AIT Special Pastors' Tour to Israel 2012

Join our 10 Day Pastors’ Familiarization Journey to the Holy Land

February, 14 - 23, 2012

Dear pastors

We would like to invite you to join our Special Pastors Study Tour.
Leading your church group on a tour to Israel is certainly the most important journey you can offer to your church members. If you are a pastor who never been to Israel  - this tour is FOR YOU. AIT would like to invite you and you spouse on a tour to the Holy Land that you will never forget. Our 10 day pastors' familiarization tour will be packaged with sights, special interests points, and concentrated instruction not included on an ordinary tour. With the assistance of one of the most experienced veteran tour guide in Israel, we promise that not one moment will be wasted.

It is a journey of a lifetime - don’t miss it....

Call toll free 877-248-8687 for more info.

Sincerely,

America Israel Travel Team

Imagine walking along the ancient corridors of Old Jerusalem - exactly where Jesus walked 2000 years ago. Floating in the Dead Sea, viewing the Dead Sea Scrolls, crossing the Sea of Galilee, baptize in the Jordan River and reading the Scripture while overlooking the fields of Bethlehem..

it's all waiting for you to experience!

AIT pastors familiarization tour Feb 14-23, 2012

Day-By-Day Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012 - Departure
Our journey starts today as we depart on our way to Israel - the Land of the Bible.
Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight. Get some rest…tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!

Meals: On Board
Overnight: On Board

Day 2: Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 - Arrival in Israel - Welcome Home
Today we arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met and assisted by our airport representative. Short transfer to Tel Aviv - Israel’s largest and most modern city. Check in at our hotel and dinner. After dinner we will meet in the hotel conference room for orientation. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Israel. Our Tel Aviv hotel is conveniently located near the shore of the Mediterranean Sea and close to the city center and attractions.

After welcome dinner & orientation meeting - Enjoy an escorted tour to Old Jaffa with your expert guide

For those who would like to explore Old Town Jaffa at night, meet with your tour guide after the welcome dinner. After a short walk on the famous Tel Aviv sidewalk we will arrive in Jaffa and walk through the narrow passages of Old Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port city in the world. See the amazing St. Peter Church at night and take a spectacular view of Tel Aviv Shoreline from Jaffa’s Hilltop. Peter came to Joppa from Lydda to raise Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-42). While in Jaffa, the apostle stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner. The Church of St. Peter marks the traditional site of Peter’s vision of the great sheet.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Tel Aviv, Dan Panorama Hotel

Day 3: Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 - From Tel Aviv to the Galilee
Tel Aviv / Coastal Plains / Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Megiddo / Nazareth / Sea of Galilee / Tiberia
After an early breakfast we start our Holy Land journey heading north to the Sea of Galilee. We will have a relaxing drive along the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea and stop at Caesarea Maritime (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48), which was the center of early Christians. Here Cornelius the Centurion and his household were saved and baptized (Acts 10), and it was also here where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26). Next, we will stop at Mount Carmel (Muchraka), where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets. Then on to Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9,15, 2 Kings 23,29 & Revel. 16.16), and the Valley of Armageddon (Revelation 16), to see the remains from Solomon's days, and view the site where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought. We continue along the Jezerel valley to visit the town of Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23). We will take in an unforgettable view from the top of Mt. Precipice and drive via Cana of Galilee (John 2.1-11) and the Lower Galilee region to the beautiful Sea of Galilee and the town of Tiberia. Check in and dinner at our hotel, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: Sea of Galilee, Leonardo Plaza Tiberia (Former Sheraton Tiberia)

Day 4: Friday, Feb 17, 2012 - Discovering the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights
Sail on the Sea of Galilee / "Jesus Boat" /Golan Heights / Upper Galilee / Caesarea Philippi / Yardenit
Today we will discover the tranquil Galilee region and the beautiful Golan Heights. After breakfast we will board a wooden boat and sail on of the Sea of Galilee as the disciples did 2,000 years ago. We will dock at Kibbutz Nof Geonsar and visit the “Ancient Jesus Boat” - the remains of a 2,000 year old boat that was discovered in 1986.  This boat was used at the time of Jesus and his disciples. Next we will drive up to the beautiful Golan Heights and learn about the ancient Jewish settlements in this region. Visit Banias - ancient Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27), where Jesus said “on this rock I will built my Church”. We will drive through the Hula Valley and the Upper Galilee region back to the Sea of Galilee. We conclude this remarkable day in Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River. Return to our hotel for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: Sea of Galilee, Leonardo Plaza Tiberia (Former Sheraton Tiberia)

Day 5: Saturday, Feb 18, 2012 - Jesus’ Early Ministry along the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan
Mount of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / /Beth Shean  / Dead Sea
Today we will experience the area of Jesus’ early ministry around the Sea of Galilee. After breakfast we will drive along the Sea of Galilee and enjoy the breathtaking view from the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5,6,7,8), where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Next, we will visit Tabgha - the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Primacy of Peter (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21). Here we will visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue on to the 2,000 year old remains of Capernaum (Matt. 4.13 13.54, 17.24, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54). Here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was from this city that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, where he performed many miracles, and where Peter's mother-in-law lived and was healed. From here we will drive south along the Beth Shean valley and the ancient city of Beth Shean (Mark 5.20, 7.31), for an overview of this remarkable archeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (1 Samuel 31). We will drive through the Jordanian Valley past the city of Jericho and arrive at the lowest place on earth - the Dead Sea. We will check in at our hotel, located on the shores of the Dead Sea. Before dinner we will enjoy relaxing free time at our Dead Sea hotel. Take this opportunity to enjoy optional spa treatments and a massage, float in the salty water of the Dead Sea, or even take a dip in the beautiful pools of our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: Daniel Dead Sea Resort & Spa

