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GCT's From The Cradle To The Cross Tour of Israel

GCT Logo Thurs Mar 26, 2009 to Sat Apr 2, 2009

Departure from Atlanta (Hartsfield Int'l Airport)


You’ve thought about it. You’ve prayed about it. You’ve dreamed of all the things you would see and do in the Holy Land. And now, here is your opportunity! .

We’ll walk along the streets of Jerusalem and hear the sounds of the marketplace ringing in our ears. We’ll stand in the synagogue at Capernaum and see Peter’s house just a stone’s throw away, the very place where Jesus healed the man lowered before Him on mat. We’ll ride across the Sea of Galilee and imagine what the disciples must have felt as they watched Jesus walk across the water. We’ll stand at Calvary, and remember the greatest gift ever given; and then walk to the empty tomb and celebrate His victory!

 

Highlights:
Visit the Western Wall
Visit Yad Vashem for Holocaust Memorial
Float on the Dead Sea
Cable car ride
up to the top of Massada
Private transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to your Hotel in Tel Aviv and from the Hotel in Jerusalem to the Airport


Itinerary - From The Cradle to the Cross

El Al Airplane
El Al Airplane
  Day 1 - Thursday March 26, 2009

En Route
Today we’ll leave onboard our flight to Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
  Day 2 - Friday March 27, 2009

WELCOME TO ISRAEL!
Tel Aviv

Upon your arrival in Israel, you'll complete your customs formalities and then meet your driver to be transferred to your luxurious Tel Aviv hotel.

After you're comfortably settled, enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll along the blue Mediterranean Sea.


Tel Aviv
Nazareth
  Day 3 - Saturday March 28, 2009

Coastal Route

After enjoying a delicious Israeli breakfast, we’ll drive along the Mediterranean Coast to the 5000 year old port city of Jaffa. Here Jonah sought to escape God’s call and Peter had his rooftop vision before his call to Caesarea.

We’ll drive northwards up the Mediterranean coast. First we’ll visit ancient Caesarea, site of Paul and Peter’s experiences on the Mediterranean Coast. From there we’ll visit Mount Carmel and Muhraka to witness the location of Elijah’s contest with Jezebel’s false prophets of Ba’al. Here we’ll be able to view the Jezreel Valley.

We’ll travel to Meggido, the site of 21 battles from the Old Testament and where it says in the Book of Revelation the final battle between good and evil will take place. Here we’ll also get to explore Canaanite ruins and the “Chariot Cities” of Kings Solomon and Ahab.

Next we’ll visit Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood home. We’ll descend to the Sea of Galilee to our hotel.


Overnight, Tiberias.


Tabgha
Tabgha

 

 

Capernaum
Capernaum

  Day 4 - Sunday March 29, 2009

Sea of Galilee / The Foot-Steps of Jesus

After breakfast we’ll depart for Tiberias where we’ll take a morning Boat Tour of the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

We’ll visit Migdal, the home of Mary Magdalene and see the “Jesus Boat” at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar.

We’ll drive the plain of Ginosar to Tabgha where Jesus “multiplied the loaves and fish.” Next on our stop is the Mount of Beatitudes.

We’ll proceed to the basalt synagogue at Chorazin to see where Jesus taught and see the “Seat of Moses.” We’ll view the Natural Amphitheater where Jesus also taught, and we’ll visit Capernaum, home of the synagogue of Jesus’ ministry and miracles.

Next we’ll cross the Jordan River and visit Bethsaida, home of Peter, Andrea, James and John. We’ll also see the Decapolis and Kursi where Jesus cast the demons out of a man into a heard of swine.

We’ll then visit Zippori (Sepphoris), the Roman capital of the Galilee in Jesus’ day where Jesus attended Yeshiva (Jewish Seminary). Then it’s on to Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle of changing water into wine.

Overnight in Tiberias.


Haifa - Bahai Hanging Gardens
Golan Heights
  Day 5 - Monday March 30, 2009

Hula Basin / Upper Galilee / Golan

This morning we’ll pass ancient Hazor through the Hula Basin, known in the Old Testament as the Waters of Merom. We’ll hike in the Dan Nature Preserve and view the rushing Headwaters of the Jordan River.

We’ll then visit the Dan of the Old Testament, known as the “Hill of the Judge” to explore the incredible excavations and altar where the golden calf was worshipped by Israel under King Jereboam.

From there we’ll take a bus to Caesarea Philippi where Peter said to Jesus “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Next we’ll drive to the Golan Heights where we’ll overlook the Jordan Valley and learn about the Golan Arab/Israel conflict (1948-1967).

We’ll see Mt. Hermon where our Lord was Transfigured and drive along the ancient Damascus Road where Rabbi Saul met Jesus and accepted him as Savior and Lord. We’ll visit Qazrin and its reconstructed New Testament village.

Overnight in Tiberias.


