Holy Land 2017 Brochure
Pilgrimage to Israel & Jordan Explore Old & New Testament sites as the Bible comes to life in a whole new way! Trip Dates: February 23 — March 8, 2017
Itinerary (February 23rd—March 8th) Day 1 – Travel Leave Nashville for Tel Aviv. Day 2 – Tel Aviv Welcome to Israel—Shabbat Shalom! Visit the ancient port of Jaffa (Joppa—Jonah 1, Acts 9-11) including the house of Simon the Tanner, the Ancient Port and the Clock Tower. Tour the city of Tel Aviv en-route to the hotel in Netanya. D
Day 3 – Galilee Drive north along the coastal plain to Caesarea (Acts 9:30, Acts 10:24-48), capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of this ancient city, the Roman theatre and the aqueduct. Continue to Megiddo (1 Kings 4:28, 9:15; 2 Kings 23, 29; Rev. 16.16), identified as the site of Armageddon. Visit the archaeological excavations at Megiddo, including the well-preserved water supply system. Drive to the beautiful port city of Haifa, nestled on the Mediterranean Sea, for a panoramic view of the Baha'i gardens and Haifa Bay. Continue to Acre (Micah 1:10), capital of the Crusaders for more than a century. Visit the ancient city and harbor before continuing eastwards across the plains of the Galilee to Tiberias (John 6, 21). BD Day 4 – Sea of Galilee Take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum (Matt. 4:13, 13:54, 17:24, Luke 7, Mark 1:2, John 4:46-54). Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue. Proceed to Tabgha (Matt. 13, Mark 6:33-45, & John 21), the site of the miracle of fish and loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue to the Mount of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5-8), where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive to Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16:13 and Mark 8:27), where Jesus was recognized as the Messiah by His disciples. Tour the Golan Heights with its valleys, grazing land and snow-capped mountains. BLD
Day 5 – Jerusalem Begin the day with a drive to Nazareth (Luke 1:26, 4:16-29; Matt. 2:23) via Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11). Visit the Mount precipice, the Church of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Workshop. Next on our program is the Jordan River and the Baptismal site, Yardenit, where you will have opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan. Continue to Beit Shean, one of the ancient Decapolis cities (Mark 5:20, 7:31) and visit the Roman theatre. This is the city where Saul and his son Jonathan were nailed to the walls (1 Samuel 31:10, Judges 1:27). Continue south along the shores of the River of Jordan. Passing Jericho, proceed westward and climb to the Golden City of Jerusalem. BD Day 6 – Jerusalem Visit the Old City of Jerusalem. Our appreciation of this Golden City begins with a panoramic view from the Mount of Olives, overlooking the walls of the old city and the ancient Jewish cemetery. Visit the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. Proceed to Mount Zion to see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14:13, Luke 22:1038, Matt. 26:17-29, Acts 1:13 and Acts 2-Pentecost). Enter the Old City to begin exploring the wonders of Jerusalem. Walk through the Cardo, the main street of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. View the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried His Cross. Continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Matt. 27:33-57, 28:10). No visit to Jerusalem is complete without a walk through the colorful Arab bazaar. Visit the Garden Tomb for a worship experience like none other. BD Day 7 – Jerusalem After a guided tour of Jerusalem, visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Enter the site by walking along the Street of the Righteous Gentiles, dedicated to the non-Jews that risked their lives in order to save their Jewish neighbors. Continue to the City of David to see this amazing archeological site with opportunity to walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel (2 Kings 20:20, 2 Chronicles 32:30) and the Pool of Siloam (John 9). Proceed to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity. BD
