IN HIS FOOTSTEPS: A Bible Tour in Israel and Palestine April 6-16, 2016 4040 Sunset Drive, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 Master s Tours Inc. PO Box 288, Brush Prairie, WA 98606-0288 Tour Bible Teacher: Rev. Dr. Graig Flach
Invitation It is my joy to extend to you a hearty invitation to join me on a wonderful Bible Study Tour of Israel. We have two major purposes for this trip. First of all, there is no better way to understand the Bible than to study it in its geographical and cultural context. In Israel, suddenly biblical texts that have seemed obscure come alive. Our second purpose for the trip is to draw closer to the Lord by walking in the places He walked. This is not a vacation, it is a Bible study class like you have never experienced before. Do join on his wonderful biblical adventure. Pastor Graig Why travel to the Holy Land? Nowhere else can you walk on the ancient rocks of a winding path or ascend the steps of the Temple Mount and know with absolute certainty that Jesus Himself also walked here. Nowhere else in the world can you run trembling fingers along the soot-covered ruins of the cities of Canaan, cities that Joshua and his army burned to the ground as they conquered the Promised Land. No where else can you gaze upon what were once the high places of worship and remember with conviction the dangers of placing religious ritual above a relationship with the living God. Nowhere else can you touch the Bible, breathe in its stories, drink in its colors, its sights and its sounds. Herod s Winter Palace St. Peter s Fish Lunch Floating on the Dead Sea Why travel now? Lake Grove Presbyterian Church started organizing these trips about 10 years ago. We think of it as an extension of our adult discipleship ministry. It has been 5 years since the last trip to Israel, though some LGPCers traveled to Turkey and Greece in 2013, following the Apostle Paul. It is time for another opportunity. As a congregation, we will be covering the sweep of Bible history again this year. Starting in October, we will cover the "Essential 100" passages of Scripture, completing that survey just before Easter. This trip will come on the heels of that all-church sermon-series and group study. It will be a perfect time to visit many of the places we will recently have studied together. For Christians, visiting Israel is not merely a tourism experience; it is a journey of faith. Former travelers have stated how dramatically their visits to Israel have transformed their understanding of Scripture and how visiting Jerusalem and Galilee transformed their understanding of the earthly life of Jesus of Nazareth. Israel s department of tourism exclaims, You ll never be the same! Is it safe? Master s Tours Inc. has been taking travelers to the Holy Land for 25 years. Safety of our travelers is their utmost concern. They monitor the situation constantly, and we rely on their experience. Tourism is an important industry for these countries and they have a vested interest in keeping visitors safe. February 18, 2015 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and about threats to themselves and to U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. We will not be going anywhere near Gaza, and our time in the West Bank will only be at tourist-friendly Bethlehem and Jericho. Temple Mount Copy or Clip this Form REGISTRATION FORM SEND TO: MASTER S TOURS, INC. PO Box 288, Brush Prairie, WA 98606-0288 Enclosed is my/our $ deposit ($300 per person). Please reserve seats on this trip. Church of Beatitudes Name (s): Street: City: State: Zip: Phone: Email Address: Would I go again? Absolutely! Where else can I see the same sights Abraham, Moses, Joshua, King David, and all the prophets saw? Where else can I walk where Jesus walked? Where else can I view the terrain where the apostles experienced the events that transformed their lives and caused them to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6)? There is only place where you can do that and so much more...the Holy Land. So would I go again? All the shekels in the world couldn t keep me away. 1 I want a single room (extra $80 per night). Domestic flights from: (other than Portland) April 6-16, 2016 - Lake Grove Presbyterian Church 10
HAVE QUESTIONS OR MASTER S TOURS, INC. NEED FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: PO Box 288 Brush Prairie, WA 98606-0288 Phone: (360) 253-5949 Fax: (360) 892-1902 Email: masterstours@comcast.net Registered Seller of Travel Washington State #601 388 878 Instructions for Reservations Please fill out the form at the back of this brochure (page 10). Mail it in an envelope with your deposit check to Master s Tours. If you would like to be added to an information list regarding this tour, please contact Sheri Brown by phone 503-210-6069 or by email sheri@lakegrovepres.org. Being added to this list does not constitute a reservation. Save the Date! Sunday, November 15, 2015 12:30 to 2:30 PM (includes lunch) Come and meet Julie Baretz, special guest, tour guide