Hope Israel Tour & Retreat

With Ben and Helen Betz

Duration
20
Departure
24 April 2024
Price from
12,549

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OVERVIEW

Travel on the Hope Tour to learn more about the Bible, the life of Jesus and to understand the culture where Jesus lived and walked. This is a unique opportunity to have a spiritual, educational retreat to deepen your faith.

We will be travelling throughout Jordan and Israel, visiting many famous sites found in the Bible as well as some of the lesser known ones. We will begin the tour in Jordan, visiting Mt Nebo, Petra, Wadi Rum and staying in a Bedouin tent like the Israelites of the Old Testament.

From here we will cross into the Promised Land, visiting many of the towns, sites of the Bible and regions where Jesus walked, talked and ministered. As we travel we will be learning about the Bible, creating a sensory understanding of the Jewish culture, Biblical times and the life of Christ. Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, Masada, the Sea of Galilee, Mt Beatitudes, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Garden Tomb, and the Dead Sea are just some of the places we will visit.

Our guide will be a national born Christian from the area. Our tour leaders will be Ben & Helen Betz, pastors with the Alliance Church and missionaries with Heartfelt Hope and they both have a passion for teaching and running retreats. This combination will create a rich learning background as part of the tour. There will also be an opportunity to attend a church service on Sunday at King of Kings church in Jerusalem.

Our HOPE Tour opens up people’s eyes to the world in which we live and a God of creation. This particular tour is to deepen and enrich people’s faith journey in Jesus Christ and understanding of Biblical history.

Our tour leaders will be Ben & Helen Betz, pastors with the Alliance Church and missionaries with Heartfelt Hope and they both have a passion for teaching and running retreats.

ITINERARY

If you are purchasing flights with your tour then you will depart from Australia today to Amman, Jordan.

Included Meals: None

On arrival in Jordan you will be met before immigration & assisted with the visa on arrival process. After collecting your luggage we will drive in the city for a visit to the Citadel on Amman.
Check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight.

Hotel: Gerasa Hotel, Amman

Included Meals:

D
This morning we check out of our Amman hotel and visit Mt Nebo and Madaba. Mount Nebo is an elevated ridge in Jordan, approximately 817 metres above sea level, mentioned in the Bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land. Madaba is a pleasant, relaxed, tolerant and easy-going little town well known for its Byzantine mosaics. They are proud of the tolerance between both Christians and Muslims in the city. The city is the perfect location for exploring the holy sites. We continue to Machaerus to see the fortress of Herod where John the Baptist was beheaded.
Continue to the hotel on the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.

Hotel: Dead Sea Spa Resort

Included Meals:

B
L
D
Today we visit Wadi Mujib where the River Jordan meets the Dead Sea, a picturesque canyon and waterfall, making it the lowest biosphere nature reserve on the earth! There is an option to walk the Siq Trail through the canyon (in water!).
We then visit Shobak Castle, a Crusader castle built in the 10th century. We travel south to Petra and check in to the Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp for a 2 night stay.

Hotel: Seven Wonders Luxury Camp, Petra

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we have the full day set aside to visit the UNESCO/Seven Wonder of the World site of Petra.
There is so much to see and do. You will be guided through the Siq to the Treasury and then free time to explore the remainder of the site.

Hotel: Seven Wonders Luxury Camp, Petra

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we farewell our Petra camp and travel to Wadi Rum for another amazing desert experience.
On arrival we will enjoy a jeep ride through the sand dunes and you have the option of a camel ride (not included).
Later in the day you will have a time for SACRED SPACE facilitated by Helen.

Hotel: Captain's Camp, Wadi Rum

Included Meals:

B
D
We cross into the Promised Land today via Arava Border crossing. First stop is the Tabernacle in Timna Desert National Park and the day rounds up in our Dead Sea hotel, home for the next 2 nights.
The Dead Sea is the lowest & saltiest spot on earth, offering health tourism & relaxation combined with history.
Timna National Park is where God met with Israel in the desert. Timna Tabernacle is a replica of the Tabernacle God commanded the children of Israel to build. Arad is a small city in the South District of Israel. It is located on the border of the Negev and Judean Deserts.

