|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dear potential traveler and friend,
As God leads and provides for you, I welcome you to consider joining us for one of our 2 next Israel tours or our Greece/Turkey/Rome tour. While the next Israel Tour scheduled for October/November is filled with 70 people, the itineraries currently listed below are for the October/November Egypt/Jordan/Israel 2010 Tour (sorry, this tour is filled, but will be repeated in Oct/Nov, 2011), the January Israel/Jordan 2011 Tour, and the March Greece/Turkey/Rome 2011 Tour. To reserve your spot on any of these next 2 tours, please submit a completed registration form and your deposit of $500. Sign up early, for the last 7 tours were full. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first serve basis.
You can request a colored brochure of any of these tours by contacting Pastor John:
Email: Jsdelancey@comcast.net or PastorJohn@Stoneridgecc.org
Phone:
(412) 999-5697 (cell) (412) 486-7778 (church) (412) 486-8111 (home) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Itinerary for the October/November, 2010 Egypt/Jordan/Israel Tour:
October 23 - November 5, 2010
DAY 01 – OCT 23 - DEPART FOR CAIRO
DAY 02 – OCT 24 - ARRIVE IN CAIRO We arrive in Cairo this afternoon. We transfer to our hotel over the beautiful Nile River for dinner and overnight in Cairo.
DAY 03 – OCT 25 - 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 night walk along Nile River. Overnight in Cairo.
DAY 04 – OCT 26 - CAIRO / LUXOR
/ CAIRO
DAY 05 – OCT 27 - CAIRO / NORTHERN SINAI / TABA BORDER / ELAT We travel by bus and head east towards the Israeli/Egyptian border of Taba. We cross under the Suez Canal and travel along the northern region of the Sinai Desert. We cross the border into Israel. Once in Elat, we will enjoy the Underwater Observatory of the Red Sea. Overnight in Elat. DAY 06 – OCT 28 - SOUTHERN BORDER CROSSING IN JORDAN / DAY TRIP TO PETRA / ELAT Early in the morning we cross into Jordan. We meet our Jordanian agents and guide there for a wonderful day in Petra, the "rose red city half as old as time." This ancient Edomite and Nabatean capital is an amazing experience to encounter! We'll see the Spectacular "city of the dead," with its famed gorge, ancient streets, Temples, dwelling places and tombs, carved in the solid rock. Then we arrive at El-Ji Post, and continue the one-mile journey on horseback, or walk, passing through the famous Siq (the natural gorge) and arrive at the Treasury. In the afternoon, you wil have the opportunity to visit Roman Temple Ruins of Roman City, Nabatean Judgment Hall, Palace Tombs, famous Urn Temple, and Roman Amphitheater. An optional walk up to the High Place will be made available. At the close of the day, we drive back to the southern border, crossing back into Israel. Overnight once again in Elat. DAY 07 – OCT 29 - MASADA / BETH SHEAN / TIBERIASThis morning we drive north to Masada, our first stop of the day. 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. From here, we continue our drive along the coastline of the Dead Sea. We continue north along the Jordan Valley. We stop at Bethshean, a city mentioned in the Old Testament in regard to King Saul’s death. The largeness of the Roman city of Bethshean will impress you, complete with a columned Roman street, mosaics, and a theater. Overnight in Tiberias. DAY 08 - OCT 30 - SEA OF GALILLE – 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 Dan. Here, we walk along the nature preserve path, to the ancient city of Dan. Close by is Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter answered Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" Our route then takes us back on top of the Golan Heights to the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Tiberias. DAY 09 – OCT 31 - TIBERIAS / JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM / EIN HAROD / MEGIDDO / CARMEL / CAESAREA / JERUSALEM This morning we begin with a baptism in the Jordan River. From here we 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. Overnight in Jerusalem. DAY 10 – NOV 1 - JERUSALEM – BETHLEHEM - JERUSALEMFollowing 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 head into Bethlehem. We pass by Rachel's Tomb on they way to Shepherds’ Field and the Church of the Nativity. From there we drive back out to West Jerusalem were we visit the Jerusalem Model of the 2nd Temple Period. We drive back to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. An optional night walk ends the evening. DAY 11 – NOV 2 - WILDERNESS OF JUDAH / JERUSALEM We return to the Wilderness of Judah today. Our first stop will be Jericho. Here, we visit the tel of this oldest city and view the traditional mountain of Jesus’ temptation. We’ll also see the area where “the walls came tumblin’ down.” Our next stop will be Engedi. We will walk back to the waterfalls area. Along the way, we hope to see the coney and ibex, animals the 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. Following lunch, we’ll enjoy a nice relaxing float in the Dead Sea. We’ll end the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum. We travel back to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner another optional walk. DAY 12 – NOV 3 - JERUSALEMFollowing 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, the Temple Mount. 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. 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 13 – NOV 4 - JERUSALEMWe enjoy a free day in Jerusalem. 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. After dinner, we board our bus to Tel Aviv for our night flight home. DAY 14 – NOV 5 - JERUSALEM – TEL-AVIV – U.S.AThe close of an unforgettable tour, as we arrive back in the States. Praise be to God for a life-changing experience!
