“A JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME”
CHRISTMAS PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
(WITH A 1-DAY TOUR OF ATHENS, GREECE)
DECEMBER 1-10, 2008
PRICE: USD $2,247 PER PERSON
(DEPARTING FROM NEW YORK – JFK)
HOSTED BY PASTOR MIKE KING
CO-HOSTED BY DR. STEVE COOK & REV. DAVID SMELTZ
Itinerary
Day 1 – Monday, December 1
NEW YORK (JFK)
Departure from New York (JFK) on Olympic Airlines to Tel Aviv via Athens…
Day 2 – Tuesday, December 2
ATHENS
Arrive in Athens at 9:00am where you will be met by our Greek tour representative and transferred to our bus and tour guide
to start a city tour of Athens and some of the most significant sights of this glorious city. On your way to the Acropolis, you
will see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic games of the modern era were held in 1896. Visit the Acropolis, the
Parthenon and Mars Hill from where we have a nice view of the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian life)
where Paul spoke to the Athenians.
Transfer to your hotel in Athens for the balance of the day for freshening up and relaxing before your dinner in the hotel After
dinner transfer to Athens Airport for your flight to Tel Aviv on Olympic Airlines.
Day 3 - Wednesday, December 3
TEL AVIV / JAFFA / CAESAREA / MT.CARMEL / MEGIDDO
Arrive in Tel Aviv where you will be met by our tour guide and will be transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv. Have a late
breakfast and depart for our tour in Jaffa, which affords us a breathtaking view of the city of Tel Aviv. At this picturesque
port city of winding alleys, art galleries and crafts boutiques, King Solomon had the cedars of Lebanon rafted for the building
of the First Temple in Jerusalem. You will view the spot of the House of Simon the Tanner. We drive north along the Plain of
Sharon, the Mediterranean and the old coastal road- the Via Maris, which linked Egypt and Babylon as we journey towards
Galilee. We stop at Caesarea the incredible fortress city built by King Herod the Great. Here, Pontius Pilate had his base; where
Cornelius lived and was baptized (Acts 10); where Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and where Philip preached (Acts 8:
40). Visit the Roman Theatre, the Hippodrome, and the Crusader City. We then travel north towards Haifa and ascend Mt.
Carmel the site where the prophet Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30). We will stop for an incredible
panoramic view of Haifa… We turn inland and proceed to Megiddo, one of King Solomon’s walled fortified cities (1 Kings 9:
15; 10:26), with ruins of 20 levels of civilization. From here the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read
about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel. Continue to Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight the Gai Beach Hotel, Tiberias
Day 4 – Thursday, December 4
JESUS’ MINISTRY IN THE GALILEE
After breakfast, we will depart our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Kibbutz Ginossar where we will see a ancient
boat from the time of Jesus displayed at the Kibbutz Museum. Continue to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry
and the site of many of his miracles. We will see the remains of Peter’s house and the synagogue site where Jesus taught and
worshipped. Drive to Tabgha and visit the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. Continue to the Mt. of
Beatitudes where Jesus delivered what is perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached – “The Sermon On The Mount
(Matt.5).
We will drive north of the Golan Heights and visit Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River and the site of ancient
“Caesarea Philippi”, where Peter made the confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16). Return to Tiberias via the east side of
the Sea of Galilee stopping at Kursi to see the place where the demons entered the swine and entered the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight in Tiberias
Day 5 – Friday, December 5
ROAD TO JERUSALEM
We start the day with a visit to Yardenit, the Baptismal Centre on the Jordan River. Drive to Nazareth, the boyhood town of
Jesus. We will visit Nazareth Village depicting a village from the time of Jesus. We continue southward to Beit Shean, where
we will walk through the incredible excavations of the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel with its Roman
theatre, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses. It is also the city where the body of King Saul and his
sons where nailed to the walls by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10). We then drive through the lush Jordan Valley, where the
desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). Ascend up the Judean Wilderness to the
Golden City of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at the Renaissance Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 6 – Saturday, December 6
OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM
“On the first morning in Jerusalem we will have a Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast at the Renaissance Hotel” We will drive to the
top of the Mount of Olives, for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Tracing the footsteps of Jesus, we will stroll down the Palm
Sunday Route on the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. From here, we proceed by
bus across the Kidron Valley, past the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James and proceed to Mt Zion to visit the traditional
site of the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper), King David’s Tomb and the Church of St. Peter’s in Gallicantu, built on