Day 8 – Jerusalem Drive through the Judean Desert to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found in 1947 by a Bedouin boy. Drive along the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, to Massada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Ascend by cable car and visit the food storeroom, water irrigation system and Herod’s Palace. See the waterfalls of Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-2), and experience a float on the Dead Sea waters (weather permitting). BD Day 9 – Beersheba (Beer Sheva) Drive to the National Park of Beit Guvrin -Maresha (Joshua 15:44) to see the beautiful limestone caves and the old Roman city. Proceed to the capital of Negev Desert, Beer Sheva (multiple OT references including Genesis 21-46, 1 Kings 19, Amos 5 & 8), to visit Tel Beer Sheva with the beautiful water cistern. Then travel to Sde Boker to visit Ben Gurion’s hut and enjoy an amazing panoramic view over Zin Valley (Numbers 13, 20, 27; Deuteronomy 32:51) from Ben Gurion’s tomb. BD Day 10 – Negev Desert Visit Mitzpe Ramon and learn about the geological phenomenon of Ramon Crater, the “Grand Canyon” of Israel. Gaze into the crater and see the “Carpentry” and the colored sand. Drive south to Timna Park and see King Solomon’s Pillars, the Mushroom, and the Tabernacle. Explore Eilat, the “window to the Red Sea,” on your own tonight! BD Day 11 – Petra Cross into Jordan at the Arava border. Visit one of the seven wonders of the world, the ancient Nabatean city of Petra (Sela—Isaiah 16:1, 2 Kings 14:7). Enter through the incredible Siq to explore the Treasury, the Roman theatre, and the palace of Pharaoh's daughter. Proceed to Wadi Rum for a Bedouin experience you will never forget! BD
Day 12 – Wadi Rum & Amman Start the day with an exiting Jeep tour for two hours and enjoy the amazing landscape and geological phenomenon of Wadi Rum. Then head to the capital city of Jordan, Amman, the city where Uriah was killed (2 Sam 11:16-17). It later became the city of Philadelphia under Roman rule and was part of the Decapolis. You are free to explore on your own—shop in the bazaar downtown, visit the Acropolis (with the Citadel, Temple of Hercules, and the spring of the Jabbok River), see the King Abdullah Mosque or Roman theater, check out the exhibits at the Jordan Museum or the Royal Automobile Museum, or discover the hip shops and restaurants of Rainbow Street. BD Day 13 – Mount Nebo Visit the beautiful Roman City of Jerash to see the ruins. Known as Geresa during biblical times, this is one of the best preserved cities of the Decapolis (Matthew 4, Mark 5 & 7). Then drive south to Mount Nebo, the place where Moses saw the Promise Land (Deuteronomy 32:49). Proceed to Madaba to see the beautiful mosaic floor and the ancient map of this area. After touring, drive to the Allenby Bridge and cross the border back into Israel. Enjoy your last night in Jerusalem! BD Day 14 – Travel Home! After breakfast, head to the airport for your flight home. We are scheduled to arrive in Nashville about 9:15 p.m. and will take a bus back to Heartland Worship Center. B
Lodging Day 2 – Netanya, Leonardo Plaza The new Leonardo Plaza Hotel Netanya is the first luxury hotel in the Sharon region. Its ideal location is close to Independence Square, the beaches, and various attractions of the city for those wishing to explore. Check in with home on free WIFI; then rest from your long day of travel in a spacious room decorated with rich accessories Day 3 & 4 – Tiberias, Royal Plaza The Royal Plaza Hotel stands on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the beach, the ancient mineral baths of Tiberius, the modern spa/hot springs, and the Tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness. Day 5-8 – Jerusalem, Olive Tree Located in Jerusalem’s American Colony neighborhood (a 10-minute walk from the Old City), this newly renovated hotel was built around an ancient olive tree believed to have provided shade for caravans of pilgrims about to enter the holy city. They say that, to this very day, when you relax in the hotel’s Olive Tree Garden, you can still hear the strain’s of King David’s harp serenading pilgrims even while using the free WIFI available throughout the hotel. Day 9 – Negev Desert, Desert Iris Yeruham Enjoy a peaceful place with a welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by intoxicating silence and flourishing wilderness. Emphasizing exposure to the nomadic ways, this hotel serves as part of the journey into the rare and miraculous world of the desert, far away from the hustle of urban life.
