On 11 May 2013 (Saturday) to 25 May 2013 (Saturday) Prof. Guy Jackson and myself will be offering an extended tour of Israel that will integrate the most beautiful and popular sites, sounds, and tastes of Israel, and have opportunities for relaxation and reflection at places such as the Sea of Galilee, the Red Sea, and Jerusalem. The temperatures are excellent and the flowers and trees are in full bloom. This tour will begin with the ancient city of Joppa (e.g., the City of Jonah). Afterwards, we will make our way to Akko (a medieval crusader city) where we will stay our first two nights. Our first full day will begin by exploring Caesarea, Megiddo, Mount Carmell, and Akko. The day will end with an opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. The second day we will take a cable car down to the magnificent "Caves of Rosh HaNiqra," explore the Dan Nature Preserve, see Caesarea Philippi, Gamla, crusader's Nimrod's Castle, and journey through Golan Heights, as we make our way to the En Gev Holiday Village (Kibbutz) on the very edge of the Sea of the Galilee. Ein Gev is one of the most beautiful places one can stay. There you will have the opportunity to watch the sunrise and sunset over the Sea of Galilee, reflect, and pray. Many of the young people like to take the opportunity to swim in this beautiful sea.
For a few days we will see sights all around the this life-transforming Sea, such as Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Ancient Galilee Goat, Chorazin, Kursi, Spring of Harod, and Mount Arbel. One day we will explore some of the incredible Roman ruins one could ever walk through: Bet She'an. We will also have a time of worship as we take a boat out on the Sea of Galilee. We will meditate, listen, and soak it all in. But we will also offer a baptismal service at the Jordan River for believers who are interested in making their Christian faith public.
Then after these life-changing experiences around and on the Sea of Galilee, we will venture south towards the Dead Sea. On our way we will look down at Jericho (which is not too far away from Jerusalem). We will go to Qumran, hike through the most beautiful desert oasis, Ein Gedi, and then drive down to Eilat. Eilat is located on the Red Sea; this was the location of King's Solomon's fleet. Not only will we spend some time in the Red Sea, but we will also see Solomon's ancient copper mines and trace the footsteps of the Israelites as we visit the "Tabernacle in the wilderness." At this location people can go snorkeling and see the incredible beauty within the Red Sea. The wide arrays of colors and marine life rivals any Caribbean vacation. For those scuba certified, you will have the opportunity to do some diving. I know I will personally be doing an afternoon dive and a night dive.
After our time around the Red Sea we will visit the home of Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion (sde Boker), and journey through the wilderness of Zin and Paran, visit Maktesh Ramon, a geological wonderland, as we make our way to the Dead Sea. For those interested, we will take a swim in the Dead Sea and check into our lodging at a Jewish kibbutz. The next day we will go up a cable car to Masada, visit, Arad (look at the remains of a temple patterned after God's temple in Jerusalem), and see Beersheba.
After Beersheba, we make our journey up to Jerusalem. Our home for the rest of our time will be within the old city gates. We will go to places like the Mt. of Olives, Dominus Flevit, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Southern steps of the Temple, the Temple Mount, City of David Excavations, Pools of Siloam, Hezekiah's Tunnel, the Herodian Mansion, the Upper Room, the Roman Cardo, Antonio's Fortress, Rabbinical Tunnel, Pools of Bethseda, the Western Wall, the Garden Tomb, and Church of Holy Sepulchre. We will also take the opportunity to visit Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the 6 million Jews who were killed in the European Holocaust.
But we will continue to venture outside of Jerusalem, going to places like Elah Valley (where David killed Goliath),Beth Shemesh, and Bet Guvrin (see the incredible Bell Caves). One of the most unique and fantastic experiences we will have is participating in an archeological dig. Those who have traveled with us in the past claim that this is one of their all-time favorite experiences! It is unlike anything you could possibly imagine.
Our last evening will be one whereby we visit the Western Wall and experience the exciting atmosphere as we watch the orthodox Jews usher in Shabbat at their most sacred site.
So, if you are interested in this 15 day trip, please contact me and I can give you further details at paul.shockley@cbshouston.edu.
To be sure, both of these tours compliment one another. So if you are interested in joining Dr. Stephen Bramer and myself for December 26 2012 - 6 January 2013 and the extended May tour with Prof. Guy Jackson and I, arrangements can be made. Though we will be visiting some of the same places on both trips, longings will emerge to see those same places again. To be sure, both trips are unique, and both are open to anyone who has never been to Israel before.
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