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* The ITINERARY FOR THE 13 DAY EXTENSIVE "BIBLICAL STUDY TOUR" OF ISRAEL!
April 22 - May 4, 2012. Click here for a COLOR BROCHURE. Click here for the REGISTRATION FORM
(As of 1-22-12, 46 people are currently signed up for this trip. This tour is now filled! If you wish to be put on a waiting list, please contace me.)
This tour features over 60 sites. About 15 of them are sites not typically visited on most tours. We start by heading south for the first few day. Then it's up to the north, where we have 2 full days and 3 nights in Galilee (a must!). Finally we head to Jerusalem. A free day will be enjoyed our our last day!
DAY 01 – SUNDAY – April 22– DEPART FOR TEL-AVIV
We meet for the first time today at New York "JFK" airport for our non-stop night flight to Israel.
DAY 02 – MONDAY – April 23– ARRIVE IN ISRAEL - JAFFA
We arrive at the Ben Gurion Airport in the early afternoon. Here we are met by our Israeli guide, Shlomo, and our driver. We leave the airport and make on stop in Jaffa. This is where the Jonah story begins, as well as the story of Peter (Acts 10). We spend our first night in Israel along the Mediterranean Sea in the Tel Aviv. Following dinner and an "orientation" group meeting helping us prepare for the exciting days of studying God's Word "in context." An optional walk takes place along the beautiful beach front.
DAY 03 –TUESDAY – April 24– GEZER – BEIT GURVIN- BET SHEMESH – ELAH VALLEY – LACHISH - ASHKELON
We begin our day by driving to Gezer. Here we will see ruins from Solomon's day and beyond. The famous "Gezer calendar" was found here. Next, we visit Beit Gurvin to see the Maresha Caves with hundreds of bell shaped caves caused by ancient Roman quarrying. From here, we stop briefly at Beit Shemesh, where the Ark of the Covenant was returned (I Sam. 6.) Next, we travel to the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath and reenact the scene in our imagination as we listen to I Samuel 17. From Tel Azekah, we see before our very eyes how this famous battle took place! Continuing through the "Shephelah" (lowlands) of Judah, it's on to the city of Lachish which was conquered by the Assyrians. Here, we se where the famous "Lachish Letters" were discovered. Traveling west back to the coast, our last stop will be Ashkelon one of the world's oldest cities. This city was an important Philistine city in the days of Samson (Judges 13 –16). It also was an impressive city rebuilt by Herod the Great. We spend our second night in Israel here in Ashkelon. We enjoy a time of review and worship.
DAY 04 –WEDNESDAY – April 25 – BE'ER SHEVA – WILDERNESS OF ZIN- ARAD – MASADA – DEAD SEA
Our day begins driving to the Biblical Negev. We visit Beer Sheva. Here we see the well and gate structure, the rounded streets, and a typical 4 room Israelite house. From here, we drive further south through this southern desert to Ben Gurion's tomb located in the region of the Wilderness of Zin. We will enjoy a unique walk in the Canyon of Zin. Next it is on to the city of Arad. This city was first built in the Early Bronze period. We will see houses from nearly 4,500 years ago, called "Arad or broad houses." The city's walls still stand. We end the day by visiting Masada, the "fortress" of the Wilderness of Judah. We take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod's mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome. Those who want to can walk down the "snake path" while others will descend by cable car. We spend the night at the lowest place on earth at the Dead Sea. We enjoy dinner and overnight by the Dead Sea.
DAY 05 – THURSDAY – APRIL 26 – EIN GEDI – QUMRAN – JERICHO – BEIT SHEAN - TIBERIAS
Following breakfast, we depart driving north along the Dead Sea to Ein Gedi, hiking into the valley to enjoy the waterfalls. Along the way, we hope to see the coney and ibex animas that reside in this desolate area of Israel. From here it's on to Qumran and the possible settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Jericho is next. This is where "the walls came tumblin' down." We end the day at Beth Shean, one of the Decapolis cities of the New Testament. From here it is on to the Sea of Galilee which we will make our home for the next three nights. Overnight in Tiberias. An optional gathering will take place by the quiet waters of the Sea of Galilee
DAY 06 – FRIDAY – APRIL 27 – BOAT RIDE – MT. OF BEATITUDES – CAPERNAUM – TABGHA – CHORAZIN – ARBEL - BAPTISM
We begin the day with a boat ride from Tiberias to Gennesaret, enjoying a quiet and peaceful worship service together. Upon landing, we also see the "Jesus boat" from the first century AD., a vessel found here along the shores of Galilee in 1986. Reading from Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount, we travel to the Mount of Beatitudes. Next, we travel Capernaum where Jesus called his disciples. Here, we'll read about Jesus' authority while sitting in an ancient synagogue. Close by is Tabgha, a traditional place where Jesus fed the 5,000. In the afternoon, we also visit Chorazin where an impressive basaltic synagogue stands. From here we head to the cliffs of Arbel for a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee. We end the day by renewing baptismal vows in the Jordan River at Yardenit. Over night in Tiberias.