and author of The Bible on Location, coming to Lake Grove! Julie has been our tour guide in years past through Jerusalem and the Holy Land and is scheduled to be our guide again on the April 16 tour. You won t want to miss this special event and get a glimpse into what is in store ahead. Trip Costs 11 Day Tour ~ April 6 - April 16, 2016 $4,695 per person (from Portland, Oregon) Including taxes, extra fees, tips and service charges. See page 9 for detailed explanation. (Price is based on a minimum of 15 passengers using double occupancy. In the event a minimum of passengers does not book the tour within 91 days of departure, the agent reserves the right to cancel the tour. You will be notified immediately upon any increase and will have the option of paying the difference or cancelling with full refund. Pace of Itinerary Pace Scale Leisurely Moderate On the Go We'll categorize the pace of this trip as "moderate". While we will pack a lot into each day, we will be traveling in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. And we will not be changing hotels as much as in previous trips. Israel is a small country, and most of our visits will occur in an area about 100 miles long and 50 miles wide. So we can cover much of our program from Jerusalem, where we ll stay 5 nights. We will also stay 2 nights on the Sea of Galilee. So other than our initial arrival night near Tel Aviv, plus one night in Jericho, we will not be constantly changing hotels. If travelers get tired, it's easy to reduce walking by resting in the bus and meeting the more eager walkers on the other side of a site. One elderly couple stated, "It's true that we won't be able to see everything but we'll certainly see far more than if we stayed at home!" They did! Bible Teacher Reverend Dr. Graig Flach USA/Istanbul/Tel Aviv Tel Dan Masada Tour Host Kathleen Fast Ein Gedi 9 2
3 Trip Itinerary Day 1, Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Portland/Los Angeles/Istanbul We leave together from our local airport to our gateway city, Los Angeles for our flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Caesarea Nazareth Village Sea of Galilee Bethsaida Day 2, Thursday, April 7, 2016 Istanbul/Tel Aviv After a relaxing layover and a trip to Starbucks, we leave Istanbul for our flight to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Overnight in our Tel Aviv hotel. Day 3, Friday, April 8, 2016 Tel Aviv/Joppa/Caesarea/Mount Carmel/Nazareth/Sea of Galilee This is a day of exciting biblical discoveries. We start our pilgrimage with a brief stops at ancient Joppa, now a beautiful artists colony. This is the port from which Jonah started his infamous journey. And it was a major seaport until Herod the Great built Caesarea further north. From Joppa, St. Peter was called by God s vision to Caesarea, where the Gospel was first shared with Gentiles. Driving next to Caesarea, we see the Roman Theater, the ruins of Herod s Palace and the Roman Aqueduct. This was the famous Roman capital of the Jewish nation in Jesus day. From here, the Gospel message spread throughout the entire Roman Empire. Next, we drive to Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the priests of Baal. We pause for a Dutch treat lunch at a Druid falafel restaurant and motor on to Sepphoris, where, we believe, Jesus and His stepfather, Joseph, served as construction laborers. Our last stop today will be in Nazareth where we will visit Nazareth Village, a re-creation of how Nazareth looked in Jesus day and then we will view the Valley of Armageddon from the precipice where, we believe, the residents of Nazareth were ready to kill Jesus. Dinner and overnight at our hotel on the shores of the beautiful Sea of Galilee. Day 4, Saturday, April 9, 2016 Northern Israel We begin our day with an inspiring voyage on the Sea of Galilee. In the middle of our voyage, we will stop for our Sunday morning worship service. Disembarking at the kibbutz Nof Ginnosaur, we will view the Jesus Boat, the remains of a boat that sailed on the Sea of Galilee during the time of Jesus. Then it s on to Hazor, the major Canaanite city during Old Testament times. From there, it s on to Tel Dan to walk through the beautiful forest preserve with its lush river of rushing water (cont.) PRICE INCREASES: All prices quoted in this brochure are subject to change if not paid in full due to currency fluctuations, fuel surcharge increases, government taxes and fees increases or unforeseen circumstances. You will be notified immediately upon discovery of an increase and will have the option of paying the difference or canceling with full refund. LAND ONLY: If you choose to purchase a land only package and arrange your own domestic and international flight independently, Master s Tours Inc. will not be responsible for domestic, international flights or transfers of any kind. Master s Tours is not responsible for any International flight schedule changes. If domestic tickets are purchased by an individual, all penalties and fare differences will be paid