“What a trip! Leading up to visiting Israel we were excited with anticipation, but boy did it exceed anything we had imagined. Our tour guide CJ was outstanding. He broke down the Jewish culture, past and modern history, biblical connections/application, and geography of Israel at every site. It was just so awesome with how many sites and artifacts we were shown and how seamlessly our trip was organized. Throughout the week we were taken well care of. We stayed in very nice hotels, ate great food, and enjoyed a comfortable, air-conditioned bus driven by our expert driver, Happy. Happy made sure we stayed hydrated and took extra special care of us in keeping us safe. CJ and Happy complemented each other wonderfully. With packed days of touring, we enjoyed restful evenings. We also felt safe and secure throughout our travels, allowing us to delve fully into what we were learning and what God was teaching us about Himself.
Besides enjoying CJ and Happys sense of humor, we quickly experienced camaraderie between the rest of our group, which made little things like traveling, eating, and taking pictures fun. Thank you all for loving on us; we thank God for you and this short time we were able to connect. And most importantly we thank God as we recognize all the lessons we learned along the way. He definitely used this trip to reveal new things to us as we learned more about the Bible, God, and ourselves.
Thank you and many Blessings,
Jeanne Jackson
Join Host Mark & Sheila Bagwell In The Holy Land
Tour Dates: Oct 18, 2022 – Oct 27, 2022
Optional Charlotte departure - $4,200 per person
What’s Included
- Airfare from International Departure
- Airfare from group departure city
- All Transfers
- Baggage Handling
- Breakfast & Dinner Daily
- Entrance Fees to all Sites
- Gratuities
- Itinerary as per Description
- Premium Accommodations
- Professional Tour Guides
- Transportation by Deluxe Motor Coach
Schedule
Day 1 Depart USA
Relax and rest on your flight from the USA.
Day 2 Tiberias
You will be landing at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Here we board our deluxe motor coach and drive to our hotel on the beautiful Sea of Galilee. After we have checked in to the hotel, we will enjoy a scrumptious dinner together and a time to relax.
Day 3 CAESAREA PHILIPPI – DAN /MOUNT OF BEATITUDES /ANCIENT JESUS BOAT/ Boat RIDE AND SERVICE ON THE SEA OF GALILEE
Rising early this morning, we will view the beautiful shore of the Sea of Galilee. After breakfast, we travel north to Caesarea Philippi and the ruins of the tribe of Dan. A delicious Saint Peter’s fish luncheon will be waiting for us along the Galilean Seashore. This afternoon, we will explore The Mount of Beatitudes, visit the ancient “Jesus Boat” that dates back to the time of Christ, and take a boat ride on The Sea of Galilee. Here we cut the engines to enjoy the serenity while having a time of worship. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 4 Caesarea Maritima / Mt. Carmel/ Megiddo
We begin our day exploring the ancient port city on The Mediterranean, Caesarea Maritima.
This city was built by Herod the Great and used by the Crusaders. It was here that the Gentile, Cornelius the Centurion, and his household became Christ-followers and were baptized. We journey on to Mt. Carmel where Elijah challenged the Prophets of Baal. You will view the Jezreel Valley and Megiddo, the future site of The Battle of Armageddon. Megiddo was the historical military fortress that controlled the highway between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 5 Capernaum/ Magdala/ Nazareth/Jordan River
This morning, our tour begins in Capernaum, where Jesus spent much of his time and performed many miracles. We will also visit Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. A short ride takes us to Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalean. Here, you will see the ruins of the only discovered synagogue that dates back to the time of Jesus. It is very likely that Jesus actually taught in this synagogue. We learn in Matthew 4:23 “ Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galillee teaching in the synagogues and announcing the good news...” Nazareth will be our next stop. We will visit The Nazareth Village, a re-creation of Jesus’ hometown. Our day ends at The Jordan River for baptism. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 6 Beit Shean/ Jerusalem
We head south today through the Jordan Valley stopping at Beit Shean, one of the Decapolis Cities. Beit Shean was a Roman City used for entertainment. The ruins are the largest discovery of its kind, complete with an amphitheater, colonnades, paved streets and many buildings. Our first sight of The Holy City of Jerusalem will be from The Mount of Olives area. We will enjoy a walking tour within the city, taking in the House of Caiaphas, where Jesus was held the night of his trial. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7 Old City of JerusalemDead Sea/ Masada/ Qumran/Jericho
Jericho is our destination this morning, viewing The Mount of Temptation and heading on to Herod’s ancient fortress of Masada. Overlooking The Dead Sea, Masada was built atop a high mountain. Herod used this as his winter palace. This afternoon, we visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Today’s journey will end with a dip in the Dead Sea for those who fancy a float in the healing waters that gather in the lowest place on earth. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8 Old City of Jerusalem/ Mt. of Olives/ Garden of Gethsemane
Today we travel back two thousand years as we take a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Beginning at The Lion’s Gate, we visit the old Crusader’s Church of Saint Ann, the Pool of Bethesda, and the remains of Antonio’s Fortress, the site of Jesus’ trial. We will walk The Via Dolorosa, visit The Wailing Wall and Mount Moriah – now called the Temple Mount. Mount Moriah is where Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice, was the site of Solomon’s Temple and now holds the famous Dome of the Rock. We will travel up to The Mount of Olives and descend on foot to the Garden of Gethsemane. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9 Hebrew Museum/ Garden Tomb
For our last day in Israel, we will spend time in Jerusalem including the Hebrew Museum, seeing the entire ancient book of Isaiah on display and walk around the fascinating Model City of Jerusalem from the time of Christ. This brings us to the highlight and climax of our tour, The Garden Tomb. We will have a worship service and communion. A farewell dinner will be served and then we travel on to Tel Aviv to board our flight home.
Day 10 Return to USA
Relax and reflect on your flight home.
Jeanne Jackson
This was my first time to Isreal, and it was such a fantastic trip due to our guide Adam and our driver Money Mike! Adam is so knowledgeable and was really able to make each site come alive for me. We had a really large group, and I am sure that Adam felt like he was “herding cats” all week, but he kept us together and moving through the areas while sharing so much information. With Mike’s driving and sense of humor, I felt very safe even though the streets sometimes seemed way too narrow for all of the buses and cars! The team of Adam and Money Mike were fabulous, and I would highly recommend them!!
Adrienne Carter
If you’re doing the Holy Land Tour, there’s no question in which company to choose - it’s Travel With Friends! The entire trip was very well planned and wasted no time in getting us in and out of sites while beating the crowds. Ibrahim was a phenomenal guide! He was personable, fun, and incredibly knowledgeable in the Bible and history of the land. Will definitely do this trip again and go through Travel With Friends!
Ellie Hill