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

Rayna and Mattea trip, December 2010

Day 1
Arrival to Tel Aviv, Pickup and transfer to Jerusalem, Old City Jerusalem
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 2
Jerusalem: Foot step of Jesus, Garden Tomb, Church of Agony and other Christian sites, night show in David Citadel
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 3
Drive to Dead Sea, Qumeran, Ein Gedi, Enjoy floating on the Dead Sea
Overnight: Oasis Dead Sea Hotel, Dead Sea

Day 4
Massada, Drive to Mitzpe Ramon via the desert and the Big Crater, Sde Boker to Ben Gurion Tomb
Overnights: Ramon Inn Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Day 5
Ramon Crater, Alpaca and Lama pharm in Mitzpe Ramon, Ein Avdat, Chan HaShayarot activities
Overnight: Chan HaShayarot

Day 6
Drive to Eilat, Yotvata, Timna Park
Overnight: Caesar Premier Hotel, Eilat

Day 7
Diving with Dolphins at the Dolphin Reef, Camel ride
Overnight: Caesar Premier Hotel, Eilat

Day 8
Drive to Tel Aviv
Overnight: Sheraton Tel Aviv Hotel & Towers, Tel Aviv

Day 9
Drive through the cost, Caesarea, Zichron Yaacov, Haifa
Overnight: Colony Hotel, Haifa

Day 10
Akko, Rosh HaNikra, drive to Ramot
Overnight: Sagi Lodging, Moshav Ramot

Day 11
Golan Heights: Wineries in Katzrin, Chocolate ‘De Karina’ and workshop, Tel Dan reserve and night Jeep Ride at Golan to look for animals
Overnight: Sagi Lodging, Moshav Ramot

Day 12
Safed, Hula Valley and the restored Hula lake
Overnight: Sagi Lodging, Moshav Ramot

Day 13
Drive to Jerusalem, Machane Yehuda market, Time elevator
Overnights: Eldan Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 14
Sites in Jerusalem: Zoo, Science Park, Botanical Gardens
Overnights: Eldan Hotel, Jerusalem

Day 15
Archeological Dig in Beit Guvrin, National stalactites cave, Mini Israel, drive to the airport

Paretzky Family Trip August 16-August 27, 2010

Monday, August 16, 2010: Arrival to Israel
Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport, Transfer to family for some time on your own
Overnight: On your own with family

Tuesday, August 17, 2010: With Family
Spend time with family on your own
Overnight: On your own with family

Wednesday, August 18, 2010: Tel Aviv: Palmach, Independence Hall, Ayalom, Jaffa
Palmach Museum, Independence Museum, Tel Aviv, Ayalon Museum
Overnight: Dan Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday, August 19, 2010: Caesarea, Haifa, Rosh HaNikara, Sea of Galilee
Caesarea, Haifa, Rosh HaNikra, Sea of Galilee and Tiberias
Overnight: Rimonim Galei Kinereth Hotel, Tiberias

Friday, August 20, 2010: Safed, Hula Valley, Jordan River
Safed, Bycles around the Hula Valley, Ein Tina hike
Overnight: Rimonim Galei Kinereth Hotel, Tiberias

Saturday, August 21, 2010: Tel Dan, Banias, Golan Heights
Tel Dan Nature Reserve, Banias Hike, Golan Heights
Overnight: Rimonim Galei Kinereth Hotel, Tiberias

Sunday, August 22, 2010: Archeological dig, Mt. Scopus, Old City Jerusalem
Drive to Jerusalem, Archeological dig in Beit Guvrin, Mt. Scopus, Old City Jerusalem including Jewish Quarter, Arab and Christian Quarters, Western Wall
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, August 23, 2010: City of David, Israel Museum, Tad Vashem
City of David and water tunnel, Model of Jerusalem from second temple period, Israel Museum, Yad Vashem
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, August 24, 2010: Ein Gedi, Massada, Dead Sea, Mitzpe Ramon
Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea, Mitzpe Ramon
Overnight: Ramon Inn Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Wednesday, August 25, 2010: Jeep Tour in Ramon Crater, Eilat
Sunrise Jeep Tour in the Ramon Crater, Drive to Eilat, Underwater Observatory in Eilat
Overnight: Herods Hotel, Eilat

