"HOLY LAND 2019" (for vcc members only)

Join us as we sail the Sea of Galilee, the area where Jesus conducted most of His earthly ministry. Visit Mt. Carmel where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. See the Valley of Armageddon, where the world as we know it will come to a end. Spend a few moments at the Wailing (Western) Wall where Jews pray daily for various reasons, including the coming of the Messiah.

***ITINERARY***

ISRAEL TRIP 2019 | Dates are November 4-12, 2019. The price is $3698 per person based on double occupancy (This covers airfare from New York to Tel Aviv, hotel accommodations, tours, breakfast and dinner. Insurance is optional and extra. You will be responsible for transportation to New York. A group trip from Charlotte to New York will be organized for those interested.) For single occupancy it is an additional $600 per person.

Please “STATE YOUR INTEREST” on one of the forms below. DAY 1 NEW YORK - Monday – Nov 4, 2019

Depart from a New York area gateway to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast are served on board

DAY 2 GALILIEE – Tuesday - Nov 5, 2019

Upon arrival at the Tel Aviv airport, we transfer to our hotel in the Galilee for dinner and overnight. Already we begin to feel the spirit of this land enchanting us, as we will be visiting sites from the Bible and share the experience of walking in the footsteps of Jesus. (D)

DAY 3 GALILEE – Wednesday - Nov 6, 2019

Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginnosar where we visit the fishermen's boat found here that dates to Jesus' time, continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. On to Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and to Capernaum, the center of the Lord's early ministry. Drive along the lower Galilee Mountains to Cana, site of the wedding feast. Next we visit Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth and tour Nazareth Village a re-creation of the city at the time of Jesus. Visit the Church of Annunciation and Mary's Well. We continue on to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 4 JERUSALEM – Thursday - Nov 7, 2019

This morning we drive along the Sea of Galilee and arrive at Yardenit, the Baptismal Center on the Jordan River. From here we drive to Mount Carmel to visit the Carmelite Monastery at Muhkraka, the location of Elijah's altar. We continue via the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation of Tel Megiddo and drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman theater and aqueduct. We ascend the Judean Hills to arrive at the Holy city of Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 5 JERUSALEM – Friday - Nov 8, 2019

Departing Jerusalem we drive to the inn of the "Good Samaritan" and continue to the shores of the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. We drive along the shore to Masada, the fortress where the Jewish Zealots held off the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing suicide over surrender. Continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. After lunch, we enjoy a short "float” on the Dead Sea. Continue to Qumran where in 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in cave. Afterwards we return to Jerusalem. (B, D)

DAY 6 JERUSALEM – Saturday - Nov 9, 2019

We start the day with visit of Garden Tomb, followed by an orientation beside Calvary. Travel to the Old City, through St. Stephen's Gate to the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch. View the Gabbatha pavement then proceed to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah to visit the Western Wall. Continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa. In the afternoon drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, Shepherds Field, the Milk Grotto and the cave of St. Jerome. (B, D)

DAY 7 JERUSALEM – Sunday - Nov 10, 2019

Drive to the Old City for visit of the City of David and the Ophel archaeological park, where we see the Pinnacle and visit the new visitors' center dedicated to research of the Biblical Temple .Then visit the Temple Institute to see the vestments and artifacts being prepared for the future Third Temple.  After we continue on to Pantry Packers® introduces a bold new concept called Tikkun Olam Tourism® – an exciting 90 minute hands-on opportunity for overseas tourists to pack commodity food staples for Israel’s poorest families. (B, D)

DAY 8 JERUSALEM – Monday - Nov 11, 2019

Drive to Mount Scopus to view the impressive home of the Hebrew University. Then drive to the Mt. of Olives for an outstanding view of Jerusalem. See the Kidron Valley and Tomb of Absalom, Zechariah and James. Visit to Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations Visit the Chapel of the Ascension. We continue to Mount Zion, the Room of the Last Supper, and King David's Tomb, and past the Knesset and the Israel Museum. Next visit the recently constructed Model of Ancient Jerusalem. Then we will visit Friends of Zion Museum.  Enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport. (B, D)

DAY 9 NEW YORK – Monday - Nov 12, 2019

Today our journey ends with good memories as we head home. Arrival the same day.