Description
Israel Tour with Pastor Travis Farris - December 2024
Let me extend to you a cordial invitation to come and travel with me to the land of the Bible! This journey will be much more than a trip, it will be a spiritual awakening! You will be able to experience the sites, smells and sacredness of the land that flows with milk and honey. From mystical Mt. Hermon, to majestic Mt. of Olives, we will walk where Jesus walked and witness the glory of the Promised Land. The geography of Israel will cause the Bible to come alive. This adventure will enable the text of Scripture to become a living painting, etched on the canvas of your mind forever. So, come! Let’s march to Zion together and see the beautiful city of God!
Rejoicing, Pastor Travis Farris
What's Included
Our tours are all-inclusive. Always.
Videos
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Itinerary
Day by Day
- 2
Tuesday
Tel Aviv, TiberiasUpon landing we will be met by our representative who will assist us in getting to our modern motor coach. Continue past Tel Aviv, the largest city in Israel. We proceed to the famous Sea of Galilee where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
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Wednesday
Dan, Caesarea, Chrizin, Kursi"The Head of all those Kingdoms" (Joshua 11:10) The Sources of the Jordan. This morning our drive takes us to the northern limits of Jesus' travel as we cross the River Hatzbani to Dan. Here we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, topped by the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). Then a short drive to Banias (Caesarea Philippi), dedicated to Pan the Greek god of pastures, flocks and shepherds; here Peter made his great profession of faith, recognition of Christ Jesus (Matthew 16). Driving along the foot of Mount Hermon, we ascend onto the Golan Plateau for a magnificent view of upper Israel. On our return we will stop at Chorazin and then on to Kursi before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
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Thursday
Capernaum, Beit Shean, Sea of GalilleeThis morning we begin our day with a visit to Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes. Next we stop at the Valley of the Dove, sitting below the magnificent Mount Arbel. Continue on to Magdala, one of the oldest synagogues dating back to the first century AD. Home of Mary Magdalena and was the fishing center where Peter would have brought his catch to be sold or processed. In the afternoon we follow the Rift Valley the Rift Valley running parallel to the Jordan, along the route Jesus most frequently traveled to Jerusalem. We visit Bet Shean at the foot of Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman, and Byzantine occupations, and view the ancient tel, Roman Theater and church mosaics. We end our day with a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, before returning to the hotel inTiberias for dinner and overnight.
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Friday
Tiberias, Nazareth, Jerusalem“We are going up to Jerusalem.” (Matt. 20:18). We drive west to Nazareth. Traveling through Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first Miracle, turning water into wine (John 2). We proceed to Nazareth and ascend the Mount of the Precipice at the brow of Nazareth overlooking the Valley of Jezreel, synonymous with Armageddon.We then drive through the valley to the mound of Megiddo, Har Megiddo in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. We then ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. From there we drive towards the Mediterranean coast traveling south along the coastal highway to Caesarea by the Sea. We enter Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the east, which became the Christian springboard to the west. After the visit to this ancient harbor, we board our busand we head up the historic Beth Horon road (Joshua 10:10) to the Benjamin Plateau, passing ancient Gibeon and continuing on to Jerusalem. Finally, atop Mt. Scopus, we behold majestic Jerusalem. Check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
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Saturday
Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Shepherd's Fileds, Bethlehem"If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace." (Luke 19:42) Our drive this morning takes us past the Chapel of Ascension and Paternoster to the Mt. of Olives for an orientation view of Jerusalem and the opportunity of a group photograph overlooking Jerusalem. We then walk the traditional Passion walk. We descend to the church known as Dominus Flevit ("Our Lord weeps"). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text and view the Church of All Nations. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord". (Luke 2:10-11). This afternoon we drive south to one of the possible sites for Shepherds' Fields. We continue into Bethlehem itself, walking through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visiting the manger and see the cave of St. Jerome. We drive back to Jerusalem where we visit the Upper Room and the Tomb of King David before returning to our hotel for dinner.
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Sunday
Shrine of the bookd, Rabbi Tunnel, Southern Steps, Hezekiah's TunnelTUNNELThis morning we head to the Israeli Museum to visit Shrine of the Book and the model city of Jerusalem, showing Jerusalem as it was at the time of the Second Temple. Next we visit the grounds of a church called Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. (Here, the Assumptions Fathers suggest, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus). Enter the Old City and make our way to the Western Wall Plaza where we visit the Kotel Tunnel, taking us down to the foundation of the Second Temple. We will see a model that will demonstrate where we are in location to the Temple in the time of Christ. Continue along the tunnel as we proceed to the Gateway of the Priests entry to the Holy of Holies. Proceed to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park where we see the Steps that entered the temple and the Southern Wall. It was here that Jesus would have taught the disciples. See a video that shows the temple as it was at Herod's (or Jesus') time. We’ll continue through the City of David to Hezekiah's Tunnel, where we make our way to the Pool of Siloam. (Bring a flashlight and water shoes or they will be available for purchase in the gift shop). Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
- 8
Monday
Ein Gedi, Qumran, Jericho, Jordan River, Dead SeaToday we continue alongside the Dead Sea, 1,300 ft. below sea level -- the lowest spot on earth -- to Ein Gedi where we will walk the path to see the waterfall in the desert. Our next stop will be at Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found before traveling to Jericho, the world’s oldest city. From the excavated tel atop the ruins of ancient Jericho we view the lush green Jordan Valley, Elisha’s spring and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. Next we will stop at Qasr al Yahud on the banks of the Jordan River, the site where according to tradition, Jesus was baptized, Here you will have the opportunity to be baptized. We end our day at the Dead Sea for those that want to float in the mineral rich water. Return to the hotel for dinner.
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Tuesday
Old City, Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb“He has risen!” (Mark 16:6) After breakfast we transfer to the Dung Gate, where we walk via the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. We ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, considered the third holiest site of Islam, located on the site of the ancient Temple Mount. Here the first and second Temples once stood. Just to the north we find the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne’s Church. The church is perfectly preserved from the Crusader period – with remarkable acoustics. Continuing on we see Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man). We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) through the bazaars as far as the Holy Sepulcher. From there we walk from the Christian Quarter along the Arab Souks through the Cardo Maximo and past the Armenian Quarter. Continuing to Mt Zion and to the grounds of a church called Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. (Here, the Assumptions Fathers suggest, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus). We board our bus to the Garden Tomb where we will end our day with a special visit and the possibility of having a private communion on the grounds outside the city walls. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
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Wednesday
Jacob's Well, Bethel, JerusalemThis morning we head to Jacob's Well, the place Jesus met the lady to draw water. She said the Well was deep. Drop a pebble and wait!!! This afternoon continue through the hill country with great stops such as the Good Samaritan Village, Bethel and Shilo. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 11
Thursday
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, USAWe transfer to the Ben Gurion Airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.