ISRAEL 2011 -- The Trip of a Lifetime!

The itinerary is set. Check it out. Shaping up to be THE trip of a lifetime...

Saturday, March 12: We will meet at the airline check-in desk the airport three hours prior to departure for our flight to Tel Aviv. Meals and overnight en route.

Sunday, March 13: Upon our arrival at the Tel Aviv airport we will be met and transferred to our hotel overlooking the Mediterranean for dinner and overnight.

Monday, March 14: We will start our day with a visit to Caesarea Maritima, the Roman capital of Judea. Here the centurion Cornelius heard the Gospel preaching of Peter and later Paul made his defense before King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome. Continue to Megiddo and view the Valley of Armageddon, site of the final battle of this age. View the excavations from the time of Solomon. Proceed to Mt. Carmel and Muhraka where Elijah prayed down the fire from Heaven. Drive to Korazim to view the remains of an ancient synagogue with Jewish symbols, Aramaic and Hebrew inscriptions, Continue to our Kibbutz Guest House on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday, March 15: Today will be spent literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus as we walk the land of Jesus' healing and teaching ministry around the Sea of Galilee. We will view the ancient boat found in the mud and then board our wooden sailing boat, fashioned after the ancient fishing vessels, for a boat ride. Board our bus and visit Tabgha, traditional site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. Continue to Capernaum where we visit the ancient ruins of the first century synagogue where Jesus preached. Proceed to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the "Sermon on the Mount". Here we will take time for prayer and meditation while enjoying a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee.

Wednesday, March 16: Start the day ascending Mt. Arbel for a magnificent view of the Galilee. Stop at the church in Cana where some may wish to renew their marriage vows. Continue to Sepphorus, birthplace of Mary and Capital of Galilee during Herod’s time. Drive to Nazareth, boyhood home of Jesus for an overlook and brief visit. Visit Kfar Kedem and relive an exciting ancient tradition of a Jewish farmer. Proceed to Yardenit on the Jordan River where those who wish may be Baptized prior to returning to our Guest House.

Thursday, March 17: Ascend the Golan and view the way to Damascus from Mt. Bental. Proceed to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), one of the sources of the Jordan River at the base of Mt. Hermon. Here Jesus blessed Simon and changed his name to Peter. Continue to Tel Dan, site of the ancient city of Leshem. Here Abraham rescued Lot and Jeroboam erected a golden calf. Drive through the Huleh Valley to Ayelet Hashachar where we will pick up our jeeps for our ride to Gadot Bunker. Return to our Guest House for dinner and overnight.

Friday, March 18: Leaving the Sea of Galilee we drive south to Ma’ayan Harod where Gideon received his call from the Lord. We continue to Beit She’an where King Saul and Jonathan fell fighting the Philistines and where they hung from the city gates. After spending some time viewing the spectacular excavations we will continue down the winding Jordan Valley to the Holy City of Jerusalem. We will view the layout from the mountains around Jerusalem before checking into our centrally located hotel for the remainder of our stay.

Saturday, March 19: The Bible becomes a three - dimensional book as the life-changing experiences of the next several days begin to unfold. The remarkable journey back in time begins when we view the site of the Ascension, see the olive trees on the Mt. of Olives that date back to the time of Christ and take time to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Drive through the Kidron Valley to Mt. Zion to view King David’s Tomb and the Cenacle or Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper). A view of the Shepherds’ Field will remind us of those who first heard the news of the Savior’s birth. Circumstances permitting, we will also visit Bethlehem.

Sunday, March 20: We begin our day in the Old City, entering through the Dung Gate and visiting the Western Wall where for centuries Jews have prayed and left written prayers in the niches of the stones. Ascend the Temple Mount before continuing on a walking tour of the reconstructed Jewish Quarter. Visit the Treasures of the Temple Museum, where we will learn more about the trumpets, priestly garments, the 24 karat golden miter and other articles described in great detail in the Bible and now being prepared for use in the Third Temple See how it has come to life again as we walk through the Cardo, the original Roman street of the 2nd century C.E. with the amazing Israelite wall and Herodian quarters. View the recent excavations, including the Ophel and City of David.

Monday, March 21: An early departure for the spectacular fortress of Massada, the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Ascend by cable car and view the remains of the Roman wall, the water system, baths, store rooms, swimming pool and synagogue before descending. After lunch, enjoy time for a “swim” in the Dead Sea. En route back to Jerusalem visit the oasis of Ein Gedi and the Qumran Caves where the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Tuesday, March 22: We will start the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, memorial to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Continue to the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls, then view the model of Jerusalem as it was during the Roman period. Return via the Valley of Elah, scene of the battle between David and Goliath, then via Kiriath Yearim where Abinadab lived and kept the Ark of the Covenant for 20 years and from where we can view Jerusalem. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday, March 23: On our last day of sightseeing in the Holy Land we will visit the scenes of Jesus’ betrayal and agony, starting with the House of Caiaphas (St. Peter’s en Gallicantu) on the eastern slope of Mt. Zion. This was the scene of Jesus’ first trial and here Peter denied the Lord. We will once again enter the Old City and visit the Pool of Bethesda, continuing to the Praetorium, site of the public trial of Christ and His condemnation. View its ancient remains in the Fortress of Antonia and continue along the Via Dolorosa, ending at Gordon’s Calvary where we will experience the agony of Christ’s crucifixion. We will end the day and our Pilgrimage with Communion in the tranquility of the Garden Tomb.

Thursday, March 24: Return home today having met the God of the Bible in the Land of the Bible, and having deepened our faith by returning to our roots - OR continue to Greece.

Total cost (out of Portland, OR) $3640. Optional Greece Extension $1099. If you are flying out of an East Coast or Midwest airport, cost will be adjusted accordingly. If you would like a brochure or have any questions, please email me: dewey.bertolini@comcast.net