Description
Israel Tour with Dr. Paul Middleton - March 2025
I want to invite you on an unforgettable journey to the Holy Land! You will walk the streets of history, visiting significant sites and enjoying magnificent culture. As you travel throughout Israel, your understanding of the Scriptures will deepen as the pages of the Bible come alive before your eyes. Picture yourself sailing in a boat on the Sea of Galilee just like the early disciples of Jesus. You can float in the Dead Sea. You will visit the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem. You can be baptized in the Jordan River. You will experience communion at the empty tomb where Jesus rose from the grave. When you make this trip with a company of friends, it will truly be an unforgettable experience. Your trip will be enlightening, exciting and most of all, spiritually encouraging! You and your understanding of the Bible will never be the same!
Here’s what is included in the price: All airfare, all hotel accommodations, all in-country transportation, daily breakfasts, nightly dinners, entrance fees into special sites (including the Galilee boat ride, cable car to the top of Masada, etc.) and all tips (meals, drivers, guides, etc.).
What is not included in the price: Trip insurance, meals during transportation to/from Israel, lunches while in country and any Passport fees. Please make sure your passport is valid through April of 2020. If not, you need to start the process of securing a valid passport now.
We will discuss these specifics at our meetings leading up to the actual trip. Yes, we will have several meetings before we embark on the trip of a lifetime. I want us to be prepared so that your trip is one of the best experiences of your life.
We will receive formal brochures from Maranatha Tours soon. This will detail, among other things, the particulars of the trip insurance. Until that time, please use the informational brochure and the registration form. You may secure your spot with a $25 refundable deposit. Please make that check to Maranatha Tours. We will hold your place until the formal brochure arrives, at which time we will publish a date for the initial $500 payment. Then, we will set payment dates leading up to the trip.
You may invite others to join us. I would love to take a group numbering between 35 and 45.
What's Included
Our tours are all-inclusive. Always.
Videos
Watch the experience
Itinerary
Day by Day
- 2
- 3
Saturday
Capernaum, Beit Shean, Jordan RiverWe leave our sea side hotel for the ancient city of Capernaum, the town of Jesus where He performed many miracles. We continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus gave His famous sermon on the mount. Next, we will stop where Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” This is also near the spot where Jesus fed the 5000. We then travel to Beit She’an at the foot of Mt. Gilboa where King Saul was slain. Our last stop will be at the Jordan River where we will participate in a Baptism Service. We will end the day’s touring at the Sea of Galilee where we will have dinner and an overnight stay.
- 4
Sunday
Tiberias, Gadarenes, Sea of Galilee, Upper GalileeThis morning we begin our day with a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Circling the Sea of Galilee our next stop will be at Gadarenes (Kursi), the place where Jesus healed two men possessed by demons. We continue to the northern limits of Jesus' travel as we cross the River Hatzbani to Dan, where 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). On our return we will stop at 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. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 5
Monday
Tiberias, Nazareth, Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, JerusalemToday we will travel to Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding. This will be a great time to renew your marriage vows. We will continue through the mountains to Nazareth, where Jesus grew to manhood. Next, we will visit Megiddo, observing the excavation on site, including its famous water tunnel, while also viewing the valley of Armageddon. We then ascend Mt. Carmel before viewing the excavations of Caesarea by the Sea, the place where Peter witnessed to Cornelius and Paul was imprisoned before going to Rome. We will end our day in the beautiful city of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
- 6
Tuesday
Masada, Qumran, Dead Sea, JerichoWe will depart Jerusalem to visit Masada. We will ride the cable car to the top to visit King Herod’s Palace, fortification and water system. It was at Masada where Israeli zealots held out against Roman forces only to commit suicide rather than be enslaved. Then, we will stop at Ein Gedi and the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. From there, we will visit the Dead Sea which is the lowest spot on earth and the densest body of water in the world. We will finish our day with a visit to Jericho which is the oldest continuous city in the world. After touring, we will travel to Jerusalem for dinner and an overnight stay.
- 7
Wednesday
Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Shepherd's Fields, BethlehemOur touring today begins with a drive to the top of the Mount of Olives with its view over the city and temple area. Then, we arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane for a unique time of prayer. Next, we will experience the Upper Room where the Last Supper was held then visit the House of Caiphas (St. Peter’s in Gallicantu) on the eastern slope of Mt. Zion. This was the scene of Jesus’ first trial and the site of Peter’s denial. We will journey to Bethlehem where Jesus was born, also visiting the Shepherd’s fields where the birth of our Lord was revealed to the shepherds. After time of shopping in this ancient city, if time permits, we will stop for a quick photo at the U.S. embassy.
- 8
Thursday
Jerusalem, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Garden TombThis morning we will visit will visit The Temple Mount. Next we make our way to the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem for a time of prayer and meditation. We proceed to Bethesda, where Jesus cured the invalid by the pools of water. Then, we will move to the Antonio Temple Mount. Here the first and second Temples once stood. Continue to the Western Wall Plaza for our exciting tour to the famous Rabbi Tunnel. Here we will enter by the Western wall plaza and go 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. Next we see the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and continue on to the location of Antonia Fortress. We board our bus to the Garden Tomb where we will view Calvary and 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.
- 9
From Memphis