10-Day Biblical Tour of the Holy Land, Israel

HOLY LAND • Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus • 10-Day Biblical Tour of Israel • Trip of a lifetime! • Travel Dates: November 14-23, 2016

• Price from Chicago/O'Hare: $3,695	• Price from Charleston, WV: $4,102
• Price from Pittsburgh, PA: $3,947	• Price from Shreveport, LA: $4,167
• Other departure cities available upon request.

Tour Hosts:	UPDATED Tour Guide:
Doug & LaDonna Joseph. A veteran of multiple trips to Israel, Doug is an author, teacher, and pastor. His experience and knowledge will usher you through an awesome, unforgettable tour of the Holy Land! He is ordained in the United Pentecostal Church International. LaDonna is a delightful host making her second trip to the Holy Land. The Joseph's pastor in Clarksburg, WV.	Khader (George) Mascobi, one of the most sought-after guides in Israel, has been confirmed for our trip! (George and Khader mean the same, and he answers to either.) George is a fellow believer (Christian), and he is one of the very best guides currently serving. Many pastors and church groups request him by name. We're very glad to have him as our guide. He resides in Israel.

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UPDATED Itinerary, with UPGRADED HOTELS:

Nov 15-16 Herod's Hotel, Dead Sea

Nov 16-19 Dan Hotel, Jerusalem (deluxe rooms)

Nov 19-22 Scots Hotel, Tiberias

Nov 22-23 Herod's Hotel, Tel Aviv

DAY 1 – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14: DEPART U.S.A.
Tour members meet for our flight to Israel. After dinner is served, sit back and relax, enjoying the on-board entertainment as you prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime, walking where Jesus walked.

DAY 2 – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15: ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV, TRAVEL TO DEAD SEA
We arrive in Tel Aviv, where we are met by our agent who assists us through customs and security. We are then transferred to our motor coach and begin our drive to the Dead Sea area (the lowest spot on the earth). We may have time to enjoy a relaxing swim/float in the Dead Sea, enjoy the hotel or a relaxing spa (some spa treatments are not included). Remember to bring with you good water shoes, as the bottom surface of the Dead Sea can be rough on your feet. Dinner and overnight will be in the Dead Sea area.

DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16: DEAD SEA, EIN GEDI, QUMRAN, MASADA, JERICHO
This morning we can sleep in or enjoy the hotel facilities (not all spa treatments included). After breakfast, we begin our day of sightseeing with a visit to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. From here we make our way to Qumran and the possible settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Following the road south along the western shore of the Dead Sea, we visit Masada, where we ascend high upon the wilderness mountain by way of cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. Here we survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, the synagogue, temples and palaces. Afterwards, we make our way to Jerusalem. The road from the Dead Sea area to Jerusalem is an ascent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. If time and conditions permit, we’ll include a short visit to Jericho prior to arriving in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4 – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17: MT. OF OLIVES, PALM SUNDAY ROAD, GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, JEWISH QUARTER, TEMPLE MOUNT, HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL, MT. ZION GATE, SOUTHERN STEPS
We begin our explorations this morning with a drive to the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breath-taking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage proceeds down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove. There we visit the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed. We enter Jerusalem through the Zion Gate, and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod's temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Sam. 24:18-25). On the Temple Mount now stands the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in all Islam) and the El-Aqsa Mosque. Conditions permitting, we’ll drive to Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Bring water shoes and a flashlight with you, as you will get wet walking through the tunnel. We conclude our day on the Southern Steps to stand on the original steps that Jesus walked on as he entered the Temple area. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

DAY 5 – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18: YAD VASHEM, BETHLEHEM, GARDEN TOMB
We begin our sightseeing with a short drive to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Then we pass by Rachel's tomb on our way to Bethlehem, and visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd's Field. Afterwards, we make our way to the Garden Tomb for a time of worship and communion. We have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. After dinner we make our way back to the Western Wall for an optional visit to the Rabbi’s Tunnel.

