a unique & inspiring journey
$4,135 CAD | 9 days
Tab 1
Day
Location
Details
April 25
DESTINATION ISRAEL
9:30am Meet in the departure hall at Ottawa airport tto check in for the Air Canada noon flight to Toronto, arriving at 1:20pm. Leave Toronto at 4:30pm on your overnight, direct, nonstop Air Canada flight to Israel. Meals served on board.
April 26
WELCOME TO ISRAEL
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at 10am. Meet your tour guide. Take a domestic flight to Eilat. Remainder of the day at leisure with time to relax at the hotel. 2 nights: Leonardo Plaza hotel ~ Eilat [Breakfast & dinner]
April 27
TAKE AN OPTIONAL 1 DAY TOUR TO PETRA – JORDAN
Get an early start, travel to the Arava terminal and cross into Jordan. Travel north along the Kingsway to the Red Rock. Enjoy a full day in Petra, the Red Rock, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, visiting the colourful, unique Nabatean Necropolis. Start with an easy horseback ride; continue on foot through the “Siq” a narrow immense colourful gorge, which ends at the famous treasury. Visit the many ancient temples, tombs, mosaics and the Roman theatre. Return to Eilat. OR SPEND A DAY AT LEISURE WITH TIME TO EXPLORE EILAT. [Breakfast & dinner]
Price per person: $1,555 based on a minimum of 14 participants & 2 people sharing a double room.
Not included: The single room supplement $439;
TAKE AN OPTIONAL 1 DAY TOUR TO AMAZING PETRA ~ JORDAN Cost $319;
Not including US$ 125 exit Tax for Israel & Jordan & Jordan visa fee (subject to change) and gratuity
MARK YES TO a) THE OPTIONAL EILAT PRE TOUR & b) TO THE 1 DAY TOUR TO PETRA JORDAN ON THE APPLICATION
April 28
DESTINATION ISRAEL
2pm Meet in the departure hall Pearson airport terminal 1 to check in for the Air Canada flight. Leave Toronto at 4:55pm on the direct Air Canada flight destination Israel. Meals served on board.
April 29
WELCOME TO ISRAEL If you are on the pre tour travel to Ben Gurion to meet the group.
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at 10:15am. Meet your tour guide. Drive north through the Plain of Sharon, along the Mediterranean shore to Caesarea the largest port in the Mediterranean, built by King Herod the Great. Here Pontius Pilate had his seat; Cornelius lived and was baptized (Acts 10); Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and Philip preached (Acts 8:40). Visit the Roman Theatre, the Hippodrome, and the Crusader City. Stop at the visitors’ center to view the audio visual. View Muhraka (the burned place) on Mt. Carmel where the prophet Elijah challenged the 400 false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30) and proceed along the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo one of King Solomon’s fortified city kingdoms (1 Kings 9:15; 10:26), with impressive ruins of 20 levels of civilization. From here the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as you read about the final Battle of Armageddon. Continue to your hotel. [dinner] 1 night: Leonardo Plaza hotel ~ Haifa
April 30
GALILEE ~ DEAD SEA
Proceed to Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus, visit Nazareth Village relive village life from the time of Jesus. View the Church of the Annunciation. Continue to Arbala for a spectacular view of the area of Jesus’ Ministry around the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights and the Galilee. Travel to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Feeding of the Multitude. Continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The sermon on the mount” (Matt.5). Proceed to Capernaum centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5-7 & 14-15). See the remains of St Peter’s house (Matt. 8:14) and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). Emulating the disciples sail on the Sea of Galilee and visit the ancient boat from the time of Jesus. [Breakfast & dinner] 2 nights: Leonardo hotel ~ Tiberias
May 1
JESUS’ MINISTRY IN THE GALILEE
Drive north along the foot of the Golan Heights to visit Dan, of Abraham (Genesis 14:14) & king Jeroboam fame. Visit this fascinating lush site
with two ancient gates and a unique alter. Continue to Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River, site of ancient “Caesarea Philippi,” and the Northern extent of Jesus’ Ministry, where Peter made the confession of faith in Christ (Matt; 16:16). Travel onto the Golan Heights, stop at the memorial in the Valley of Tears to pay tribute to the Israeli soldiers who held the invading Syrian tanks at bay and saved the day in the Yom Kippur War 1973 and view the old Syrian HQ at Kunietra. End the day at Magdala ~ the village of Mary Magdalene, where you visit the new archeological discovery and an ancient synagogue that Mary Magdalene would have worshipped in. [Breakfast & dinner]
May 2
GALILEE / JERUSALEM
Travel south to Beit Shean where the body of King Saul and his sons were placed on the walls by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10) also known in Jesus day as Scythopolis, capital of Decapolis. Visit the impressive Roma/Byzantine/Omayyad ruins. Drive through the Jordan Valley, where the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2) towards Jericho, the oldest town in the world (which you will see from a distance). Visit Qasr El Yahud on the Jordan River where John Baptised Jesus. Stop at Qumran, home of the Cult of the Judean Desert, where a shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) in a nearby cave. Then ascend through the Judean Desert Wilderness to the Holy City – golden Jerusalem as the Galileans did stopping on Mt Scopus to recite a Psalm of Ascent and enjoy your first spectacular view of the Holy City. Continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity the birthplace of Jesus. Some rooms might not be available until after sunset ~ due to the Sabbath. 5 nights: Leonardo hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]
