March 18, 2011 Holy Land Tour

EXPERIENCE SPRINGTIME IN THE HOLY LAND – 8 Day Tour
Additional Egypt Post-Tour Option Available (see below for details)

Join Taylor and Lisa Halverson on a journey to the Holy Lands. Our LDS and Israeli guides are experienced, Ancient Near East scholars. Our tours emphasize the study of the scriptures as we walk in Christ’s footsteps. Experience an education week on location and an uplifting experience never to be forgotten!

Prices: $1,995 per person based on double occupancy plus round trip airfare
Credit card price is $2,095– Guarantee your spot and price with a $300 deposit
To Reserve Call 800-217-7660 or 801-850-1498 

INCLUDED IN TOUR
* 4  &5 star hotels (Sheraton or Rimonim Galei Kinneret, Olive Tree)
* First class bus transportation
* Breakfast, Dinners
* All entrance fees
* Tips are included in the cost of the tour

NOT INCLUDED
* Roundtrip international airfare to Tel Aviv
* Lunches
* Personal items, souvenirs, phone calls, laundry, etc.

Day 1 (March 18): Flights — Depart to Israel from the United States
 

Day 2 (March 19): Arrive Tel Aviv — Jaffa – Caesarea

After arriving, you will visit the site of Jaffa where Peter received the revelation in the home of Simon the tanner, which inititated the preaching of the gospel to the gentiles. It was also from Jaffa that Jonah departed towards Tarsus. After our visit of Jaffa, you will visit the Herodian site of Caesarea. This is the probable site of the first gentile baptism and your first glimpse into the amazing works of Herod. You will then transfer to your hotel overlooking the beautiful Sea of Galilee in Tiberias.

Day 3 (March 20): Megiddo – Cana – Megiddo – Nazareth – Mt. Carmel

Today we begin with a visit Megiddo, which is prophesied as the venue for Armageddon (derived from the name’s place in Hebrew) or the final battle between the forces of light led by Jesus Christ and the forces of darkness led by Satan or the Anti-Christ after the End of Days. From Megiddo, we will drive via Cana, the place where Christ turned water into wine at a wedding feast, on our way to Nazareth. Nazareth was the boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will see the Church of Annunciation and a local synagogue. We will also visit Mount Carmel where Elijah battle the priests of Baal. Here Jehovah showed the Israelites his power in consuming the sacrifices offered by Elijah. We will return to hotel in Tiberias.

Day 4 (March 21): Sea of Galilee – Mount Hermon – Tabgha – Capernaum – Mount of Beatitudes – Golan Heights

We will begin our journey today by driving along the shore of the Sea of Galilee before arriving at Tabgha. Tabgha is an area situated on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee and is the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Then we will visit Capernaum, which was the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. In Capernaum, Christ performed many miracles and gave many teachings, including the “Bread of Life” sermon. From Capernaum we will go to the Mount of Beatitudes, where parts of the “Sermon on the Mount” will be share and discussed. We’ll continue on to Banias at the foot of Mount Hermon, which is the site of Peter’s testimony of Savior and one of the sources of the Jordan River as it emerges from the foothills of Mount Hermon. Return to our hotel in Tiberias. 

Day 5 (March 22): Beth Shean – Jordan Valley – Jericho – Bethany – Mount Tabor

Today we will begin our drive to Mount Tabor. Few events in the Bible equal the events that took place on Mt. Tabor. It is proposed that this is the location where Christ was transfigured and heavenly messengers conferred the keys of the kingdom to Peter, James and John. We will then visit the strategic Roman site of Beth Shean. At these impressive ruins we will see the splendor of Roman life and Hellenistic culture. We will then drive through the Jordan Valley to Jericho and review some of the important scriptural events that took place in this area as we overlook Jericho from above. We will make a stop in Bethany and talk of the raising of Lazarus from the dead as we visit his tomb. We will check into our hotel in Jerusalem for a relaxing evening.

Day 6 (March 23): Jerusalem – Mount of Olives – Old City – Last Supper – Mount Zion – Hezekiahs Tunnel -  Shrine of the Book

We will begin our first full day in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives, where we can view and discuss the history of the Old City of Jerusalem. Then we will begin a walking tour of the Old City in which we will see Mount Zion, visit the Room of the Last Supper, the St. Anna Church with the Pools of Bethesda, and the Antonia Fortress, and the Temple Mount. After going through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, we will have lunch and go to the Shrine of the Book, where we will learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will return to our hotel in the evening.

Day 7 (March 24): Qumran – Monastery – Massada – Dead Sea – Western Wall

We will begin our day by visiting the holiest spot of the Jews, which is the Western Wall. We will walk along the underground tunnel of the ancient wall and emerge in the Muslim Quarters. Following our visit to the Western Wall, we will go to Massada. Here we will take a cable car to the top of Masada to see the ruins of the palace-fortress built by King Herod. We will discuss the history of the Zealots’ last stand against the Romans. From Masada, we will drive to Qumran to visit the sites in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. For those interested in floating in the Dead Sea, we will stop on our way back at a private beach.

Day 8 (March 25): Jerusalem Center – Old City – Garden Tomb – Golgotha – Gethsemane

garden tombWe will begin the day with a tour of the Jerusalem Center. After our tour, we will visit the Garden of Gethsemane where we will study the powerful truths of the Lord’s atonement. Then we will return to the Old City where we will walk the Via Dolorosa, and visit the Temple Mount. We will see the House of Caiaphas, where Peter denied Christ and see the Church of the Sepulchre (the site many Catholics and Orthodox believe to be the place of Christ’s sacrifice and burial). From there we will go to the Garden Tomb, where we can see the site many believe to be the place of burial and resurrection of Christ. From here, we can also view the ancient Golgotha. Here we will be discuss and ponder the final moments of Christ’s mortal life and his glorious resurrection. Following dinner, we will transfer to airport for flights home.

Day 9 (March 26) — Arrive in the United States. For those doing the Egypt extension, you will fly either the evening of March 25th or in the morning of March 26th to Cairo (based on flight availability).

Terms and Conditions
* $300 per person deposit due upon booking. Deposit is non-refundable, but it is transferable. $300 cancellation penalty if you cancel before January 18th. After January 18th, tour is non-refundable.
* Final payment is due January 11, 2011.

Egypt Extension — $1,200 includes flight from Cairo to Tel Aviv

(itinerary may change slightly based on flight & train schedules)

Day 01 (March 26) Flights Arrive in Cairo
After arriving at the Cairo International airport, you will meet and be assisted by your Egyptian guides. You will transfer to your hotel for the evening.
 
Egypt_Pyramids_SphinxDay 02  (March 27)
Today will will be spent touring Cairo and visiting the Egyptian Museum, including a drive to Giza and to visit the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. We will enjoy the Oriental cuisine during lunch at a selected restaurant. In the evening, you will go to the train station and board the sleeping train heading to Luxor. 

luxor

 

Day 03 (March 28)
After breakfast you will visit the site of Luxor. You will head to the west bank to visit Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple & The Colossi of Memnon. After lunch visit Karnak and Luxor Temples to complete the tour. You will then drive to the uxor train station where you will board the sleeping train for the return trip to Cairo. 

Day 04 (March 29)
After breakfast and your arrival in Cairo, you will transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure back to the United States.