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Pastor Larry and Professor Annette Bell lead the Lands of the Bible Study Tour (44362)

Starting from $3,048**Taxes & Fees Apply

This Trip Visits:

  Israel (Holy Land)

Trip Includes:

Roundtrip Airfare, Deluxe Motorcoaches, Guided Sightseeing, Entrance Fees to Sites Visited, First Class or Superior Tourist Hotels, Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Daily, Lecture Series on Sites, Gratuities, Taxes and Fees

ItineraryExtensions (Pre/Post Tour)Fine PrintTaxes & TipsTrip Calculator
  1. 4-Jan - USA to the Holy Land

    Depart USA to the Holy Land.

  2. 5-Jan - Arrive in Tel Aviv

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    arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel and proceed north to Galilee for dinner and overnight at Kibbutz Ein Gev.

  3. 6-Jan - JESUS' EARLY YEARS IN LOWER GALILEE

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    We will journey to the tel of Sepphoris, the capital city of Galilee and home of Herod Antipas. Both Joseph and Jesus likely worked as builders in the Galilean capital city found here. Proceed to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation, the largest Christian church in the Middle East. We will also spend time in a recreated Nazarene village simply known as “Nazareth Village.” While here we will see authentic demonstrations of life and work in Nazareth during Jesus’ early years. Then, for a change of pace, we will make our way to the picturesque city of Acco on the Mediterranean Sea, visiting the underground city and Crusader fortress. Overnight at Kibbutz Ein Gev.

  4. 7-Jan - CULTURES IN CONFLICT, GOLAN AND UPPER GALILEE

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    On our driving tour of the Golan Heights we will stop at the Quneitra overlook and see a Syrian town destroyed in the 1967 war. We will look across the United Nations patrolled border while we remember Paul’s journey to Damascus. Proceeding on, we will stop for coffee at a Druze village. Then we will visit Nimrud’s Castle, an impressive Crusader and Muslim fortress in the northernmost mountains. At Tel Dan Nature Reserve we will visit the ruins of ancient Dan in an enchantingly beautiful setting at a source of the Jordan River. We will finish the afternoon exploring Zfat, a hilltop center of Jewish mysticism and art. Evening conversation with a Palestinian Christian peace advocate, Elias Jabbour. Overnight in the kibbutz.

  5. 8-Jan - JESUS’ MINISTRY AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE

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    This morning we will drive up to Arbel Cliffs, offering one of the most beautiful views of the Sea of Galilee anywhere. For those who choose we will follow the new Jesus Trail down to the Wadi Hamam and the “Spring of the Apostles” below. Next we will visit Capernaum, the site that served as the central headquarters for Jesus’ public ministry. Preserved in Capernaum are the ruins of the traditional house of Peter and the 4th century synagogue built on the foundations of the 1st century synagogue where Jesus taught and prayed. Drive to the top of the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea and surrounding area and visit the Chapel of the Beatitudes. From here we will visit Tabgha, the site of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish. We will then proceed to Kibbutz Ginnosar where we will see the famous 1st century boat found here in 1986. From there, we take a late afternoon boat ride and worship on the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in the kibbutz.

  6. 9-Jan - DEAD SEA and THE JUDEAN WILDERNESS

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    We will take a driving tour of the Jordan Valley, working our way southward. Our first stop will be the traditional baptism site of Jesus at Qasr Al-Yahud, newly reopened due to the improved political situation. We will then proceed to Masada, Herod’s desert fortress near the Dead Sea. We will ride the cable car up the mountain and walk down the Roman siege ramp, imagining the resistance movement of the Zealots. After Masada we will visit the Joe Alon Center for Bedouin Culture where we will experience traditional Bedouin hospitality. Overnight in Kfar Hanokdim-Choice of Bedouin tent or private guest cabin.

  7. 10-Jan - BEDOUIN and NEGEV LIFESTYLES, PAST AND PRESENT

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    Today we will begin our exploration of desert life and Bedouin culture in the Negev Desert. Early this morning we will enjoy a camel ride in the desert at Kfar Hanokdim. Then, we will visit Tel Arad, a Canaanite city and Solomon’s military outpost. The most remarkable discovery in Arad is the only Israelite temple yet excavated. Its plan appears to follow that of Jerusalem's Temple. We will then hike to the spring of Ein Avdat, the "Grand Canyon of Israel," and experience the refreshing oasis in the desert. Near Avdat, the Michael Evenari Farm will show us how the desert can blossom with crocuses (Isaiah 35). Overnight in Jerusalem.

  8. 11-Jan - JESUS IN THE JUDEAN WILDERNESS AND JERUSALEM

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    We will begin our day at Qumran seeing the ruins of the Essene Monastery and the home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Essenes will help us understand the context of Jesus and John the Baptist. We will then stop at the city of Jericho to see the Neolithic tower, the oldest public structure in the world. Also at Jericho, we will see the ruins of Herod’s summer palace. Return to Jerusalem via the Jericho Road, which twists for miles as it climbs from below sea level into the Judean mountains. Jesus traveled the nearby Roman road, the setting of His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-36). When we arrive in Jerusalem, we will walk through Jaffa Gate, visit the Citadel of King David and orient ourselves to the Old City and the Jewish Quarter, visiting the Iron Age Broad Wall from the time of Hezekiah and the Cardo of the Roman City. Evening conversation with an Islamic scholar. Overnight in Jerusalem.

  9. 12-Jan - MUSLIM AND JEWISH HOLY SITES IN JERUSALEM

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    This morning we will walk into the Old City through the Damascus Gate and spend the rest of the day in the Old City of Jerusalem, inside walls that date from the 16th century reign of Suleiman the Magnificent Before lunch we will visit the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the al-Haram esh-Sharif or “Noble Sanctuary.” Following lunch, we will explore the ongoing excavations at the Ophel to help us imagine Jerusalem, as Jesus knew it. We will say a prayer at the Western Wall and proceed through the Rabbi’s Tunnel. Time permitting, we will visit the City of David, the oldest section of the city. Evening conversation with Gabriel Barkay, archaeologist. Overnight in Jerusalem.

  10. 13-Jan - JERUSALEM: ECHOES OF THE PAST IN THE PRESENT

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    We will visit West Jerusalem today. We will begin the day at the Hadassah Hospital of Ein Karem to see the beautiful Chagall Windows. Next we will visit the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. Then we will visit the Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book and the Second Temple Model City. After lunch, we will visit an Israeli settlement at Ephrat, just south of Bethlehem. We will hear from Israeli Zionists who will offer their perspectives. After the settlement we will visit the historic Church of the Nativity, where Jesus’ birth in memorialized. Evening debriefing and conversation. Overnight in Jerusalem.

  11. 14-Jan - JERUSALEM: FROM PALM SUNDAY TO THE CROSS

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    We will begin our day on the Mount of Olives with its outstanding view of the city. We then visit the Palm Sunday Church in Bethphage and the Church of Pater Noster. We will pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and view the Kidron Valley. After lunch we return to the Old City via St. Stephen’s Gate and visit the Church of Saint Anne and the Pool of Bethesda. We begin the Via Dolorosa at the Lithostratos, where Jesus was beaten by Roman soldiers. Then walk through the bazaar to the Holy Sepulchre Church, which is built over the site of Jesus’ execution, burial and resurrection. We will then worship at the Garden Tomb on our last night in Jerusalem. There may be time to visit a Jewish Shabbat worship service at the Western Wall. Overnight in Jerusalem.

  12. 15-Jan - Return to the USA

    JOURNEY HOME OR JOURNEY ON TO JORDAN AND LEBANON