9 day Israel Tour “where the Bible comes to life” with Rev. Donald N. Martin. 1-9 May 2024

Tour Code: ET181 Country: Israel Leader: Rev Donald N Martin Departure Date: 1^st May 2024 Number of nights: 8

Whatever name you give it: The Promised Land, The Holy Land, or simply Israel, each name invokes awe and wonderment. Whether you think of Israel historically or geographically, spiritually or theologically you will find it there, and more. Come with us, for we are going again to this amazing part of the world. There the Bible comes alive in ways you never could imagine.

The month of May is an excellent time for visiting Israel due to the delightful spring weather and warm temperatures, and with an excellent itinerary, this is a great opportunity to join us on this fascinating tour, walking in the footsteps of Jesus. While we shall visit many of our favourite sites, we shall also visit sites which first time visitors rarely see, as you can read in the itinerary below. We meet with local Jewish and Arab followers of Jesus, which is all part of the experience. Our Guide in Israel will be a licensed experienced guide who has an extensive knowledge and experience of the land of the Bible. People who have toured with us in the past speak about it as being the best holiday ever, but it is far more than a holiday . That’s why many return, numerous times. Do pray about joining with us on this trip of a lifetime.

Israel here we comeRead MoreRead Less

Wednesday 1st May

We fly from Edinburgh on TK1344 at 10:50, arriving in Istanbul at 17:10. We leave Istanbul on flight TK788 at 18.20
to arrive in Tel Aviv at 20:25. We’ll be met by our guide and driver and be transferred to the Ramada Hotel, Netanya.

Caesarea MaritimaRead MoreRead Less

Thursday 2nd May

After our first Israeli breakfast, we travel to Caesarea Maritima, (Mat 2).
Peter met with Cornelius, (Acts 10), at Caesarea who, with his household, became the first Gentile followers of Jesus. Here the Apostle Paul remained under house arrest for 2½ years, and stood before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa II (Acts 23-25). Paul sailed from there to Rome.
Afterwards we travel north to Mt. Carmel (Muchraka),where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).
Wonderful views of the Valley of Jezreel and the Brook Kishon area are seen from Muchraka .
Then it’s off to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus to visit the Nazareth Village and experience Nazareth as it was at the time of Jesus. In the village we find terraces growing olives, figs and pomegranates, a shepherd tending
his flock, a carpenter using his tools and a weaver demonstrating her craft. The last stop of the day is at the ancient Synagogue Church (Luke 4:16-21 Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah 61:1-2).
Check into our Galilee hotel for dinner & overnight Leonardo Club Hotel, Tiberias for dinner & 3 nights.

Sea of GalileeRead MoreRead Less

Friday 3rd May

Today we visit towns on the Sea Of Galilee, where the Gospel stories often place and Jesus interacting with the
hard-working Jewish fishermen and their families. After enjoying the early morning sunrise, we take a relaxing boat trip on the Sea of Galilee. Back onshore we visit Ginnosar (Beit Igal Alon) and view the First Century Jesus Boat which was discovered by fishermen in 1986. Then on to towns like Capernaum, his home town, and the Primacy of Peter at Tabgha where He appeared to his disciples for a third time after his Resurrection , and
invited them to “come and have breakfast” (John 21:12). Like Jesus did in Matthew 5 we shall go “up a mountain” now known as the Mt. of
Beatitudes, where we can read and pray. This spot has a most wonder view over the Sea. For LUNCH we shall enjoy the delicious St. Peter’s Fish still being fished locally.
We have a time Time of Worship and Communion at the David’s Harp Amphitheatre . Afterwards, we visit Magdala, the home town of Mary
Magdalene, a faithful disciple of Jesus. Back to our Hotel Leonardo Club for dinner and overnight.

Mount TaborRead MoreRead Less

Saturday 4th May

Today we visit Bethsaida, the birthplace of three of Jesus’ disciples: Phillip, Peter, and Andrew (John 1:44–45;
12:21). The town was the scene of several miracles, where a blind man was healed (Mark 8:2–26) and the feeding
of the 5,000 took place. (Luke 9:10–17). We go up Mt. Tabor where Deborah summoned Barak to gather men
from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mt. Tabor. The Canaanites under Sisera, are defeated (Judges 4:1–24).
Tradition recognizes Mt Tabor as the place where Jesus took Peter, James, and John and they experienced the
majestic transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Mat 17:1–9). Our last visit of the day is the Yardenit Baptismal Site where
baptisms still take place daily. We return to Leonardo Club Hotel and plan to have some free time before dinner.