Thursday, August 26, 2010: Petra Jordan
Day trip to Petra Jordan
Overnight: Herods Hotel, Eilat

Friday, August 27, 2010: Leisure day in Eilat, Departure
Day at leisure in Eilat, Flight to Sed Dov, Pick up, time in Jaffa with family, Transfer to Ben Gurion for your departure
Departure back to the US

Weinfield Family Trip July 25-August 4, 2010

Sunday, July 25, 2010: Arrival to Israel, Haifa
Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport. Meeting and assistance. Transfer to your hotel in Haifa.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Monday, July 26, 2010: Akko, Rosh ha’nikra, Haifa, Bahai Gardens, Technion
Akko (Acre), Rosh Ha’nikra, Bahai Gardens and Mount Carmel, German Colony, Technion
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Tuesday, July 27, 2010: Zippori, Safed, Hula Valley
Tzippori, Safed, Firing Range Ayelet Ha’Shahar, Hulla Valley nature reserve or Agamon HaHulla
Overnight: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel, Sea of Galilee

Wednesday, July 28, 2010: Banias or el Dan, Golan Heights, Wineries, Rafting, Jeep
Tel Dan or Banias, Golan Heights, border with Syria, Golan Wineries, Rafting down the Jordan River and Jeep Tour in the Golan
Overnight: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel, Sea of Galilee

Thursday, July 29, 2010: Sea of Galilee, Beith Shean, Megido, Caesarea
Around the Sea of Galilee, Beith Shean, Beith Alpha, Megido, Caesarea
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Friday, July 30, 2010: Independence Hall, Diaspora Museum, Palmach Museum
Independence Hall, Diaspora Museum, Palmach Museum, Nachalat Binyamin, Carmel Market
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Saturday, July 31, 2010: Zichron Yaacov, Jaffa, Tel Aviv
Zichron Yaacov for Bar Mitzvah, Jaffa, Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv Harbor
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

Sunday, August 1, 2010: Latrun, Mount Scopus, Mount Olives, Old City Jerusalem
Drive to Jerusalem, Latrun Tank Museum, Mount Scopus Panoramic View, Mount Olives, Old City walking tour from Mount Zion to Jewish, Arab and Christian Quarters
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, August 2, 2010: Ein Gedi, Massada, Dead Sea
Ein Gedi, Massada, Dead Sea
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, August 3, 2010: Israel Museum, Mount Hertzel, Yad Vashem, Tunnels
Knesset, Israel Museum, Mount Hertzel and Hertzel Museum, Yad Vashem, Western Wall Tunnels
Overnight: Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem

Wednesday, August 4, 2010:
Departure back to the US

Neff / Waxman B’not Mitzvah Trip
June 11-20, 2010

This trip to Israel included total of 15 participants from the US, to participate in the Bat Mitzvah celebratiob of Tamar Waxman and Samantha Neff.

We visited Israel from the North to the South, and of course celebrated the Bat Mitzvah on top of Massada, followed by a special night at a Bedouin village near Massada.
Here is the itinerary for this trip, together with few comments participants had about this trip:

Friday, June 11, 2010: Arrival to Israel, Jerusalem, Western Wall for Shabbat

Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport (on Delta flight #152 at 17:00). Meeting and assistance by our representative, transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem. Time permitting, we might stop for a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and a traditional entrance for the Holy city with blessings. We will end the day at the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews, to pray to God’s presence, put a note in the wall and join the people there for Shabbat services.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Saturday, June 12, 2010: Old City Jerusalem, Israel Museum, Bethlehem
Full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting with a panoramic view from Mt. of Olives, we will then continue pass 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, today an active Jewish Synagogue. Continue to walk the Via Dolorosa, the fourteen stations of the cross, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchure. We will then continue to visit the Israel Museum, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls are on display and the model of 2nd temple Jerusalem. Time permitting, we will then continue with a visit to Bethlehem.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, June 13, 2010: Western Wall Tunnels, Davidson Center, Ir David