DAY 6 – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19: CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, SHRINE OF THE BOOK, MODEL CITY, SEA OF GALILEE
After an early breakfast, we begin our sightseeing with a visit to the temple area. We make our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and then on to St. Stephen's Gate, St. Anne's Crusader Church, Pool of Bethesda, the Sister of Zion Convent (to see the Pavement where Jesus stood as he was being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Shrine of the Book Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. Then we see the fascinating model of Jerusalem (1:50 scale model of Herodian Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus' time). We then travel to Tiberias for dinner and overnight near the Sea of Galilee.

DAY 7 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20: GALILEE, MT. OF BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM, BOAT RIDE ON SEA OF GALILEE, JORDAN RIVER
There is nothing quite like watching a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee! We begin our sightseeing with a visit at the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7), with time for reflection and worship. From here we make our way to Capernaum. We then board a replica wooden Jesus Boat for our Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee. We stop for a special traditional St. Peter’s Fish lunch (not included). Afterwards, we see Gadara and then make our way to the Jordan River. We will have our dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

DAY 8 – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21: GOLAN HEIGHTS, CAESAREA PHILIPPI, TEL DAN, BEIT SHEAN
After breakfast, we travel north to the Golan Heights and view the area from a special lookout. From here we continue our drive to Caesarea Philippi, where we have time for devotions. Afterwards, we take a short hike/walk to Tel Dan where we see the gate of Jeroboam. From here, we include a visit to Gideon Springs. Time permitting, we’ll end our day with a visit to Beit Shean, one of the best preserved Decapolis Roman cities. Dinner and overnight are in Tiberias.

DAY 9 – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22: CANA, NAZARETH, MT. CARMEL, DRUZE VILLAGE, MEGIDDO, CAESAREA MARITIMA, TEL AVIV
Today we depart the Galilee, visiting the following Biblical sites: Cana (John 2), Zippori, Nazareth (Luke 1 & 2), and Mt. Carmel with time for devotions (1 Kings 18). If time permits, we’ll stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (not included). Afterwards, we make our way to Tel Megiddo and Caesarea Maritima (Acts 10). From here, we travel to Tel Aviv for our Farewell Dinner and have a late evening transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight back to the U.S.A.

DAY 10 – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23: ARRIVE IN U.S.A.
We arrive back in the U.S.A. in the morning. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.

*While we do our very best at making sure all items listed in your itinerary are included, there are times when conditions beyond our control affect your program/itinerary, including but not limited to air carrier changes, delays, weather, political climate, time constraints, or changes by your tour leader and tour guide.

Q: What is included in the tour price?
A: Included in the above prices are: all airfares, taxes, tips/gratuities, ticket fees, admittance fees, and meals morning and evening. All sight-seeing will be facilitated by motorcoach. Each day the hotel will provide a superb breakfast buffet (all-you-care-to-eat) and a superb supper buffet (all-you-care-to-eat). Lunch is up to you.

Q: What is our departure city/airport, i.e. our gathering point to depart as a group?
A: Chicago's O'Hare Airport has been selected as our central gathering point and overseas launch city. Regardless of what city you initially depart from and return to, this is where we will all eventually meet to board the big plane and fly out across the Atlantic. Tour members are welcome to arrange their own travel to and from the departure city and only pay for the tour, or you can have your trip pricing adjusted to include the journey from (and back to) your local departure city. Contact us for pricing from your nearest major airport, if desired.

Trying to decide whether to get to the departure city on your own? Bear in mind that not only may we be able to save you some money on the fare from your nearest major airport, but also if your whole trip is included in one ticket package, then you only have to check your luggage once instead of twice. Remember these factors as you consider whether to get to the departure city on your own, or as part of your overall tour package. Also bear in mind that you can have us set your dates into / out of the departure city so that you can spend some time there on your own. As a major city, there is a lot to see and do there.