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Itineraries for both the Nov. 4-18, 2008 & March 10-19, with Greece optional extension March 10-25) are posted below.
Dear potential traveler and friend,
As God leads and provides for you, I welcome you to consider joining us for one of our next 2 Israel tours in 2008 and 2009. The details for both the November 2008 Egypt & Israel tour and the March, 2009 Israel & Greece tour are posted below, with a PDF file of the brochure. Full pricing can be found on the "Pricing and Registration" page.
To reserve your spot on the tour, please submit a completed registration form and your deposit of $300. Sign up early, for the last 2 tours sold out quickly.
You can request a colored brochure of the tour as well as other tour information by contacting Pastor John:
Email: DeLancey@pghfamily.net or PastorJohn@Stoneridgecc.org
Phone:
(412) 999-5697 (cell) (412) 486-7778 (church) (412) 486-8111 (home)
Below is the itinerary for the trip planned for ...
November 4-18, 2008 15 Day Egypt & Israel Tour
DAY 01 – NOV 4 - DEPART FOR CAIRO We depart Dulles, Washington, DC airport in route to Cairo, Egypt.
DAY 02 – NOV 5 - ARRIVE IN CAIRO We arrive in Cairo this afternoon. We transfer to our hotel over the beautiful Nile River for dinner and overnight.
DAY 03 – NOV 6 - CAIRO / GREAT PYRAMIDS & SPHINX / SAKKARA Today's sightseeing will include a tour of the great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Today's sightseeing will include a tour of the great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Then a visit to the fantastic Egyptian Museum containing the treasures of King Tutankhamen. The afternoon includes sightseeing of the Necropolis of Sakkara containing the funerary monuments from various periods of Egyptian history. View the Step Pyramid of King Zoser. Optional sounds & light show at the pyramids in the evening.
DAY 04 –
NOV 7 - CAIRO / ASWAN
DAY 05 – NOV 8 - SAIL NORTH TO ESNA We step off our Nile cruise ship to visit the Greco-Roman temples of Khnum at Esna and the falcon god Horus at Edfu. In the evening, dock at Kom Ombo. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. We arrive in Luxor for dinner and overnight on the cruise ship.
DAY 06 – NOV 9 - LUXOR
We visit the temple of Thebes. We then experience the west bank of the Nile and tour the Valley of the Kings (including the tomb of Tutankhamun), the valley of the Queens, Queen Hatshepsut's temple at Deir El Bahri, Medinet Habu and the colossi of Memnon. Dinner and overnight in Luxor on the cruise ship.
DAY 07
– NOV 10 - LUXOR / FLIGHT TO CAIRO / SINAI DESERT
DAY 08 – NOV 11 - MT. SINAI MORNING CLIMB – ST. CATHERINE’S/ TABA BORDER / ISRAEL The highlight of the Sinai experience is the early morning climb to the top of Jebel Musa, the Mountain of Moses as it is called today. From the top, we enjoy a spectacular sunrise looking east towards Saudi Arabia. After our descent, and breakfast, we visit the monastery of St Catherine’s. We then drive to the Taba border crossing into Israel . Proceed on our drive north through the Negev to Ein Bokek arriving in time for dinner and overnight.
DAY 09 – NOV 12 - DEAD SEA – MASADA – EIN GEDI – QUMRAN – JERICHO – BETH SHEAN / TIBERIASAfter a morning “float” in the remarkable Dead Sea, this morning we drive to Masada. At Masada, we take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome. After we descend back from the top of Masada by cable car we re-board our bus and drive north along the Western shores of the Dead Sea. Our first stop will be Qumran and the possible settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Drive to Jericho. At Jericho, we visit the tel of this oldest city and view the traditional mountain of Jesus’ temptation. Driving through the Jordan Valley north to Beth Shean. We will then survey the magnificent Roman Byzantine ruins; theatre, bathhouses, ancient rest rooms, market areas, colonnaded streets. We then continue driving north before arriving at our Kibbutz Hotel, home for the next three nights.