We will start our day today with an early morning visit to 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, to where the Antonia Military Fortress used to stand. Back to the hotel for breakfast, then we leave again to visit the Jewish Quarter. We Walk 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 Davidson Center to see the Robinson Arch and the excavations of the southern base of the wall. We will end the day in the City of David, Jerusalem of 3000 years ago.
Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, June 14, 2010: Bat Mitzvah on Massada, Dead Sea, Bedouin reception and dinner
Today is a special day for Tamar Waxman and Samantha Neff, we will celebrate their B’not Mitzvot today at Massada. We will leave early to Massada to have the Bnot Mitzvah together with the Rabbi. We will then continue to enjoy the Dead Sea, where we can experience ‘floating’ on the water. We will then drive down to Kfar Hanokdim, where we will enjoy a festive Bedouin reception, dinner, Camels and many more activities. We will spend the night there in the Desert.
Overnight: Kfar Hanokdim, Arad

Tuesday, June 15, 2010: Air Force Museum, Mitzpe Ramon, Rappeling and Jeep Tour
We will drive today to Beer Sheva to visit the Air Force Museum there before driving to Mitzpe Ramon, via the Crater and Desert. In the Machtesh Ramon, we will enjoy activities such as Rappeling and a Jeep tour at the Crater towards sunset.
Overnight: Ramon Inn Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon

Wednesday, June 16, 2010: Archeological Dig Beith Guvrin, Sea of Galilee
We leave Mitzpe Ramon today and drive to Beith Guvrin to participate in an Archeological dig at the Tel Maresha caves. We will then continue to the Sea of Galilee, stopping at a very nice and interesting shop in Kibbutz Kineret that has dates, honey, spices, olive oil, wine and lots of other Israeli products. We will then drive to Safed to hotel.
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Safed

Thursday, June 17, 2010: Safed, Golan Wineries, Katzrin, Rafting on the Jordan River
We will visit the City of Kabalah today. Safed is considered one of the 4 holly cities in Israel and was the home of many Rabbis in the 16th century. Kabalah was created here, the Shulhan Aruch was written here by Rabbi Joseph Carro and the city is special with its mystical synagogues and allies. We will continue from Safed to visit the Golan Wineries in Katzrin and will finish the day rafting down the Jordan river
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Safed

Friday, June 18, 2010: Naot factory, Agamon Hachula, Jeep Tour in the Golan Heights
Our day will start in the NAOT factory shop. We will visit the Nature Reserve Agamon Hachula and ride around the lake. Our day will end with a Jeep Tour in the Golan Heights.
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Safed

Saturday, June 19, 2010: Rosh Ha’Nikra, Boat ride and Tiberias at night
This Shabbat we will have the morning to spend it at leisure in Safed, enjoying the special atmosphere of the city on Shabbat. In noon time, we will drive to Rosh Ha’Nikra to visit the famous grottos there. In the evening, we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and have a festive dinner at Decks in Tiberias
Overnight: Rimonim Hotel, Safed

Sunday, June 20, 2010: Tree planting, Haifa, Bahai Gardens, Caesarea, Tel Aviv
Leaving our hotel in Safed, we will drive to Tel Aviv. We will plant trees in the Lavi forest on our way to Haifa. We will then visit Haifa, see the beautiful Bahai Gardens from the top of Mt. Carmel and walk through the German Colony. We will continue to 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). The day will be over in Tel Aviv with some free time at the Tel Aviv Harbor before we leave to the airport for your return flight home (on Delta flight #153 at 23:35)