddo in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. Visit the Church of the Annunciation in Jesus’ home town of Nazareth. Stop at Mt. Precipice, where the town folk tried to throw Jesus off the cliff. Take taxis through a series of switchbacks to the peak of Mount Tabor, which Christians have long identified as the “high mountain” of Matthew 17:1, the site of the Transfiguration. Continue the Kibbutz Ma’agan Holiday Village for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday, November 11   The Galilee

Drive to Kibbutz Nof Ginosar for a visit to the museum displaying the “Jesus Boat,” found buried under an exposed section of the lakebed during a drought in 1986. Follow the paths of Jesus’ ministry, beginning on the Mount of Beatitudes. Walk down the hill to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Loaves and Fishes and the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy at the northwestern shore of the lake. Continue to Capernaum to visit the synagogue and the place where early Christians remembered Peter’s house. Drive north to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), a source of the Jordan at the foot of Mt. Hermon – where Peter confessed his recognition of Jesus as the Christ. Sail across the Sea of Galilee in a wooden boat, pausing on the lake to consider the teachings and miracles of Jesus. Dinner and overnight at Ma’agan Holiday Village.

Wednesday, November 12   The Galilee – Amman

Begin in Yardenit, a popular baptism site where the water flows into the Jordan River, eventually flowing into the Dead Sea. Drive to Beit Shean, the place where King Saul’s body was displayed after his defeat at nearby Mt. Gilboa. Cross over into Jordan and stop at Jerash, site of the Decapolis city where Christians of Jerusalem took refuge during the first Jewish revolt against Rome. Attend the production of RACE, a chariot race show with a Roman legion of 40 men, 10 gladiators, and a stable of 20 horses. It is masterfully researched and dramatized in the Jerash hippodrome. Cross the Jabbok River, where Jacob wrestled with God. End the day in Amman, touring the ancient part of the city (citadel, museum, and Roman theater), with an overview of modern Amman. Dinner and overnight in Amman at the Regency Palace.

Thursday, November 13   Petra

Drive to Mount Nebo, from which God showed Moses the Promised Land. Visit nearby Madaba, with a mosaic floor from the 6th century showing a map of the Holy Land as Christian pilgrims knew it. Visit Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan, where it is believed John the Baptist preached and possibly baptized Jesus. Experience Petra by night. Follow a path lit by 1,800 candles while enjoying Bedouin music at the Treasury. An out-of-this-world experience! Dinner and overnight at the Petra Panorama.

Friday, November 14   Petra

Enjoy the day exploring Petra. For hundreds of years, Petra was forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1812, and it must be entered on foot, camel, horse or donkey cart. The Nabateans carved breathtaking temples and monuments, 800 in number, out of the multi-colored sandstone. See the 3,000-seat theatre, the Palace Tomb, the Monastery (Deir), and the Treasury, the most famous monument appearing dramatically at the end of the siq. Drive north to the Dead Sea Spa for dinner and overnight.

Saturday, November 15   Dead Sea – Jerusalem

Drive to the Allenby Bridge, crossing back into Israel. Stop at Jericho to visit the tel of this oldest city and view the traditional mountain of Jesus’ temptation. Continue to Qumran to view Cave #4, which contained the greatest quantity of Dead Sea scrolls. Drive along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea to Ein Gedi, where David fl ed from King Saul and cut off a part of his robe. Enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea (weather permitting), where it is almost impossible to sink because of the high salt density. Take a cable car to the top of Masada, Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome. Finally, from the top of Mt. Scopus, behold the majestic Holy City of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at the Ambassador Hotel Jerusalem.

Sunday, November 16   Jerusalem

Begin the day on the Mt. of Olives for a breath-taking view of the Old City. Visit the Monastery of Pater Noster, where you can see the Lord’s Prayer inscribed in 100 languages. Follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“the Lord weeps”). Walk downhill to Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. Ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. See the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church before walking along the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Visit the Western (“Wailing”) Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, and the excavations on the Southern Steps. Overnight at the Ambassador Hotel.

Monday, November 17   Jerusalem / Bethlehem

Drive to Beit Sahour to see the Shepherds’ Fields, and visit Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years. Continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity. If possible, stop at Hebron to see the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and visit the Christian Peacemakers Team. The remainder of the day will be spent at the International Center of Bethlehem, including time to meet with Mitri Raheb (if available), pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church. Enjoy dinner with local Christians at the restaurant at the International Center of Bethlehem. Overnight at the Ambassador Hotel.


Tuesday, November 18   Jerusalem

Drive to Mt. Zion to see the Upper Room, possible site of the Last Supper. See the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (“cock crow”), believed to be the site of Caiaphas’ house where Jesus was tried and kept overnight. Continue to the New City to see the model of Jerusalem, representing how the city looked on the eve of the Jewish revolt, 36 years after the Passion of Jesus. Visit the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Spend time at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial built to document the history of the Jewish people during the Holocaust period, including the Hall of Remembrance and the Children’s Memorial. Worship at the Garden Tomb, a possible site of Jesus’ resurrection. A special Middle Eastern farewell dinner is being prepared by the chef at the Ambassador Hotel, which will include many of the foods commonly enjoyed by the people of the Holy Land. Saha wa afiah—Hope you enjoy it! Dinner and overnight at the Ambassador Hotel.


Wednesday, November 19   Return to Chicago

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport early this morning for your flight home. Shalom!

Depart from Jerusalem this morning, driving to the southern tip of Israel, crossing at the Taba border into Sinai, Egypt. Continue through the land traveled by the Israelites, ending at Cairo for dinner and overnight.


Thursday, November 20   Cairo

Begin the day in Giza, the melting pot of ancient and modern Egyptian civilizations. See the three Pyramids of Giza, which includes the Great Pyra mid of Khufu (Cheops), the oldest and only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Nearby is the Great Sphinx, carved almost entirely from one massive piece of limestone. Visit the ancient city of Memphis, the old est capital of Egypt, to see the colossal ala baster statue of Ramses II. At nearby Sakkara, an ancient Egyptian cemetery, see the Step Pyramid and some of Egypt’s wall paintings and reliefs. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.


Friday, November 21   Cairo

This morning visit the Egyptian Museum to see some of the fabulous treasures of King Tutank hamen, including the famous gold mask, and the sculptures of Prince Rahotep and Princess Nofret. Stop at the Citadel, and visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the most popular Islamic mosque among tourists. This mosque is also sometimes referred to as the Alabaster Mosque due to its extensive use of that stone on some of the exterior walls and other surfaces. Tour Old Cairo, including some of the churches of the Christian community in Coptic Cairo. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.


Saturday, November 22   Depart Cairo for Chicago

Relish your memories of this visit to the Middle East for the rest of your life.

Click Here for a Tour Reservation Form

For further information, contact:
Rev. Jim Aderman
121 North 66th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53213
Cell phone: (414) 403-6224
Email: Israel08@aderman.net

Travel Arrangements by:

124 E. Main St
Ephrata, PA 17522
Tel: (800) 418-2929 ext. 81307
(717) 721-7307
Fax: (717) 733-1009
E-mail:lindyw@mtstravel.com

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CST 2013363-40