DAY 10 - NOV 13 - SEA OF GALILEE – GOLAN HEIGHTSWe begin the morning with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We sail to Nof Ginnosar, the location of a 1st century fishing boat similar to what was used in Jesus’ day. We then visit Capernaum where we visit the synagogue. We continue to Tabgha (short for Heptapagon, "seven springs") to view the mosaics in the Church of the Loaves and Fishes. We then ascend the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount,” we take time to reflect upon His kingdom principles. In the afternoon, we head north to the Golan Heights. We travel on an ancient trade route as we pass Hazor and then go on to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter answered Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" Our route then takes us over the Golan Heights, skirting Mt. Hermon, with a view toward Damascus. We then experience a breath-taking view of the entire Sea of Galilee from Arbel. We end the day with a baptism in the Jordan River.
DAY 11 – NOV 14 - TIBERIAS TO JERUSALEMThis morning we depart Tiberias on to Cana, commemorating Jesus’ transformation of water into wine; proceed to Nazareth, visiting part of the ancient village. Continue on our drive to the mound of 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. The day will end atop Mt. Scopus, we behold the majestic Jerusalem. Tonight dinner at our hotel in Jerusalem.
DAY 12 – NOV 15 - JERUSALEM – BETHLEHEM - 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 there we drive back out to West Jerusalem were we visit the Jerusalem Model of the 2nd Temple Period as well as visit Israel’s Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. Driving south, we end the day going into Bethlehem. We pass by Rachel's Tomb on they way to Shepherds’ Field and the Church of the Nativity. We drive back to our hotel for dinner and overnight. An optional night walk ends the evening.
DAY 13 – NOV 16 - JERUSALEM Following an optional morning walk, today we enter the Old City through the Dung Gate. We walk up to the Western Wall Judaism’s holiest site. We walk through the southern wall excavations where we will stand at the southern entrance to the Herodian Temple. Here, we will see the ancient boulders of the Temple and sit on the steps where Jesus no doubt taught. We then ascend to the Temple Mount, the location of the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Just to the north we find 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) back as far as the Holy Sepulcher. We then visit the City of David and take an optional adventurous walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel (1,700 feet long). We end the day with a Communion Service at the Garden Tomb. Return to our hotel for dinner. An optional walk ends the evening.
DAY 14 – NOV 17 - JERUSALEM – TEL-AVIVFollowing another optional walk or a leisurely breakfast this morning, we have a free day to explore the Old City. There will be additional sites to see on your own at your own pace, or time to shop. In the evening, we travel to Tel Aviv for our late night flight home.
DAY 15 – NOV 18 - JERUSALEM – TEL-AVIV – U.S.AThe close of an unforgettable tour as we arrive back in the States from our non-stop flight from Tel Aviv to Atlanta in the morning.
Below is the itinerary for the trip planned for ...