top of the High Priest Caiphas’ house. We walk to the Zion Gate and enter the Old City of Jerusalem through this gate and
walk through the Armenian Quarter to the Jewish Quarter. Walk along the Roman/Byzantine Street called the “Cardo” to the
Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest spot. View the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque on top of the Temple Mount. We
continue our walk along the Via Dolorosa to see the Stations of the Cross, passing through the colorful bazaars, alleyways and
market places and reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a brief visit. Walk through the Old City alleyways and exit from
the Jaffa Gate where our bus will be waiting for us, and we will end the day at the Garden Tomb for a private communion
service in the garden for our group. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7 - Sunday, December 7
NEW CITY OF JERUSALEM / BETHLEHEM
We start the day in the New city of Jerusalem by visiting Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust commemorating the
six million Jews who perished. Visit and walk through the newly opened Museum, visit the Children’s Memorial, walk along
the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles for those who risked their lives to save Jewish lives. Continue to the Israel Museum and
visit the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest manuscripts of the Bible ever found. Visit the model of
Jerusalem from the Second Temple Period as it looked from the time of Jesus. Drive to the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament and
take a picture of the large Menorah symbolizing the state of Israel. We drive south from Jerusalem to Bethlehem for a visit to
the oldest church in the world, the Church of Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8 - Monday, December 8
MASADA/ QUMRAN/ JERUSALEM
Today we drive to the lowest point on earth the Dead Sea. Drive south along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. You will
take a cable car to the summit of this magnificent fortress built by King Herod the Great and the last stronghold of the Jewish
Zealots. You will walk around this historic ruins you will see the palaces, bath houses, swimming pool, the oldest synagogue
in the world on this mountain in the middle of the desert. After descending this mountain by cable car we continue north along
the shores of the Dead Sea for a chance to “float” in the saltiest body of water in the world. Continue to Qumran for a visit
where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 in the cave that you will see. These scrolls are the
oldest scriptures of the Bible ever found. Return to Jerusalem for Dinner and overnight.
Day 9 - Tuesday, December 9
JERUSALEM
Today is a day of leisure for shopping in the Old City bazaars or Jerusalem's indoor shopping mall or just relax. Dinner and
overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 10 - Wednesday, December 10
NEW YORK (JFK)
Depart Tel Aviv to New York on Olympic Airlines via Athens.
**PLEASE NOTE THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY IN THE ORDER WE VISIT. **
Price Includes:
· Meeting/assistance at the airport
· Return transfers to/from the airport
· 8 nights at selected five star hotels
· Israeli buffet breakfast and dinners daily in the hotels
· 6 full days of sightseeing
· Porterage at airport and hotels
· Air-conditioned transportation
· English speaking licensed tour guide throughout
· All entrance fees to places of interest
· All hotel taxes and service charges
· Personal travel information kit
· Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges of $400 (subject to change at anytime)
Exclusions:
The Tour package price: $2,149 (Based on Per Person - Double Occupancy)
For Private Room add $510
Airport Tax: Included in the price
Fuel Surcharge: $98 per person (added 6/4/08)
Documentation:
Please ensure that you are in possession of a United States Passport valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in
Israel. If you have a passport from another country, it is your responsibility to inquire at the Israeli Consulate if a
Visa is required.
Payments:
International Heritage Tours requires a deposit of $300 USD per person paid immediately that is refundable 90 days
before departure (September 1) and full payment 60 days before departure (October 1).
CONTACT INFORMATION
“A Christmas Pilgrimage to the Holy Land”
Brighton Beach Baptist Church
Pastor Michael King
Tel: 917-589-2308
Email: pastorbbbchurch@gmail.com
RESPONSIBILITY
The travel agent and/or tour operator acts only as agent for the various companies; owners or contractors providing
the means of transportation, accommodation and other services pertaining to the trip. All exchange orders, coupons
and tickets are subject to the terms and conditions under which such means of transportation; accommodation and
other services are offered or provided. The issuance and acceptance of such tickets shall be deemed as consent to
the future conditions. International Heritage Tours will not be in any way liable for injury, damage, loss, accident,
delay or any irregularity in any vehicle or through the act of default of any company or person engaged in conveying
the passengers or any hotel proprietor, personnel or servant of any other person, resulting loss or additional
expenses due to delay or changes in connection herewith. International Heritage Tours cannot accept the
responsibility for changes in transportation schedule or other causes. The right is reserved to accept or retain any
person as a member of any tour, or to change or withdraw the tour as circumstances demand. Each exchange
coupon, order or ticket is to be regarded as one contracted by or on behalf of the particular company or person
named on it.
