Isn’t it time you finally took that trip to the Lands of the Bible? Won’t you come and join us next May as we tour Jordan and Israel for two weeks? By request of various of you we have revised our itinerary since the situation in Egypt continues to be unsettled, and we have lowered the cost to accommodate more of you. We have exactly 40 spots total on our bus, and already a good number of people have signed up. Below you will find all the information you need to make a decision about coming. Here as well are some answers to frequently asked questions—-
What’s the difference between this tour, and others? On this tour you get a NT scholar lecturing at the archaeological and religious sites. On other tours you have local tour guides many of whom don’t know what they are talking about, and do no know the Bible or Biblical history very well.
Why go in May? Tours of the Holy Lands in winter are cheaper for a reason. The weather is seldom ideal. There is rain and wind, and it is cold. If you are going to take the trip of a life time, go at the right time of year—- after the rainy season, and before the summer heat becomes unbearable. That puts you in May. In May, you can have a Kodak moment every day, as there will be no rain.
Why does the trip cost what it does? Jet fuel is a major factor, but also I refuse to compromise on the quality of the tour— we stay in very good hotels with excellent food, have excellent bus drivers and local facilitators and our transportation will be in air conditioned splendor. We’ll save the sweating for the sites themselves. Many other tours make the mistake of touring during the day, and then lecturing to people at night, and the tour groups are far far too large. I don’t take groups larger than one bus load, and your evenings will be free to rest up and relax for the next day’s touring. This is supposed to be a pilgrimage for Christians not a herding of cattle through tour sites. A good time will be had by all. Sign up with Levent Oral now!
Organized by
Tour Host: Dr. Ben Witherington
Israel & Jordan
MAY 15-30, 2012
Tour Itinerary:
May 15 Tue Depart New York – Fly Tel Aviv
May 16 Wed Arrive Tel Aviv – Tiberias
Arriving at Tel Aviv early morning, we travel to Tiberias on the Sea
of Galilee, and have breakfast and some rest. This day is dedicated
to the early teaching and preaching of Jesus. We visit the Mount of
Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), then we
drive to Tabgha, site of the miracle of Loaves and Fishes. At Capernaum,
The town where Christ began His ministry, we board a boat
and sail to Ginnosar (Gennesaret, Matthew 11:34), where a 2000 year
old fishermen’s boat was discovered and restored and is now exhibited.
We drive by Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2)
for a magnificent view of the Sea of Galilee from the top of Mount
Arbel. Then we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
May 17 Thu Sea of Galilee area
Today we drive north and visit Mahanaim where Jacob met the
angels of God (Genesis 32:3). Then we go to Hatzor, the town conquered,
destroyed and burnt by Joshua (Joshua 11). On to the city of
Dan (Joshua 19:47) with its magnificently preserved temple. Then to
Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked his disciples “Whom do men
say that I the Son of man am?” and Peter confessed to Jesus that
Jesus was the Anointed (Matthew 16:16). On our way back to the
Sea of Galilee we drive by Chorazin (Matthew 11:21). Dinner and
overnight at our hotel. (B,D)
May 18 Fri Sea of Galilee area
This morning we drive to Mount Tabor, where Barak assembled his
army before attacking Sisera (Judges 4). On to Nazareth, Home of
the Holy Family. We visit Mount Precipice, the Basilica of the Annunciation
and Mary’s Well. Then we go to Nazareth Village which
is a reconstructed ancient village that depicts life as it was in ancient
times. We then drive by the site of Megiddo (Armageddon) to the
Muhraqa, the summit of Mount Carmel, where Elijah defeated the
prophets of the Baal (1 Kings 18). From here we continue to Haifa, the
port city, and enjoy the panoramic outlook from the Bahai Gardens..
Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B,D)
May 19 Sat Sea of Galilee area
Today we leave the Galilee and drive to Jerusalem through the Jordan Valley.
At the foot of Mount Gilbo’a we recall the last battle of
King Saul against the Philistines (1 Samuel 31). Mount Gilbo’a was
cursed by David when he mourned Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1).
Then we go to the Well of Harod, where Gideon selected his warriors
before the battle against the Midianites (Judges 7). From here
we go to visit Jezreel, home of Naboth the Jezreelite, where we
recall the story of the Vineyard of Naboth, King Ahab and his wife
Jezebel (1 Kings 21).
We will later have the afternoon to relax at the Sachne natural pools.
Dinner & overnight at our hotel. (B,D)
May 20 Sun Jerusalem
We visit Beth Shean and drive south along the Jordan Valley. We
will pass by the Jordan River baptismal site where John the Baptist
baptized Christ (Matthew 3), and lookout over Jericho, the first town
in the Promised Land which was conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6).
Then we drive to the Dead Sea. We visit En Gedi where David hid
in a cave from King Saul who was chasing him with 3,000 men (1
Samuel 24). On to Masada, where we ascend to the cliff that symbolizes
the heroism of the Jews in their resistance to the Roman occupation.