Hotel: Ein Gedi Kibbutz, Dead Sea

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we tour towering Masada, visit Ein Gedi springs and Qumran.
Masada is a rugged natural fortress, of majestic beauty, in the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It is a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of Jewish patriots. Qumran is located on the north western shore of the Dead Sea, famous for the ancient scrolls found here containing significant religious literature, including “biblical” manuscripts - books found in today's Hebrew Bible. Our last stop for the day is Ein Gedi, a beautiful hidden spring where King David hid from Saul.

Hotel: Ein Gedi Kibbutz, Dead Sea

Included Meals:

B
D
A significant day as we visit Herodian and Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.
Herodian is a truncated cone-shaped hill and was the castle and tomb of King Herod. Bethlehem is a Palestinian city located in the central West Bank, about 10 kilometres south of Jerusalem and the birth place of Jesus. Here we will visit Shepherd's Fields and the Church of the Nativity.

Hotel: Bright Tower Hotel, Bethlehem

Included Meals:

B
D
Jaffa, Caesarea Maritima and Muraka/Mt Carmel are on the itinerary today.
Jaffa is an ancient port city in Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical stories of Solomon, Jonah, and Saint Peter. Caesarea Maritima is a national park on the Israeli coastline, near the town of Caesarea. The ancient Caesarea Maritima city and harbor was built by Herod the Great about 25–13 BC. Muhraka is a Monastery on the Mt Carmel mountain range where we will take some time for reflection. Muhraka, in Arabic is "place of burning", as this is where a fire came down from the sky to burn the sacrifice offered by the Prophet Elijah at the time of his battle with the prophets of Ba’al.
While we are here, there will be a reflective SACRED SPACE with Helen before we head back to our hotel.


Hotel: Mary's Well, Nazareth

Included Meals:

B
D
Evoke Jesus’ childhood in Nazareth and witness Cana, the place where Jesus performed his first miracle. Nazareth, located in Israel's Galilee region, is the cradle of Christianity. It is the city where, according to tradition, Jesus spent his childhood and youth. We visit Nazareth Village to experience what it was like in Jesus' day. We also enjoy a traditional first century lunch.

Hotel: Mary's Well, Nazareth

Included Meals:

B
L
D
We visit Mt Tabor, a rising dome-like mountain from the Plain of Jezreel, where Christian tradition places the transfiguration Jesus.
Megiddo is a “tell” in northern Israel near Kibbutz Megiddo, about 30 km south-east of Haifa, known for its historical, geographical, and theological importance, especially under its Greek name Armageddon. Sepphoris, a ruined city 6.5 kilometres northwest of Nazareth, was the capital of Galilee during the time of Jesus.

Hotel: Mary's Well, Nazareth

Included Meals:

B
D
We truly enter Jesus’ ministerial sites today as we visit Capernaum, Tabgha and Mount Beatitudes. A boat ride to experience the Sea of Galilee as the apostles had, and to see an actual 1st century Galilee boat.
Capernaum was a fishing village located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea. Tabgha, on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee, is best known for Christ's miraculous multiplication of loaves and fish to feed a multitude. Mt Beatitudes is located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha. The Mount of Beatitudes is the traditional site of Jesus' delivery of the Sermon on the Mount.
Tonight and for the next 3 nights we will stay in Tiberias.

Hotel: Nof Ginosar, Tiberias

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we visit Korazim, an archaeological site mentioned in the New Testament as a city condemned by Jesus for rejecting Him. Continue north to see Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, and Banias Waterfall.
Dan is a city mentioned in the Bible, described as the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Israel, belonging to the Tribe of Dan. Tel Dan combines a lush nature reserve with a biblical archaeological experience. Banias is a natural spring and archaeological site by the ancient city of Caesarea Philippi, located at the foot of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights. Here, we will pause for some reflection time and an interactive session at Caesarea Philippi

Hotel: Nof Ginosar, Tiberias

Included Meals:

B
D
This day is free for you to shop, explore or just rest. There is no guide or coach.


