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2011 Israel/Palestine Pilgrimage with Pastor Greg Marksberry, First Church of Christ, Burlington, KY

Starting from $3,398**Taxes & Fees Apply

This Trip Visits:

  Israel (Holy Land)

Trip Includes:

Your Journey of a Lifetime Includes: Roundtrip Airfare, Deluxe Motorcoaches, Guided Sightseeing, Entrance Fees to Sites Visited, First Class or Superior Tourist Hotels, Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Daily, and Lecture Series on Sites Gratuities

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  1. Day 1 - Depart USA

    Depart from USA

  2. Day 2 - Arrival – Theme: Orientation, Introduction

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    arrive Israel; time permitting visit Aphek/Antipatris, the city, which was rebuilt by Herod the Great in the first century B.C. and was named Antipatris after his father. A Cannanite wall, an Egyptian fort, and a Roman street have been revealed as part of the archaeological excavations. In ancient times this area was the place of the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines in which the Ark of the Covenant was lost. Paul was brought to Antipatris on his way to Caesarea. The city was hit by the earthquake in the 4th century A.D. Arrive for dinner and overnight in your Galilee hotel.

  3. Day 3 - Theme: Big Splash, Big Sites, Big Moments

    Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new covenant (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before taken to Rome for trial (Acts 23). Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other. Go down the tunnel to see the amazing water system at Megiddo. Continue on to Mount Carmel, which biblically is referenced most often as a symbol of beauty and fertility. To be given the "splendor of Carmel" was to be blessed indeed (Isa 35:2). Visit a rolling stone tomb in the area. Travel by Jezreel Valley, the place of Gideon’s victory (Judges 7) to arrive at the Gideon ‘s Spring, where Gideon chose his army of 300 by observing how they drank from the springs. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

  4. Day 4 - Theme: Jesus’s Galilee and the Formation of Ministry

    Visit Nazareth, Jesus' boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). See Mary's Well and the Church of the Annunciation. Visit Sepphoris, the cosmopolitan Roman capital of Galilee until Herod Antipas built Tiberias. Continue to Nazareth Village, a museum in the open to witness the life and habits of people in the ancient times in Israel. Travel to Mount Arbel and walk along its peak for a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee and the area in which Jesus ministered, with extended views of Mount Hermon in the north and Mount Tabor in the south. It is a magnificent photo opportunity. With your Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, enjoy a special on board worship service. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

  5. Day 5 - Theme: Building Boundaries: Balancing Protection with Creative Engagement

    Explore Hatzor, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Israel. Here, Joshua fought against Jabin (Josh. 11: 1-11). Journey to Caesarea Philippi, also known as Banyas where Peter proclaimed: "You are the Christ" (Matthew 16). Visit the ancient remains of Tel Dan and the altar built by King Jeroboam I (I Kings 12:25-30). Continue to Nimrod's Castle that graces the slopes of Israel's highest mountain, Mount Hermon. The fortress overlooks the forested dales and magnificent landscape of the area. Your last stop will be viewing Kuneitra with the UN peace – keeping forces in the area at the Syrian border. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

  6. Day 6 - Theme: The Sea of Galilee: Contemplating Discipleship

    At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Visit the peaceful Mount of Beatitudes that overlooks the Sea of Galilee. On this hill, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus' ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue that stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall His teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:13, 23). Walk the streets of Bethsaida, one of the "cities of woe" mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 11 and where Jesus chose five of his disciples (Matt. 4: 18-21; John 1: 39-51). Continue to Kursi, which was in the region of the Gadarenes in Christ's time, and remember where Christ cast the demons into the swine (Mark 5). Return to your hotel for your dinner and overnight

  7. Day 7 - Theme: Surviving Dry Places

    Visit the magnificent ruins of Beit Shean where you will tour the impressive excavations of Scythopolis, one of the ten cities of the Decapolis. Continue to Jericho, one of the most ancient cities on Earth. From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4: 1-11). Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of the Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. Journey to the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David and his men sought refuge from Saul (1 Samuel 23). By the end of the day arrive at the Dead Sea shores, the lowest place on Earth; time permitting take a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters to have a unique floating experience. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in the area.

  8. Day 8 - Theme: Bandits, Rebels and Messiahs

    Visit Masada, Herod’s mountaintop fortress that became the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Visit Beersheba, the southernmost city of the Israelite territories in Biblical times. It was here that Abraham made a pact with Abimelech, and that his son Isaac later built an altar. Visit the bell caves of Beit Guvrin, where limestone was quarried. This city replaced Maresha, one of the Judean cities mentioned in the Bible (Joshua 15:44 and Chronicles 2, 11; 5-8) as a city fortified by Rehoboam. Journey through the Valley of Elah where David defeated Goliath (I Samuel 17) on your way to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Jerusalem hotel.

  9. Day 9 - God’s Big Surprise

    Visit the Herodium, the fortified palace and final resting place of Herod the Great. In Bethlehem visit the cave where Jesus was born and the church, which has been constructed on the site (Matthew 1: 18-25; Luke 2: 1-7). Nearby, you will view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard. Visit Bethlehem Bible College. Return to Jerusalem stopping at the Haas Promenade for a spectacular overlook of the city, before arriving in your hotel for dinner and overnight.

  10. Day 10 - Theme: O Jerusalem!

    Travel to Nebi Samwel, thought to be the burial place of the prophet Samuel. Wander the excavations of the City of David. Walk the steps to the Pool of Siloam (John 9), uncovered at the foot of the City. Explore Hezekiah's Tunnel, an amazing engineering feet that was dug from either end and met in the middle. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

  11. Day 11 - Theme: Memory and Story

    Visit the Haram-el-Sharif, the Dome of the Rock, the Temple Mount (due to availability). Visit Israel Museum, which houses 10,0000 years of archeological artifacts. Understand better the Jerusalem of Jesus’ day with a look at first century Model of the City of Jerusalem. Visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls, are displayed. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

  12. Day 12 - Theme: The Victory of God

    In the Old City of Jerusalem visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross”, and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Visit the cave under the church. Visit the Temple Mount, once the site of the Temple of Solomon, the Southern Wall Excavations of the ancient Temple including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. See the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, built over the Church of St. Mary of the Latins and an earlier 5th century church. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

  13. Day 13 - Free Day

    Have some free time on your own to revisit the sites most memorable and reflect on the memories of the tour. Transfer to the hotel for your evening flight home.

  14. Day 14 - Return

    Return to the United States with a greater understanding of the history of our faith.