Day 6: Sunday, Feb 19, 2012 - Exploring the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert
Dead Sea / Masada/ Ein Gedi / Qumran / Jerusalem
Today we will explore the Dead Sea and the Judean desert region and its biblical and historical sites. After breakfast we will drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to visit one of the most spectacular sites in Israel – the 1,500 feet mountaintop fortress of Masada. Built by King Herod, Masada is famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We will ascend to Masada by cable car and discover the 1st century Synagogue, Herod’s Bathhouse and many other sites. We will continue along the shores of the Dead Sea for a look out on the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23). It was here that David composed several of his Psalms. Next, we will visit Qumran and walk through the ruins of this ancient Essene community.  In this spot, an amazing cache of ancient biblical texts were discovered in 1947 - commonly called the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here we will ascend to Jerusalem, the holy city of Zion. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, experience a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and take personal time for prayer as we enter God’s eternal city. Continue to our centrally located hotel for check in and dinner. Our hotel is conveniently located walking distance from old city Jerusalem. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Jerusalem.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton Plaza Jerusalem)

Day 7: Monday, Feb 20, 2012 - Touching the Stones of Your Heritage: Jerusalem Old City
Mount of Olives / Kidron Valley/ / Garden of Gethsemane/ Western Wall Tunnels / Pool of Bethesda/ Church of the Holy Sepulcher/ Via Delarosa / Christian Quarter
Today we walk where Jesus walked. Following an early breakfast we will begin our first day of touring Jerusalem and head to the top of the Mount of Olives to stand where the Lord ascended into heaven

(Acts 1). From the Mount of Olives we take in a breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the Prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44). We will pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit where “the Lord wept” as he beheld the Holy City. We will take the Palm Sunday Road down to the Garden of Gethsemane where we will see 2,000 year old olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. We will enter the Old City; our first stop will be the Western Wall (“Wailing Wall”) - the holiest site in Judaism and one of the original ancient walls that retained the Temple. We will be privileged to enter the most important excavations in Israel – the famous Western Wall Tunnels. The tunnels, running along the base of the Western Wall will lead us through the Second Temple era and reveal the amazing construction of the Temple Mount: giant stones, water supply and a Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment.  Continue to St. Anne Church and the Pool of Bethesda. We will start our walk along the Stations of the Cross - the Via Delarosa, to visit the Judgment Hall of Pilate all the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10). In the afternoon we will enjoy free time to rest and shop at the colorful old city bazaars. As Jerusalem prepares for the beginning of the Shabbat we will join in prayer at the Western Wall.  We return to our hotel for Shabbat dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton Plaza Jerusalem)

Day 8: Tuesday , Feb 21, 2012- City of Zion - Past, Present and Future: Jerusalem Old and New City
Mt. Zion/ Upper Room/ Tomb of King David/ Jewish Quarter/ Knesset / Ein Karem / Bethlehem/ Church of the Nativity/ Shepherd’s Field/ Garden Tomb
After breakfast we will drive to Mt. Zion and worship in the Upper Room (Luke 22) - the traditional site where Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper and where later Thomas cried, "My Lord and my God”.  Visit the Tomb of King David and walk through the historic Jewish Quarter.  We will drive through the new city of Jerusalem and pass by the Knesset - Israel’s parliament. Drive to Ein Karem - the birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1.39-80) and visit the Church of St. John the Baptist. Continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity (Luke 2: 1-7). We venture out to the Shepherd’s Field, referenced in Luke 2:8-20, where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. In the late afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb, where we will celebrate the resurrection with a time of prayer (Luke 23). We will end the day by driving back to our hotel for our great farewell dinner. We will share food with our new friends and be inspired by all the memories from our journey - memories that will last a lifetime.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight:Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton Plaza Jerusalem)

Day 9: Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012 - Free day in Jerusaelm / Departure
After breakfast and by 12 noon, check out from your hotel and store your luggage at the hotel storage room to enjoy a free day in Jerusalem. Take this opportunity to experience the special atmosphere of Jerusalem. Our hotel is conveniently located within a walking distance from the Old City as well as the city center. You might choose to return to the Old City to walk again through the biblical sites and the colorful bazaars, or head to the city center and walk along the Ben Yehuda Street to experience the authentic Jerusalem restaurants and shops. Our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to suggest some other sites for you to explore on your own, such as the newly renovated Israel museum and the shrine of the book and much more. After dinner (not included) the group will meet at the hotel lobby for our evening departure transfer back to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (40-60 minutes drive). Your departure transfer is fully escorted by your tour guide.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Thursday, Feb 23, 2012 - Arrival back in the U.S
Arrive this morning back in the U.S.A and start planning your next trip to the Holy Land........