QumranRead MoreRead Less

Sunday 5th May

It’s time to leave Galilee and drive to Beit Shean overview. It was at Beit Shean that the Philistine fastened the
bodies of King Saul and his sons after being killed in battle on Mt Gilboa, (1 Sam 30:10-12) In 63 AD it was renamed Scythopolis by the Romans (Scythians mentioned in Col. 3:11). It became the capital city of the Decapolis and was the only one west of the Jordan River. The city continued to grow and prosper under the Roman and Byzantines until it was destroyed by an earthquake on January 18, 749. We continue down the Jordan River Valley, stopping at Gilgal, (Argamon) where Joshua and his men camped as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
After a lunch stop, we pass by Jericho and branch off to Qsar Al Yehud, on the Jordan River to the site where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Then it’s onto Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, and to Ein Gedi, where David spared Saul’s life (1 Sam 24) Check into the David Dead Sea Resort for dinner/overnight. There we can enjoy The Spa and float on
the Dead Sea.

MasadaRead MoreRead Less

Monday 6th May

This morning we take a cable car up to Herod the Great’s Desert Fortress at Masada. While visiting the site, we will see the palaces, bathhouses, storerooms and buildings converted by the Jewish rebels for their use, like the
synagogue. Evidence of the Roman siege can be seen in the siege ramp and Roman camps surrounding Masada.
Afterwards we visit Arad which Israel captured in the conquest under Joshua. Since Tel Arad is so strategically
located and important, it was destroyed and rebuilt 6 times between the 9th to the 6th centuries. We visit the
Fountains of Tears (Arad), where we are given a very moving presentation of the Last sayings of Christ on the
Cross. (time permitting) We drive drive through Elah Valley (Battle of David and Goliath), and onto Bethlehem the
town of Jesus’ birth and the Shepherd’s Fields (Luke 2). There will also be an opportunity to buy olive wood products
made in Bethlehem. Dinner & overnight Neve Ilan Hotel Jerusalem for dinner & 3 nights.

JerusalemRead MoreRead Less

Tuesday 7th May

The Temple Mount is our first visit today, where Abraham was told to sacrifice his son
Isaac. Obediently they go to Mt Moriah, where the Lord provided a ram for sacrifice
(Genesis 22). We also visit the Mt. of Olives for an overview of the Old City and it’s
vicinity, Chapel of the Ascension (Acts 1:11 – time permitting). We walk down the Palm
Sunday Path (John 12) to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus often prayed with his disciples. (Mk 14)
A short distance away we visit the City of David with 3D movie, and we shall walk through the Priest’s Tunnel and the Pilgrim Road (if time permits). We shall visit the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount, Western Wall, Jewish Quarter including the Cardo. Dinner & overnight Neve Ilan Hotel Jerusalem.

Garden TombRead MoreRead Less

Wednesday 8th May

This morning we shall visit the Garden Tomb, and after a guided walk, we will hold a
Communion Service. Then it’s on to St. Peter de Galicantu, (Caiaphas’ House), the Upper Room of the Last Supper and Mt. Zion. From there we shall go to the Lion’s Gate , St. Anne’s Church, and the Pools of Bethesda. We visit Ecce Homo (Antonio’s Fortress), the Way of the Cross and finally the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Back to Neve Ilan Hotel, Jerusalem for dinner and overnight stay.

Goodbye IsraelRead MoreRead Less

Thursday 9th May

Morning transfer to the airport We leave Jerusalem early morning with a lifetime of memories. Our flight home, TK865, is scheduled for 08:25 and arrives in Istanbul at 10:45. We depart Istanbul on flight TK1345 at 13.15 arriving
Edinburgh 15:45. Shalom and Lehitraot (see you again)

Tour InformationRead MoreRead Less

Please note: all itineraries, flight details and hotels are subject to change.

Price: £2238 per person
based on a group of 30+

All prices are per person and inclusive of each of the following items:
What is included in the price:
۞ Return scheduled flights with Turkish Airlines from Edinburgh Airport
۞ All airport and local taxes. 30 kg baggage allowance per person
۞ Meeting and assistance on arrival and departure at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport

۞ 8 nights Half board accommodation with private facilities in Israel
۞ Private air-conditioned coach for all tours and transfers
۞ Touring and sightseeing program as per itinerary
۞ All entrance fees as per itinerary
۞ Israeli English-speaking licensed guides throughout the tour
۞ Porterage at hotels
۞ Audio Tour Guide System for each group member

Not included
۞ Fully comprehensive Travel Insurance (Travelink offer excellent coverage for competitive prices, details to book this insurance can be found on the booking form)
۞ Lunches, drinks and other personal items
۞ Gratuities (We suggest $12.00 pp per day payable on first day)
۞ Single Room Supplement £694 per person

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