CHRISTMAS PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
(WITH A 1-DAY TOUR OF ATHENS, GREECE)
DECEMBER 1-10, 2008
PRICE: USD $2,247 PER PERSON
(DEPARTING FROM NEW YORK – JFK)
HOSTED BY PASTOR MIKE KING
CO-HOSTED BY DR. STEVE COOK & REV. DAVID SMELTZ
Itinerary
Day 1 – Monday, December 1
NEW YORK (JFK)
Departure from New York (JFK) on Olympic Airlines to Tel Aviv via Athens…
Day 2 – Tuesday, December 2
ATHENS
Arrive in Athens at 9:00am where you will be met by our Greek tour representative and transferred to our bus and tour guide
to start a city tour of Athens and some of the most significant sights of this glorious city. On your way to the Acropolis, you
will see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic games of the modern era were held in 1896. Visit the Acropolis, the
Parthenon and Mars Hill from where we have a nice view of the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian life)
where Paul spoke to the Athenians.
Transfer to your hotel in Athens for the balance of the day for freshening up and relaxing before your dinner in the hotel After
dinner transfer to Athens Airport for your flight to Tel Aviv on Olympic Airlines.
Day 3 - Wednesday, December 3
TEL AVIV / JAFFA / CAESAREA / MT.CARMEL / MEGIDDO
Arrive in Tel Aviv where you will be met by our tour guide and will be transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv. Have a late
breakfast and depart for our tour in Jaffa, which affords us a breathtaking view of the city of Tel Aviv. At this picturesque
port city of winding alleys, art galleries and crafts boutiques, King Solomon had the cedars of Lebanon rafted for the building
of the First Temple in Jerusalem. You will view the spot of the House of Simon the Tanner. We drive north along the Plain of
Sharon, the Mediterranean and the old coastal road- the Via Maris, which linked Egypt and Babylon as we journey towards
Galilee. We stop at Caesarea the incredible fortress city built by King Herod the Great. Here, Pontius Pilate had his base; where
Cornelius lived and was baptized (Acts 10); where Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and where Philip preached (Acts 8:
40). Visit the Roman Theatre, the Hippodrome, and the Crusader City. We then travel north towards Haifa and ascend Mt.
Carmel the site where the prophet Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30). We will stop for an incredible
panoramic view of Haifa… We turn inland and proceed to Megiddo, one of King Solomon’s walled fortified cities (1 Kings 9:
15; 10:26), with ruins of 20 levels of civilization. From here the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read
about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel. Continue to Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight the Gai Beach Hotel, Tiberias
Day 4 – Thursday, December 4
JESUS’ MINISTRY IN THE GALILEE
After breakfast, we will depart our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Kibbutz Ginossar where we will see a ancient
boat from the time of Jesus displayed at the Kibbutz Museum. Continue to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry
and the site of many of his miracles. We will see the remains of Peter’s house and the synagogue site where Jesus taught and
worshipped. Drive to Tabgha and visit the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. Continue to the Mt. of
Beatitudes where Jesus delivered what is perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached – “The Sermon On The Mount
(Matt.5).
We will drive north of the Golan Heights and visit Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River and the site of ancient
“Caesarea Philippi”, where Peter made the confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16). Return to Tiberias via the east side of
the Sea of Galilee stopping at Kursi to see the place where the demons entered the swine and entered the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight in Tiberias
Day 5 – Friday, December 5
ROAD TO JERUSALEM
We start the day with a visit to Yardenit, the Baptismal Centre on the Jordan River. Drive to Nazareth, the boyhood town of
Jesus. We will visit Nazareth Village depicting a village from the time of Jesus. We continue southward to Beit Shean, where
we will walk through the incredible excavations of the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel with its Roman
theatre, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses. It is also the city where the body of King Saul and his
sons where nailed to the walls by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10). We then drive through the lush Jordan Valley, where the
desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). Ascend up the Judean Wilderness to the
Golden City of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at the Renaissance Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 6 – Saturday, December 6
OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM
“On the first morning in Jerusalem we will have a Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast at the Renaissance Hotel” We will drive to the
top of the Mount of Olives, for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Tracing the footsteps of Jesus, we will stroll down the Palm
Sunday Route on the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. From here, we proceed by
bus across the Kidron Valley, past the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James and proceed to Mt Zion to visit the traditional
site of the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper), King David’s Tomb and the Church of St. Peter’s in Gallicantu, built on
top of the High Priest Caiphas’ house. We walk to the Zion Gate and enter the Old City of Jerusalem through this gate and
walk through the Armenian Quarter to the Jewish Quarter. Walk along the Roman/Byzantine Street called the “Cardo” to the
Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest spot. View the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque on top of the Temple Mount. We
continue our walk along the Via Dolorosa to see the Stations of the Cross, passing through the colorful bazaars, alleyways and
market places and reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a brief visit. Walk through the Old City alleyways and exit from
the Jaffa Gate where our bus will be waiting for us, and we will end the day at the Garden Tomb for a private communion
service in the garden for our group. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7 - Sunday, December 7
NEW CITY OF JERUSALEM / BETHLEHEM
We start the day in the New city of Jerusalem by visiting Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust commemorating the
six million Jews who perished. Visit and walk through the newly opened Museum, visit the Children’s Memorial, walk along
the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles for those who risked their lives to save Jewish lives. Continue to the Israel Museum and
visit the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest manuscripts of the Bible ever found. Visit the model of
Jerusalem from the Second Temple Period as it looked from the time of Jesus. Drive to the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament and
take a picture of the large Menorah symbolizing the state of Israel. We drive south from Jerusalem to Bethlehem for a visit to
the oldest church in the world, the Church of Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8 - Monday, December 8
MASADA/ QUMRAN/ JERUSALEM
Today we drive to the lowest point on earth the Dead Sea. Drive south along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. You will
take a cable car to the summit of this magnificent fortress built by King Herod the Great and the last stronghold of the Jewish
Zealots. You will walk around this historic ruins you will see the palaces, bath houses, swimming pool, the oldest synagogue
in the world on this mountain in the middle of the desert. After descending this mountain by cable car we continue north along
the shores of the Dead Sea for a chance to “float” in the saltiest body of water in the world. Continue to Qumran for a visit
where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 in the cave that you will see. These scrolls are the
oldest scriptures of the Bible ever found. Return to Jerusalem for Dinner and overnight.
Day 9 - Tuesday, December 9
JERUSALEM
Today is a day of leisure for shopping in the Old City bazaars or Jerusalem's indoor shopping mall or just relax. Dinner and
overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 10 - Wednesday, December 10
NEW YORK (JFK)
Depart Tel Aviv to New York on Olympic Airlines via Athens.
**PLEASE NOTE THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY IN THE ORDER WE VISIT. **
Price Includes:
· Meeting/assistance at the airport
· Return transfers to/from the airport
· 8 nights at selected five star hotels
· Israeli buffet breakfast and dinners daily in the hotels
· 6 full days of sightseeing
· Porterage at airport and hotels
· Air-conditioned transportation
· English speaking licensed tour guide throughout
· All entrance fees to places of interest
· All hotel taxes and service charges
· Personal travel information kit
· Airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges of $400 (subject to change at anytime)
Exclusions:
- Single Supplement of $510 USD
- Personal Extras at Hotels
- Comprehensive and Cancellation Insurance
- Tips to Driver, Guide, Hotel and Restaurant Staff ($80 per person will be collected at JFK)
The Tour package price: $2,149 (Based on Per Person - Double Occupancy)
For Private Room add $510
Airport Tax: Included in the price
Fuel Surcharge: $98 per person (added 6/4/08)
Documentation:
Please ensure that you are in possession of a United States Passport valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in
Israel. If you have a passport from another country, it is your responsibility to inquire at the Israeli Consulate if a
Visa is required.
Payments:
International Heritage Tours requires a deposit of $300 USD per person paid immediately that is refundable 90 days
before departure (September 1) and full payment 60 days before departure (October 1).
CONTACT INFORMATION
“A Christmas Pilgrimage to the Holy Land”
Brighton Beach Baptist Church
Pastor Michael King
Tel: 917-589-2308
Email: pastorbbbchurch@gmail.com
RESPONSIBILITY
The travel agent and/or tour operator acts only as agent for the various companies; owners or contractors providing
the means of transportation, accommodation and other services pertaining to the trip. All exchange orders, coupons
and tickets are subject to the terms and conditions under which such means of transportation; accommodation and
other services are offered or provided. The issuance and acceptance of such tickets shall be deemed as consent to
the future conditions. International Heritage Tours will not be in any way liable for injury, damage, loss, accident,
delay or any irregularity in any vehicle or through the act of default of any company or person engaged in conveying
the passengers or any hotel proprietor, personnel or servant of any other person, resulting loss or additional
expenses due to delay or changes in connection herewith. International Heritage Tours cannot accept the
responsibility for changes in transportation schedule or other causes. The right is reserved to accept or retain any
person as a member of any tour, or to change or withdraw the tour as circumstances demand. Each exchange
coupon, order or ticket is to be regarded as one contracted by or on behalf of the particular company or person
named on it.
"2008 Christmas Pilgrimage to the Holy Land" |
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