11 days, $2975 from Portland

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, most meals, guided touring and more!

Hosted by Pastor Dave & Jerri McGarrah
February 22 – March 4, 2010

Join Pastor Dave & Jerri McGarrah on a Reunion Tour to Israel, to see, touch, feel and really experience the land of Jesus, as it was in His time, and as it is today! Our itinerary is exciting and comprehensive, featuring the most important Biblical sites plus some special places not usually visited by Christian tour groups. This off-the-beaten-path tour of Israel is especially designed for return visitors to Israel. However, we welcome first-timers as well! If you have dreamed of understanding and experiencing more about the origins of our faith and want to visit the land where Jesus walked and ministered, we invite you to join us on this journey of Biblical discovery and spiritual renewal in Israel.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day Destinations 1 Depart USA 2 Tel Aviv 3 Caesarea, Acre, Safed & Tiberias 4 Ginosar, Bethsaida, Tel Dan, Korazin & Mt. Beatitudes 5 Beit Alpha, Mt. Gilboa & Jerusalem 6 Jerusalem 7 Jerusalem 8 Elah Valley, Beit Guvrin, Biblical Beit Shemesh & Sataf 9 Jerusalem 10 Jerusalem 11 Depart Israel

Our Touring Program

Monday, February 22: Depart USA. Depart on our overnight flight to Israel. Aloft, we will have dinner, time to sleep, breakfast, and the opportunity to praise the Lord for His beautiful creation from the vantage point of 35,000 feet!

Tuesday, February 23: Tel Aviv. After arrival and assistance through customs, we're off to our hotel for a much needed rest. Enjoy the Mediterranean Sea during dinner and overnight at our hotel. Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv (D)

Wednesday, February 24: Caesarea, Acre, Safed & Tiberias. Our sightseeing starts today as we proceed north to Caesarea, Roman capital of Judea. Herod's building determination is evident in the beautifully restored theater, harbor, water system and ruins of the ancient city. We'll also watch a short movie about the thrilling history of the city.

We continue north along the Mediterranean coastline to Acre, a city through which Romans, Crusaders and Napoleon all passed. We'll learn more about the city's diverse past on our tour of the Old City.

Later, we drive to the mystical city of Zefat, also known as Safed. Set high in the hills, Safed is the birthplace of kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and host to a large artist's colony. The combination of galleries and ancient synagogues is truly an aesthetic and spiritual treat. Our day comes to an end as we proceed to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Scots Hotel Tiberias (B,D)

Thursday, February 25: Ginosar, Bethsaida, Tel Dan, Korazin & Mt. Beatitudes. This morning we'll take an exhilarating boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginosar to see the first century 'Jesus Boat,' discovered by members of Kibbutz Nof Ginossar after a drought in 1985 caused the water level in the Sea of Galilee to fall lower than usual and exposed this ancient boat.

Afterward, we'll continue to the fishing village of Bethsaida. According to the Gospel of John, the disciples Peter, Phillip and Andrew made their home here. Some of the events linked to Jesus and the Bethsaida area include: Jesus' famous walk on water (Mark 6:45-51); Jesus' healing of a blind man (Mark 8:22-25); and the feeding of five thousand (Luke 9:12-17).  It is within the Evangelical Triangle formed by the three ancient cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum that most of Jesus' teachings were said to have taken place.

Our journey continues at the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, located at the foot of Mt. Hermon and the Golan Heights. Here, we'll view the partially restored remains of an ancient Israelite city. Both the city and the rushing river that flows through the nature reserve are named for the tribe of Dan.

On to Korazin, an archaeological site, mentioned in the New Testament as a city condemned by Jesus for rejecting Him.

Our touring ends this afternoon at the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee, where the land rises in a conical shape to form a natural amphitheater. This place, known as the Mount of Beatitudes, is traditionally identified as the hillside where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Return to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner. (B,D)

Friday, February 26: Beit Alpha, Mt. Gilboa & Jerusalem. We'll start our sightseeing today with a visit to Beit Alpha, located in the Beit She'an Valley. As you enter the synagogue at Beit Alpha, be sure to notice the beautiful mosaic on the floor. This impressive work of art is full of pictures and scenes from the Bible as well as a large zodiac wheel with the names and pictures of the familiar twelve signs.

Afterward, depart for Mt. Gilboa. A place of tragedy and triumph, Mt. Gilboa is the place where Saul, the first King of Israel, and his sons died fighting the Philistines: "And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in Mount Gilboa." (Samuel I 38:8)

From Mt. Gilboa you'll be able to see the hill of Moreh where the Philistines assembled to fight Saul; Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus; and the mountains of the Jordan Valley. We'll continue south towards Jerusalem stopping en route at the desert overlook to enjoy the view. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, proceed to our hotel in the Holy City for dinner and overnight. Prima Royale Jerusalem (B,D)

Saturday, February 27: Jerusalem. Enjoy a full day at leisure to enjoy the Eternal City. Explore independently or join Pastor Dave for a leisurely walking tour through some of Jerusalem's ancient, narrow, cobblestone streets. Stroll through the colorful bazaars of the Old City, where sunlight is often obscured by a vast array of clothing, food, spices and other tempting treasures. (B,D)

Sunday, February 28: Jerusalem. Sightseeing today will begin at the Western (Wailing) Wall, the most sacred spot in Jewish religious and national life.