by the client. DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION: A deposit of $300 per person is required to secure reservations, which will be applied to the price of the tour. The balance to be paid in full not later than 6 weeks prior to departure of the tour. Thereafter, a $100 late payment fee will be assessed. Reservations made within 30 days of departure are subject to $75 late reservation charge. All cancellations must be in writing by letter, fax or e-mail to Master s Tours and will be in effect on the date of receipt by Master s Tours. There is no exception to cancellation fee. Any exceptions must be in writing from Master s Tours, Inc. Air penalties are not part of the percentages below and vary based on the airline policy at the time of ticket issue. Returned checks incur a $30 NSF fee. 91+ Days Prior: No penalty of deposit (Except for $100.00 per person admin fee plus any airline fees) 90-61 Days Prior: ($300 for international tour, $500 for international tour and cruise plus any airline fees 60-46 Days Prior: 40% of tour cost 45-31 Days Prior: 65% of tour cost 30-16 Days Prior: 85% of tour cost 15 Days Prior or less: 100% of tour cost. Returned checks and non-sufficient funds payments will incur a $30 charge per incident. RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY: Land arrangements including surface transportation: Master s Tours, Inc., and the participating Tour Operators operate the land tours offered under this program only as agents of the railroads, car rental contractors, steamship lines, hotels, bus operators, sightseeing contractors and others which provide the actual land arrangements and are not liable for any act, omission, delay, injury, loss or damage or non-performance occurring in connection with these land arrangements. International air carriers and other IATA carriers, steamship lines and other transportation companies whose services are featured in these tours are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their conveyance. The passage contract in use by these companies when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the purchaser of these tours and/or passage. The tour operator reserves the right to change the itinerary, delete or substitute sites when tour operator feels it to be in the best interest of the tour. Master s Tours does not provide additional assistance to any passengers that have physical limitations as tour itineraries require full mobility. Please advise Master s Tours if you have any limitations that may impact your tour. CHANGE FEE: All changes not received in writing by Master s Tours at least 45 days prior to departure will incur a $75 change fee per person for each revision (that is in addition to any other charges per revision once the basic or pre/post tour package has been confirmed). LAND ARRANGEMENTS: The tour operator reserves the right to change the itinerary due to emergencies. If itinerary changes necessitate extra overnights, you will be charged $90 per night; single rooms- $130 per night. Meals for extra nights are not included. DEVIATIONS: Deviations will incur a $125 fee, plus any other additional costs associated with services included in the basic or pre/post tour. Transfers are included in our group round-trip programs, passengers who deviate or purchase land only packages will be responsible for arriving and leaving independently and must transfer at their own expense. CREDIT CARDS: All prices already include a 5% discount for payment by cash, check or money order. EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS: Foreign currency exchange rates fluctuate daily. For example, in 2012, Euro rates versus the US Dollar fluctuated from a low below 1.25 to almost 1.70 (meaning that one Euro cost $1.25 to $1.70 US). It is very difficult to set the price of a tour when we cannot predict what exchange rates will do. We price our tours at $1.25 = 1 and adjust for fluctuations at final billing. If the rate drops below the original rate, we pass the savings on If rates increases, we must pass those costs on. 8
Terms and Conditions Questions? Contact Bob Anderson (see contact info on pg. 9) ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels are based on double occupancy with bath. Single-room supplement totals are $80 per night. and view the site where King Jereboam set up the Golden Calf. Just a short ways from Dan is Caesarea Philippi. It is here that St. Peter proclaimed the deity of Christ. On the way back to our hotel, we will make short stops in both the Golan Heights where we actually look into Syria. We end that day at Bethsaida, the town from which several of the disciples came. Dinner and overnight at our Sea of Galilee lodgings. MEALS: Unlimited buffet breakfast and dinner daily throughout the tour. Extra charge for coffee, tea or other beverage not included in the menu of the day. Lunches on your own en route (and typically cost $15 each). No meals are provided in USA. If a passenger chooses not to have a meal, there will be no refund