Hotel: Nof Ginosar, Tiberias

Included Meals:

B
D
Farewell the Galilee and travel south via Beit Shean - among the residential buildings, modern public buildings, and modern shopping centres are ancient buildings and ruins from a large Roman city.
Travel south, where security permitted, we will visit Jericho. When Joshua and the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan River from the east, only Jericho stood between them and the Promised Land. Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest cities in the world. We will also visit Mt Temptation and see the arid desert where Jesus was tempted. We return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Hotel: Holy Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
It’s all about Jerusalem, called “the faithful city, and the mountains of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain”. The Jewish Quarter, Burnt house and the prominent Wailing Wall are where we visit today.
The Wailing Wall or Western Wall in Jerusalem is the holiest of Jewish sites, sacred because it is a remnant of the Herodian retaining wall that once enclosed and supported the Second Temple. The City of David is the Israeli name for the neighbourhood of Wadi Hilweh in Silwan. The area is one of the most intensively excavated sites in the wider region. The Davidson Centre gives visitors the opportunity to get acquainted with two millennia of Jerusalem history. Encounter the fascinating remains of the various periods and walk in the footsteps of pilgrims as they approached the Temple 2,000 years ago, including Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

Hotel: Holy Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
On the Passion of Christ day, we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice in the Upper Room
The Cenacle, also known as the "Upper Room", is a room in Jerusalem traditionally held to be the site of The Last Supper. The word is a derivative of the Latin word cena, which means dinner.
An emotional day charting the path of Jesus and carrying his cross on the Via Dolorosa. Other sites visited are Temple Mount, St Anne and the Praetorium (Zion Sisters).
The house of Caiaphas is part of the seven Stations of the Cross and where tradition says Jesus was bought before Caiaphas and Peter denied Jesus.
The Church of St. Anne is a beautiful 12th-century Crusader church, erected over the traditional site of the birthplace of Anne (Hannah), the mother of Mary. Praetorium (Zion Sisters) lies below the streets of Jerusalem’s Old City where Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate. Located at the beginning of the Via Dolorosa, this is a memorable stop.
The Via Dolorosa is a street, in two parts, within the Old City of Jerusalem, held to be the path that Jesus walked, carrying his cross, on the way to his crucifixion.
Holy Sepulchre is the traditional site and church building of the cross and the tomb.

Hotel: Holy Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
We start the day at the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane – two sites that transport us back to those few days that forever entrenched the world with hope and life.
Gethsemane is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, most famous as the place where Jesus prayed and his disciples slept the night before Jesus' crucifixion.
The Garden Tomb is a beautiful garden situated just outside the Old City Walls of Jerusalem. Traditionally, some believe this is the true site of Christ’s crucifixion, burial & resurrection, rather than the Holy Sepulchre Church.
After experiencing the peace, joy and hope found in remembering Christs death and resurrection we will go to the baptismal site near Jericho for anyone who would like to be baptised or rededicated.

Hotel: Holy Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
Today is a Prayer and Praise day. A day for rest and reflection. There will be no guide on this day.
We will begin with a quiet morning and a personal reflection activity led by Helen then in the afternoon we will worship at King of Kings Community in Jerusalem.

Hotel: Holy Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
Our last day in Jerusalem is free for you to explore rest and shop before we head home.

Hotel: Holy Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
After breakfast this morning, we will transfer to Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport for your departure flight.

Included Meals:

B

Highlights

Sacred Space encounters throughout the tour

Worship with local believers at King of Kings International Church

Stay on a Kibbutz

Camp in the desert

Baptism or renewal in the River Jordan

Map

Destinations

TOUR INCLUDES

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Travel with
like-minded people

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Christian
Tour Leaders

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Option of land
only package

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Option of upgrading
to single room

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Meals

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Sights and entry
fees listed

OUR PRICING

Pricing

Category Description Twin PP Single
Airfare from Australia and Tour 12,549.00 15,549.00

The tour is priced on a minimum of 12 passengers. Space is limited.

Inclusions
Exclusions
Departure Date Booking
24 April 2024 BOOK NOW

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