Israel Tour with Pastor Randy & Judi Williams - May 2024

Today we will meet at Sky Harbor International airport for our connecting flights to Istanbul. We will arrive the following day via wide-body aircraft. Meals served on board.

This morning we will arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our flight to Israel. Upon arrival in Tel Aviv we are met by our guide who will be with us for the time we are in the Holy Land. Continue past Tel Aviv, the largest city in Israel, to the famous Sea of Galilee where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning we enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, landing at Nof Ginosar where we will see the New Testament Boat found below the sea. Continue our morning tour with a visit to Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes.

In the afternoon we follow the Rift Valley the Rift Valley running parallel to the Jordan, along the route Jesus most frequently traveled to Jerusalem. We visit Bet Shean at the foot of Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman, and Byzantine occupations, and view the ancient tel, Roman Theater and church mosaics. Our last stop today will be at the Jordan River where we may have the opportunity to be baptized (provided a pastor is traveling on the tour), then return to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

“We are going up to Jerusalem.” (Matt. 20:18). We drive west to Nazareth. Traveling through Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first Miracle, turning water into wine (John 2). We proceed to Nazareth and ascend the Mount of the Precipice at the brow of Nazareth overlooking the Valley of Jezreel, synonymous with Armageddon. We then drive through the valley to the mound of Megiddo, Har Megiddo in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. We then ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal.

From there we drive towards the Mediterranean coast traveling south along the coastal highway to Caesarea by the Sea. We enter Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the east, which became the Christian springboard to the west. After the visit to this ancient harbor, we board our bus and we head up the historic Beth Horon road (Joshua 10:10) to the Benjamin Plateau, passing ancient Gibeon and continuing on to Jerusalem. Finally, atop Mt. Scopus, we behold majestic Jerusalem. Check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Today we drive to Masada and ascend by cable car to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD, Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. We see the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church. For those wanting to walk the snake path down this is your opportunity. The rest of us will meet you at the bottom via the ways route. Continuing alongside the Dead Sea, 1,300 ft. below sea level -- the lowest spot-on earth -- we proceed to Ein Gedi where time permitting, we will walk the path to see the waterfall in the desert.

We travel to Jericho, the world’s oldest city. After lunch we go to the excavated tel atop the ruins of ancient Jericho we view the lush green Jordan Valley, Elisha’s spring and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. We will head up to Jerusalem and return to the hotel for dinner.

“He has risen!” (Mark 16:6) After breakfast we transfer to the Dung Gate, just to the north we find the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne’s Church. The church is perfectly preserved from the Crusader period – with remarkable acoustics. Continuing on we see Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man). We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) through the bazaars as far as the Holy Sepulcher. From there we walk from the Christian Quarter along the Arab Souks through the Cardo Maximo and past the Armenian Quarter. Continuing on to Mount Zion we visit the Upper Room and the Tomb of King David, and then to the grounds of a church called Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. (Here, the Assumptions Fathers suggest, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus). We board our bus to the Garden Tomb where we will end our day with a special visit and the possibility of having a private communion on the grounds outside the city walls. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

"If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace." (Luke 19:42) Our drive this morning takes us past the Chapel of Ascension and Paternoster to the Mt. of Olives for an orientation view of Jerusalem and the opportunity of a group photograph overlooking Jerusalem. We then walk the traditional Passion walk. We descend to the church known as Dominus Flevit ("Our Lord weeps"). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text and view the Church of All Nations. Enter the Old City and make our way to the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, before we proceed to the Jerusalem Archeological Park where we see the Steps that entered the temple and the Southern Wall. It was here that Jesus would have taught the disciples. We then proceed to the Valley of Elah the place of the famous Biblical battle between young David and the Giant Goliath.

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord". (Luke 2:10-11). We drive to a hilltop for a view of Bethlehem, noting its relation to the rest of the central mountain range, including Jerusalem, as well as to the desert and the area of ancient Moab. This is Herodium, the palace set in a conical mountain built by Herod to mark his tomb. Note the juxtaposition of the two Kings of the Jews. The King Herod buried in great opulence and the King of the Jews born in a humble manger in Bethlehem sitting in the background of the Herodium. This afternoon we drive south to one of the possible sites for Shepherds' Fields. We continue into Bethlehem itself, walking through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visiting the manger and see the cave of St. Jerome. We drive back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight

We transfer to the Ben Gurion airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.

Today we will meet at Sky Harbor International airport for our connecting flights to Istanbul. We will arrive the following day via wide-body aircraft. Meals served on board.

This afternoon we arrive in Istanbul where we board our flight to Egypt. Upon arrival in Cairo we will be met and taken to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning we drive to Memphis to see The Colossus of Ramses and alabaster Sphinx. When Memphis was the capital of Ancient Egypt, Saqqara served as its necropolis. There we’ll see a burial complex that goes back more than 3,000 years. The step pyramid at Saqqara was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser (c.2667-2648 BC). It is the oldest complete hewn-stone building complex known in history. We’ll also visit the newly opened Imhotep Museum which we’ll see before our lunch break.

This afternoon we go to the Giza Plateau to explore the area around the ancient Pyramids, one of the wonders of the ancient world. We’ll even enjoy a camel ride and see the Sphinx up close and personal. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning we visit the Egyptian Museum with its priceless gems including the tomb of Tutankhamen and other world-famous relics. We will visit the Nile and take a felucca ride before our lunch break.

This afternoon we tour Old Cairo, including the principal Coptic Church in Cairo, Abu Serga (St Sergius). The crypt dates from the 6th century and is the traditional site where Joseph, Mary and the Christ child rested on their flight into Egypt. We tour Old Cairo, including the Coptic church of "Al-Mu'allaqah", dating from the early fourth century and the Mohamed Ali Mosque. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning return to the airport where we board our flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival we will be met by our guide and proceed to Tiberias. We end our day at the beautiful Sea of Galilee where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning we will have some time to have a last visit to the old city or just rest and get ready for our flight to Athens.

