First Baptist Church Valdosta Georgia
April 14-April 26, 2012

This trip to Israel included total of 10 participants this year. We visited Israel from the North to the South and went to Petra in Jordan. Here is the itinerary for this trip, together with few photos and comments participants had about this trip:


Day 1, Saturday, April 14, 2012
Depart from the US to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Day 2, Sunday, April 15, 2012
Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Transfer to our hotel in Tiberias. Overnight by the Lake.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias

Day 3, Monday, April 16, 2012
Today we start our tour in Israel. Leaving Tiberias, we will visit Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus and spend some time in the Nazareth Village where we will learn how people used to live in the time of Jesus in a Jewish village. We will also visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the old Synagogue where Jesus himself was teaching. Driving pass Mary’s Well, we will then continue to village of Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine at the Jewish wedding. Rest of the day we will spend in the Golan Heights. We will make a short stop at the factory shop of Naot on our way up to the Golan. We will then visit Caesarea Phillipi and look at the Israeli-Syrian border and learn about the different wars of Israel. We will end the day facing the Sea of Galilee where we can enjoy communion together watching the beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias

Day 4, Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Today we will walk the path of Jesus in the land of Galilee.  We will visit the sites where his ministry began; where he preached, performed miracles and gathered the multitude to follow him: Mount Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12), Capernaum, the headquarters of his ministry where we will visit the old Synagogue and Peter’s House, Tabgha, where the multiplication of the loaves and fish took place (Matthew 14:19-21). We will then visit the museum in Nof Ginosar where the “Jesus Boat” is displayed. This 1st century boat was discovered sunk in the mud in the Lake. We will take a Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee and spend time in a prayer service on the same waters Jesus walked (Mark 6:48-50). Our day will end with a baptism service at the Jordan River (Luke 3:21-22). 
Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias

Day 5, Wednesday, April 18, 2012
We will start our drive to Jerusalem via the coastal area of Israel. Our first visit will be to  the top of Mt. Carmel, where the great prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and proved to the people that the God of Israel is the true God (1 Kings 18:17-40). On to Megiddo, the city of King Solomon and King Ahab, where 20 different layers of civilization were excavated also known as the valley where the kings of the earth will gather for the battle commonly referred to as the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16). Caesarea, the port city built by King Herod the great 2000 years ago and the place where Simon Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius, the Roman centurion who became the first Gentile convert (Acts 10: 44-48), will be our next site. We then continue to Jerusalem. Depending on arrival, we might stop for a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and a traditional entrance for the Holy city.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 6, Thursday, April 19, 2012 (Memorial day for the Holocaust)
Full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting with a panoramic view from Mt. of Olives, we will then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus “often met with his disciples” (John 18:2) and where he spent his last hours in solitude before being captured by the Romans (Luke 22:47-53). Up to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, Cenaculum, the place of the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-22) and the place where the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon believers who were gathered there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Here is also King David’s Tomb.  Walk from there through the Zion Gate to visit the Jewish Quarters and the Roman Cardo, the main street in the Byzantine period of Jerusalem. On to the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews, to pray to God’s presence and put a note in the wall. We will tour the Western Wall Tunnels, walking under the Western Wall plaza to the base of this remarkable wall and along it, all the way up north. Continue to walk the Via Dolorosa, the fourteen stations of the cross, starting at the Pool of Bethesda and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchure.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 7, Friday, April 20, 2012
Full day tour of the New City of Jerusalem. We will start the day visiting the City of David Excavations, where we will learn about Jerusalem of 3000 years ago. We will then pass the Knesset, Israeli Parliament with the famous Menorah, view the Supreme Court and drive to Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial. Continue to Machane Yehuda Market to get a sense of Jerusalem and the many faces of the people in it while we watch them getting ready for Shabbat. Towards the evening, we will go to the Western Wall to watch the Jewish people as they come to pray at the most sacred place for Jews.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 8, Saturday, April 21, 2012
We start our day with a visit to Bethlehem. We will then continue to the Israel Museum, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls are on display and the model of 2nd temple Jerusalem. Our day will end with the Garden Tomb, Golgotha or Calvary. Here, Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, was buried and raised from the dead (Matthew 27:33-61) and here we will have a service.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 9, Sunday, April 22, 2012
Today we start our journey South. We will stop at the Ellah Valley to talk about the famous fight between David and Goliath. We will then continue driving to the famous Ramon Crater and learn about how it was created. We will then have a Jeep Tour into the Crater to view its unique and beautiful views. Rest of the day we will drive down to Eilat, the most Southern city in Israel for overnight.
Overnight: Isrotel Agamim Hotel in Eilat

Day 10, Monday, April 23, 2012
Full day trip to Petra, Jordan and back to Eilat
Overnight: Isrotel Agamim Hotel in Eilat