Day 10 – Eilat, Leonardo Royal Located on the Eilat Marina, this luxurious hotel is only a few minutes from the Eilat beach. Relax by the sea or pool, go snorkeling, explore the natural reserves on a glass-bottomed boat, visit Dolphins Reef or the famous aquarium, or enjoy many attractions and shopping opportunities. Day 11 – Wadi Rum, Sun City Camp Located in the heart of Wadi Rum’s majestic desert, enjoy a fully-equipped suite tent featuring the colorful carpets and styles in a Bedouin theme. This tremendous idyllic camp is magnificently designed to offer visitors of Wadi Rum a glamourous Bedouin camping experience, with all its simplicity and authenticity, leaving them to indulge in the authentic charm of the desert. Day 12 – Amman, Arena Space Hotel Welcome to Arena Space Hotel, the most exquisite and prestigious four star hotel. It is conveniently and centrally located in the heart of Amman with just the right environment to make your stay a comfortable and relaxing experience. The hotel is fully equipped with all the necessary leisure amenities of a modern hotel along with an exalted contemporary taste promising you guaranteed luxury. When it comes to services, you will feel the difference from the moment you check in. Day 13 – Jerusalem, Grand Court The hotel is located in the city center, just a short walk from the Old City, abundant in important holy sites, colorful markets, and notable historical and cultural attractions. The Grand Court is a large hotel, featuring luxurious rooms lavishly furnished and fully equipped with modern amenities.
Trip Details Registration Dates: July 6th-July 31st Space Available: 35 seats Total Cost: $4300* (based on 20 seats) Inclusions: All lodging and porter fees Airfare (includes one bag) Transportation Designated meals Taxes/fees Visa to Jordan All entrance fees per itinerary, including jeep ride in Wadi Rum International travel insurance Exclusions: Lunches and drinks during meals (unless noted) Departure Tax (approx. $45 per person) Tips to driver, guide, hotel and restaurant staff. (We recommend the following guidelines for tips (per person): Guide approx: $5-6/per day, Driver: $2.5-3/per day) A $300 deposit must be submitted with application. Final payments due by December 15th. Option A: One payment Payment ($4000) due December 15th Option B: Two payments Payment one ($2000) due October 15th Payment two ($2000) due December 15th Option C: Four payments Payment one ($1000) due September 15th Payment two ($1000) due October 15th Payment three ($1000) due November 15th Payment four ($1000) due December 15th
Itinerary (February 23rd—March 8th) Day 1 – Travel Leave Nashville for Tel Aviv. Day 2 – Tel Aviv Welcome to Israel—Shabbat Shalom! Visit the ancient port of Jaffa (Joppa—Jonah 1, Acts 9-11) including the house of Simon the Tanner, the Ancient Port and the Clock Tower. Tour the city of Tel Aviv en-route to the hotel in Netanya. D
Day 3 – Galilee Drive north along the coastal plain to Caesarea (Acts 9:30, Acts 10:24-48), capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of this ancient city, the Roman theatre and the aqueduct. Continue to Megiddo (1 Kings 4:28, 9:15; 2 Kings 23, 29; Rev. 16.16), identified as the site of Armageddon. Visit the archaeological excavations at Megiddo, including the well-preserved water supply system. Drive to the beautiful port city of Haifa, nestled on the Mediterranean Sea, for a panoramic view of the Baha'i gardens and Haifa Bay. Continue to Acre (Micah 1:10), capital of the Crusaders for more than a century. Visit the ancient city and harbor before continuing eastwards across the plains of the Galilee to Tiberias (John 6, 21). BD Day 4 – Sea of Galilee Take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum (Matt. 4:13, 13:54, 17:24, Luke 7, Mark 1:2, John 4:46-54). Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue. Proceed to Tabgha (Matt. 13, Mark 6:33-45, & John 21), the site of the miracle of fish and loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue to the Mount of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5-8), where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive to Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16:13 and Mark 8:27), where Jesus was recognized as the Messiah by His disciples. Tour the Golan Heights with its valleys, grazing land and snow-capped mountains. BLD
