ISRAEL

In case you’re wondering, Mark and Nate don’t take cuts from those going, so this is not a trip where you are being ripped off. They see this as a ministry, not a business.

It should also should be noted that if you’re going to visit Israel, you don’t want to slightly cut costs at the expense of seeing sights, comfortable and reliable traveling, good food, and fabulous accommodations. We hand pick our hotels and carefully choose the details for the journey. Furthermore, Into Your Bible/Bible Truth in Prophecy tip almost double the normal tour group both for testimony’s sake and the quality of service.

Even with all those components, our trips are cheaper than the majority of all-inclusive (except for some lunches) Israel trips and compromise no quality or experiences.

This is a commonly asked question.

The short answer. Yes!

It is…otherwise, the trip (and all tours) get cancelled. We have staff with our tour agency on the ground who would absolutely cancel things if there was danger. More commonly, a certain site might have to be changed if it is in an area of the country where there is turmoil. Between Into Your Bible and Bible Truth in Prophecy they have over 70 trips to Israel and would never put a tour in the line of danger.

Absolutely.

We typically have a few members join us in Israel. In these cases, the price is “land-only” (usually, about $1200 cheaper) and you meet us at the first hotel…unless you arrange to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport at the same time.

There is a lot of walking on the trip, but we have had tour members over 80 years old and as young as a ten (we have also had babies and toddlers, but that is typically an extra workout for parents). There are some locations where we encourage certain ones to stay on the air-conditioned bus or in a comfortable lounge, but for the most part, everything is accessible with little effort.

This is a fabulous question. Many wait to go to Israel until they are retired (if that is you, COME!!!) but we encourage the younger, the better. Churches, send youth to Israel. It will change their life and the lives of those they disciple. This is important. One trip with us to Israel and you will not read the Scriptures the same, not to mention the impact it will have on your teaching and sharing from the Word. The younger they visit, the more time they have to let the impact of that trip influence their life.

We encourage you to go, regardless of who you go with. We aren’t trying to sell you a trip (go back to the fact that Mark and Nate don’t take cuts—they will be the most exhausted of the group by the end). That said, their passion and heart is not merely to visit sites, but to see the Word of God from the lens of the historical, cultural, and geographical perspective which in turn, impacts the practical lessons you will glean.

Truly, one trip and you will not read the Word of God the same. We stand by this statement.

We sometimes have to adjust days due to closures, safety or renovations, but this itinerary is the planned July 2024 itinerary.

Day 1 & 2
Friday, July 5th & Saturday, July 6th

Our journey begins departing from your home city to New York JFK airport and then on to Tel Aviv Israel. Once in Tel Aviv we will meet our guide, boarding a bus to transfer to Jerusalem! Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (Possible visit to the Western Wall the night we arrive!)

Day 3 
Sunday, July 7th – Bethlehem and Bethany

In Bethlehem, we visit the Church of the Nativity and see a cave similar to the one Jesus would have been born in (Matt 1:18-25). We will visit a shepherds’ field like one where the angels would have proclaimed the Good News of the Messiah. Then a lesson from a potter while we enjoy watching them work with clay. From there we continue to Bethany to see the cave thought to be where Lazarus himself was buried, Christ calling to him “Lazarus, come fourth”!

Day 4
Monday, July 8th – The Old City of Jerusalem

This morning we will enjoy a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem along the Cardo, once the main street of the city. Explore the Davidson Center where Robinson’s Arch is (the common entrance to the temple mount during the time of Christ) and the Southern Wall Excavations, including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. Remember how Jesus healed on the Sabbath when you visit the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1). At Herod’s Antonia Fortress (Luke 23:1), see where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate.  Walk the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”) and remember the Lord’s sacrificial love. We will see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher one of the places believed to be the burial place of Christ. Share communion together at the Garden Tomb, another location believed to be the burial place of Christ and celebrate His Resurrection. We will visit Zedekiah’s Cave, also called Solomon’s Quarries. Then there will be an opportunity to walk Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Keep in mind the water in the tunnel is ankle deep, so for those who don’t wish to do this, they can remain on the bus. Before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight, Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.  

