GUARANTEED DEPARTURE TOUR
Deluxe Tour: March 14–March 24 (Israel Only)
Grand Petra: March 14–March 28 (Israel & Petra)
Check your calendar and start making plans to join our Spring Tour!
In addition to our ten-day Israel tour, you can opt to include an extension to Petra, “the rose-red city half as old as time.”
This itinerary is a sample for the Deluxe Holy Land tour. The sites may not be seen in this sequence, depending on local conditions and the number of groups in the country at the time. Touring time each day generally will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., depending on the season. The specific tour itinerary will be provided each evening while on tour.
ISRAEL
Day 1
This is such an exciting day. The day of departure from the U.S., to visit what one-day will be my homeland. Our overnight flight should provide us with an opportunity to rest before arriving in Israel. I can’t wait!
Day 2
As we approach Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, I can see the Mediterranean coastline from either side of the plane. It’s been a long flight, but everyone seems excited, and many applaud as we land in the Holy Land. As we board the bus, our guide is welcoming us to Israel with a familiar word: “Shalom.” I’ve tried to picture in my mind what the Mediterranean looked like, but my imagination didn’t do it justice. It is a beautiful site!
We should all rest well tonight.
Day 3
This is simply heaven on earth—to be awakened by the rhythmic sounds of the waves on the shores in Tel Aviv. After an incredible breakfast buffet, we are driving along the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where we will view the stately, ancient Roman amphitheater where Paul stood trial. Imagine the excitement of Cornelius, the first Gentile of the Churchage to be saved, as he met Peter at this very place.
We are now driving through the Valley of Armageddon on our way to the fascinating archaeological site of Megiddo, one of Solomon’s chariot cities where twenty civilizations can be observed stacked up in the ruins. A view of Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home, is our next stop. What a day! And there is our hotel, located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Day 4
Another great breakfast and off we go by boat to cross the Sea of Galilee as our Lord often did, taking time for our morning praise and worship service. We disembark at Ginosar to visit the ancient boat from Jesus’ time. Next, we visit Korazin, an absolutely authentic site where our Lord preached (Matthew 11:21-24).
Capernaum, the home of the Apostle Peter where Christ healed his mother-in-law, is our next stop. Just a few steps away is the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught, and a short bus ride takes us to the Mount of Beatitudes. Silence falls over the group as we hear the Beatitudes read in Hebrew and English. Inspiring! We complete this day at the Jordan River Baptismal site, where many have chosen to be baptized in the same water as our Lord was.
Day 5
A special opportunity awaits those wanting to memorialize a loved one or leave behind a testament of your love for Israel by planting a young tree in the Zola Levitt Ministry Grove. The tree you plant could perhaps shade the King when He returns. From here, we go to Dan, where we see numerous archaeological finds, including an ancient archway, and maybe Caesarea Philippi, where Peter proclaimed with boldness, the identity of Christ. We now have driven up the Golan Heights and are enjoying a breathtaking view from the Peace Vista. From this viewpoint, I can understand why the Golan Heights is so vital to Israel’s security. Tonight, we have the option to go “out on the town” for dinner. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to try the famous St. Peter’s Fish
Day 6
Today we travel to the ancient Roman capital, Beit She’an, where numerous civilizations can be observed. We could spend a full day at this one place. But, we are now on our way to the Spring of Gideon, where God chose those 300 faithful soldiers. Our guide has promised us an entertaining lesson about Gideon’s army. The Galilee has been simply fantastic, but the best is yet to come. We are almost to the Holy City, JERUSALEM! I really do feel home.
Day 7
Our tour begins today driving south through the beautiful Judean Hills to historic Masada, the hilltop fortress where the Zealots of Israel stood to the death against the siege of the Roman legions. I can see why pilgrims have traveled from across the world just to see this singular ancient site. Our next stop, floating on the Dead Sea and enjoying its healing waters. This has to be experienced to be believed.
Our final destination for the day is the site of Qumran, where a shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. They are proof positive of Isaiah 40:8. This also looks like the perfect place to stock up on those world famous Dead Sea products.
