Pastors' FAM Tour

You’re invited!  Pastor’s FAM Tour of the Holy Land 

 

January 11-20, 2011

$1,099* - Yes! only $1,099*

 

Dr. Tony Crisp will be personally hosting this tour. Dr. Crisp, a native of East Tennessee, has been traveling to Israel for more than three decades. He is recognized nationwide as one of the leading authorities on the history and culture of both ancient and modern day Israel.

 

 

 

 

Today you will leave the United States on a trans-continental flight to Tel Aviv, Israel.  Your flight departs in the late afternoon on Tuesday, January 11 aboard Continental Airlines trans-continental flight arriving mid-morning Wednesday, January 12.

 

 

When you arrive in the Holy Land you will be met by a representative to assist you through customs and provide transfer to your deluxe motor coach to begin the tour of a lifetime!  Ben Gurion airport is near the modern city of Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city.  It is also near the ancient seaport of Joppa where King Solomon’s ships sailed to far away ports and where the prophet Jonah fled from the call of God. 

 

 

You will drive through the Sharon Valley up the coast to the ancient capital of the Roman Empire in Palestine, Caesarea Maritime.  This is the place where many events in the book of Acts took place and was also the home of Herod the Great.  You then drive to the heights of Mt. Carmel where Elijah fought the prophets of Baal and see the spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley where the battle of Armageddon will take place. 

 

You drive through the Jezreel Valley up the hills of the lower Galilee to the overlook of Nazareth, the boyhood home of the Lord Jesus. Your drive continues into the lower Galilee where you spend your first night on the peaceful shores of the Sea of Galilee at your beautiful hotel.  This is the first of three (3) nights you will spend at one of the most beautiful places in Israel.  Already you will sense the awesomeness of being in God’s Holy Land.  You will enjoy a sumptuous dinner overlooking the Sea of Galilee as well as a wonderful night’s rest.

 

 

Thursday, January 13th

 

You will wake to a breathtaking sunrise on the Sea of Galilee.  After breakfast, enjoy a boat ride and time of worship in a replica of an ancient boat on the Sea of Galilee, as you sail  to view an authentic 2,000 year old ancient boat dating to the time of Christ, in Nof Ginnosar. 

 

The rest of your touring day will be spent tracing the steps of Jesus through the Galilee region as you visit the Mt. of Beatitudes and ancient Capernaum, Tabgha and the ancient fisherman’s landing called the “Primacy of Peter”.    You will enjoy lunch by the Sea of Galilee where you will have an opportunity to eat “St. Peter’s fish,” tilapia, caught fresh out of the waters of the Galilee.  Weather and time permitting you will travel along the ancient border of the Habashan and the land of Gilead.  Today this same Yarmuk River Valley serves as the border with Jordan and Israel.  You will see the strategic nature of the Southern Golan Heights and have a breathtaking view of the entire Sea of Galilee from north to south. 

 

 

After experiencing this wonderful day of study, praise and worship you can once again relax at your hotel on the Sea of Galilee.  After dinner you may enjoy looking out over this beautiful lake to reflect on what you are already experiencing; walking where Jesus walked.

 

 

 

 

The beautiful northern mountains of Israel await you today.  A city gate from the time of Abraham can be seen at Tel Dan, along with an altar from the days of Israel’s divided kingdom.  You will also get to walk through an incredible Nature Reserve at Dan where you will see the beginnings of the Dan River which join with other streams to form the Jordan River.  The water is crystal clear and pure.   You will see a gorgeous waterfall as the headwaters of the Jordan River cascade into a beautiful mountain stream.  Your next stop will be the site of the Apostle Peter’s confession of Christ at Caesarea Philippi. 

 

You will also see the second source of the Jordan River at Banias.  Israel’s incredible history from 1948 until the present will be explained like never before you stand upon the heights of the extant volcano peak.  You can see the Golan Heights spanning from the Northern border to the Sea of Galilee and learn about the strategic importance this region has played and will continue to play to the nation of Israel.  You will travel the entire expanse of the Hula Valley and see Northern Israel during its most green season.  After your day in the mountains you will retire to your hotel on the Sea of Galilee for a final evening.

 

 

This morning you leave the beautiful Sea of Galilee and drive through the hills and valleys passing by the foot of Mt. Tabor a prominent mountain in the books of Judges, Samuel, Kings and Chronicles. You pass by Shunem and  Nain mentioned in association with the Prophet Elisha and the ministry of Jesus. We cross the Jezreel Valley and climb the mother of all ancient sites, Tel Megiddo. This site has many, many layers of civilizations and was one of the chariot cities of King Solomon. It is also the place where you will see an ancient water tunnel chiseled by hand during the days of Ahab’s reign in the Northern Kingdom.

 

After Megiddo, you will take the “scenic route” passing  the stronghold of the city of Jezreel, home of Ahab and Jezebel, as well as the site of Naboth’s Vineyard. Driving along the Gilboa mountain range you come to Harrod’s Springs where Judge Gideon tested  his men before the battle with the Midianites in the valley between Gilboa and Mt. Moreh. From there you will visit the last site before your journey down the Jordan Valley, Beth Shan.  Bet Shan, while not mentioned in the New Testament is an Old Testament city and the best preserved Roman city from that period in Israel today. 

 

You will have lunch, a break and then onward to Jerusalem. After passing by ancient Jericho you begin your climb to Jerusalem while viewing scenery and traveling the same route the ancient pilgrims would have taken as they made their journey to Jerusalem for the great feasts of Israel.  You finally arrive today in the City of God, the City of David and the ancient and modern capital of Israel, Jerusalem. 

 

Your heart will leap with emotion as you stand on the overlooks of the Mount of Olives and see the breathtaking Mountain of Moriah where Abraham was to offer Issac, Solomon built the first temple and where Jesus walked, taught, died, rose again and will one day return in great glory!   This is only the beginning.  You check in to your hotel, have dinner and enjoy your first night in your lovely hotel in Jerusalem.

 

 

These final days are spent in and around the environs of the capital of ancient and modern day Israel – Jerusalem!  A detailed itinerary will be given out as you arrive in Jerusalem.  One day the group will leave the environs of Jerusalem and drive down to the Judean wilderness to visit Masada, En Gedi and Qumran. Please see “Crisp Notes” for complete information on these historical and Biblically important sites. However, below you will find just some of the places we will see and experience together during these days:

 

 

 

You will complete your tour of Israel on the last afternoon, at Calvary and the Garden Tomb.  After that awesome experience you will drive to Abu Gosh (ancient Kiryat Jearim, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept before King David brought it to Jerusalem) where you share a traditional Arab meal before driving to the airport for a late evening departure for the USA.

 

 

Arrive home today With memories that will last for a lifetime and with plans to return and bring others back to experience God’s Holy Land - Israel! Blessed traveling from all of us at TLC Holyland Tours!