Journey to the Holy Lands March 28 - April 9, 2019 Led by the Reverend Pen Peery and Israeli Guide Doron Harel Estimated cost: $5,000 per person, double occupancy Trip limited to 50 people with priority given to FPC members. First Presbyterian Church www.firstpres-charlotte.org
Illuminating. Spiritual. Life-Changing. Immerse Yourself in the Holy Lands on this 12-Day Journey March 29-April 9, 2019 Discover a deeper appreciation for the stories of the Bible. Walk the land traversed by beloved biblical figures. Experience the culture underlying the ancient Scriptural texts. This trip with members of First Presbyterian Church offers you the chance for history and faith to come alive. Evenings will include devotions and a time for reflection. The people who visited Israel in 2016 came back with stories of profound change not only in their faith, but also in their relationships with others. What Else Should You Know? The estimated cost is $5,000 per person, double occupancy. The cost varies depending on the number of travelers and dollar exchange rates at the time of the trip. Airfare estimated until booked. The trip is limited to 50 people, with priority given to FPC members. Reserve your space by on the Now@FPC page on the website under Tickets & Signups or by completing a Reservation Form and submitting it, with a $500 per person deposit, at the front desk. The deposit is refundable until June 30, 2018. The Sea of Galilee
Your Itinerary for this 12-Day Journey Friday, March 29 - Depart Charlotte Saturday, March 30 - Welcome to Israel Arrive Tel Aviv approximately 10 a.m. Israel Time Meet Doron and begin the day in Jaffa (Joppa), one of the oldest biblical cities. Travel up the coast to Caesarea, built by King Herod the Great and once the seat of Roman rule. Travel to Megiddo to see remnants of oncelovely palaces dating back to the Israelite Kings. Overnight Ginossar Hotel, Galilee. D Sunday, March 31 - The Hills of the Galilee Start at Mt. of Beatitudes and hike to the Church of the Beatitudes on the Sea of Galilee. Proceed to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood. View the Praying in Gethsemane Basilica of the Annunciation, commemorating the spring where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Visit the Church of St. Joseph, known as the "Workshop of Joseph." On to Canna where it is said Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast. Visit Magdala, a crossroads of Jewish and Christian history. It is believed Jesus encountered Mary of Magdala here. Overnight Ginossar Hotel, Galilee. B, D Monday, April 1 - The Cradle of Christianity View a wooden fishing boat from early 1st century, then sail around the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to view remains of the large white limestone synagogue. Drive to Tabgha the site of the "Feeding of the Multitudes" then to Dan Nature Reserve and the springs of Banias (Caesaria Phillipi), one of the sources of the Jordan River. Located at the foot of Mt. Hermon, some believe this is where Peter made his proclamation of faith in Jesus. Travel through Golan Heights to the summit of Mount Bental to view the Israel-Syrian lines. Hear of the battles and the history that have taken place between Israel and Syria from 1948 to date. Conclude the day at the Assaf Boutique Winery. Overnight Ginossar Hotel, Galilee. B (Dinner at Magdalena Restaurant at your expense.) Tuesday, April 2 - Along the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem Drive to Mt. Tabor, 2,000 feet above sea level, the traditional site of the Transfiguration. Arrive at Kasser El Yahud "the Jews Passage, the traditional site at which Israelites crossed the Jordan River on their way to the Holy Land and where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Have a devotion time at the baptismal site. Ascend to Jerusalem. Upon your first view of the eternal Holy City, stop for a brief service of communion on the Mount of Olives. Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem. B, D
Wednesday, April 3 - The Old City of Jerusalem Enter the Old City via the Jaffa Gate. Walk over to the Western Wall and Western Wall Tunnels for a tour of the archaeological discoveries excavated in a vast concealed tunnel along the Western Wall. Walk through the Christian Quarter along the Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the crucifixion and burial place of Jesus. Walk to the City of David, the site of Biblical Jerusalem and the capital of King David, a small hill just outside the Walls of the Old City. Walk through the 3,400-year old Canaanite dry tunnel and explore a 2000-year-old underground tunnel ending at the Southern Wall Excavations. Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem. B,D Thursday, April 4 - In and about Jerusalem Begin on the Mount of Olives, with a beautiful view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Church of Pater Noster, at which the Lord's Prayer is written in 53 languages. Continue to the Dominus Flavit Church, where it is said Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives and the magnificent Church of all Nations (Basilica of Agony). Celebrate Communion led by Rev. Peery in a private garden. Visit the Garden Tomb, an ancient Jewish sepulchre that matches the New Testament description of the tomb in which Jesus was buried. Tour the Jewish Quarter, Cardo, and Mt. Zion, as well as King David's tomb. One floor above is the Room of the Last Supper, traditional site of the Last Supper and the visitation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Walk to Dormition Abbey, believed to be the home of the Virgin Mary after the crucifixion until her eternal sleep, and St. Peter in Gallicantu Church. Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem. B, D Friday, April 5 - Remembrance and Devotion Tour Yad Vashem, a memorial dedicated to the Holocaust. Then head to the Mahane Yehuda open air market of Jerusalem to see how locals shop in preparation for the Shabbat. Take in the sights, smells and sounds of the market, and taste the food. In the evening feel free to return to the Old City to the Western Wall and notice how people from all corners of the world gather Christian Quarter Old City Jerusalem. to welcome the Shabbat at the holiest place on earth for Judaism. Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem. B, Shabbat Dinner Legend: B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner Communion on the Mount of Olives