Masada
Masada

 

 

Qumran
Qumran

  Day 6 - Tuesday March 31, 2009

Wilderness of Judea / Masada /Dead Sea / Jerusalem

After breakfast we’ll drive down the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean, an amazing New Testament Roman city with temples, baths, and a black basalt theater.

Driving along the Jordan Valley, with Jordan on our east and the Mountains of Samaria on our west, we’ll pass the oasis of Old Testament Jericho where Joshua led Israel in the siege of the city, and down to the Dead Sea. This is the lowest place on Earth and the site where John was baptized in Jordan at the mouth of the Sea.

We will view and discuss the location of ancient Gilgal, Israel’s largest all Jewish city in history; on our right will be the awesome Wilderness of Judea.

We will visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin boy. Our guide will share discoveries relating to Essene Qumran. We’ll overlook the ancient oasis of Ein Gedi (the Goat’s Rocks), where David hid from King Saul.

Finally, we’ll tour the fortress at Massada, one of the most important places in Israel’s history. Learn the incredible story of the Jewish Freedom Fighters who held out against the Romans in 73A.D. The story of the struggle, the excavations, and the view from the top is one unforgettable highlight of our tour. In late afternoon we will drive up to Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem.



 

Gethsemane
Gethsemane

 

 

Jerusalem
Jerusaelm

  Day 7 - Wednesday April 1, 2009

Jerusalem: The Holy City

From the Mount of Olives our guide will share the geography and history of Jerusalem. This vivid lecture overlooks where it happened, the Kidron Valley, the Temple Area, and The Holy City.

We’ll descend the Mount of Olives by the path of Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into the Kidron Valley, visit Garden of Gethsemane discussing Jesus’ suffering and his “Passion Week.” Before us is the Golden Gate of the Temple Area, as when Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24.

We’ll then visit the House of Caiphas, the place of Jesus’ early trials when Peter denied Him.

Afterwards we'll view the Valley of the Cheesemaker, the Valley of Hinnon, the Field of Blood, where Judas took his life, Gehennah, and the Ophel, King David’s capital city.

Mount Zion is next, including a visit to David’s Tomb and the Upper Room, the traditional site of Jesus’ last Passover meal, or the Lord’s Supper.

We’ll then enter the city through Jaffa Gate and visit the Citadel Museum of Herod’s Palace at “David’s Tower.”

In the afternoon drive to Bethlehem, Shepherds fields

Overnight in Jerusalem.


Church of the Holy SepulchreChurch of the
Holy Sepulchre

  Day 8 - Thursday April 2, 2009

Jerusalem: The Old City

Today we’ll discover more of the Old City of Jerusalem. First we’ll explore the Rabbinical Tunnels behind the Western Wall. We’ll then see the Temple Mount.

After a visit to the Lions’ Gate and the Pools of Bethesda, we’ll then visit the Tower of Antonia, the Praetorium, and Pilate’s Judgement Hall. Here our Lord was tried by Pilate, beaten by the Roman Cohort, and took up His Cross for Calvary.

The Ecce Homo begins the traditional Via Dolorosa leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Visit the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo, the Temple Institute, the Herodian Quarter, the Burnt House, and Nehemiah’s Wall. Afterwards we’ll explore the Southern Wall Excavations and depart the old city by the Dung Gate.

We will conclude the day with a Special Service at the Garden Tomb.

Overnight in Jerusalem.


Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem
  Day 9 - Friday April 3, 2009

Jerusalem: The Old City / Departure

This morning we’ll be exploring the New City of Jerusalem. First we’ll see the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, and the Bronze Menorah in front of the building. See the Model of First Century Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum.

We’ll visit Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum.

This evening we’ll enjoy a Farewell Meal in a restaurant, and then transfer to the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for our flight home.



El Al Airplane
El Al Airplane
  Day 10 - Saturday Apriul 4, 2009

En Route

Transfer to your flight back to North America.


Note: All itineraries are subject to change
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Included services in our tour rates:

  1. AIRFARE:
    (for those purchasing airfare) Roundtrip airfare departing from and returning to Atlanta Hartsfield via Delata Airlines and/or El Al.
  2. MEALS:
    Full Israeli breakfast daily, 7 hotels dinners.
  3. SIGHTSEEING:
    7 full days of guided touring in our luxury, air-conditioned motor coaches, all entrance fees for all sights we enter, cable car ride up and down at Masada, and a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
  4. PORTERAGE:
    1 piece of luggage per person at each hotel and airport (where available)

Not included services in our tour rates:

  • AIRPORT TAXES & FUEL SURCHARGE:
  • As charged by the airline at time of ticketing.
  • GRATUITIES:
    Tips to guide/driver and hotel staff of $102 per person. No additional tipping will be required during the tour.
  • LUNCHES:
    En route on sightseeing days.
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE:
    Which is HIGHLY RECCOMENDED.CLICK HERE for rates and information.
  • PERSONAL EXPENSES:
    All those expenses individual to each passenger, including souvenirs, laundry services, valet service, phone calls, etc..

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