IEF tour of Israel 2017
We would like you to join us for an eight day (7 nights) fully escorted Christian tour of Israel. The 2017 IEF ISRAEL TOUR will be led by John Sode-Woodhead. John is a biblical archaeologist who has spent much of his life in Israel. IEF support John in his current ministry in Israel amongst both Jews and Arabs. Due to the combined experience of John and Immanuel Tours, your tour hosts will be able to bring the sites you visit to life in a new and exciting way.
It is our hope that at the end of your visit to the land you will have a greater understanding of the historic truth of God’s word. Places you had previously only known as words on a page, you will now be able to visualise, bringing a fresh awareness of Gods truth.
About your tour.
Unlike our own four seasons, Israel has two: Winter (November-March) and summer (April-October). To ensure maxim comfort the tour has been planned for November when the weather is still pleasantly warm for those of us who come from a more northern hemisphere.
We fly from Edinburgh for Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday 5th of November, the first working day of the week for Israeli residents. You will be met at the airport by John and the Immanuel Tours representative and your guide, who will ensure that you are transferred safely to your hotel in the city of Netanya (which means Gift of God) on the Mediterranean coast.
On Monday 6th of November, your tour will officially begin. After breakfast you will be taken to the ruins of Caesarea Maritima (by the sea), which is situated between Haifa and Tel-Aviv. During the time of Jesus it was the site of the Roman capital of the province of Judea and the seat of its Governor, Pontius Pilate. Paul spent two years in prison here before being sent to Rome. (Acts ??)
You will then be taken to Mt. Carmel to visit the “Place of Sacrifice” where the Prophet Elijah had an encounter with the Priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:17-40) before driving across the “Plain of Aarmageddon” to the town of Nazareth, a town in the hill country of Galilee where Jesus grew to manhood (Matth. 2:23). Within the town boundary lies ‘Nazareth Village’ a historical re-enactment site where you will be given a New Testament meal before taking part in a tour of the village. Your first day will then close in Tiberias where you will have dinner and stay overnight.
Day two begins with a visit to the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret). The Galilee is rich with memories of Jesus’ Ministry both on land and water. You will be transferred by boat from Nof Ginosar to Capernaum. You will travel then to the new Magdala visitor centre where you will find the oldest excavated synagogue in Galilee and one of seven from the first century in all of Israel. You will then visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount, from the top of which there is a wonderful panoramic view over the Sea of Galilee. Your day will conclude by a visit to Beit Saida “The Houe of the Fisherman”, the location where Jesus healed the blind man (Matt. 11:21) and a city often visited by Jesus, before you go to your hotel.
On Wednesday 8th November you will drive to the northern part of Galilee to visit Tel Dan which was the northernmost town in biblical Israel (hence the saying “from Dan to Beersheba”). You will then travel to one of the sources of the River Jordan at Banias, which is the site of Caesarea Philippi where the Apostle Peter made his great confession of faith (Matth. 16:13-17) before driving along the Golan Heights to see the signs of the more recent historical conflict that took place there.
Thursday 9th November will find you visiting the Yardenit baptismal site before continuing your drive southwards down through the Jordan Valley via Jericho to visit the Mountain fortress of Masada. This was the site of the last Jewish resistance against the Romans in 73AD. Ascent and descent will be by cable car as the climb to the top can take an hour and is very arduous. .
Having toured the ancient fortress site, you will have the opportunity to bathe in the waters of the Dead Sea which is bordered by Israel on the west and Jordan on the east. It is almost impossible to swim in the Dead Sea because of the high salt content of the water, but you can float! Returning to the bus you will be driven passed the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found in the Judean Wilderness to the “City of God” and take a first glimpse of Jerusalem from one of the heights surrounding the Holy City. You will then have dinner in your hotel before spending your first night in Jerusalem.
Friday 10th November will find you beginning your first day in Jerusalem with a visit to Hezekiah’s Tunnel which was carved out by Hezekiahs men around 701BC. You will then visit the last standing remnant of the ancient Temple which is currently known as the Western (Wailing) Wall. Before you leave Jerusalem you will be taken to visit to Yad Vashem. Yad Vashem contains the Holocaust History Museum, memorial site. The name “Yad Vashem” is taken from a verse in Isaiah 56:5.
Bethlehem is next on your itinerary, also known as the royal city of David, where you can visit the Grotto of the Nativity and see the Shepherd’s Field before returning to your hotel in Jerusalem to prepare for the start of the Jewish Sabbath.
On Saturday 11th November, the final day of your tour starts with a visit to the Garden Tomb site where you will share Communion with the rest of your group before carrying on to the top of the Mt. of Olives. From the top of the Mount you will get a panoramic view of both ancient and modern Jerusalem. The city that remains the centre of the biblical world.
From the Mt of Olives you will walk down the “Palm Sunday Road” to the Garden of Gethsemane where Christ prayed (Lk. 22:40-46) and the Church of All Nations. After a time of reflection, you will be driven through the New City to the Israel Museum where you will see a model of Jerusalem as it stood during the 2nd Temple period before concluding your tour at the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed.
You will then return home on Sunday 12th November.
Cost
The tour will cost £1,425 per person, based on half board basis with two per room. This includes flights, tour, and a contribution towards IEF’s ministry in Israel. There will be an extra supplement for those requiring a single room.
To allow you to travel you are required to have a passport valid for six months after the date of your departure Israel. It is advisable that you take out full travel insurance before traveling.
A £100 deposit us required to secure your place. This is due by 20 February 2017, with final payment due by ??? Cheques should be made payable to IEF International.
Closing date for registration is ???
For further information please contact ….
Contact details
IEF International 