Day 11, Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Today, we will leave Eilat and drive down to the Dead Sea area. We will stop at the Desert Tabernacle in Timna park to learn about the way this Tabernacle was built. We will then continue to the Dead Sea and have the rest of the day to relax at the Dead Sea, experience ‘floating’ on the water and use the facilities at the hotel. Tonight is the evening of Memorial Day for falling soldiers, so most public places are closed.
Overnight: Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel, Dead Sea

Day 12, Wednesday, April 25, 2012 (Memorial Day for Falling Soldiers)
Today we will visit the eastern slopes of the Judean Hills and the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. We start in  Massada, the royal fortress built by King Herod and used by the Jewish Zealots as the last stronghold during the great revolt against Rome between 66-73 AD. We view the Ein Gedi waterfalls where King David escaped from his enemies and continue to Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written by the Yachad (Essene) Sect 2200 years ago and where they were discovered in 1947. We then drive to Tel Aviv for overnight. Tonight is the end of the Memorial Day for Falling Soldiers and the beginning of the Independence celebrations for Israel. We will have time to join people as they celebrate the Independence in the streets of Tel Aviv.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel Tel Aviv

Day 13, Thursday, April 26, 2012 (Independence Day)
Today, our last day in the land, we will leave the hotel later in the morning and visit Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv was founded 100 years ago. We will drive through the Rabin Square where Yitzhaq Rabin was assassinated , see the Bauhaus neighborhoods of early Tel Aviv and visit Jaffa, the old port city and the artists galleries. Our day will end with an early dinner in Tel Aviv before we head to the airport for our flight back home

First Baptist Church Valdosta GA
May 15-26, 2010

This trip to Israel included total of 15 participants, from Georgia and Texas. We visited Israel from the North to the South, even went to Petra in Jordan. Here is the itinerary for this trip, together with few comments participants had about this trip:

Day 1, Saturday, May 15, 2010
Depart from the US to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Day 2, Sunday, May 16, 2010
Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv Delta Flight 152 Arriving at 05:20 PM). Meeting and assistance. Transfer to our hotel in Tiberias.
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel or similar, Tiberias

Day 3, Monday, May 17, 2010
Today we start our tour in Israel. Leaving Tiberias, we will visit Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus and spend some time in the Nazareth Village where we will learn how people used to live in the time of Jesus in a Jewish village. We will also visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the old Synagogue where Jesus himself was teaching. Driving pass Mary’s Well, we will then continue to village of Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine at the Jewish wedding. Rest of the day we will spend in the Golan Heights where we look at the Israeli-Syrian border and learn about the different wars of Israel.
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel or similar, Tiberias

Day 4, Tuesday, May 18, 2010
We start our day with a Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee and spend some time in a prayer service on the same waters Jesus walked (Mark 6:48-50). Visit to the museum in Nof Ginosar where the “Jesus Boat” is displayed. This amazing ancient fishing boat, from the 1st century, was discovered sunk in the mud in the Lake of Galilee. Then we will walk the path of Jesus in the land of Galilee.  We will visit the sites where his ministry began; where he preached, performed miracles and gathered the multitude to follow him: Mount Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12), Capernaum, the headquarters of his ministry where we will visit the old Synagogue and Peter’s House, Tabgha, where the multiplication of the loaves and fish took place (Matthew 14:19-21). Our day will end with a baptism service at the Jordan River (Luke 3:21-22). 
Overnight: Moriah Plaza Hotel or similar, Tiberias

