Personal
Freedom Outreach Director G. Richard Fisher
Invites You to Join His
Journey Through the Land of
Israel
April 16-29, 2007 • Only $3460 from
Newark, NJ
Tour Itinerary:
Call today for your
free color brochure:
(732) 477-6577
Monday, April 16
Early afternoon departure from Newark for the non-stop flight to Israel
on El Al Israel Airline.
Tuesday, April 17
Morning arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. After
meeting your English-speaking guide and boarding your deluxe private
coach, tour ancient Jaffa (biblical Joppa), where Jonah fled from his
responsibility and where Peter had his vision opening the church to the
gentiles. Ascend to the top of Tel Aviv s iconic skyscraper, the Azrieli
Tower for a commanding view of the city and sea, then drive on up the
Mediterranean coast to the seaside resort town of Netanya and your hotel
for the night, the deluxe Seasons. Breakfast and dinner are included in
each hotel daily.
Wednesday,
April 18
Visit Caesarea Maritime, the artificial harbor and port city built by
Herod the Great, including a restored Roman theater and hippodrome (for
chariot races, like Spartacus) and a Crusader fortress from an earlier
war against Islam. Also examine the aqueduct built by Herod to bring
water to Caesarea from the Shuni springs and Alona tunnels near Haifa,
both of which you will see. From atop Mt Carmel, where Elijah challenged
the prophets of Baa), look into the fertile Jezreel Plain, then drive
through the valley on the way to Galilee, stopping in Nazareth to visit
places associated with the Holy Family, including Mary s Well and the
Church of the Annunciation. Dinner tonight will be at the CEF
Headquarters. Our accom¬modation for three nights is the well-known Nof
Ginosar Hotel, right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Thursday,
April 19
Head north into Galilee, stopping at Caesarea Philippi, headwaters of
the Jordan River and center of Roman might and pagan worship when Jesus
asked his disciples, “Who do men—and who do you—say that I am?” A 13th
century fortress now known as Nimrod s Castle has a commanding view of
the border with Lebanon. At the northernmost boundary of biblical
Israel, you will study the very gates Abraham walked through at Dan,
along with and altar to golden calves raised by rebel kings like Ahab.
The village on the camel-backed mountain of Gamla fiercely resisted
Roman might, earning it the title “Masada of the north.” Opportunity for
a baptismal experience at the Jordan River.
Friday,
April 20
Study an actual boat from time of Jesus as it was raised from the Sea of
Galilee by archaeologists, then sail on the Sea of Galilee in an
enlarged version of that very boat. In Capernaum, headquarters for Jesus
Galilean ministry, stand within the foundation of the synagogue where He
taught and healed. The beautiful Church of the Beatitudes overlooking
the Sea of Galilee commemorates the Sermon on the Mount. On the “other
side of the lake,” visit Kursi, where Jesus cleansed a man possessed by
demons. Survey the Golan Heights from the Haruv overlook, then to
Tiberias and the hot mineral springs of Hamat Gader, where you can use
the spa facilities.
Saturday,
April 21
Ascend inverted bowl-shaped Mt Tabor, from where the prophetess Deborah
led her victorious troops and where many believe Jesus was transfigured.
Megiddo (known in the Bible as Armageddon, Rev. 16:16) has been
excavated to display over 20 levels of different civilizations that have
risen and fallen over the millennia, including King Solomon’s chariot
city. Back to Tel Aviv for the short flight to Eilat, Red Sea resort
city, to spend three nights at the well-situated Prima Musique Hotel.
Sunday,
April 22
Cross the border into Jordan and for a day trip to the United Nations
World Heritage Site of Petra, a Nabatean city completely carved into
rosy red stone canyons. The exotic site is has been featured in such
movies as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and a 1998
National Geographic article.
Monday,
April 23
Free morning to enjoy Eilat, then a luncheon cruise (meal included) on
the Red Sea and a visit to marvel at sea life at an underwater
observatory.
Tuesday,
April 24
On the way to the Dead Sea, stop first at the Hai Bar
nature reserve, where rare and endangered animals from the Bible are
being propagated for release into the wild. Solomon s Pillars are a
dramatic geological formation in the area where the rich king mined much
of his wealth and that also has Egyptian ruins from the time of Moses.
Marvel at the dramatic view from the rim of Maktesh Ramon, an erosion
crater that rivals the Grand Canyon. Overnight at the Dead Sea, lowest
spot on earth, staying at the Prima Oasis Spa hotel right on the beach.
Bring a swimsuit to experience the odd sensation of floating in water
30% solid
Wednesday,
April 25
Ascend Masada by cable car, then explore the ruins of the
fortress-palace built by Herod the Great, where zealous Jews held off
for three years the Roman army that had destroyed the Temple. Hike into
the oasis of En Gedi, where David spared the life of King Saul, and
visit the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Travel
up to Jerusalem, stopping for a dramatic overlook of the Holy City
before a drive round the ancient walls and checking into the Prima Kings
hotel for the rest of the trip.
Thursday,
April 26
Thursday, April 26: after a spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem and
Bethlehem from the Haas Promenade, go to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust
Museum. At the Israel Museum, study a very detailed large-scale outdoor
model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, and examine artifacts from the
Dead Sea Scroll discoveries at The Shrine of the Book. Entering the
walled city, pause at the Western (or Wailing Wall), then absorb much of
the history of Jerusalem and Temple Mount at the Wohl and Davidson
Museums ... and in the ruins of an actual house burned along with the
Second Temple.
Friday,
April 27
Walk atop the walls of Jerusalem, then to Bethphage at the heights of
the Mt of Olives, from where you follow Jesus Palm Sunday path, stopping
at the site where the giving of the Lord’s Prayer is commemorated (Pater
Noster) and Dominus Flevit, where “Jesus wept.” Pray in the Garden of
Olives among trees growing from roots going back to Temple days. Explore
Hezekiah s tunnel, carved from stone to bring water into the besieged
city. Visit the original City of David and the traditional site of the
Upper Room and the Last Supper. At the Sisters of Zion Convent, stand on
the actual pavement where Jesus was tormented by His captors.
Saturday,
April 28
Visit the memorial to General Allenby, who liberated Jerusalem and the
Holy Land from the Ottoman Turks in 1917, then to the Biblical Gardens
at Yad Hashmona, where plants and trees and demonstrations of daily life
help make biblical times accessible. Explore Solomon s Quarries, where
many think building stones of the Temple were carved. End the day at the
Gordon s Calvary, where nature has carved out caves on a cliff that many
believe look skeletal, perhaps “Golgotha,” the place of the skull and
crucifixion ... and the neighboring private garden, where a gloriously
empty tomb makes a perfect setting for Holy Communion. After a special
“farewell dinner,” your overnight flight will have you back in Newark
very early morning, Sunday, April 29, with memories of a blessed
trip to the Holy Land to share with loved ones.
Your host, the Reverend G. Richard
Fisher, is the senior research and writer for PFO’s The
Quarterly Journal. He is also the senior
pastor of the Laurelton Park Baptist Church in Brick, NJ
and former Dean of the Central Jersey Bible Institute where he taught subjects ranging from archaeology to Church
history. Pastor Fisher recognizes the prophetic
significance of the modern state of Israel and has
escorted twenty-nine tours to this wonderful country
since 1972. First time and repeat visitor alike are
invited to join Pastor Fisher on what will surely be
another spiritually moving experience in the Holy Land.