DAY 07 – SATURDAY – APRIL 28 - SEA OF GALILEE – GOLAN HEIGHTS –BETHSAIDA - HAZOR – QATZRIN – DAN -CAESAREA PHILIPPI - NIMROD
We begin the day by exploring the excavations at Bethsaida, the hometown of Peter, Andrew and Philip. Next, we visit Hazor, a city taken by Joshua. It is the largest site in all of Israel. From here, we stop at a unique site called Qatzrin, a partially reconstructed Talmudic village. We will see what a typical village looked like during the days of Jesus. We continue driving north through the Golan Heights to Dan and its refreshing springs, one of the sources of the River Jordan. We walk through this impressive Old Testament city. Nearby is Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" (Mt. 16). Our next stop is Nimrod, a Crusader castle with a great view. Those wanting to hike to the top will be given the opportunity. We end the day by driving along the Upper Golan Heights. Overnight back in Tiberias for dinner and an optional gathering to follow.
DAY 08 – SUNDAY – APRIL 29– TIBERIAS – NAZARETH - MEGIDDO- CARMEL- CAESAREA - JERUSALEM
This morning head to Nazareth where we view the city from the "precipice" from which Jesus was almost thrown. We continue into the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo (har meggido in Hebrew), which gave its name to Armageddon. Our day continues as we ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Descending the mountain, we are on the road again, as we drive toward Caesarea, nestled between the banana groves and the sand-skirted sea. We enter Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the East, which became the Christian springboard to the West. We end the day by driving to Jerusalem. We enjoy dinner at our hotel in Jerusalem and an optional "orientation walk" of the Old City. The first of four overnights in Jerusalem, with an optional "orientation walk" into the Old City.
DAY 09 –MONDAY – APRIL 30- JERUSALEM – BETHLEHEM - HERODIUM - JERUSALEM
Following an optional morning walk, we start the day with an orientation to Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives. We then follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as the Dominus Flevit ("the Lord weeps"). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text. From here we enter the Old City where we first will visit the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne's Church, perfectly preserved from the Crusader period – with remarkable acoustics. We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) to the Holy Sepulcher, stopping along the way to consider all what Christ endured on his way to His crucifixion. In the afternoon, we visit Herodium. Located on the edge of the Judean Desert, this is where Herod the Great was buried. We end the day by driving into Bethlehem. We visit Shepherds' Field and the Church of the Nativity. The day ends shopping at an Olive wood store. Overnight in Jerusalem, with another optional walk.
DAY 10 –TUESDAY – MAY 1 – OLD CITY – WESTERN WALL TUNNEL – ISRAEL MUSEUM – YAD VASHEM
We begin the day by entering the Old City through the Dung Gate. We walk 400 yards called the Western Wall Tunnel along the retaining wall of the Temple Mount itself. From here we visit the Burned House in the Jewish Quarter. This was a house that was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Following this service together we drive out to West Jerusalem were we visit the Israel Museum & the spectacular Jerusalem Model of the 2nd Temple Period as well as Yad Vashem & the Holocaust Memorial. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. An optional night walk ends the evening.
DAY 11 – WEDNESDAY – MAY 2 – JERUSALEM – TEMPLE MOUNT – CITY OF DAVID – HEZEKIAH'S TUNNEL – SILOAM POOL
We enter the Old City through the Dung Gate once again. We walk up to the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site. Here, we will be able to spend time praying and reflecting at this most unique location. From here, we then ascend to the Temple Mount, the location of the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Next, we visit the southern wall excavations. We will see the massive stones erected by King Herod as well as sit on the very steps used by Jesus and His disciples. We then will enter the Jewish Quarter of the Old city where will meet Moshe. He will talk about his Jewish faith. We'll also enjoy a quiet lunch here in the Jewish Quarter. Next, we visit the City of David and the new excavations of David's palace. Those who want to will then take an optional adventurous walk through the water of Hezekiah's Tunnel (1,720 feet long). We will then sit on the steps of the Siloam Pool and listen to the story of John 9. To end the day, we visit the Garden Tomb for a Communion Service. We return back to our hotel for dinner and another optional walk.
DAY 12 – THURSDAY – MAY 3 - JERUSALEM – FREE DAY
We enjoy a free day in the Old City today! Pastor DeLancey will help orient you to visit other sites within the Old City, or shop. A tour of the Upper room, Caiphas' House, and Oscar Shindler's grave will be offered. It will be a special day of adventure, rest and relaxation. Our final dinner in Jerusalem, time to finish packing and prepare for our transfer to the airport for our overnight flight home.
DAY 13 – FRIDAY – MAY 4 – ARRIVE – U.S.A.
The close of an unforgettable tour, as we arrive back in the States. Praise be to God for a life-changing experience!
If you have any questions for Pastor DeLancey, about this book, his church or Israel ministry, about the tours he leads, or if you would like to be sent a packet of brochures and other information, please contact Dr. DeLancey:
412-999-5697
"Journey of a Lifetime"