March 10-19, 2009 (10 Day Israel alone) or March 10-25 (16 Day Israel/Greece)
DAY 1—MARCH 10– TUESDAY -DEPART NORTH AMERICA
DAY 2—MARCH 11– WEDNESDAY
-ARRIVE TEL AVIV/NETANYA
EXTENSION – 7 DAY GREECE, INCLUDING A SPECTACULAR THREEDAY ISLAND CRUISE (with all cruise excursions included)
REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH US: There are many reasons why traveling with us will offer a wonderful, life-changing Holyland experience. Many, many people comment, “Oh, I wish I would have traveled to and experienced Israel sooner in my life…” 1). Personal Care. You will gain a sense of a personal touch of care when traveling with our tour groups. Serving as your tour leader, I look forward to sharing with you personal friendship, ministry, and my undivided attention in order to strive to make your trip as memorable as possible. From early on from the registration process to the tour itself, we will offer any assistance you need in order to prepare yourself for this journey of a lifetime tour! 2). Experience & Resources! With my own one year archaeological and historical geographical background gained from living in Jerusalem, Israel as well as leading 14 previous Israel tours, you will experience of sense of ease, comfort and great insight into the world of the Bible. Additionally, once you are registered for the tour, I am happy to send you my own resources to help you prepare for the trip. These resources include a 130 page Guide Book that highlights the historical, archaeological, and biblical background of each site. I also have prepared a 98 page “Interactive” booklet that will help you “process” each day’s experiences. People who have traveled with me before have also appreciated getting to experience a few extra sites that most tourists don’t get to see. 3). Creative Travel Partners, Inc./Costs Our good friends at Creative Travel Partners are one of the largest tour agencies who focus primarily upon Holyland tours. They have been in business for many years and have offered us an undisputed number of excellent tour packages and prices. In comparing “apples to apples” in relation to tours, nowhere has any other tourist agency been able to offer us the same service and group rates. Our touring day are “full” days, not just partial days. All of our previous tours have been with these wonderful agents, making all the arrangements for us. 4). Guides. We only secure the very best Israeli guides, guides who we know and/or have used before on previous tours. As your tour leader, I will be able to offer you profound and personalized insight to each site we will be traveling to. Our expert guide will only offer us the best of his knowledge. These guides are professional people and this is all they do! But I will also have the opportunity also to serve as your own guide as we walk and talk together on the site, leading in worship, over dinner, or offering insights on the bus itself, sharing our own expertise and insights ourselves. My pleasure comes in seeing you understand and appreciate the land of the Bible! 5). First-class travel. We only secure 4 and 5 star hotels for overnight lodging. 2 excellent meals are provided at all times, with all tips handled by me as you tour leader. This makes your travel hassle free. We also travel in only the finest of motor coaches, providing a safe and comfortable environment for each passenger. 6). The size of our group. The size of the group is limited typically to anywhere between 25-50. By keeping the size of our group manageable, we are able to travel quicker and more efficiently than larger groups of 60 – 75 +. Long-lasting friendships are made on our tours as well. 7). Evangelical/Bible-believing. This is primarily an evangelical, Bible-believing tour which emphasizes the Biblical and historical sites more than the “traditional sites.” I am a born-again pastor who loves the Lord and love sharing His story. I believe in the historicity and accuracy of Scripture, as revealed in the many archaeological sites in which we will see together. 8). Safety. Safety is always a concern for each traveler as well as for us. Despite what people hear on the news, Holyland travel is safe! If what you see on television or in newspapers intimidates you, we only go to areas that are free from potential violence. As we have found, you also will find both Israelis and Palestinians alike to be very friendly people. Having friends still in Israel, they are able to give me personal and accurate updates on the latest of political events. 9). Fun! We are able to offer you a fun and joyous trip. Although one goal of the tour is to help make the Bible come alive for you through the information you will receive, we will have a fun time doing so! You will be making long-lasting friends with other sisters and brothers in the Lord, sharing what we have common in Christ together! 10). Spiritual Inspiration. Through leading you in daily devotional times either in the bus or on site, you will sense a warm pastoral care for you. As we read Scripture together, pray together, and sing songs of worship and communion with guitar as well as accapella, your heart will be blest and changed forever! You will return with memories that will literally affect how you read your Bible the rest of your life! The Bible literally will come alive as you reflect upon the historical stories of Scripture and as you convey your experiences with others! 11). Group Dynamics. One of the marvels of group travel to Israel is the new friendships we will develop together in Christ. We always have enjoyed a wonderful blend of believers from all over the world. We come as strangers, yet conclude the tour as close friends in Christ. Finding commonality in our relationship with Jesus, life-long friendships are developed.
Your
life will be blessed in immeasurable ways as you experience first-hand the land of the Bible and the life and ministry of Jesus!
“No one can visit Israel without a deeper appreciation and a stronger faith in the Bible. Israel is more than sightseeing. It is an experience.” (Rev. Billy Graham)
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