After coming down from Masada, we will stop at a Dead
Sea beach. Then we start heading uphill to the City of Gold. Dinner
& overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. (B,D)
May 21 Mon Jerusalem
After breakfast at our hotel we drive to the Mount of Olives for
a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Then we visit the Church of the
Ascension, Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, Garden of Gethsemane
and Church of all Nations. We drive to the City of David and visit
Hezekiah’s tunnel and the Pool of Siloam. From there we enter the
Old City’s walls and visit the Ophel Archaeological Garden and Davidson
Centre. On to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, the
most sacred site in Judaism, as it is the only relic of the destroyed
temple. We go through the Western Wall Tunnel and later visit the
Jewish Quarter. Proceeding to Mount Zion, we visit the Tomb of
King David and the Upper Room (Cenacle). Dinner and overnight in
Jerusalem. (B,D)
May 22 Tue May 22 Tue
Jerusalem
This morning we go to Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus Christ and the
town of Naomi and Boaz (Ruth). We visit the Church of the Nativity.
We return to Jerusalem and continue to the Pool of Bethesda and
Saint Anne and walk through the Via Dolorosa and visit the Ecce
Homo convent and the Church of Holy Sepulcher. In the afternoon
we go to have a communion at the Garden Tomb, before returning
to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
May 23 Wed Jerusalem
In the morning we visit Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the
Book with the Dead Sea Scrolls and the renovated Model of the
Second Temple. We continue to the historical museum at the Yad
Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Then we drive west of Jerusalem to
Kiriat Jearim where the Arc of the Lord stayed after it was returned
by the Philistines (1 Samuel 7). We will then spend a “Shabbath of
a Liftime”- a special program with a Jewish orthodox families for
home hospitality and dinner. (B,D)
May 24 Thu Jerusalem – Eilat – Red Sea
We drive to the Valley of Elah where young David defeated the giant
Philistine Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Here we revive this famous event step
by step with open Bibles. Continue to Tel Sheva. In the afternoon we
travel through the Negev desert to Eilat, on the shores of the Red
Sea. (B,D)
May 25 Fri Eilat – Red Sea
A day for leisure and study at Eilat hotel. (B,D)
May 26 Sat Cross to Jordan – Petra
Crossing the border from Israel in Eilat and traveling via Aqaba to
Wadi Rum, a desert tour in 4X4 Jeep’s.
Leave Wadi Rum to Petra , dinner and over night. (B,D)
May 27 Sun Petra
A full day tour at the Nabatean wonder city of Petra. We walk along
the narrow gorge of the “siq” and visit the magnificent temples
carved in the red sand stone. Overnight at Petra. (B,D)
May 28 Mon Petra – Amman
Leave Petra to Amman Via Kings Highway. and visit enroute Mount
Nebo and the Mosaic Map at ST George in Madaba , proceed to
Amman. (B,D)
May 29 Tue Jerash – Amman
Drive north to visit the Greco-Roman site in Jerash. Return to Amman
for a brief city tour. Overnight in Amman. (B,D)
May 30 Wed Amman Airport – Fly back to New York
Transfer to Amman airport for your flight back home. End of our
services.
THE TOTAL TOUR RATES:
$4,190 Per Person in Double Room
$690 Single Room Supplement
INCLUDING
• International Air between New York-TEL AVIV & AMMAN-New York
• Meet and assist upon arrival and departure
• 4 nights at 3 star Dona Gracia Hotel in Tiberias
• 4 nights at 3 star Gate Hotel in Jerusalem
• 2 nights at 3 star Adi Hotel in Eilat
• 2 nights at 3 star Amra Palace Hotel in Petra
• 2 nights at 3 star Al Liwan Hotel in Amman
• Daily breakfast and 14 dinners at the hotels
• Entrance fees to sites as per itinerary
• Licensed English speaking Tour Guide throughout tour
• Transportation in air-conditioned tourist coach during tour
• Tips to hotel staff
• Border taxes
• Group visa to Jordan
EXCLUDING
• Lunches and drinks
• Tips to Tour Guide, Bus Driver (expected minimum 8 USD per day/person)
• Health or travel insurance
• Any type of personal expenses
• Any expenses not mentioned on the above “included” list
PAYMENT PROCEDURE:
1. $200 per person Deposit for the airline: November 5, 2011
This is a refundable deposit. No LAND pre-payment is requested at
this stage.
2. Full Payment : February 6, 2012
We also need the final Rooming and Name list. The full payment
(BALANCE) must be wired to our below bank account;
15 Days prior to departure:
You will receive all the travel documents and the Flight tickets of all
tour participants. We hope you can deliver the flight tickets to tour
members. We will meet you at Istanbul Airport.
Cancellation Penalty:
-90-60 days prior to departure: No Penalty
-59-45 days prior to departure: 10%
-44-30 days prior to departure: 25%
-29-15 days prior to departure: 50%
-14-7 days prior to departure: 75%
-6 days & After No refund
Air Cancellation Policy: We will be liable to Airlines standard rules for
any name changes, dates changes or cancellations.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance may be given as a separate package at an extra cost.
Travel Insurance agreement is contract between the traveller and the
Insurance Company (American Express or other).
For Registration and Payment, please contact;
Levent Oral
Tel: + 90 (232) 441 86 76
Fax: Fax: +90 (232) 441 86 36
info@tutkutours.com
www.tutkutours.com
REGISTRATION FORM *
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Name :
Title : Preferred Name:
Mr. Mrs. Ms. Rev. Dr. If different than above
Street Address:
PO Box:
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Home Phone: /
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PLEASE CHECK ITEMS BELOW AS APPROPRIATE:
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* Registration information can be emailed to info@tutkutours.com
www.tutkutours.com
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