$3,450, based on double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $425

This tour price reflects special group rates. Deposits received after March 19, 2008, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms.

ALL-INCLUSIVE* TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Round trip air fare from JFK International Airport
• Accommodations in three- and four-star hotels
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Services of experienced, English-speaking licensed guides
• Airport transfers in Tel Aviv
• Sightseeing and entrance fees
• Service charges and local taxes
• Tips to guides, drivers and hotel staff ($150)
• Border crossing taxes
• Airline taxes and fuel surcharges ($230)

*Except for lunches

How much cash will you need?
Lunch is not a part of the tour program. Plan on $10 a day for lunches. Make sure to have cash or credit card to purchase souvenirs!

ITINERARY:
Tuesday, June 24   Departure

Depart late morning from JFK International Airport on a transatlantic flight to Tel Aviv.

Wednesday, June 25    Tel Aviv / Netanya

Upon arrival at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport this morning, drive through the agricultural stretches of the Sharon Plain to Netanya, located along the beautiful Mediterrean Sea. Dinner and overnight in Netanya at the Blue Bay Hotel.

Thursday, June 26   Caesarea Maritima / Mount Carmel / Megiddo

Drive along the coast, reaching Caesarea Maritima to see its magnifi cent harbor, theatre, and aqueduct constructed during the reign of Herod. It was here that Peter explained the way of salvation to Cornelius. Stop at Bet She’arim, the second century meeting place of the Sanhedrin, to visit the catacombs containing the tomb of Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi who compiled the Mishnah. Ascend Mt. Carmel, the site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Drive to of Megiddo, har Megiddo in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. Dinner and overnight at Kibbutz Ma’agan, located along the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee.

Friday, June 27    Nazareth / Sepphoris

Spend the morning getting acquainted with Jesus’ home town of Nazareth, visiting its spring where Mary would have done her family’s laundry, and walking through the present-day bazaar, over the site of the ancient village, to the Church of the Annunciation. Drive to nearby Sepphoris, the only city in the midst of Galilee at the time when Jesus was growing up—today a rich archaeological site. Drive to the western side of the Sea of Galilee, climbing the Arbel cliff for a spectacular view of the northern part of the Sea of Galilee. Overnight at Kibbutz Ma’agan.

Saturday, June 28   Capernaum / Mt. of Beatitudes / Banias

Visit the Yigal Allon center at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar to see the reconstructed “Jesus Boat,” found buried under an exposed section of the lakebed during a drought in 1986. Follow the paths of Jesus’ ministry today, 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 located at the northwestern shore of the lake, an area intense with Christian memories. Continue on to Capernaum to visit the synagogue and the place where early Christians remembered as the location of Peter’s house. Drive north to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), a source of the Jordan, at the foot of Mt. Hermon. It was here Peter confessed his recognition of Jesus as the Christ. Enjoy a nature walk at Tel Dan and visit the high place where Jeroboam, son of Nebat, set up a golden calf. End the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee before returning to Kibbutz Ma’agan for dinner and overnight.

Sunday, June 29   Beit Shean / Jerash

Visit the mount of Beth Shean, hearing the story of Saul and viewing the ruins of Roman Scythopolis. Cross into Jordan, stopping at Jerash, one of the best-preserved examples of Roman civilization, which features theatres, churches, temples, and colonnaded streets. Enjoy RACE, a recreation of the chariot races of Bible times. Cross the Jabbok River, where Jacob wrestled with God. End the day in Amman, chief city of the Biblical Ammonites, also known as Philadelphia during Roman times. There will be time to worship at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Amman, the only ELCJ church in Jordan. Dinner and overnight in Amman at the Regency Palace.