We'll also explore the area around the Wall including the Davidson Center and the Southern Wall Steps. We'll tour the City of David of ancient times, located on a narrow ridge south of the present-day Old City. On the east it borders the deep Kidron Valley where the Gihon Spring, the city's water source, is located. This area is not so much a museum as it is an archaeological and historical experience. Within the City of David are many ancient archaeological finds including Hezekiah's Tunnel and Warren's Shaft. Both the tunnel and the shaft were used as defense mechanisms against potential invaders of the city walls.

One of the places that personifies the modern city of Jerusalem is the open air produce market, known to Jerusalemites as the 'shuk'. Today, we'll visit the Mahane Yehuda, a mere five minutes walk from the bustling pedestrian street Ben Yehuda. We'll find the market bustling with local residents since tomorrow they will celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim. The happiest of all Jewish holidays, Purim is a day to dress up, drink and be merry while remembering how the Jews of Persia narrowly escaped annihilation thanks to the bravery of Queen Esther. (B,D)

Monday, March 1: Elah Valley, Beit Guvrin, Biblical Beit Shemesh & Sataf. After breakfast, set out for a fascinating day of visits to several important excavations near Jerusalem. First, we'll visit the Valley of Elah, the site of the battle of David and Goliath. Continue to Beit Guvrin, famous for its massive 'Bell Caves.' The next stop is Beit Shemesh, whose history can be traced back over three thousand years to the time of Yehoshua and was part of the area inhabited by the tribe of Yehuda.

En route to our hotel, we'll stop at Sataf, a corner of hidden beauty in the Judean Hills and only a few minutes drive from Ein Kerem. Time permitting, and for those who are able, there are easy hiking trails between olive plantations and vineyards. The area offers a fantastic overlook of the surrounding scenery. We'll also visit the Sataf pool, which was the old village's main water supply. (B,D)

Tuesday, March 2: Jerusalem. Our journey continues today with a visit to the Temple Mount, also known as Mount Moriah. The Bible records that it was here that God chose to rest His Name and Divine Presence. As a result, two Jewish Temples were built at the site. According to Jewish and Christian tradition, the third and final Temple will also be located here.

We'll then drive to the Mount of Olives, which has always been an important feature in Jerusalem's landscape. From before the time of Jesus until today, it has served as one of the main burial grounds for the city. Scripture indicates that its eastern slope, near Bethany, is the site where Jesus ascended to heaven. We'll continue with a walk to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Proceed to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. In the main plaza, we'll see an arch that marks where one of the walls of the great 16th century Hurva synagogue once stood. Just off the plaza is the Cardo, which was a Byzantine road that ran through the heart of the city. We'll make a brief stop at Shorashim Biblical Shop, offering a wide range of art pieces that are inspired by the timeless verses of the Tanach (the Bible).

Continue to the Cenacle, also known as the Upper Room, the term used for the site of The Last Supper. In Christian tradition, the Upper Room was not only the site of the Last Supper, but the usual place where the Apostles stayed. Thus, it is considered the site where many other events described in the Bible took place: the Washing of the Feet (John 13:4-11), the gathering of the disciples after the Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:13), the election of Saint Matthias as apostle (Acts 1:15), the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

End the day with a stop at the Garden Tomb, where Jesus was laid after His crucifixion and rose from death. (B,D)

Wednesday, March 3: Jerusalem. Enjoy your final day in the Holy City at leisure for last-minute sightseeing, shopping, and photo opportunities. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Thursday, March 4: Depart Israel. Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport to board our return non-stop flight to the USA. (B)

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Israel, click here.

Reunion Tour to Israel Prices

Per person (double occupancy)	$2975
Single Supplement:	$665
Additional Taxes, Fees & Sept. 11 Security Fee	$130
Tips	$88
Optional Travel Insurance	$129

Reservations

Please download the reservation application and fax or mail it to us, together with your $300 per person deposit. Fax to: 215-572-9803. Mail to P.O. Box 505, Jenkintown, PA 19046.

Reservation application PDF (requires free Acrobat Reader)

For additional information, please contact:

Pastor Dave & Jerri McGarrah
1970 Harritt Dr NW
Salem, OR  97304
Tel: 503-871-1079

About your tour hosts, Dave and Jerri McGarrah

Dave and Jerri McGarrah have been in pastoral ministry for over 30 years now. It was through ministry that they experienced the land of Israel and found themselves drawn back again many times. They have lead many groups on tours to the Holy Land and find great fulfillment in getting Christians acquainted with their Jewish Roots. They would feel so honored to have you travel with them to the Land that is closest to God's heart.

Reunion Tour to Israel
Included Features

• Roundtrip flights from Portland via scheduled carriers
• All transfers with meeting assistance and porterage
• Accommodations Superior and Deluxe hotels
• Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
• Professional English speaking tour guide on touring days

Single Occupancy Rooms: add $665.

Travel Insurance: add $129 (details)

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* Prices shown are good while inventory lasts, may reflect an early booking discount, and do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee.

Though we do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information on our site about our tours, sometimes oversights and typographical errors can occur. Please confirm all tour prices and details with us via email or phone prior to booking. We will not be held responsible for misunderstandings arising from such errors.

Some photos on this page courtesy of the Israel Ministry of Tourism.

TourCode: d-000