* The Itinerary for the January, 2011 Israel/Jordan Tour:
January 10-19, 2011
(This special January tour is economically priced, yet include the very best sites in Israel. The tour even includes a free day in Jerusalem! 40 seats are reserved for this all-Israel tour.)
* The Itinerary for the Optional Tour to Southern Israel & Petra:
January 19-22, 2011 Red Sea / Petra / Southern Israel
$850 (all inclusive)
DAY 10 – JANUARY 19 - WEDNESDAY - ARAD, TIMNAH, RED SEA, ELAT We board bus for Elat, with a stop at the biblical city of Arad and the copper mines of Timnah. Here we will also see a full-size scale model of the Tabernacle. We drive further south to the beautiful Red Sea. Dinner & overnight in Elat.
DAY 11 – JANUARY 20 - THURSDAY – A DAY AT PETRA (JORDAN) We begin early morning with day packs to the Rabin Border between Elat and Jordan. Here we enter Jordan and are met by our Jordanian tour staff. A 2 hour drive takes us from Aqaba to Petra, At the entrance to Petra horses are available (no fee) for the 10 min walk to the Siq Canyon. The imposing and beautiful Siq is in itself one of the main attractions in Petra. The walk through the Siq takes about 1/2 hour before that breathtaking and monumental moment of first stepping foot in Petra is upon you. One of the wonders of the world, Petra is an archaeological, anthropological and geological phenomenon. Your guide will share with you the legends, truths and myths of this astonishing city. The walk through Petra is made easy by the endless sights and fascinating facts. All of which bring to life a history as colorful as the sandstone rock from which it was carved. Having explored the highlights of Petra, an optional walk to the High Place will be offered. We rejoin our vehicle for the return journey to Elat and arrive by evening. Late Dinner & overnight again in Elat.
DAY 12 – JANAURY 21 - FRIDAY - BEERSHEBA, LACHISH, AZEKAH & ELAH VALLEY, BETHSHEMESH We board our bus for our drive to Tel-Aviv, with a stop at a few biblical stops along the way. We will drive north through Israel’s “Grand Canyon” (the “Maqtesh Ramon”). We continue to the biblical city of Beersheba. We continue north to Israel’s “lowlands” for a stop at the biblical city of Lachish. Next, we stop at Azekah where we see where David fought Goliath (in the Elah Valley, I Samuel 17). On our way to our farewell dinner, we’ll pass by Bethshemesh. Following dinner (included) and a chance to freshen up, we drive at the airport for our return night flight home.
DAY 13 – JANUARY 22 - SATURDAY – HOME We arrive back in Newark, go through customs, and connect with our domestic flights home.
* The Itinerary for the March, 2011 Greece/Turkey/Rome Tour:
DAY 1 - MARCH 17 -
THURSDAY - DEPART USA
DAY 7 - MARCH 23 -
WEDNESDAY - KUSADASI / EPHESUS / MILETUS
DAY 8 - MARCH 24 -
THURSDAY - PATMOS
DAY 9 - MARCH 25 -
FRIDAY - DISEMBARKATION / CORINTH
DAY 10 - MARCH 26 -
SATURDAY - POMPEII / ROME
DAY 11 - MARCH 27 -
SUNDAY - IMPERIAL ROME
Early morning transfer to
the airport for our flights back home, and ending a wonderful teaching
experience. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 17 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. Also, a copy of Regions on the Run will be given to each passenger (or 1/couple). This is simply the VERY BEST historical-geography resource produced today. The unique maps will make Israel "come alive," giving you a good handle of all the "regions" of Israel. Additionally, I also have prepared a 98 page “Interactive” booklet is available for download on the "Resources" page. This booklet 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) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||