Day 5, Wednesday, May 19, 2010
We will start our drive to Jerusalem via the coastal area of Israel. Our first visit will be to  the top of Mt. Carmel, where the great prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and proved to the people that the God of Israel is the true God (1 Kings 18:17-40). On to Megiddo, the city of King Solomon and King Ahab, where 20 different layers of civilization were excavated also known as the valley where the kings of the earth will gather for the battle commonly referred to as the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16). Caesarea, the port city built by King Herod the great 2000 years ago and the place where Simon Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius, the Roman centurion who became the first Gentile convert (Acts 10: 44-48), will be our next site. We then continue to Jerusalem. Depending on arrival, we might stop for a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and a traditional entrance for the Holy city.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 6, Thursday, May 20, 2010
Full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting with a panoramic view from Mt. of Olives, we will then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus “often met with his disciples” (John 18:2) and where he spent his last hours in solitude before being captured by the Romans (Luke 22:47-53). Up to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, Cenaculum, the place of the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-22) and the place where the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon believers who were gathered there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Here is also King David’s Tomb.  Walk from there through the Zion Gate to visit the Jewish Quarters and the Roman Cardo, the main street in the Byzantine period of Jerusalem. On to the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews, to pray to God’s presence and put a note in the wall. We will tour the Western Wall Tunnels, walking under the Western Wall plaza to the base of this remarkable wall and along it, all the way up north. Continue to walk the Via Dolorosa, the fourteen stations of the cross, starting at the Pool of Bethesda and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchure.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 7, Friday, May 21, 2010
Full day tour of the New City of Jerusalem. We will start the day visiting the City of David Excavations, where we will learn about Jerusalem of 3000 years ago. We will then pass the Knesset, Israeli Parliament with the famous Menorah, view the Supreme Court and drive to Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial. Continue to Machane Yehuda Market to get a sense of Jerusalem and the many faces of the people in it while we watch them getting ready for Shabbat. Towards the evening, we will go to the Western Wall to watch the Jewish people as they come to pray at the most sacred place for Jews.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 8, Saturday, May 22, 2010
We start our day with the Israel Museum, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls are on display and the model of 2nd temple Jerusalem. We will then continue with a visit to Bethlehem and end our day with the Garden Tomb, Golgotha or Calvary. Here, Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, was buried and raised from the dead (Matthew 27:33-61) and here we will have a service. Time permitting, we will visit the Bible Time Center in Ein Karem.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 9, Sunday, May 23, 2010
Descend the eastern slopes of the Judean Hills to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. On to visit Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written by the Yachad (Essene) Sect 2200 years ago and where they were discovered in 1947. View of the Ein Gedi waterfalls where King David escaped from his enemies and continue to Massada, the royal fortress built by King Herod and used by the Jewish Zealots as the last stronghold during the great revolt against Rome between 66-73 AD. Rest of the afternoon we will enjoy the Dead Sea, where we can experience ‘floating’ on the water. We will then drive down to Mitzpe Ramon for overnight.
Overnight: Ramon Inn Hotel or similar, Mitzpe Ramon

Day 10, Monday, May 24, 2010
Today we will visit the famous Ramon Crater and learn about how it was created. We will then have a Jeep Tour into the Crater to view its unique and beautiful views. Rest of the day we will drive down to Eilat, the most Southern city in Israel for overnight.
Overnight: Agamim (Isrotel) Hotel or similar, Eilat

Day 11, Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Full day trip to Petra, Jordan and back to Eilat
Overnight: Agamim (Isrotel) Hotel or similar, Eilat

Day 12, Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Today, our last day in the land, we will leave the hotel later in the morning and drive down to Tel Aviv. We will stop at the Desert Tabernacle in Timna park to learn about the way this Tabernacle was built. We will stop at the Ellah Valley to talk about the famous fight between David and Goliath. We will then drive to Tel Aviv to visit the city founded 100 years ago. We will drive through the Rabin Square where Yitzhaq Rabin was assassinated , see the Bauhaus neighborhoods of early Tel Aviv and visit Jaffa, the old port city and the artists galleries. Our day will end with Dinner in Tel Aviv before we head to the airport for our flight back home (Delta Fight 153 Departing at 11:35 PM)

Christian Trip to Israel and Jordan – 14 days

Day 1
Departure from the US  to Israel, either non stop to Tel Aviv or with stop over in Europe.

Day 2
Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Meeting and assistance. Transfer to our hotel in Tel Aviv

Overnight: Hotel in Tel Aviv

Day 3
Today we will visit the city of Tel Aviv. Our tour will begin with a visit to Jaffa, a Biblical port city and today a magnificent artist’s colony. From here we drive through Tel Aviv to see the Bauhaus district and center of Tel Aviv on our way to visit the Independence Hall, where the stare of Israel was established in May 1948. We will continue to the open air market, Carmel Market, to enjoy a bit of the difference faces of Israel in this colorful and busy market. We will end the day with some time of in the busy streets of Tel Aviv.

Overnight: Hotel in Tel Aviv

Day 4
Today we will be leaving Tel Aviv on our way to the North. We will visit Caesarea, the port city built by King Herods the great 2000 years ago and the place where Simon Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius, the Roman centurion who became the first gentile convert (Acts 10: 44-48). We will then continue to the top of Mt. Carmel, where the great prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and proved to the people that the God of Israel is the true God (1 Kings 18: 17-40). On to view the Bahai Gardens in Haifa and then to Akko to enjoy the port and the Crusaders Hall.  We will then arrive to our hotel by the Sea of Galilee.

Overnight: Hotel in Tiberias

Day 5
We start our day with a visit to the museum in Nof Ginosar where the “Jesus Boat” is displayed. This amazing ancient fishing boat, from the 1st century, was discovered sunk in the mud in the Lake of Galilee. Then we will walk the path of Jesus in the land of Galilee.  We will visit the sites where his ministry began; where he preached, performed miracles and gathered the multitude to follow him: Capernaum, the headquarters of his ministry, Mount Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 1-12) and Tabgha, where the multiplication of the loaves and fish took place (Matthew 14: 19-21). After lunch, we will visit Mt. Arbel. The beautiful view of the Sea Of Galilee will strike us as we stand on the top, a place which is dear to all of us.

