Israel 2009 Travel and Itinerary Information

by Rev. Don Sensing

With my friends and contacts in Israel, I am arranging a special-itinerary tour of the Holy Land, including parts of the West Bank, for June 19-28, 2009. We will worship in Jerusalem on one of the two Sundays in Israel and have ample time for souvenir shopping. We will pass along the Via Dolorosa, starting with the historically-confirmed site of Jesus' trial and scourging. We will visit many more sites, too, in Jerusalem, Galilee and the Dead Sea/Jericho area.

In addition to the many tourist or pilgrimage sites on the itinerary below, I have arranged for our group to visit the Golan Heights, the high land between Israel and Syria to the east of the Sea of Galilee, and receive security-related briefings from Israeli military and government officials, including the situation regarding Israel's construction of the security fence or wall that passes through Jerusalem and along most of the demarcation between Israel and the West Bank.

We also hope to visit the southern Israeli town of S'derot, which has been much in the news lately as it is located only about 1,100 yards from Gaza.

I am working with my friend Ari Marom of the Vered HaSharon agency in Israel to finalize itinerary and cost details. The great majority of the itinerary is firm now, but some elements may change between now and the travel dates.

The cost and what it includes (PRICE DROP!)
We need at least 15 persons to travel. The trip price, based on estimations of the airfare, is $3,450 $2,850. If we get 20-24 travelers, the price drops to $2,650, and continues to drop in $25 increments for every five additiobnal travelers, dropping to $2,500 for 40 travelers, which is as low as it goes.

Travelers wishing a single room in hotels will have to pay a supplementary charge of $525.

A deposit of $250 per person is needed to reserve a seat. Generally, this deposit is refundable until about 90 days before departure date, but that may vary depending on which airline we travel. Ari Marom is still working with airlines for the best combination of flight time and fare. With unsteady fuel costs, however, airlines will not lock in prices for June travel until about January.

Included in the cost:

• seven full days of touring (20-27 June, inclusive),
• lodging, two persons per room (single rooms available for extra charge)
• all entrance fees,
• breakfast and evening meal daily,
• the service of a full-time, experienced, licensed, English-speaking tour guide
• transportation in a modern, air-conditioned motor coach.

The only things not included in the price are lunches, beverages with meals and tips to the guide and driver (recommended about $7 per person per day, or $50 per person).

Itinerary

Below is the daily schedule; for details please open Vered HaSharon's complete itinerary: PDF file or Word file.

Day 1: JUNE 19, 2009, MONDAY – DEPART USA

Day 2: Sat. June 20 – ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL

Day 3: Sun. June 21 – MT. OF BEATITUDES, CAESAREA PHILIPPI, GOLAN HEIGHTS, CAPERNAUM, BOAT RIDE, JORDAN RIVER (YARDENIT)

Day 4: Mon. June 22 – NAZARETH, JERICHO, JERUSALEM

Day 5: Tues. June 23 – BETHLEHEM, JERUSALEM

Day 6: Wed. June 24 – QUMRAN, EIN GEDI, DEAD SEA, MASSADA

Day 7: Thurs. June 25 – OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

Day 8: Fri. June 26 – JAFFA, LATRUN, ELAH VALLEY, JERUSALEM

Day 9: Sat. June 27 – MT. SCOPUS, KNESSET, GARDEN TOMB W/ COMMUNION, NIGHTTIME DEPARTURE

Day 10: Sun. June 28 – ARRIVE HOME