for unused meals. AIRLINE ROUTES & TICKETS: In order to keep prices low, Master s Tours Inc. does not guarantee the most direct routing to your final destination. Once printed or issued, airline tickets cannot be changed or refunded thereafter. Air transportation to/from your destination will be economy class on IATA and ARC carriers utilizing APEX or SUPER APEX non-refundable, non-amendable tickets for groups of 10 or more flying together on entire itinerary. Full payment is due 45 days prior to commencement of travel. If the passenger cancels within 35 days of departure or after air tickets are written (whichever comes sooner), then 100% of airfare will be forfeited by passenger. All airfares are subject to government approval and change without notice. AIR- costs and schedules could change. Please Note: An overnight may be necessary for groups misconnecting on the outbound or return Airline tickets are issued 30 days prior to departure, seat assignments can be requested however are not guaranteed as tickets are issued in bulk. ADDITIONAL AIRLINE FEES: You may incur additional airline baggage and optional fees (Food, Excess Baggage, Items of a Personal Nature etc...) and will be charged by the airline at check in. TIPS AND TAXES: Tips to guides & drivers, gratuities to porters, restaurant and hotel servers are included at $130 per person for Israel (and subject to change). The taxes, fuel surcharges, foreign departure taxes and visas are included $605 (subject to change - visa rates increase for non US passport holders). (Increases in government tax, fuel, fees, gratuities and visas are subject to change.) SIGHTSEEING: By modern motor coach including services of English speaking guides and entrance fees to places included in the itinerary. Where available all groups will be provided with portable listening devices. Passengers are responsible for loss or damage of the device. NOT INCLUDED: Passport, laundry, wines, liquors, mineral waters and after-dinner coffee or tea, meals not included in the itinerary, room service, sightseeing or services other than those specifically mentioned. Baggage fees and surcharges are different for every airline therefore please contact the airline for specific baggage allowance and fees. Master s Tours is not responsible for these related fees as this is solely the responsibility of the passenger. TOUR PROTECTION PLAN: (optional): Master s Tours Inc. will give you the option of buying or declining the Tour protection Plan. If you buy, a policy will be mailed to you, unless you decline it at the time of reservation or in writing. No changes can be made to insurance coverage within 30 days from departure. PASSPORTS, VISAS: A valid US passport is required for US citizens. If you do not have a passport please contact your local passport office. Passports must be valid 6 months after return date. For all other nationalities, please consult the country s consulate as VISA fees may be different. Capernaum Jordan River Day 5, Sunday, April 10, 2016 Galilee/Jericho Our brief devotional service this morning will be at on the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached His sermon on the mount. Descending to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, we visit Capernaum, Jesus adopted home town and the place where Jesus healed Peter s mother in law. Then we make a brief stop at Tagbha, a place where we commemorate the feeding of the 5000. Prior to our lunch, we visit the baptismal site on the Jordan River. Those who wish to celebrate their baptism either for the first time or as a re-commitment of faith may do so. Our included lunch today is St Peter s Fish (for nonfish eaters, an alternative will be offered.) Then, it s on the way to Jericho, the oldest walled city in the world. We will motor through the modern city, past an ancient sycamore tree which probably is not the one Zaccheus climbed. Reaching the ancient tel, we will tour the site, see the oldest man-made structure in the world and discuss all that happened here both in Old Testament and New Testament times. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jericho. Day 6, Monday, April 11, 2016 Jericho/Masada/Dead Sea/Qumran/Jerusalem After a brief stop at Herod s winter palace, our first major visit today is to Herod s famous fortress of Masada. You may take the cable car up to the summit or walk up the historic snake path. However, those walking will miss the guide s presentation of what happened here. From Masada, we drive to Ein Gedi. There will be an opportunity to hike a ways up the canyon where David hid out from Saul and see the Ibex who live there. After a half hour s drive we arrive at Qumran for lunch and then view Cave #4 where many of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We will have an opportunity to take a brief float in the Dead Sea at a nearby beach. Then we head for Jerusalem, stopping briefly on the Mount of Olives to view a wonderful panorama of the Old City. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. 7 TOUR PRICE: Price is based on international tariffs and rates in effect on date of proposal and is subject to change should there be a revision in AIR or LAND rates prior to payment in full of the tour price. Price is based on a minimum of passengers using double occupancy. In the event that a minimum of 15 passengers does not book the tour within 91 days of departure the agent reserves the right to cancel the tour. You will be notified immediately upon any increase and will have the option of paying the difference or cancelling with full refund. Late booking or changes may result in an additional fee. Master s Tours, Inc. reserves the right to correct invoices, itineraries, and/ or brochures without notice. Masada Day 7, 4