Day 8
We are here in the morning hours at the Garden of Gethsemane, the place where our Lord often went to pray. After spending a few moments in prayer, we cross the Kidron Valley to visit the important work at the southern and western walls of the Temple Mount, and the ancient City of David. As we walk through these sites, we see structures that were built at the time of King David, some three thousand years ago! I cannot believe the size of these stones in the retaining wall. It really puts into perspective the term “cornerstone.” This part of the tour is worth the trip by itself.
Next, the Western Wall, to join our Jewish friends in prayer. We are standing on Holy ground! Our group has now assembled in the Upper Room, site of our Lord’s Last Supper with His Apostles. As the group sings “Amazing Grace,” it is indeed a sweet sound. We’ve passed through the narrow streets and arrived at the Temple Institute, where many implements have been created for use in the coming new Temple of God. Amazing!
Day 9
We begin this day with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s national memorial to the Holocaust. All I can say is that I just don’t understand man’s inhumanity to man! Next we are off to the Israel Museum with its Shrine of the Book, where we have the unique experience of examining the original Dead Sea Scrolls. We are now at the model of Jerusalem in Jesus’ time, with detail that is simply incredible. My hats off to the people who had the skill and patience for this project.
Well, this is our final night in Israel. As we enjoy our sumptuous Farewell Dinner, we hear tearful testimonies of our pilgrimage. I’ve made some very special friends while in Israel, and I look forward to seeing them again, here, or when the trumpet sounds!
Day 10
Our final day of touring takes us first to the Garden Tomb, where we witness first-hand, the empty tomb, and also observe the Lord’s Supper. We have visited Mt. Samuel for observations, and now we are at the Valley of Elah, where young David defeated Goliath (now here’s a place to bring your Sunday School class). After dinner, it is on to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight home.
Those staying for the extension to Petra will enjoy one more night in Jerusalem before a scenic drive south through the Negev Desert to our luxurious resort hotel in Eilat. We will take with us precious memories of our unforgettable pilgrimage to the Holy Land where lessons of the Bible come to life where they actually happened.
GRAND PETRA
Our Grand Petra excursion explores many fascinating sites. We pass through the Arava Valley on our way to Eilat, a resort village on the Red Sea where summer lasts throughout the year. We cross over to nearby Petra, the famed rose-red buildings and monuments chiseled out of the mountainside before the time of Christ. The overland tour of the Negev Desert, in all its stark, primitive beauty, can only be appreciated in person as we traverse its entire length on our route from Jerusalem.
Day 1
Our Petra extension begins with a scenic drive south through the Negev Desert. On our way, we make a few stops to relax and enjoy the scenery. We have arrived at the Eilat Stone Factory where they cut, polish, and mount into all types of jewelry, the one-of-a-kind Eilat Stone. Oh no, they accept credit cards! We end the day at our magnificent hotel on the shores of the Red Sea.
Day 2
An early drive takes us to Aqaba, crossing into Jordan, where we will board a bus and head north to Petra, the “rose-red city half as old as time.” We have reached our destination and are winding our way down to the mouth of a narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs. Some of us have chosen to walk with our guide, and some have chosen to ride by carriage to the main entrance, where we will meet in front of the famous Treasury. This magnificent structure is the highlight in Petra. After the tour, our group is enjoying lunch at one of the premier hotels in Jordan. In the evening we return to our beautiful beachfront resort in Eilat.
Day 3
What an early morning sight! The beautiful Red Sea where Israel shares a friendly border with Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. We’ve continued our journey to Solomon’s Pillars in Timna, where we are viewing one of King Solomon’s copper mines, and visiting a replica of the Tabernacle, a fascinating version of what the Levites spent 40 years constructing and moving. This site reminds me of the “once-for-all” price my Lord paid for sin— my sin. After an enjoyable falafel lunch, we have an afternoon at leisure.
Day 4
Our stay in Eilat has been wonderful. Our journey this morning takes us north through the Negev Desert to Mitzpe-Ramon and its 20-mile-long Ramon Crater, the world’s largest crater and a geological wonderland. We continue to Be’er Sheva, where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all visited. Among the ancient ruins is one of Abraham’s wells. This day concludes at our hotel for a relaxing evening before our flight home tomorrow.
Day 5
Today is our departure flight back to the U.S. I know there is much more to see and experience in this land, so a return trip will be in my future plans—for certain a return to the New Jerusalem! This has been an unforgettable pilgrimage.
.jpg){kind=logo}
