Due to the recent events in and around Israel,
the 2024 trip has been rescheduled for:
Feb 12-21, 2025.
$4,892 from Chicago, IL
$5,042 from Portland, OR
I’m excited to announce Dr. John H. Walton as a co-host for this trip!
Dr. Walton is a leading Old Testament scholar/author with a focus on Ancient Near Eastern studies. His work has contributed greatly to how many people understand the ancient context of the biblical world. Spots are limited.
John’s wife, Kim, is also planning on traveling with us. She is a working archeologist in Israel and will add additional insight to the sites on the trip.
You are invited to travel with us to the land of Israel.
A trip like this will completely change the way you read the Bible.
Gregory D. Hall will be hosting a series of classes (in Salem, OR and via Zoom) that will prepare you for the biblical sites that we will visit.
Want a PDF brochure with all the “small print” for the trip?
Just use the “Connect” tab at the top of the page.
– Gregory D. Hall
(Quotes for alternate departure cities upon request)
Day 1 – Thursday, February 15, 2024: Depart U.S.A.
Tour members meet for our flight to Israel. After dinner is served, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the on-board entertainment to prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime.
Day 2 – Friday, February 16, 2024: Arrive in Tel Aviv
In Tel Aviv, we proceed through customs and security to meet our agent who assists us to our motor coach. We have a short drive to our hotel in the Tel Aviv area in time for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 – Saturday, February 17, 2024: Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Gideon Springs, Beit Shean
This morning, we depart for the Galilee. Our first stop is Caesarea Maritima, the port city of Herod the Great, where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion (Acts 10). We also see Megiddo, where the layers of 20+ ancient cities have been excavated, overlooking the Valley of Armageddon. Next is Mt. Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. Time permitting, we will stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (lunches and souvenirs are not included in the travel price). Next we visit Gideon Springs, before continuing to Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities. This is where King Saul and his sons’ bodies were hung from the city walls after being defeated by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10- 12). We continue to the Sea of Galilee area for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Sunday, February 18, 2024: Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, Gadara, Bethsaida, Jordan River
After breakfast, we travel north to the Golan Heights for a beautiful view of northern Israel’s landscape. We visit Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). A short hike takes us to Tel Dan to see the altar of Jeroboam. We also visit Gadara and Bethsaida before making our way to gather at the Jordan River. Dinner and overnight are at our Galilee hotel.
Day 5 – Monday, February 19, 2024: Galilee, Tabgha, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Boat Ride, Cana,Nazareth Village, Jerusalem
Nothing compares to watching the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee! We begin today at Tabgha (the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000) and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. We then spend time reflecting and worshiping at the Mt. of Beatitudes. Next we explore Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. Afterwards, we board a replica wooden boat to set sail on the Sea of Galilee for a special time of worship on the water. After lunch we drive past Cana, where Jesus performed the miracle at the wedding feast, to the childhood home of Jesus: Nazareth. We step back in time at Nazareth Village, an authentic first-century farm and archaeologically accurate re-creation of the hometown of Jesus with real ties to the life and time of His friends, family and fellow Nazarenes. We will also stand on the Mt. of Precipice, where Jesus was rejected by those in the synagogue. Finally, we ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 – Tuesday, February 20, 2024: Mt. of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, Garden of Gethsemane, Western Wall + Tunnels, Temple Mount, Via Dolorosa, Southern Steps
We begin today on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage proceeds down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the ancient olive grove at the Garden of Gethsemane. Then we continue on to the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) where tradition says Jesus prayed before his arrest. We enter Jerusalem through the Zion Gate and proceed through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism. We will also go beneath the city for a unique perspective in the Western Wall Tunnels. Beyond the Western Wall lies the 35-acre Temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24:18-25), which is called the Temple Mount. This area is the third holiest shrine in Islam, housing both the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock. From the Temple area we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate to walk the Via Dolorosa – including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and then conclude our day with a short walk to the Southern Steps – the original steps that Jesus climbed as he entered the Temple area. We have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7 – Wednesday, February 21, 2024: Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea
After breakfast, we drive to Qumran, the settlement of the Essenes. They were the first century sect who authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, we head to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. We then travel south along the western shore of the Dead Sea toward Masada where we ascend by cable car up to King Herod’s astonishing fortress. Afterwards, we make a special stop at the Dead Sea for a short float in the salt and mineral-laden waters. Time and conditions permitting, we’ll include a visit to Qasr El-Yahud, the newly excavated Jordan River site where tradition holds that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. If possible, we will also include a short visit to Jericho. Dinner and overnight are again in Jerusalem.
Day 8 – Thursday, February 22, 2024: Shrine of the Book, Model City, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, St. Peter Gallicantu, Garden Tomb
After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the fascinating 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Next, we drive to the City of David, and then we go on a short walk to Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Be sure to bring a flashlight and water shoes to walk through the tunnel. Anyone wanting to stay dry can walk through Hezekiah’s Shaft. If time permits, we will visit the newly excavated Pool of Siloam and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. We end our day with communion & worship at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.
Day 9 -Friday, February 23, 2024: Jerusalem, Shilo, Elah Valley, Jaffa, Farewell Dinner, Ben Gurion Airport
In the morning, we depart Jerusalem and drive to visit ancient Shilo, the site of the Tabernacle and the first capital of the Israelite Kingdom. Next we go to the Elah Valley to see the brook where David slew Goliath. From there, we continue to Jaffa for a special Farewell Dinner. We then transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back to the U.S.A.
Day 10 -Saturday, February 24, 2024: Arrive in U.S.A. We arrive back in the U.S.A. after an unforgettable tour with wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.
Experience the Holy Land – 10-day tour of Israel
Tour Hosts: Gregory D. Hall & Dr. John H. Walton
Sometime in the First Half of 2025