Saturday, April 6 - Kings and Rebels in the Desert of Judah Drive east through the Judean Desert to Qumran, an ancient desert village where the Essenes lived 2000 years ago and where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Continue to the oasis of Ein Gedi were young David spared King Saul's life. Stop at a hotel on the shore of the Dead Sea for lunch and use of the hotel's private Dead Sea beach, private indoor and outdoor pools. After a swim, ascend via cable-car to the cliff-top fortress of Masada. Return Dead Sea Mud to Jerusalem. Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem. B, L, D Sunday, April 7 - Bethlehem Tour Pass through the checkpoint between Israel and Palestinian territories into Bethlehem, where you will tour Manger Square and see the Church of the Nativity, built over the site where Jesus was born. See Shepherds Field, where the angel visited the shepherds with the news of Jesus s birth. Meet with local church volunteers to worship. Return to Israel through the checkpoint. Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem. B, D Monday, April 8 - Touring in Jerusalem Start the day at Mount Moriah (Temple Mount), where it is said Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son, and on which stands the Dome of the Rock with its multi-colored mosaics and Golden Cupola. Tradition has it that this rock marks the center of the earth for the Jewish religion. Muslim tradition cites this as the place from which Mohammed ascended to heaven. It is the third holiest place on earth for Islam. In the same courtyard is the El Aksa Mosque (Access to Temple Mount area is pending police confirmation). Travel to Ein Karem, the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist, the site of a beautiful church bearing his name and the remains of 2,000-year-old agricultural terraces. In the afternoon visit the Israel Museum, housing treasures in archeology, world culture and fine arts, as well as the Shrine of the Book that houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Biblical manuscripts in existence. Visit the model of ancient Jerusalem. Return to your hotel to freshen up and check out (late check out is included in half of the rooms). After a Farewell Dinner, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure flight. Our tour agency will assist with departure procedures. B, D Tuesday, April 9 - Arrive in Charlotte Who Is Your Guide? Doron Harel is Director of Education and Programming Development at Mabat Platinum Ltd. He has a B.A. in History of the Middle East and the Land of Israel from the University of Haifa and an M.A. in Contemporary Middle East from Tel Aviv University. He is highly recommended as a guide by Temple Beth El and Myers Park Baptist Church. He and his wife, Alisa, have three sons.
Estimated Tour Costs* Estimated Airfare CLT to Tel Aviv $1,860 Estimated Tour Fees at 35 people 2,972 Premium Travel Insurance 53 $4,885 Single Supplement $1,099 Trip Cancellation insurance - 4% of non-refundable costs Trip Extensions to Jordan, Egypt and Turkey carry additional fees *Costs are estimates until all travel is booked and the exact number of participants is known. What is Included in Tour Price? 3 Star+ Hotels VIP meeting at Passport Control Daily ground transportation English-speaking tour guide Daily breakfast and dinner (except April 1) Entrance fees at parks and sites Some Additional Details Airfare is an estimate based on United Airlines current fare. Airfare cannot be booked until May. You may, at your own cost, choose a different airline. You must, however, arrive in in Tel Aviv within 30 minutes of the United flight. You may use frequent flyer points or upgrade to business class. Premium trip insurance is provided through Faith Ventures and is strongly recommended. Trip cancellation insurance also available through Faith Ventures and is also recommended. Most tour days begin at 8 a.m. and last until 6 p.m. or later. Some days may include walking 5-8 miles on uneven terrain at varying elevations. Some of the sites are not handicap accessible. What is Excluded? Airfare* (estimated at $1860) Alcoholic beverages, lunches Spa treatments Night outings Trip insurance Extensions to Jordan, Egypt and Turkey *Airfare subject to change until booked Tour Extensions Tour extensions prior to the Holy Lands tour are available to Egypt and Jordon, or to Jordon only. An extension to Turkey is available April 9-12. Schedule of Payments Immediately: Deposit of $500 per person to reserve a spot (refundable until September 1, 2018) May 15, 2018: Flight arrangements to be made with Cathy Reavis at World Travelmates (cathy@worldtravelmates.com); travel insurance February 1, 2019: 50% of Tour Fee March 1, 2019: Remaining balance Have Questions? Contact Garrell Keesler (gkeesler@firstprescharlotte.org 704-927-0244)