Day 5
Tuesday, July 9th  – Qumran, Masada and the Dead Sea

This morning we travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery. We will stop at Ein Gedi, and see the falls, the area where David hid with his band of men from King Saul. Continuing on to Masada, a massive fortress built by Herod the Great, this is the location where the Jewish people held out against the entire Roman Garrison. Next, take a dip in the mineral laden waters of the Dead Sea, floating on the surface of the water, an experience you will not want to miss! Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. 

Day 6
Wednesday, July 10th  – Jerusalem

Stand on the Mount of Olives and enjoy a remarkable view of the Golden City of Jerusalem. Walk to the Garden of Gethsemane, having a time of devotion as we think about the area where Christ was betrayed wish a kiss. Then we will walk down the Palm Sunday Road as we approach the Kidron Valley and the East Gate. Next, we move on to Mount Zion and visit an Upper Room, similar to one they may have had the Last Supper in (Mark 14:12). Next, we will see the home of the High Priest Caiaphas, a place where Jesus may have been held in that very dungeon after His arrest (Matt. 26:57). Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. 

Day 7
Thursday, July 11th – The Temple Mount, Jericho and Jacobs’ Well

In the morning we will visit the Temple Mount (Mount Moriah, the site of the 2nd Temple and Abrahams’ willingness to sacrifice Isaac), the Dome of the Rock and East Gate. Visit Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom and home to Ahab and Jezebel.  We pass between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim where the Israelites recited the blessings and curses of the Law. In modern day Nablus (ancient Shechem), see where the Samaritan woman encountered Christ (John 4) at Jacob’s Well. Then to the ancient city of Jericho. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8
Friday, July 12th  – Galilee

Travel to Tiberias on the beautiful Sea of Galilee (Matt 4:13,23) stopping at the Yardenit, a Jordan River Baptismal site at the South of the Sea of Galilee. We continue to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter made the Great Confession “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mat 16:16) and a visit to Tel Dan to dive into the idolatry of Ancient Israel. We will view Mt. Hermon, that is snow caped most of the year. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 9
Saturday, July 13th  – The Sea of Galilee, Capernaum and Magdala

Enjoy a scenic drive to Capernaum, center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee (Matt.4:13, 23). Then on to an area thought to be the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the text of the Sermon that Jesus preached there (Matt. 5-7).  Experience the Sea of Galilee in more depth as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves in Tabgha, the sight thought to be the location of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17). See the Chapel of the Primacy, remember how Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ three times (John 21). We drive past Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.

Day 10
Sunday July 14th  – Cana, Nazareth Village and Caesarea Marittima

Today we will visit Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle. Continue to Nazareth, where we visit Nazareth Village, seeing what it would have been like in Jesus’ time. We will travel to Mt. Carmel where we have a beautiful view of the Valley of Armageddon and the Mediterranean Sea. Then travel to Megiddo National Park where we will get an even closer overlook of the very valley of the battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:14).

Day 11
Monday, July 15th  – Netanya and Jaffa

We will journey to Netanya today and see the beautiful Mediterranean Sea and home of our dear guide Paul. From there we make our way to Caesarea Marittima, where Peter took the Gospel to the Gentiles and where Paul was imprisoned before going to Rome. From there we will visit Jaffa (modern day Joppa) said to be one of the oldest seaports in Israel. This is the port by which timber came from the forests of Lebanon to build Solomon’s Temple and the very same city the Jonah fled to when did not want to go to Nineveh, the City of Simon the tanner where Peter stayed ministering to the believers. A farewell diner, looking back and discussing our trip that has made an impact on our lives forever. Overnight in Netanya.

Day 12
Tuesday, July 16th  – Return Home

Although there are a couple exceptions, lunch is the only meal you are not provided (buffet dinners at the hotel for breakfast and dinner). This is due to the locations where we stop and it is much easier to allow our tour members to choose where to eat, spread out (due to time) and it increases the flexibility of our options along the journey.