Monday, June 30   Mount Nebo – Petra

Drive to Bethany- Beyond-the-Jordan, where it is believed John the Baptist preached and baptized Jesus. Stop at nearby Madaba, to view the church’s mosaic floor from the 6th century showing a map of the Holy Land as early Christian pilgrims knew it. Continue to Mount Nebo, from which Moses viewed the Promised Land. On a clear day, you can see Jersusalem in the distance. Drive south along the Kings’ Highway, stopping to view the spectacular gorge of Wadi Mujib—sometimes called "the Grand Canyon of the Middle East.” It is well over 1600 meters deep and runs down from the mountains to the Dead Sea. Continue to Petra, the rose-red city, checking in at the Nabatean Mövenpick Hotel. After dinner, it is possible that a special option may be available to experience “Petra by Night,” walking through the Siq to the Treasury by the light of 1,800 candles, for a Bedouin performance of singing and dancing! Dinner and overnight at the Nabatean Mövenpick.

Tuesday, July 1   Petra – Dead Sea

For hundreds of years, Petra was forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1812. It must be entered on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. 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 which appears dramatically at the end of the siq. Continue on to the Dead Sea Spa where you may fl oat in the waters of the Dead Sea without the fear of sinking. The salt density is so high it is impossible to sink. Dinner and overnight at the spa.

Wednesday, July 2    Jericho – Qumran – Jerusalem

Cross the Allenby Bridge into Israel this morning, stopping at the site of the ancient city of Jericho. Nearby in the Judean Desert is Qumran. View Cave #4 which contained the greatest quantity of Dead Sea scrolls. Continue on to Jerusalem stopping to visit the Shrine of the Book. Having just been to Qumran, it will give an appreciation of the preservation work done on the scrolls. Nearby is the model of Jerusalem, showing the city as it appeared at the time of Christ, giving one a feel for the layout of the city. Follow the Palm Sunday route from the top of the Mt. of Olives, stopping at Dominus Flevit, and continuing to Gethsemene and the Church of the Agony. Overnight in Jerusalem at the Ambassador Hotel.

Thursday, July 3   Jerusalem

There is much to see in Jerusalem. Today visit the Western (“Wailing”) Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. Walk through the Western Wall Tunnel, where additional portions of the wall, as well as other structures beneath it have been excavated. Visit the Davidson Exhibition and Virtual Reconstruction Center at the Old City’s Southern Wall excavations, where you will view important archeological discoveries spanning thousands of years. 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 Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church before walking along the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Overnight in Jerusalem.


Friday, July 4   Jerusalem – Bethlehem

Begin the day with a visit to Yad va Shem, the Holocaust Museum. Travel the short distance south to Bethlehem and visit the Pools of Solomon, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years. Continue to Bethlehem, passing by the Shepherds’ Fields. Walk the alleys and markets of Bethlehem to the Church of the Nativity, marking the spot of Christ’s birth. Stop at the International Center for a visit with Mitri Raheb and other local Palestinians and join them for dinner. Return to Jerusalem for overnight.

Saturday, July 5   Augusta Victoria Hospital – Ein Gedi – Masada

Visit the Augusta Victoria Hospital, established as a hospital after the war of 1948. It was initially under the control of the Red Cross, but since 1950 has been owned and managed by the Lutheran World Federation. Next, travel through the Judean Wilderness where David hid from Saul at Ein Gedi, and hike to the waterfall there. Experience the mountain fortress of Masada, the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66 – 73 AD). Return to Jerusalem, where the remainder of the day is free for shopping, rest or exploring the Holy City on your own. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Sunday, July 6   Jerusalem

Worship at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer this morning, followed by a tour of the church and a meeting with the pastor. The remainder of the day is free to do as you please. The possibilities are endless—bargain for olive wood and jewelry in the bazaars of the Old City, walk the rampart walls, explore the four quarters of the Old City, or spend time in several of the many museums. 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. Depart Jerusalem for your late-night flight from Ben Gurion Airport.

Monday, July 7   Return to USA

Arrive early this morning at JFK International Airport. Salaam/Shalom.

Click Here for a Tour Reservation Form

For further information, contact:
Rev. Joanne Stewart & Rev. Doug Stewart
The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word
597 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607-2004
Tel: (585) 244-6065
Email: jegstewart@aol.com

Travel Arrangements by:

Lindy Witman
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

Tour Features and Conditions

Responsibility

CST 2013363-40