May 3
JERUSALEM
Enjoy a splendid view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Stroll down the Mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane at the Church of All Nations. Continue to Mt Zion to visit: the Upper Room (Room of the Last Super), King David’s Tomb and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on the site of High Priest Caiaphas’ home to see the ancient stairs Jesus might have walked on. Enter the Old City through Zion Gate, walk through the Armenian and the Jewish Quarter. Visit the ancient street the “Cardo”. Continue through the “Suk” (the colourful bazaar), alleyways and market places to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit King David’s City including: The Canaanite tunnel and the Pool of Siloam. Participate in community prayers at the King of Kings. [Breakfast & dinner]
May 4
JERUSALEM
Start the day at Yad Vashem – national memorial and Museum of the Shoah (Holocaust), pay tribute to the six million victims of the Shoah (Holocaust) in Europe during the Second World War. Visit the new Museum, the Children’s Memorial and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous Amongst the Nations. Continue to the Israel Museum – visit the Shrine of the Book home of the Dead Sea Scrolls the oldest Bible manuscripts and the Model of ancient Jerusalem describing the city from the time of Jesus. Enter the Old city view the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque built on the Temple Mount. Visit the South Western Wall of the Temple Mount and the Davidson Centre including the very same steps that Jesus and the Galileans used to enter and exit the Holy Temple. Stop at the Western Wall (Kotel). [Breakfast & dinner]
May 5
DEAD SEA
Take a journey back in time through the Western Wall Tunnels along the Temple Mt then continue to the Pools of Bethesda at St. Anne’s Church. Exit the city at St Stephen’s the Lions Gate. Drive through the Judean desert the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea (over 1300 feet below sea level). Continue south view Ein Gedi an Oasis in the desert en route to Masada. Ascend by cable car to the summit of King Herod the Great’s desert fortress, later the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in the revolt against Rome(73 ace). Travel north along the Dead Sea en route to Jerusalem stop to float on the Dead Sea – enjoy a remarkable experience, you cannot sink! [Breakfast & dinner]
May 6
JERUSALEM
Spend a day of leisure in this fascinating city. Re-visit the Old City for shopping in the bazaars or walk through the new city for shopping along Jaffa Road and Ben Yehuda Street. Visit one of the many Museums that Jerusalem has to offer or simply relax at the hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. [Breakfast & dinner]
May 7
CANADA
Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada. Leave Tel Aviv at 11:45am flying on a nonstop Air Canada flight to Toronto, arriving at 4:30pm. Meals served on board. 6:10pm Continue on the Air Canada flight to Ottawa arriving at 7:10pm.
What is the deadline for registration?
There is no deadline. We accept registration on a “first-come-first serve” basis. There is always a limited number of spaces available and as soon as we sell them – the group is completed. To avoid disappointment please register as soon as you decide.
When is the final payment?
Usually it is 60 days before departure, but there are some exceptions for non-standard tours. Your invoice will indicate clearly when your payments are due.
What happens with my deposit when you cancel a group?
In a very unlike situation when we have to cancel a group for reasons out of our control, your deposit is protected and fully refundable. When you cancel on your own please make sure that your non-refundable deposit is protected by your own insurance.
Can I request a specific seat on a flight?
For the group reservations the airlines don't give us an option of selecting specific seats. When your ticket is issued your seat is guaranteed, but usually not printed on the e-ticket. However, you can always check-in online 24 hours before departure and change your seat based on availability.
Tell me which hotels we will be staying?
We always book best, first-class hotels. We frequently check them for best quality. Hotels are confirmed about two months before departure and we will give you all details in the final itinerary
I'm traveling alone & don't have a roommate. What should I do?
Please register ASAP. We will take a note of your request and will try to match you with another passenger willing to share. Other options are single room (with a supplement) or forming a triple room if you know another two people willing to share.
I have several food allergies. Can I request a special menu?
Please let us know about your food restrictions. We will order special meals for your flights, if available. All breakfasts and some dinners at the destinations are buffets, so you can select food by yourself. The restaurants at the destinations will do their best to offer you individual alternate to standard set menus for the group. You will need to communicate your needs through tour leaders.
What is eTA? Does it apply to me?
If you are Canadian or US citizen – no need to worry. It applies to citizens of other countries. They will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Be prepared: Apply for an eTA before you book your flight to Canada. Most applicants get approved within minutes. However, some applications can take several days to process so don’t wait until the last minute. Apply and get help at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start-int.asp
**THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY IN THE ORDER YOU VISIT**