ITINERARY

Tuesday / September 16
Our spiritual adventure begins as we depart from Dallas, Houston or Baton Rouge to connect with an overnight transatlantic flight to our long-awaited destination—Israel!

Wednesday / September 17
This afternoon we arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and drive north along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea where we will check into our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Thursday / September 18
This morning we drive north on the Via Maris to Caesarea where Peter proclaimed the good news to the Roman centurion, Cornelius. We will visit scenic Caesarea with its famous Roman theater, harbor, newly excavated hippodrome and palace, concluding at the aqueducts. We continue on to Mount Carmel to visit the traditional place where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. Next we arrive at Megiddo, Chariot City of King Solomon, where we will explore its remarkable excavations and view the Valley of Jezreel, the location for the future gathering of the nations at Armageddon. Our next stop is Mount Precipice for a magnificent view of the Jezreel Valley, Mount Tabor and Nazareth. We will pass the Horns of Hittim where Saladin defeated the Crusaders, before ending our day by walking to the top of Mount Arbel for a breathtaking panorama of the Sea of Galilee and the biblical sites of Jesus’ public ministry. Dinner and overnight in picturesque Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Friday / September 19
Following in the footsteps of Jesus and the disciples, we board a boat for a time of worship on the Sea of Galilee. Afterward we visit Capernaum, the city of Jesus, and walk the streets that witnessed so many of His miracles. Then we will head to the ruins of Chorazin, a city condemned by Jesus for its lack of faith. Crossing the Jordan River to the other side, we will stop at Kursi, the site where the demons entered the swine after being cast out of the demoniac. The culmination of our day will occur at the baptismal site on the Jordan River before we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Saturday / September 20
This morning we will begin at the Mount of Beatitudes for a time of worship overlooking the Sea of Galilee while the other half of our group will end their day here. We journey north past the Old Testament city of Hazor on our way to the ancient city of Dan. A beautiful nature reserve provides a refreshing backdrop as we visit the northernmost city of ancient Israel, and see the spot where wicked King Jeroboam set up a golden calf. After a short ride we will come to the New Testament city of Caesarea Philippi at the foot of Mount Hermon, where Peter made his great confession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Driving up to the Golan Heights, we will focus on modern Israel’s struggles with Syria and Lebanon and discover why this region is so strategic. Then we will return to our hotel for our final night in the region of Galilee.

Sunday / September 21
This morning we journey past Mt. Tabor, where Deborah and Barak led the forces of Israel to victory, before arriving at the Spring of Harod where Gideon chose his 300 men. We continue down the Jezreel Valley to the ancient city of Bet She’an. We will walk through the remarkable restoration of the Roman ruins that sit in the shadow of the hill where the Philistines once displayed the bodies of King Saul and his sons. We then proceed down the Jordan Valley past Old Testament Jericho, the ancient Canaanite city where the “walls came tumbling down.” We will continue south to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Our journey then takes us to the lowest point on the face of the earth, the Dead Sea, where we will overnight along its shores.

Monday / September 22
We begin our day by focusing on the wilderness areas traversed by the young shepherd David. We will depart early for Masada where a ride on a cable car will take us to the summit for a tour of the magnificent ruins of Herod’s lavish palace/fortress where Jewish zealots made their final stand in their revolt against Rome. We will then drive to the oasis of En Gedi to relive one of David’s historic encounters with King Saul. Early afternoon we will return to our hotel along the shore of the Dead Sea and spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming in this unique body of water.

Tuesday / September 23
This morning we travel to the Old Testament city of Beersheba, the southernmost city of Israel in the Old Testament where Abraham built an altar to the Lord. We then journey to the western slopes of Judea. We will visit Bet Guvrin to see some remarkable ruins in the region where the prophet Micah once lived and ministered. Late afternoon we will arrive at the Elah Valley and relive the battle between David and Goliath. Traveling further north we will visit the city of Beth Shemesh in the Sorek Valley where Samson struggled with the Philistines. Late afternoon we will enter the magnificent city of Jerusalem where we will stay for the remainder of our tour.

Wednesday / September 24
Our day begins from a panoramic vista on the Mount of Olives where we are reminded of what the Messiah saw as He looked out over Jerusalem. We will walk down this historic hillside to visit Dominus Flevit, the traditional spot where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed the night he was betrayed. We will then journey to the Bethlehem overlook to reflect on the gift that was given to us on that blessed night. This afternoon we will visit the model of Herodian Jerusalem which provides an excellent picture of the city as it would have looked in the time of Christ. We will conclude this memorable day with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s unforgettable memorial to the six million Jews killed in the
Holocaust.

