Here is an overview of the itinerary for this upcoming memorable trip to the Holy Land (first come, first served):
We will fly from the USA to Tel Aviv via US Airways. Since Tel Aviv is located in the northern region of Israel, we will spend the first 3-4 days in and around the Sea of Galilee region. This itinerary is an overview. We will try to slip in a few surprises to give everyone a sense
of adventure throughout the trip. For more specific info: http://www.freemaninstitute.com/israel.htm
Once we are all on the bus with our luggage, we will probably stop off at Caesarea to get a quick view of the beautiful seaport built by Herod. And then we will travel to our first hotel. The evening will be spent eating and sitting by the Sea of Galilee, watching the sun go down over the hills. Absolutely stunning! We will be in one hotel in the Galilee/Tiberias region for three days, taking day trips around the region. And then when we move south, we will work out of one hotel in the Dead Sea region and then only one more in Jerusalem for the rest of the trip. This makes it easier for everyone to settle down in one familiar place in each region. Capernaum, Bethsaida and Mt. of Beatitudes (feeding of 5,000) is where Jesus spent a lot of time with His disciples. Peter, James, John and Philip came from this region. We will travel up to Tel Dan and Caesarea Phillipi right where the Jordan River begins...coming right out of a cave at the base of Mt. Hermon. This is where Jesus challenged His disciples with "Who do you say that I am?" within a short time before he was crucified. We will go over the Nazareth and visit an authentic 1st century village. We will also visit the actual site (synagogue) where Jesus quoted from Isaiah 60. We will also visit the authentic site, Mary's well, where most probably Jesus actually went to get water for the family as a youngster. We will get a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee in a large boat, with a stop in the middle. We will have a devotional message and singing for 10-15 minutes in the middle of the Sea of Galilee while surveying the scenery, which hasn't changed much since the 1st century. After 3-4 days in the north we will travel south by bus and will stay one night at the Leonardo Dead Sea. We will then visit Masada (see picture below), the place where the Romans built a ramp up to a high rocky escarpment and over 900 zealot Jews killed themselves. Masada has traditionally been one of the more memorable places for most first time visitors to Israel. We will visit En Gedi, where David escaped the hands of Saul. We will see wild mountain goats and other wild animals. We will then visit the Dead Sea. If it is warm and if enough people want to swim (float) in the Dead Sea, we will stop for this highly unusual experience. We will visit the Qumran Caves (see photo below). Eleven of the caves hid all of the Old Testament scriptures (except for Esther) and many other significant historical documents. This is my personal highlight of the trip. We might even get over to visit Jericho. We'll see. We will then make our way to Jerusalem. This part of the trip brings on a rising crescendo of excitement as we drive closer and closer. We all sing the famous song, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem" along with a CD playing the song. The excitement builds. And then we see it. Jerusalem, the City on a Hill. For the next four days we will be in and around Jerusalem. We will visit the top of the Mount of Olives. We will walk along the Valley of Kidron where Jesus walked from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane. First time visitors will be astounded by the close proximity of every site in this region. We will see the Judgment Hall and the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow). We will visit two site claiming to be Golgotha, with a long stop in one of them outside of the current City of Jerusalem where we have communion, a short devotional, and a time of reflection. We will see what many claim to be the actual tomb of Jesus. You will be the one to determine if it is the genuine tomb or not. While in Jerusalem we will visit the Wailing Wall and will also be able to travel down the wall underground to a spot where we will be approximately 30 feet from the traditional site of the Holy of Holies in the former Temple. The final morning we will go to the top of the Mount of Olives and will take our time to review the scenery before us and then to recap what we have experienced thus far. We will then take a bus up through the Judean Hills. Perhaps we will stop at the commonly held site where David and Goliath met. Perhaps we will stop at the town where John the Baptist was born. We'll make some special plans just prior to that day. When we arrive in Tel Aviv, we will have a final dinner together and reflect on what God has accomplished in our hearts while on a trip throughout the Holy Land. We then fly home, a little older and wiser. And with a greater desire to study the Bible -- knowing that now the Scriptures will jump alive like never before as we study about places we have actually visited. Plus you will now have some new "traveling buddies" you will want to keep in touch with on Facebook! WHAT YOU CAN BRING WITH YOU ON THIS TRIP: Many of us will meet as strangers on the first day and will part on the last day as friends. Raz, Joel, the bus driver and other helpers will supply excellent customer service, clear communication, smiles and hugs if necessary. There are unpredictable aspects to traveling abroad. And travel to another country with others we did not previously know can be quite stressful for some travelers and an adventure for other travelers. It's all about the curiosity-driven life. We hope you pack your "adventurous spirit" for your trip to Israel! You will have a great time on this trip if you bring along your great attitude, a sense of humor and an adventurous spirit. "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." -- G.K Chesterton
