TCOTW Israel Tour 2012 Detailed Itinerary

TCOTW Israel Tour 2012 Detailed Itinerary

Tuesday, June 12
Depart from Los Angeles around 1:30 p.m. on the El Al Israel Airline non-stop flight to Tel Aviv.
Wednesday, June 13
After arriving in Israel around 2:00 p.m. at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, meet our English-speaking guide Gilla Treibich (Ghee-luh Tray-bick) and driver of our deluxe coach for brief sightseeing in the Tel Aviv/Joppa area before going to our hotel on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Thursday, June 14
You may want to do some shell-seeking on the beach outside our hotel before we head up the coast to Caesarea Maritime, the artificial harbor and city built by Herod the Great. A restored Roman theater where proof of the historical existence of Pontius Pilate was found is a highlight at Caesarea, along with a Crusader fortress built during an earlier war with Muslims and an aqueduct built by Herod the Great.

Continue north to Mt Carmel for a breathtaking view of the Jezreel valley from the spot where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Drive through the lush valley to Megiddo, the always strategic city in biblical history and biblical Armageddon (Rev. 16:16). Drive into the Galilee and visit Jesus' boyhood city of Nazareth and Sepphoris, which was the Roman capital of Galilee. Check into our hotel for a three-night stay in Tiberias, the modern capital of Galilee on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Friday, June 15
Sail on the Sea of Galilee in an enlarged version of the boats used by Jesus and his fishermen disciples. Re-experience the challenging and comforting words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount at the Mt of Beatitudes. At Capernaum, where Jesus based his 18-month Galilean ministry, stand within the foundations of the synagogue where He preached and healed and see the house of Peter's family where He stayed. Tabgha recalls the miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. You will have the optional opportunity at lunch to try St Peter's Fish, the same variety netted by the apostles. There will be opportunity for those who desire to be baptized in the Jordan River.

Saturday, June 16
Traverse northern Israel today, including Caesarea Philippi, center of Roman might and pagan worship in Jesus' time, where He challenged his disciples then and now, "Who do men-and you-say that I am." Explore one example of that Roman might in the recently-excavated Palace of Agrippa. Continue to the northernmost city of biblical Israel, Dan, and see the excavated gates that Abraham entered as he first journeyedthrough the Promised Land. In the beautiful and strategically-vital Golan Heights, look over into Syria and the Damascus Road. Two highlights of the day are Tel Hazor, largest archaeological site in Israel where the remains of 20 cities have been uncovered on top of each other, and Chorazim where Jesus' preaching was rejected and, prophetically, the city destroyed.

Sunday, June 17
Start heading south in the Jordan Valley, stopping first at Bet Shean, where the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hung by the Philistines. A Decapolis city in Jesus' day, Bet Shean was both destroyed and saved by an earthquake-as archaeologists have now done a fantastic job restoring the ruins. At Gideon's Spring, see where the biblical hero winnowed his troops according to the Lord's command. Before entering Jerusalem, drink in the breathtaking views from a panoramic overlook and be welcomed to the Holy City by a special Hebrew ceremony. Check into your deluxe hotel for seven nights.

Monday, June 18
Begin your exploration of Jerusalem with a special worship service on the very Southern Steps to the Temple that Jesus taught on during the last days before His Passion. Pray at the Western (or Wailing) Wall. At the Israel Museum, get an orientation to the city as it was in Jesus' day at a huge and amazingly detailed outdoor scale model, then study the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book.

Tuesday, June 19

A free day for your own interests or relaxation. Pastors Mark and Dan will lead those who wish to some of their favorite spots in the ancient walled city, including the vibrant pedestrian shopping and entertainment mall at Ben Yehuda Street.

Wednesday, June 20
Travel through the Shepherds' Fields to Bethlehem, where a silver star marks the traditional spot of Jesus' birth in a grotto at the Church of the Nativity (oldest continually-worshiping church in the world, where Jerome first translated the Bible into a modern language in the grotto beneath the church that you will visit). Shop for special Holy Land souvenirs at an olive-wood Factory, then into Philistine territory to pick up five smooth stones, as David did, in the Valley of Elah. Lachish is an awesome excavation, as the second most important city in the southern kingdom of Judah, especially in the biblical narrative of the battles of Joshua, Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar.

Thursday, June 21
Drive through the lunar landscape of the Judean Wilderness on the way to the Dead Sea, lowest spot on earth with water so salty you cannot sink (bring a swimsuit if you want to try). Ascend by cable car to Masada, the fortress-palace built by Herod the Great, where zealous Jews resisted the might of Rome after the destruction of the Temple. Visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found at Qumran.

Friday, June 22
Explore Temple Mount, where the temples of Solomon and Herod were located, now dominated by a gold-domed Muslim mosque. Actually go under Temple Mount as you explore the famous “Rabbi’s Tunnel.” Pray for the health of loved ones at the healing Pools of Bethesda, then worship in the acoustically-marvelous Crusader Church of St Anne. Another miracle of healing was at the Pool of Siloam, which you will explore, as well as exciting recent discoveries about the origins of Jerusalem when it was "The City of David."

Saturday, June 23
Late check out from hotel, then worship at the Upper Room, then follow Jesus from the crest of the Mount of Olives and down the Palm Sunday path to the Garden of Gethsemane, then to the House of Caiphas, where Peter denied his Lord. In the narrow, winding streets of the Old City, stand at the Lithostrotus, the pavement where Jesus was tormented by the soldiers, then follow traditional sites of His way to the cross.

Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditional site of Calvary and the Tomb, before ending the day at the hillside where nature has hollowed out caves that remind many of Golgotha and celebrate Holy Communion in a beautiful private garden with a gloriously empty tomb where the stone has been rolled away. Have a special farewell banquet in a nice restaurant, then head to airport for the flight home

Sunday, June 24
Depart Israel around 1:00 a.m. for the non-stop flight back to LAX, arriving about 6:30 a.m. the same day.

TCOTW Israel Tour 2012 Travel Insurance

Our tour operator offers an excellent travel insurance policy through the reputable company Travel Guard (though you are welcome to get insurance anywhere else, this policy is offered only as a service . . . and any insurance is entirely optional):

This policy has 100% trip cancellation protection (up to $4000) and up to 150% of the cost of the trip for Atrip interruption, @ plus the following:

ü  Travel delay, up to $750 ($150 maximum per day)

ü  Missed Connection $250

ü  Baggage and personal effects loss: $1000 (lost, stolen, or damaged)

ü  Baggage delay, up to $300

ü  Medical expense $25,000

ü  Emergency Medical Transportation $500,000

All policy premiums are age based:
under 35 = $155 | 3559 = $171 | 6069 = $251 | 7074 = $421 | 7579 = $462 | 80-84 = $587 | 85+ = $639

Important: anyone on Medicare should be aware that Medicare does not cover treatment resulting from international travel.

If you purchase this policy within 15 days of when the tour operator receives your first payment, it does cover "preexisting conditions" for yourself or for immediate family not traveling (if the immediate family member=s health problem might cause you to cancel). In general terms, "preexisting condition" means a medical problem that first occurred or had significant change leading to change in treatment in the 180 days prior to making your first tour deposit or payment. IMPORTANT: If you want preexisting condition coverage, you must sign up for coverage within 15 days of the day the tour operator receives your first payment.

If you want any insurance, our tour operator Dr Ron Cansler will be pleased to make the arrangements for you. He will need the following information:

§  Credit Card Type Visa MasterCard Discover AMEX

§  Card number ______

§  Expiration date of card ______

§  Name on card ______

§  Billing address ______

§  Phone number ______

§  Your birth date(s) ______

§  Email address (if applicable) ______

Please send the above information to or call 417.499.8685

______
If you decide NOT to take travel insurance, return this waiver to Tionna Cunningham at The Church On The Way:
“I understand that I will be fully and personally responsible for the cancellation and trip interruption penalties and expenses as set out in the tour brochure ‘terms and conditions’ since I have declined to purchase travel insurance.

Date: ______Signature: ______

TCOTW Israel Tour 2012 Terms and Conditions

U.S. passport valid through December, 2012, is required; anyone with non-U.S. passport, please contact tour operator.

Payment schedule: $300 deposit required to guarantee a place on the tour. Second payment of $1700 is due February 1. Final payment is due May 1. Credit cards may be used for second and final payments with a non-refundable 5% processing fee, which will show up on credit card statements from Rafi Shelef Tourism, Tel Aviv.

Tour price includes . . .

Air transportation is scheduled on El Al non-stop flights from and back to LAX, economy class. Cancellations after the air tickets have been issued are subject to a cancellation penalty as imposed by the airline. Estimated air taxes and fees of $601 included but may change up or down. Please note: frequent flyer miles or credit card points cannot be used to purchase or upgrade air tickets; however, if you arrange your own airfare, you can deduct $1500 from the brochure price.

Accommodations in superior hotels with private bath. Extra cost for anyone staying in a single room $905.

Meals daily buffet breakfasts and dinners in hotels or restaurants.

Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary, including entrance fees and services of English-speaking guide.

One regular-sized suitcase per person, maximum 50 pounds, is currently allowed free of charge plus one airline approved "underseat" bag. Tour organizers accept no liability for loss or damage to any baggage.

All tips to guide, driver, hotel and restaurant personnel, and porters are included.

Tour price does not include wines, liquors, bottled water, coffee or tea not part of menu; sightseeing or services not specifically mentioned or noted as optional; baggage charges implemented by airlines.

Sea of Galilee seen from Mt Arbel

Cancellation policy: No penalty for written cancellations received before January 1. Written cancellations received January 1-30 are subject to a $300 per person cancellation fee. Written cancellations received February 1-March 15 are subject to a 25% cancellation fee of the total tour price. Written cancellations received March 16-May 30 are subject to a 50% cancellation fee of the total tour price. Written cancellations received after May 30, are subject to a 100% cancellation fee of the total tour price per person. No refund made for missed services while on tour. In addition to the above cancellation fees, airline tickets are not refundable once issued. We recommend the purchase of travel insurance, especially since Healthcare and Medical Costs outside the USA are not covered by Medicare; information on travel insurance available on written request.

Brochure price based on minimum 42 passengers and VAT policy and shekel/dollar currency exchange rate as of August 1, 2011.

Responsibility: Pastor Dan Hicks, Tionna Cunningham, The Church On The Way, and Dr. Ronald L. Cansler dba Escorted Travel Concepts, LLC, and their agents act only in the capacity of agents in all matters, and as such, are not responsible for any damage, expense, or inconvenience caused by late plane arrival or departure or by any change of schedule or other condition, nor the loss of or damage to any person or property from any cause whatsoever. The sponsoring organization reserves the right to withdraw the tour at any time, or make changes in the published itinerary whenever in their sole judgment conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the tour. Services of any regularly-scheduled jet carrier may be used on this tour. Payment of deposit by tour participants indicates acceptance of above terms and conditions.

To register, $300 per person check should be made out to “Escorted Travel concepts” and mailed to Tionna Cunningham at The Church On The Way, 14300 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405. You may contact The Church On The Way at 818.779.8310 or email Tionna at .
Or contact the Tour Operator, Ronald Cansler directly at 417.499.8685 or email