Thursday / September 25
Our morning begins by entering the Old City and view the Temple Mount, which includes the El Aksa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, the spot on which Israel’s Temple once stood. Our next stop is the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the man at the pool. We will visit St. Anne’s Church before beginning our journey along the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. En route we will visit Antonio’s Fortress, where the soldiers mocked Jesus and placed a crown of thorns upon His head. This afternoon we will visit the excavations of the Southern Steps of the temple, a place where you can actually say, “I walked today where Jesus walked.” We will conclude our afternoon with a visit to the original City of David to see the platform on which David’s palace was located, as well as Warren’s Shaft, the “waterspout” through which David’s forces climbed to capture the city, and tour the Pools of Siloam. We will also have the option of a “wet” walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

Friday / September 26
Today we enter the Old City at Jaffa Gate. Our first stop is the magnificently restored ancient Citadel first constructed 2,000 years ago by Herod the Great. The Citadel is now known as the Tower of David Museum and traces Jerusalem’s long and eventful history. Zion Hill, the traditional site of the Upper Room where Jesus met with His disciples, is our next stop. We will wind through the narrow streets and the colorful bazaars of the Old City on our way to Hezekiah's city wall and the Cardo, touring the Herodian Mansion where Christ stood mute before the High Priest and was condemned. We will conclude our time in Jerusalem at the Garden Tomb (Gordon’s Calvary) for a special communion service to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Our final evening will be spent together rejoicing and reminiscing over the extraordinary days spent in the land of our Lord.

Saturday / September 27
With heart-changing memories of our walk in the footsteps of history, we will return to the United States!
 

COST OF THE TOUR

$3,675	per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin-bedded room.
$575	single supplement (Participant is responsible for finding a roommate. Single rooms must be paid for if a roommate is not secured.)

INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE TOUR

Air Transportation — Round-trip transatlantic economy class from Dallas, Houston or Baton Rouge. A limited number of seats will be confirmed. Participants will be given these seats on a first come, first serve basis. Airfare used is based on economy class effective at date of publication.

Airfares and airlines are subject to change should more seats be needed than allocated.

Hotels — Deluxe First Class Hotels throughout, double occupancy.
Meals — Breakfast and dinner daily except where noted on itinerary. (Beverages provided at breakfast only.)
Sightseeing — As itinerary specifies, in deluxe motor coaches with English-speaking guide. All entrance fees are included.
Transfers — All group transfers between airports and hotels.
Porterage — Porterage of one suitcase (standard size).
Tips—Tips to guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
Taxes—Airport departure taxes in the U.S. and Israel; amount is subject to change and is based on tax rates & fuel surcharges at time of ticketing.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE TOUR

Lunches — Also beverages at meals, other than coffee and tea with breakfast.
Personal Expenses — Such as passport fees, visas for non-US citizens, travel insurance, laundry, phone calls, etc.
Single Room Supplement — A limited number are available at an additional cost of $575 per person.
Services — Not specifically mentioned above.

SPECIAL NOTES

Reservations — A deposit of $500 must accompany the reservation form for each participant enrolling in the tour. An additional partial payment of $1,200 is due by May 15, 2008. Final payment is due by July 15, 2008.
Tour Prices — All tour prices are based on costs, charges, taxes and US dollar exchange rates known at the time of booking. We regret should any of these costs change, a surcharge may be added to the cost of your tour. You would be notified prior to travel.
Deviations & Changes — Participant requests for deviations from itinerary are subject to space plus an applicable airfare surcharge, and a $50 deviation fee per person. To enable finalizing of group arrangements, requests and changes are not accepted less than 45 days prior to departure.
Cancellations — All cancellation notices must be received in writing. If you cancel 120 days prior to departure, a full refund less a cancellation fee of 50% of your deposit will be made. For cancellations 119-61 days prior to departure, an additional fee of $500 is deducted. For cancellations within 60-45 days of departure, 100% of the land costs are charged plus a $250 cancellation fee for air. Less than 45 days prior to departure, no refund.
Passports — You must have a valid passport with expiration not less than 6 months after your return to the US. It takes about six to ten weeks to secure a passport so don’t delay. Non-US passport holders must contact Morning Star Tours to confirm need for visa. Passport information along with applications can be obtained on the WEB by going to:

www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html

Baggage Allowance — Due to bus size we can only allow one checked piece, not to exceed 62 inches (length plus width plus depth) and 50 lbs. You may also bring one carry-on item.
Insurance — Baggage, trip cancellation and emergency medical insurance is STRONGLY recommended. Forms will be provided.
Important: The exclusion of Pre-Existing Conditions is waived provided the premium is received no later than fifteen days after the initial deposit for your trip.

 

You can reserve your place on the trip by downloading the Reservation Form, filling it out, and sending it to Morning Star Tours with your $500 deposit.

Brochure  Size: 2.50 MB Download Brochure

Reservation Form  Size: 68.1 KB Download Reservation Form

 

Pools of Bethesda

Yad Vashem