$2,750, based on double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $450
Group Travel Insurance: $190 (nonrefundable)

This tour price reflects special group rates. Deposits received after December 4, 2009, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms.

We begin our pilgrimage of faith by departing from Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Sunday, March 14 Tel Aviv – Netanya

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Drive through the agricultural stretches the Sharon Plain, carpeted with orange groves and persimmon trees, to Netanya, located along the western Mediterranean Sea. Dinner and overnight in Netanya at the King Solomon Hotel.

Monday, March 15 Netanya – The Galilee

Drive north along the seacoast to Caesarea Maritima, with its magnificent harbor, theater and aqueduct constructed during the reign of Herod. It was here that Peter explained the way of salvation to Cornelius. Continue to Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Follow the Via Maris (Way of the Sea) to Megiddo, the city that dominated this strategic trade route from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Explore its extensive excavations, including Ahab’s stables, a grain silo, and an ancient underground water system. Drive to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. See the Church of the Annunciation, built on the traditional spot where the angel Gabriel prophesied to Mary. See Mt. Precipice, the site of Christ’s temptation. Dinner and overnight at the Mount of Beatitudes Guest House.

Tuesday, March 16 Sea of Galilee Area

Spend time this morning on the Mount of Beatitudes before departing for the Man in Galilee Museum to see the “Jesus Boat.” Found buried under an exposed section of the lake bed during a drought in 1986, the boat is now displayed in a museum at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar. From here, depart on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, with time for meditation on the sea. Disembark at Capernaum, the town used as a base by Christ during his ministry. See the remains of the fourth century synagogue and the nearby house of St. Peter. Drive 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, an area intense with Christian memories. Drive to Yardenit, the traditional baptismal site located where the Sea of Galilee runs into the Jordan River. Return to Mount of Beatitudes Guest House for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday, March 17 The Galilee – Jerusalem

Visit the mound of Beth Shean, hear the story of Saul and viewing the ruins of Roman Scythopolis. Drive south through the Jordan Valley, viewing the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan across the Jordan River. Stop at Jericho to visit the tel of this oldest city, and view the traditional mountain of Jesus' temptation. Finally, from the top of the Mount of Olives, behold the majestic Holy City of Jerusalem lying before you. After viewing the Golden Gate, follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“the Lord weeps”). See Church of Pater Noster, where you can see the Lord’s Prayer inscribed languages. Continue downhill to Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations (also known as the Church of the Agony). Continue to the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Thursday, March 18 Jerusalem

Enter the Old City through the Dung Gate to pray at the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, and the southern steps, where Jesus spoke to His disciples. Walk through the Western Wall Tunnel, where additional portions of the wall, as well as other structures beneath have been excavated. Ascend the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, located on the traditional Temple Mount. Drive to the “New City,” passing by the Knesset en route to the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Visit the model of Jerusalem, representing how the city looked on the eve of the Jewish revolt, 36 years after the Passion of Jesus. The remainder of the afternoon will be spent at the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. Return to the Ambassador Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Friday, March 19 Jerusalem

Explore the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, walking along the Roman Cardo Maximus, the reconstructed main street of Roman Jerusalem. Stop to see the replica of the 6th century Madaba map of the Old City, and visit the Wohl Museum and Burnt House. See the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, with its excellent acoustics. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Dinner and overnight at the Ambassador Hotel.

Saturday, March 20 Jerusalem / Bethlehem

Drive to Mt. Zion this morning to the grounds of the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. Here, the Assumptionist Fathers propose, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus. Also visit the Coenaculum proposed location of the Last Supper. Drive south out of Jerusalem, stopping at Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years. Continue to Beit Sahour to see the Shepherds’ Fields before continuing to Bethlehem to the Church of the Nativity, built over the site believed to be the place of Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem is also an excellent place to buy items that are hand carved from olive wood. Back in Jerusalem, participate in communion at the Garden Tomb prior to dinner and overnight at the Ambassador Hotel.

Sunday, March 21 Jerusalem / Dead Sea Area

Depart Jerusalem this morning, driving south along the Dead Sea to Masada. Take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of Jewish revolt against Rome (66-73 AD). Stop at nature reserve at En Gedi, the region where David fled from King Saul and cut off a part of his robe in a cave. Enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea, where it almost impossible to sink, because of the high salt density! Continue through the Judean desert to Qumran. View Cave # 4, which contained the greatest quantity of Dead Sea scrolls. Return to Jerusalem for a special Middle Eastern farewell dinner at the Ambassador Hotel before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport for your late-night departure.

Monday, March 22 USA

Arrive in the U.S. with memories that will enhance your Bible study for years to come, because you have walked where Jesus walked.

Your tour hosts:
Rev. Bill Miller is pastor of St. Thomas Church in Bernville, PA. He and his wife Dorothea have led several international trips in the past and look forward to this trip to the Holy Land. This will be their first journey to Israel. Feel free to pass this information along to your friends and relatives.

Rev. Dr. John A. Toms is married and has a daughter. Pastor John is a student of Reformed Church History and has Ministerial Standing in the Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University, Lancaster Theological Seminary, and Master's International Graduate School of Theology with a Doctorate of Ministry degree in Worldview Studies. He served 6 years in the Navy, worked for 20 years in Social Service agencies, serving individuals with mental illnesses and those with developmental disabilities and as a psychological counselor. He also worked for the U. S. Army as a computer programmer. He enjoys travel, sports (Penn State Football), computer usage in church communities, his family, and reading. He prefers to be called "Pastor John."

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CST 2013363-40