This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight to Athens. Upon arrival we will be taken to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning we are taken to Lavrion to start our Aegean Cruise. Late this afternoon we arrive at our first stop, Mykonos. Imagine a hilly, rock-ribbed island of 29 square miles, dotted with more than 350 tiny chapels built by 19th-century pirates for the protection of their patron saints. Picture dozens of quaint windmills and a small town of houses set neatly along narrow winding paths. Visit a fishing harbor with shops and boutiques selling handmade sweaters, dresses, fabrics, jewelry and other items at bargain prices. Time on your own to explore before returning to the ship for overnight and resume sailing.

This morning our cruise arrives in the Turkish port of Kusadasi (Island of Birds) known for its marina and its colorful bazaar. Here visitors can find a wide selection of hand-made carpets, leather bags and local products. But mostly, Kusadasi is known for its proximity to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and its Terrace Houses, one of the world’s largest open-air museums, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Our included Ancient Ephesus bus tour is a journey through the golden ages which shaped a pivotal center of commerce and spirituality. Built 3,000 years ago, Ephesus shaped the history of Greek, Turkish and Christian civilizations from its privileged location, chosen (according to legend) by the oracle of Delphi. A site of pilgrimage, due to its proximity to the Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 Wonders of the World) and the presence of major Christian figures (the apostles Paul and John and the Virgin Mary) within the city walls, Ephesus is currently one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. The splendour of its golden age is visible throughout its streets and exceptionally well-preserved ruins. As we explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site you will have the opportunity to breathe in the centuries of cultural effervescence, visible in the Ephesus Agora, Odeon, the Houses of the Patricians, the beautiful Temple of Hadrian and the astonishing Library of Celsus. You will also have the opportunity to bargain and shop local merchandise such as carpets, leather goods, souvenirs etc.

This afternoon our ship takes us to Patmos, a beautiful verdant island where Saint John the Evangelist wrote the book of Revelation in a mountainside Grotto, after hearing the voice of God. Atop its highest hill, within the halls of Hora stands the monastery founded in his honor in 1088. This island apart from its great significance to Christians all over the world, is now turning into a cosmopolitan destination. Included is a shore excursion to St. John’s Monastery and Grotto of the Apocalypse.After leaving the port of Scala, we will reach the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, a rare example of monastic, fortified architecture which survived the pillaging of pirates and various Aegean conquerors. In 1088, a gifted monk called Christodoulos established a Monastery in honour of St. John the Evangelist and transformed the Cave of the Apocalypse into a sacred place. We will then enjoy the town of Patmos (Chora) with its contrasting mixture of old magnificent mansions and most humble homes built around the wall of the Monastery. Use your free time to enjoy all the town has to offer including unparalleled views of the sea -- equally fascinating at sunrise or sunset – and its charming boutique shops and cafes. Our final stop is the Cave of the Apocalypse, an important place of pilgrimage for Christians around the world. The rock is ragged with three small fissures which symbolize the Holy Trinity, and it is said that in this place the voice of God dictated to St. John the text of the Revelation. The cave was transformed into a devotional site by the founder of the Monastery of Patmos Island, Saint Christodoulos.

This morning we arrive at the island of Rhodes. Separated by a mere 10-mile strait from the Asia Minor coast, Rhodes is blessed by nature with exceptional gifts. Homer called it “the Bride of the Sun,” later poets “the Island of Roses.” In the Middle Ages, the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem established themselves at Rhodes and built a fortified city, now the best-preserved of its kind in the Mediterranean area. Our included tour takes us to Lindos,situated 55 km (40 miles) from the city of Rhodes and “bears” above it the Acropolis of Lindos, with the ancient Temple of Athena, built in 300 B.C. Here and there you will come across the captains’ mansions, built between the 16th and 18th century. In the centre of the village lives and breathes the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) of Lindos, with frescoes from the 15th century. Ascend to the Acropolis of Lindos. Here lies the Temple of Athena, of Doric order, which was erected on the location of an older monument. The ancient city-state of Lindos was for many centuries the most important on the island. It reached its heyday in the 6th century B.C. At the old city of Rhodes you will go through D’Amboise Gate to walk on the Street of the Knights. Along this street you will find the residences of the Knights, separated according to Order, which bear until today their corresponding crests.

This morning we arrive in Heraklion. The capital of Crete is a former Venetian harbor with representative architecture and art and an Archaeological museum with invaluable treasures. Our included tour of the city takes us on a short drive to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home to Europe’s oldest civilization. If you are not into sightseeing, walk the city center where you can dine or shop.

This afternoon we continue our cruise to Santorini is one of the most renowned places of the world. People travel thousands of miles in order to admire its unique geography, a result of an earthquake that took place many centuries ago. Our included shore excursion takes us to the picturesque village of Oia located on the caldera rim, 300 meters above the sea.

This morning we disembark our cruise ship and drive along the coastal road to Corinth. Continue along the wonderful beach of Kinetta, make a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, then on to ancient Corinth to visit the Museum, the Bema of St. Paul, the Doric Temple of Apollo, the Askeleion, Agora, Lechaion Road, and the Peirene Fountain.

This afternoon return to Athens and visit the important modern and archaeological sites in the city of Athens, the Acropolis and neighboring monuments. While driving through the main streets of Athens, we have an opportunity to see other places of interest such as the University, the Academy, the National Library, the Temple of Zeus, the Panathenian Stadium, Omonia Square, Constitution Square and the Royal Palace. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight back home. We arrive back in the U S and transfer to our flights home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.