Day 5 – Jerusalem Begin the day with a drive to Nazareth (Luke 1:26, 4:16-29; Matt. 2:23) via Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11). Visit the Mount precipice, the Church of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Workshop. Next on our program is the Jordan River and the Baptismal site, Yardenit, where you will have opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan. Continue to Beit Shean, one of the ancient Decapolis cities (Mark 5:20, 7:31) and visit the Roman theatre. This is the city where Saul and his son Jonathan were nailed to the walls (1 Samuel 31:10, Judges 1:27). Continue south along the shores of the River of Jordan. Passing Jericho, proceed westward and climb to the Golden City of Jerusalem. BD Day 6 – Jerusalem Visit the Old City of Jerusalem. Our appreciation of this Golden City begins with a panoramic view from the Mount of Olives, overlooking the walls of the old city and the ancient Jewish cemetery. Visit the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. Proceed to Mount Zion to see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14:13, Luke 22:1038, Matt. 26:17-29, Acts 1:13 and Acts 2-Pentecost). Enter the Old City to begin exploring the wonders of Jerusalem. Walk through the Cardo, the main street of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. View the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried His Cross. Continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Matt. 27:33-57, 28:10). No visit to Jerusalem is complete without a walk through the colorful Arab bazaar. Visit the Garden Tomb for a worship experience like none other. BD Day 7 – Jerusalem After a guided tour of Jerusalem, visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Enter the site by walking along the Street of the Righteous Gentiles, dedicated to the non-Jews that risked their lives in order to save their Jewish neighbors. Continue to the City of David to see this amazing archeological site with opportunity to walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel (2 Kings 20:20, 2 Chronicles 32:30) and the Pool of Siloam (John 9). Proceed to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity. BD
Day 8 – Jerusalem Drive through the Judean Desert to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found in 1947 by a Bedouin boy. Drive along the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, to Massada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Ascend by cable car and visit the food storeroom, water irrigation system and Herod’s Palace. See the waterfalls of Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-2), and experience a float on the Dead Sea waters (weather permitting). BD Day 9 – Beersheba (Beer Sheva) Drive to the National Park of Beit Guvrin -Maresha (Joshua 15:44) to see the beautiful limestone caves and the old Roman city. Proceed to the capital of Negev Desert, Beer Sheva (multiple OT references including Genesis 21-46, 1 Kings 19, Amos 5 & 8), to visit Tel Beer Sheva with the beautiful water cistern. Then travel to Sde Boker to visit Ben Gurion’s hut and enjoy an amazing panoramic view over Zin Valley (Numbers 13, 20, 27; Deuteronomy 32:51) from Ben Gurion’s tomb. BD Day 10 – Negev Desert Visit Mitzpe Ramon and learn about the geological phenomenon of Ramon Crater, the “Grand Canyon” of Israel. Gaze into the crater and see the “Carpentry” and the colored sand. Drive south to Timna Park and see King Solomon’s Pillars, the Mushroom, and the Tabernacle. Explore Eilat, the “window to the Red Sea,” on your own tonight! BD Day 11 – Petra Cross into Jordan at the Arava border. Visit one of the seven wonders of the world, the ancient Nabatean city of Petra (Sela—Isaiah 16:1, 2 Kings 14:7). Enter through the incredible Siq to explore the Treasury, the Roman theatre, and the palace of Pharaoh's daughter. Proceed to Wadi Rum for a Bedouin experience you will never forget! BD
Day 12 – Wadi Rum & Amman Start the day with an exiting Jeep tour for two hours and enjoy the amazing landscape and geological phenomenon of Wadi Rum. Then head to the capital city of Jordan, Amman, the city where Uriah was killed (2 Sam 11:16-17). It later became the city of Philadelphia under Roman rule and was part of the Decapolis. You are free to explore on your own—shop in the bazaar downtown, visit the Acropolis (with the Citadel, Temple of Hercules, and the spring of the Jabbok River), see the King Abdullah Mosque or Roman theater, check out the exhibits at the Jordan Museum or the Royal Automobile Museum, or discover the hip shops and restaurants of Rainbow Street. BD Day 13 – Mount Nebo Visit the beautiful Roman City of Jerash to see the ruins. Known as Geresa during biblical times, this is one of the best preserved cities of the Decapolis (Matthew 4, Mark 5 & 7). Then drive south to Mount Nebo, the place where Moses saw the Promise Land (Deuteronomy 32:49). Proceed to Madaba to see the beautiful mosaic floor and the ancient map of this area. After touring, drive to the Allenby Bridge and cross the border back into Israel. Enjoy your last night in Jerusalem! BD Day 14 – Travel Home! After breakfast, head to the airport for your flight home. We are scheduled to arrive in Nashville about 9:15 p.m. and will take a bus back to Heartland Worship Center. B
