Trinity Lutheran Church Holy Land Tour March 11 – 20, 2012

Tour Highlights:
Round trip Air from LAX Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel
Israel’s Premier Tour Guide / Educator Dr. Halvor Ronning

Join Pastor Jim Elmore and Dr. Halvor Ronning, for an exciting educational Holy Land Tour - deluxe touring bus with professional driver will be with you the entire trip - accommodations include the City Hotel in Tel Aviv, Royal Plaza
Hotel in Tiberias by the Sea of Galilee, the Isrotel Ganim Hotel at the Dead Sea, and the Park Hotel in Jerusalem, (or similar)

Visit the Shepherds' Field, the Haas Promenade, Jerusalem, the Old City Walls,
Mount Moriah, the Kidron Valley, the Valley of Gehenna, the Mount of Olives,
the Temple Mount, and the Dome of the Rock.

Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, see Mount Zion, the Upper Room, see
King David's Tomb, and the Pool of Bethesda

Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne, walk the Via Dolorosa, "The Way of The
Cross”, see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Herod's Antonia Fortress, Cardo,
the Southern Wall Excavations, Western Wall, Masada, the Dead Sea, Qumran,
view the Dead Sea Scrolls, Ein Karem, pray at the Garden Tomb,
An Inspirational Fun Filled Tour and Much, Much, More!!!

  Itinerary

Day 1, March 11, Overnight flight LAX to Tel Aviv
Our spiritual pilgrimage begins as you epart the USA on an overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2, March 12
You will be welcomed to Israel the Holy Land by your guide and ITC representative, transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation before you rest. Dinner and overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 3, March 13, The Galilee and Tel Dan
With Bible in hand, sail the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard our spiritual Sailing ship. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus' ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt 4: 13, 23). Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the multitude (Matt 5-7). At Tabgha, the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000, you'll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17). You'll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). Then we visit the area of Tel Dan and Abraham’s Gate then taste the headwaters of Mt Herman and discover the history of the House of David. Dinner and overnight: Tiberias

Day 4,March 14, Beit Shean (Scythopolis), Nazareth, Megiddo and Caesarea
Tour the ruins of Beit Shean which was continuously inhabited for 5000 years and was one of the Roman cities Jesus passed on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem. Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theater at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new religion (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for Trial. Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other. T h e n we v i s i t Nazareth, Jesus' boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Dinner and overnight: Tiberias

Day 5, March 15, Jericho, Qumran, and the Dead Sea
At the River Jordan you can remember your baptism in the Yardenit Baptismal Site. Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh 6:1, 2, 20). From Jericho, see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt 4: 1-11). Even today, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem twists for miles as it climbs from below sea level into the Judean Mountains. Jesus traveled the nearby Roman road, the setting of His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-36). Visit Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Qumran on the shores of the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight: Dead Sea

Day 6, March 16, Masada and Bethlehem
Visit Masada, Herod's mountain top fortress which became the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below and visit Herod’s desert palace on the North face of the Masada plateau. In Bethlehem, you'll visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt 1: 18-25; Luke 2: 1-7). The church, which was constructed on the site, is the world's oldest functioning church. Nearby you'll view Shepherds' Field where the Good News was first heard. Dinner and overnight: Jerusalem

Day 7, March 17, Jerusalem
Visit the Haas Promenade and enjoy a panoramic view from the south of Jerusalem, the Old City walls and the hill called Mount Moriah where Abraham was commanded by God to offer Isaac as a burnt offering (Gen 22: 2, 4). View the Kidron Valley and the Valley of Gehenna. Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the "Golden City" of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1: 9-12). Visit the Chapel of the Ascension. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed (Matt 26: 36-44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night (Matt 26: 57-65). Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12-26). View the site of King David's Tomb. Dinner and overnight: Jerusalem

Day 8, March 18, Jerusalem and the Old City
Walk up to the Temple Mount and descend on the northern side. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. Visit Herod's Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, "the Way of the Cross", and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored. Visit the Southern Wall excavations of the ancient Temple including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. Dinner and overnight: Jerusalem

Day 9, March 19, Jerusalem
Travel to Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place where the Virgin Mary visited Elisabeth (Luke 1:26-40). Visit and worship at the Garden Tomb, possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and experience the reality of the Resurrection. Your afternoon is free for exploring. Farewell Dinner and then depart for airport for your flight home.

Day 10, March 20, Arrive back in the USA
Begin planning your next trip to the Holy Land with Christian Holyland Tours

* visit subject to availability.