NEW HEIGHTS CHURCH / RICHLAND WA
PASTOR DAVE AND LINDA BECHTEL
NOVEMBER 16-28, 2022
There is nothing like going to Israel and Jordan
where God revealed Himself in time and space. The early church father, Jerome, once described Israel as “The Fifth Gospel,”
and once you’ve been there, you’ll know why.
You will never read the Bible the same.
itinerary
November 16, Wednesday Transatlantic
Depart Seattle to Tel Aviv. We must be at the airport at least 2 hours before flight time. Enjoy our on-board transatlantic experience.
ENROUTE TRANSATLANTIC
November 17, Thursday Tel Aviv / Netanya
Today, we arrive in Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, we are met and assisted by our guide. Our coach is waiting and we are transferred to our hotel for a good night’s rest.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT MEDI TERRA HOTEL, NETANYA or similar https://azimuthotels.co.il/en/netanya/azimut-hotel-medi-terre-netanya
November 18, Friday Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Megiddo / Nazareth / Nazareth Village / Galilee
This morning after our full Israeli breakfast, we travel along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins of Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital built by Herod the Great in 22 BC. The apostle Paul was imprisoned here before being sent to Rome. Pilate lived here during the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. Cornelius and his household lived here too. Visit the Roman Theatre, the Aqueduct and Herodian Port. Continue toward Haifa to see the magnificent panoramic view from Mount Carmel. Visit the Mukraka, the location of Elijah’s altar where he slew the prophets of Baal. Afterwards, we drive to visit the Valley of Armageddon and the excavation of Tel Megiddo which is 30 civilizations deep going all the way back to the Canaanites. Here, too, are Ahab’s water tunnel and Solomon’s stables.
We travel next to Jesus’ boyhood home of Nazareth for an unforgettable visit to the recreated Nazareth Village. If there is time, we will visit Mary’s well. We continue to the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT THE SEA OF GALILEE HOTEL, GALILEE or similar
November 19, Saturday Boat Ride / Mount of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / Tel Dan /
Caesarea Phillipi / Golan Heights / Yardenit
Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, then visit the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. Visit Tabgha where Jesus fed 5000 with the loaves and the fishes of a small boy. Continue to Capernaum, the city of Simon Peter’s house where the paralytic was healed. Cross the Jordan River to the land of Gaderenes. Visit Tel Dan where Jeroboam challenged the temple in Jerusalem with a golden calf. We then go to nearby Caesarea Phillipi, site of pagan altars, where Peter confessed Christ. Journeying back toward Tiberias via the Golan Heights we learn of Israel’s last great victory over Syria in recent history. Finally, we visit Yardenit on the Jordan River where you can be baptized before returning to your hotel.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT THE SEA OF GALILEE HOTEL, GALILEE or similar
November 20, Sunday Gideon Springs / Beth Shean / Jericho / Judean Hills / Bedouin Lunch / Bethlehem / Jerusalem
After breakfast, we stop at Gideon Springs where Gideon chose 300 men to fight the Midianites. We continue to the newly excavated ruins of Beit She’an where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed on the walls after their defeat at Mount Gilboa. Continuing up toward Jerusalem, we stop for an authentic Bedouin lunch at “Abraham’s Tent.” We continue to nearby Bethlehem where we see the shepherd’s fields.
