WELLSPRING CHURCH / MONTEREY CA
PASTOR tony traback
OCTOBER 25-NOVEMBER 7, 2023
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 again.
itinerary
OCTOBER 25, WEDNESDAY TRANSATLANTIC
We depart San Francisco International for Tel Aviv, Israel. We must be at the airport at least three hours before the flight. Enjoy our on-board transatlantic experience.
ENROUTE TRANSATLANTIC
OCTOBER 26, THURSDAY ISTANBUL / TEL AVIV / NETANYA
On arrival in Tel Aviv we are met and assisted by our guide. Our coach is waiting, and we are transferred to our hotel in the coastal town of Netanya for a good night’s rest.
OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO PLAZA, NETANYA
https://www.leonardo-hotels.com/netanya/leonardo-plaza-netanya
OCTOBER 27, FRIDAY CAESAREA MARITIME / MT. CARMEL / MEGIDDO / NAZARETH,
NAZARETH VILLAGE / GALILEE
After a full Israeli breakfast, we travel along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins of Caesarea where Paul was imprisoned before being sent to Rome. Toward Haifa, we see the location of Elijah's altar where he slew the prophets of Baal and the magnificent panoramic view from Mount Carmel. We’ll tour the excavation of Tel Megiddo overlooking the Valley of Armageddon. The ruins of Megiddo are 30 civilizations deep going all the way back to the Canaanites. Continuing toward the Sea of Galilee, we travel to Jesus’ boyhood home of Nazareth and visit the recreated Nazareth Village.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: GOLAN HOTEL, GALILEE
OCTOBER 28, SATURDAY MAGDALA / JESUS BOAT / MOUNT OF BEATITUDES / TABGHA
PRIMACY OF PETER / CAPERNAUM / GALILEE BOAT RIDE
After breakfast, we visit the ruins of Magdala on the western shore. It is the home town of Mary Magdalene. Continuing along the shore, we see the ancient boat from Jesus’ time which was recently recovered from the lake. Afterwards, we visit the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount followed by a stop another stop along the Galilee shore for a visit to Tabgha where Jesus fed 5000 with the fish and loaves of a small boy. Almost adjacent is the site where. after the resurrection, Jesus cooked breakfast for some disciples and exhorted Peter to "Feed my sheep." Capernaum is another short distance down the shore. This town of Jesus was central to Jesus ministry and is referred to often in Scripture. The ruins of Peter’s house are still seen and the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus spoke. Near Capernaum, we board another Galilean boat for a sunset sail on the Sea of Galilee and a time of worship.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: GOLAN HOTEL, GALILEE
OCTOBER 29, SUNDAY TEL DAN / CAESAREA PHILIPPI / GOLAN HEIGHTS
/ YARDENIT BAPTISMAL SITE
Early this morning we head northward to ancient Tel Dan, where the Dan Tribe emigrated. Here are the unearthed city gates, a paved road, and remains of fortifications. We also see Banias Springs, the source of the Jordan River and visit Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed Christ as Messiah. We return to the Sea of Galilee via the Golan Heights seeing Bethsaida where Jesus healed the blind man. Bethsaida was the hometown of Peter, Philip and Andrew. We also stop for and overlook of the site of the miracle of the swine and where Jesus fed the 4000. We continue to Yardenite where you can be baptized in the Jordan River.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: GOLAN HOTEL, GALILEE
OCTOBER 30, MONDAY GIDEON SPRINGS / BETH SHE'AN / JORDAN VALLEY
LUNCH IN ABRAHAM'S TENT, SHEPHERDS FIELDS AND JESUS BIRTHPLACE
This morning on our way to Jerusalem, we stop at Gideon Springs where Gideon chose 300 to fight against the Midianites. We next visit the Decapolis city of Beth She’an. The ancient city on the tel above is where Saul and his sons were hung after their defeat at Gilboa. Beth She'an is one of the best preserved of all the Decapolis cities. We drive south through the Jordan River valley and ascend the Judean Hills and enjoy a Bedouin lunch in "Abraham's tent. Continuing we drive in Bethlehem to visit to the shepherd's fields and the birthplace of Jesus. Entering Jerusalem we check in to our hotel.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
https://www.leonardo-hotels.com/jerusalem/leonardo-hotel-jerusalem
OCTOBER 31, TUESDAY MASADA / EIN GEDI / QUMRAN / DEAD SEA
We leave Jerusalem for the Shore of the Dead Sea -the deepest point on earth (1200 feet below sea level) driving again through the Judean Wilderness. At the southern most point of today's journey we ascend Masada by cable car to visit the fortress where from 70-73 AD Jewish Zealots made a last desperate stand against the Roman Empire. We drive to the Nature Reserve Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the rage of King Saul. We visit the ruins of an ancient Essene community of Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. On our way back to Jerusalem we can enjoy a short float on the Dead Sea if time and weather allow.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
NOVEMBER 1 WEDNESDAY OLD CITY / KOTEL TUNNEL / VIA DOLOROSA / GARDEN TOMB
Drive to the Mount of Olives for an outstanding view of the city and surrounding area. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley and the Tomb of Absalom, Zachariah and James. Our morning walking tour begins in the temple area on Mt. Moriah where we visit the excavated archeological site near the southern wall of Temple Mount. 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 with a time for worship and communion.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
NOVEMBER 2, THURSDAY DAVID CITY / HEZEKIAH TUNNEL / HERODIAN TUNNEL / MOUNT ZION
Driving to the City of David we 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. We start our visit via Hezekiah's Tunnel which 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 near the southern temple wall in the old city. We exit the tunnel and go up to Mount Zion to the Room of the Last Supper which we will visit along with the traditional site of King David's tomb.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
NOVEMBER 3, FRIDAY ISRAEL MUSEUM / YAD VASHEM / HALF DAY LEISURE
This morning, we proceed to visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scroll collection is exhibited and see the amazing model of ancient Jerusalem. Then to Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial where we visit the Avenue of the Righteous, the Hall of Names, the Hall of Remembrance, the Pillar of Heroism, the Pilgrim's Memorial, the Valley of Communities and other sites. Leaving Yad Vashem. We return and have a free afternoon for leisure.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: LEONARDO JERUSALEM HOTEL, JERUSALEM
NOVEMBER 4, SATURDAY TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT / USA
This morning we leave Jerusalem for Ben Gurion airport for our journey home.
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OR CONTINUE FOR AN OPTIONAL VISIT TO JORDAN
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, we ascend the eastern mountains to visit Madaba where we view the most ancient map of the Holy Land which dates from 600AD. We continue to Petra.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: PETRA MOON LUXURY HOTEL, PETRA
http://www.petramoonluxury.com/
NOVEMBER 5, SUNDAY PETRA / DEAD SEA
After 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. In the late afternoon proceed to the shore of the Dead Sea on the Jordanian side.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: CROWN PLAZA HOTEL, DEAD SEA OR SIMILAR
NOVEMBER 6, MONDAY MOUNT NEBO / JERASH / BAPTISMAL SITE / DEAD SEA
On our final day in Jordan we depart from our hotel and stop atop Mt. Nebo to see the same view that Moses had. We travel north of Amman to see Jerash, another of the Decapolis cities in the region. Going from there down toward the Jordan River, we stop 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.
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: CROWN PLAZA HOTEL, DEAD SEA OR SIMILAR
NOVEMBER 7, TUESDAY TRANSATLANTIC / USA
We transfer to Queen Alia Airport in Amman to board our flight for home. We arrive in San Francisco the same day.
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cancellation and refund policy
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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DUE TO THE WORLD WIDE UNCERTAINTIES REGARDING COVID-19 WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE.
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