Dung Gate Chapel, Dominus Flevit Tuesday, April 12, 2016 Jerusalem Early this morning we pass through the Dung Gate and line up for our visit to the Temple Mount. Tradition tells us that this is, indeed, Mount Moriah where Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac. It was here that the first and second Hebrew Temples were built. We exit the Temple Mount on the Via Dolorosa, the route that tradition tells us that Jesus took to the cross. Here we visit St Anne s Church where our singing will be enhanced by the wonderful acoustics. As we walk along the Via Dolorosa, we pass the various stations of the cross. The of the path takes us to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional location of the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. We walk from here to the Jewish Quarter. After lunch, we visit first the Roman Cardo and then descend underground to the Wohl Archeological Museum and its astonishing remains of the homes of the priestly families who lived there in Jesus day. We then walk down the steps to make a brief visit at the Western (Wailing) Wall, ending our day at the Southern Wall, having a devotional time on the very steps that Jesus would have used to visit the Temple. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. Day 8, Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Jerusalem/Hebron/Bethlehem Today (depending on political conditions) we get a rare look at Herod s building expertise at its best as we visit the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron. The tomb itself is in a cave below the massive stone enclosure built at the instructions of Herod the Great. Then it s on to Bethlehem for lunch, a visit to the Shepherds Fields and the Church of the Nativity which encloses the cave where we believe Jesus was born. After the visit to the church, there will be an opportunity to shop at the Three Arches, a super store which features many of the nice things that people enjoy bringing back from the Holy Land. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. Wall of Jerusalem City of David Ben Yehuda Street Day 10, Friday, April 15, 2016 Jerusalem Activities today will be pretty much on foot or at your discretion, by taxi. We will visit the new excavations at the City of David. Those of us who are hearty enough, may also want to walk the wall of Jerusalem with Pastor Graig, taking in the many unusual vistas. This wall dates back to 1525 AD. If there is time, you may want to visit the Israel Museum, across town, and take in the wonderful highlights or visit Ben Yehuda Street with is shops and cafes. Those who are less mobile may choose more easy-going activities or may just decide to rest and enjoy a good lunch at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. Day 11, Saturday, April 16, 2016 Homeward Bound We will leave very early in the morning, fly to Istanbul, from there to Los Angeles and home, arriving home late Sunday night. What an incredibly wonderful time we have had with unforgettable memories to cherish always! Knowing that we have walked in the footsteps of the Old Testament Hebrews, the Prophets, the Lord Jesus, the Apostles and early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading from now on. Thanks be to God! Garden of Gethsemane Day 9, Thursday, April 14, 2016 Jerusalem We start our day on the top of the Mount of Olives discussing the route Jesus would have taken on the first Palm Sunday. We walk down the Palm Sunday Route, stopping at the chapel of Dominus Flevit ( our Lord wept ) on to the Garden of Gethsemane where we have reserved a spot for morning worship. From here we move to the church of St Peter in Gallicantu, a possible site of the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest. Nearby, we visit the symbolic site of the Upper Room, where Jesus served the Last Supper. After taking time for lunch and a brief time of shopping in the Jewish Quarter, we then head on foot to the Joppa Gate where we pay a visit to the Tower of David Museum and the recent excavations showing the location of Herod s Jerusalem Palace. Our coach then takes us to the Garden Tomb where we celebrate communion together. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. Church of the Nativity 5 Garden Tomb Traditional Site of Jesus Birth 6