Description
Israel & Petra Tour with Dale & Jeannie Daly of CRA Ministries - February 2024
We are honored to present this opportunity to you! To better learn and understand the Bible, one should encounter ‘the land’, its variety, and its function as a stage on which God has revealed himself in history. Throughout the Bible, it is the land that carries the message of Scripture…the message of Hope! Many Bible Land tours are quick, fast-paced motorcoach excursions that focus on shrines and souvenirs shops, often leaving tour members more out-of-breath, than with a blessing. With our journey February, 2024, we invite you to be part of what will be for us, our 17th life-changing pilgrimage.
We have been blessed to take couples, singles, and, at times, even young children, on a journey where the Bible comes alive right before your eyes! We begin our journey aboard Turkish Airlines, rated excellent by travelers! Established in 1933 Turkish Airlines presently has a fleet of aircraft flying to more than 300 worldwide destinations, and is rated 7 out of scale of 7, by travelers. We will depart from LAX to Istanbul, Turkey, then to Amman, Jordan where we visit the Rose City of Petra, often spoken of as the 7th wonder of the ancient world. You will be awestruck with its renowned beauty! After our two-night stay in Amman, we travel to the land of ISRAEL for the sights that are guaranteed to change for all time, ones understanding of the Bible.
You will be afforded opportunity of visiting (gaining better Biblical understanding) many sights ... but most importantly; we will visit locations
where Jesus taught, performed miracles, and where He was crucified, and three-days later ‘rose from the dead’. Visiting the Garden Tomb area, you will experience the awesome understanding that the tomb is still empty…“for He is risen!” We invite you to join with us, and others, for this once in a lifetime experience, in the Holy Land & Petra, Jordan…Shalom!
What's Included
Our tours are all-inclusive. Always.
Videos
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Itinerary
Day by Day
- 3
Thursday
Amman, Petra, AmmanThis morning we travel to Petra to tour one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Petra is in the heart of the rose red Seir mountains and is mentioned in the O.T. book of Isaiah and I Kings. This mountain range houses the Aaron Peak, which is the highest area in Petra and the burial place of Aaron, brother of Moses. A walk through the narrow ‘Sig’ passage, brings us to the “Rose City,” where many Bible scholars say will be the location where many Jews will flee during the midpoint of the 7-year tribulation as noted by the words of Jesus in Mt. 24:15. The word Petra means “rock,” is located about 50 miles south of the Dead Sea and 143 miles southwest of modern-day Amman, Jordan. With its many ruins to be seen are of Roman construction, such as a triumphal arch, an amphitheater, remains of baths, temples, tombs, and sections of a road. Later we will board our motor coach for a panoramic ride of the outer
surroundings of Petra before heading to Amman for dinner and overnight. - 4
Friday
Amman, Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Jericho, TiberiasOur morning tour begins in the town of Madaba, the biblical Medeba, 30 kilometers south of Amman. Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George we view the earliest surviving mosaic map of the Holy land. Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, commands a spectacular view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Study the panorama as we read the scripture of God showing Moses the "Promised Land" before He brought him home to heaven. As we travel west toward the Allenby Bridge, we view to the north the Plains of Moab, the area where the tribes of Israel camped before crossing the Jordan. After crossing into Israel we make our way to Jericho, the world’s oldest city. After a stop for lunch we view the lush green Jordan Valley, Elisha’s spring and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. From here, time permitting, we make our way to the Dead Sea for those wishing to float in the water. Continue our drive north along the Jordan River to Tiberias where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 5
Saturday
Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Magdala"The Head of all those Kingdoms" (Joshua 11:10) The Sources of the Jordan. This morning our drive takes us to the northern limits of Jesus' travel as we cross the River Hatzbani to Dan. Here we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, topped by the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). Then a short drive to Banias (Caesarea Philippi), here Peter made his great profession of faith, recognition of Christ Jesus (Matthew 16). Driving along the foot of Mount Hermon, we ascend onto the Golan Plateau for a magnificent view of upper Israel. On our return we will stop at Chorazin and then on to Magdala, one of the oldest synagogues dating back to the first century AD. Home of Mary Magdalena and was the fishing center where Peter would have brought his catch to be sold or processed. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 6
Sunday
Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Beit SheanThis 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 have the opportunity to be baptized then return to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
- 7
Monday
Cana, Nazareth, Caesarea, Jerusalem“We are going up to Jerusalem.” (Matt. 20:18). This morning we travel west passing 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. Here we will visit Nazareth Village, bringing to life how things were in the days when Jesus lived. Continue on to 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. - 8
Tuesday
Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Bethlehem"If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace." (Luke19:42) 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 have a private visit of the Garden with time to meditate on the Gospel text before visiting the Church of All Nations. Continuing on we visit the Upper Room and the Tomb of King David.
"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). 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. - 9
Wednesday
Jerusalem, Western Wall Tunnel, Southern Steps, Hezekiah's TunnelThis morning we will board our bus and make our way for our exciting tour to the famous Rabbi Tunnel. Here we will enter by the Western Wall Plaza and go down to the foundation of the Second Temple. We will see a model that will demonstrate where we are in location to the Temple in the time of Christ. Continue along the tunnel as we
proceed to the Gateway of the Priests entry to the Holy of Holies. From here we make our way to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park where we see the Steps that entered the temple and the Southern Wall. It was here that Jesus would have taught thedisciples. See a video that shows the temple as it was at Herod's (or Jesus') time. We end our day in the City of David where we follow the underground water system from the time of Abraham, and walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel to the Pool of Siloam. Those wishing to walk through the dry Canaanite tunnel instead can do so. Return to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. - 10
Thursday
Old City, Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb, USA"He has risen!" (Mark 16:6) After breakfast we transfer to the Dung Gate where we ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam. It is believed that here is where the Temple once stood. 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. We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) through the bazaars as far as the Holy Sepulcher where we have time for lunch.
This afternoon we walk through the Christian Quarter along the Arab Souks and past the Armenian Quarter. We will exit the Old City and continue to Mt Zion to visit 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.) From there we board our bus and transfer to the Garden Tomb where we will end our day with a special visit and a private communion on the grounds outside the city walls. Return to the hotel for our last dinner in Israel. After time to freshen up we will board our bus and return to the airport for our flight back to the U.S.
From Los Angeles