LUNCH IN GENESIS LAND / DINNER AND OVERNIGHT THE GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM or similar
https://www.grandhotels-israel.com/grand-court-hotel-jerusalem-gallery
November 21, Monday Jerusalem / David's City / Hezekiah Tunnel / Herodian Tunnel / Mount Zion
Drive to the City of David and see the excavated fortresses and passageways from David's conquest of the Jebusite's city as described in the 2nd book of Samuel. The City of David is where Jerusalem started. Hezekiah's Tunnel runs from the Gihon Springs to the pool of Siloam and acted as an aqueduct to provide Jerusalem with water during a siege. Visit the new excavations and walk through the Herodian tunnel that runs from the Pool of Siloam to the Davidson Center in the old city. We exit the tunnel and proceed to visit the house of Caiaphas, where the high priest resided and where Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin -- the Council in Jerusalem. Peter also denied Jesus in the courts of this house. Drive to Mount Zion to visit the Room of the Last Supper and King David's tomb.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT THE GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM or similar
November 22, Tuesday Old City / Kotel Tunnel / Garden Tomb
Drive to the Mount of Olives for an outstanding view of the city and surrounding area. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley and the Tomb of Absalom, Zachariah and James. Our morning walking tour is of the Old City. We proceed to the temple area on Mt. Moriah where we visit the excavated archeological site near the southern wall. Afterwards, if circumstances allow, we visit the Temple Mount where we see the Dome of the Rock. Leaving the Mount, we visit the Western Wall, and walk through the Kotel Tunnel. Emerging from the tunnel, we also visit the Golden Gate, the Pinnacle, St. Stephen’s Gate, the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Ecce Homo Arch. We view the Gabbadia pavement and continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa. This afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb of Jesus. There we have an orientation beside Calvary and a communion. After our time of communion and worship at the Garden Tomb we return to our hotel.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT THE GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM or similar
November 23 , Wednesday Dead Sea / Qumran / Ein Gedi / Masada
Leave Jerusalem for the Shore of the Dead Sea -the deepest point on earth (1200 feet below sea level). Drive via the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea via Ein Fescha to Qumran, the ruins of an ancient Essene community where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Then drive to the Nature Reserve Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the rage of King Saul. Ascend to Masada by cable car to visit these magnificent ruins. Masada is the fortress where from 70-73 AD the Jewish Zealots made the last stand against the Roman Empire. Enjoy a short swim in the Dead Sea and travel via the Judean Wilderness to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT THE GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM or similar
November 24 , Thursday Israel Museum / Yad Vashem / Leisure Afternoon
This morning we drive past the Knesset to the Israel Museum. We visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls collection is exhibited and where the model of ancient Jerusalem is displayed. We then visit Yad Vashem, dedicated to preserving the memory of those who were killed by the Nazis during the second World War. We return to our hotel and have an afternoon at leisure to shop or revisit sites on our own.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT THE GRAND COURT HOTEL, JERUSALEM or similar
November 25 , Friday Allenby Bridge / Madaba / Petra
This morning we leave Jerusalem and continue to the Allenby Bridge near Jericho to cross the Jordan River into the kingdom of Jordan. After clearing customs and saying goodbye to our Israeli guide, we cross into the friendly and fascinating country of Jordan. Continuing to the south we stop at Madaba where we view the most ancient map of the Holy Land which dates from 600AD. We continue to Petra.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT MOVENPICK HOTEL PETRA or similar
https://www.movenpick.com/en/middle-east/jordan/petra/resort-petra/overview/
November 26 , Saturday Petra / Dead Sea
After a delicious Jordanian breakfast, we arrive at the entrance to the Siq which leads us to Petra, one of the ancient wonders of the world. An easy walk of about a mile leads us to the end of the narrow canyon which opens spectacularly to the familiar Treasury which is carved out of predominately red stone. Further down, the valley opens to even more wonders. For the hardy there is a climb to the traditional burial site of Aaron, Moses’ brother. Afterwards we drive on the modern Jordanian highway to our beautiful resort hotel on the Jordanian shore of the Dead Sea.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT CROWN PLAZA HOTEL DEAD SEA (Jordanian side) or similar
November 27, Sunday Mt. Nebo / Baptismal Site / Allenby Bridge / Ellah Valley / Jaffa
On our final day in the Holy Land we begin with another delicious Jordanian breakfast before departing from our hotel. On our way back to the Allenby Bridge, we stop atop Mt. Nebo to see the same view as Moses had. Going down toward the Jordan River, we stop nearby to see the Jordanian site which is believed to be the most likely place where John the Baptist baptized. It is also here on the plains of Moab where Elijah ascended into heaven in a chariot of fire. We cross back into Israel and meet our guide once again and journey westward toward the Mediterranean visiting Ellah Valley, where David slew Goliath, and Jaffa where Jonah sailed for his encounter with the big fish. We enjoy dinner in Tel Aviv and proceed to Ben Gurion Airport to check in for our flight home.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC
November28, Monday Transatlantic / USA
We depart very early morning on our flight and arrive in Seattle the same day.
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The following fees will be assessed for all cancellations; from deposit to 120 days prior to departure $100** per person (see note below); 120 days to 46 days prior to departure $300** per person (see note below) plus all non-refundable expenses incurred by International Christian Journeys/Hadar Travel and Tours and it's marketing representatives on the group's behalf; 45 days or less prior to departure the full cost of the trip is non-refundable.
**NOTE: If you are not vaccinated for COVID-19 and are cancelling because the country or countries you are scheduled to visit will not allow unvaccinated persons to enter, the $100 or $300 fees mentioned above will be issued in the form of a credit voucher for any of our future domestic or international group tours. All fees we have paid which cannot be recovered from our suppliers will not be refunded unless they are refunded us.
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