Overnight: Hotel in Tiberias

day 6
Ascend the Golan Heights for a breathtaking view of the Lower Galilee. Drive through the remains of Syrian bunkers on the Golan Heights,  controlling the Kibbutzim in the valley. Learn about the 6 day war in 1967 and the Yom Kippur war in 1973 and understand Israel’s unique situation in the Golan. Pass Banias Nature Reserve and waterfalls, known as Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed Jesus’ messiahship (Matthew 16: 13-17). Visit Tel Dan, the most northern city in King Solomon’s kingdom and end the day in the baptismal site Yardenit, where even today, Christians are being baptized (Luke 3:21-22). In the evening, we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, spending some time

in a prayer service on the same waters Jesus walked (Mark 6: 48-50). The boat will then bring us for dinner at a beautiful restaurant by the Lake of Galilee.

Overnight: Hotel in Tiberias

Day 7
Check out of the Kibbutz Guest House and drive to Jerusalem through the coast. We will start the day with a visit to Beth Shean, one of the oldest cities in the Holy Land and a major crossroads in the Beth Shean valley, which reached its peak in Roman and Byzantine periods. We will then continue and pass the village of Cana where Jesus performed his first public miracle of changing water into wine (John 2: 1-10). Visit Nazareth, the “City of the Annunciation”, where the angel Gabriel revealed to Mary the imminent birth of Jesus and John the Baptist (Luke 1, 26-38). Continue to Megiddo, the city of King Solomon and King Ahab, where 20 different layers of civilization were excavated also known as the valley where the kings of the earth will gather for the final battle between good and evil (Revelation 16: 12-16). We then continue to Jerusalem. Depending on arrival, we might stop at the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews all over the world, to view Jewish people as they come here to receive Shabbat, the holy day for Jews.

Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 8
Full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting with panoramic views from Mt. Scopus and Mt. of Olives, we will then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus “often met with his disciples” (John 18, 2) and where he spent his last hours in solitude before being captured by the Romans (Luke 22, 47-53). Next is the Upper Room, Cenaculum, the place of the Last Supper (Luke 22, 14-22) and the  place where the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon believers who were gathered there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Enter the city walls through the Zion gate to visit the Jewish Quarters and The Roman Cardo, the main street in the Byzantine period of Jerusalem. Walk the Via Dolorosa, passing the 14 stations of the cross and ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,. End of our day will be in the Garden Tomb, Golgotha or Calvary. Here, Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, was buried and raised from the dead  (Matthew 27, 33-61). We will have a service here.

Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

 Day 9
Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the house of Caiaphas the high priest during the 2nd temple period. This church called the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu is where Peter denied Jesus three times before the crowing of the cock (Mark 14, 53-62). Here we will see the underground rooms which may have been used as guard houses and a prison. We will also see the ancient steps, which were cut into the hill and led to the City of David, the Kidron Valley and Gethsemane. This is likely the path Jesus took in his way from the Upper Room to Gethsemane. Visit the Temple Institute where Jewish scholars study the Jewish Temple and its Vessels and see the exhibition of Temple Tools. After lunch, we will tour the Western Wall Tunnels, walking under the Western Wall plaza until the base of this remarkable wall and along it, all the way up north. If possible, we will visit Bethlehem.

Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Day 10
Today we will visit the City of David to see Jerusalem of 3000 years ago, King David’s city. We will then continue to the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Model of Jerusalem of 2nd Temple period. We will visit the Bible Times Center in Ein Karem and enjoy a festive “seder” meal for lunch and end our day in the Holocaust Memorial of Yad Vashem.

Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

 Day 11
Descend the eastern slopes of the Judean Hills to the lowest place on earth, the  Dead Sea. Visit Qumeran, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written by the Yahad Sect 2200 years ago and where they were discovered in 1947. Drive to Massada, the royal fortress built by King Herod and used by the Jewish Zealots as the last stronghold during the great revolt against Rome between 66-73 AD. Finish the day in the Dead Sea, where you can enjoy ‘floating’ on the water.

Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

 Day 12
Today we will start an optional trip to Petra Jordan for these who are interested. The rest will be transferred to the airport for their flight back home. These of us who are going to Jordan will drive down South through the Ramon Crater in Mitzpe Ramon and arrive to Eilat.

Overnight: Hotel in Eilat

Day 13
Full day trip to Petra (Jordan).

Overnight: Hotel in Eilat

Day 14
Flight to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv to catch your flight back home. Departure back to the US