Lodging Day 2 – Netanya, Leonardo Plaza The new Leonardo Plaza Hotel Netanya is the first luxury hotel in the Sharon region. Its ideal location is close to Independence Square, the beaches, and various attractions of the city for those wishing to explore. Check in with home on free WIFI; then rest from your long day of travel in a spacious room decorated with rich accessories Day 3 & 4 – Tiberias, Royal Plaza The Royal Plaza Hotel stands on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the beach, the ancient mineral baths of Tiberius, the modern spa/hot springs, and the Tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness. Day 5-8 – Jerusalem, Olive Tree Located in Jerusalem’s American Colony neighborhood (a 10-minute walk from the Old City), this newly renovated hotel was built around an ancient olive tree believed to have provided shade for caravans of pilgrims about to enter the holy city. They say that, to this very day, when you relax in the hotel’s Olive Tree Garden, you can still hear the strain’s of King David’s harp serenading pilgrims even while using the free WIFI available throughout the hotel. Day 9 – Negev Desert, Desert Iris Yeruham Enjoy a peaceful place with a welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by intoxicating silence and flourishing wilderness. Emphasizing exposure to the nomadic ways, this hotel serves as part of the journey into the rare and miraculous world of the desert, far away from the hustle of urban life.
Day 10 – Eilat, Leonardo Royal Located on the Eilat Marina, this luxurious hotel is only a few minutes from the Eilat beach. Relax by the sea or pool, go snorkeling, explore the natural reserves on a glass-bottomed boat, visit Dolphins Reef or the famous aquarium, or enjoy many attractions and shopping opportunities. Day 11 – Wadi Rum, Sun City Camp Located in the heart of Wadi Rum’s majestic desert, enjoy a fully-equipped suite tent featuring the colorful carpets and styles in a Bedouin theme. This tremendous idyllic camp is magnificently designed to offer visitors of Wadi Rum a glamourous Bedouin camping experience, with all its simplicity and authenticity, leaving them to indulge in the authentic charm of the desert. Day 12 – Amman, Arena Space Hotel Welcome to Arena Space Hotel, the most exquisite and prestigious four star hotel. It is conveniently and centrally located in the heart of Amman with just the right environment to make your stay a comfortable and relaxing experience. The hotel is fully equipped with all the necessary leisure amenities of a modern hotel along with an exalted contemporary taste promising you guaranteed luxury. When it comes to services, you will feel the difference from the moment you check in. Day 13 – Jerusalem, Grand Court The hotel is located in the city center, just a short walk from the Old City, abundant in important holy sites, colorful markets, and notable historical and cultural attractions. The Grand Court is a large hotel, featuring luxurious rooms lavishly furnished and fully equipped with modern amenities.
Trip Details Registration Dates: July 6th-July 31st Space Available: 35 seats Total Cost: $4300* (based on 20 seats) Inclusions: All lodging and porter fees Airfare (includes one bag) Transportation Designated meals Taxes/fees Visa to Jordan All entrance fees per itinerary, including jeep ride in Wadi Rum International travel insurance Exclusions: Lunches and drinks during meals (unless noted) Departure Tax (approx. $45 per person) Tips to driver, guide, hotel and restaurant staff. (We recommend the following guidelines for tips (per person): Guide approx: $5-6/per day, Driver: $2.5-3/per day) A $300 deposit must be submitted with application. Final payments due by December 15th. Option A: One payment Payment ($4000) due December 15th Option B: Two payments Payment one ($2000) due October 15th Payment two ($2000) due December 15th Option C: Four payments Payment one ($1000) due September 15th Payment two ($1000) due October 15th Payment three ($1000) due November 15th Payment four ($1000) due December 15th
