MINISTERS’ FAMILIARIZATION TOUR

The Best of Israel
JANUARY 9 - 18, 2011

Fam Tour Information:

• Tour Dates: January 9-18, 2011
• Minister's Cost: $1730 (Includes $320 Fuel Surcharge & Subject to Change)
• Spouse/Lay Leader Cost:$1930 (Includes $320 Fuel Surcharge & Subject to Change)

**Kindly note above prices are based on 20 Guests. Fewer tour participants may result in a recalculation of the tour price / person.

Tour Cost Includes:

• Round Trip Air-NY/Tel-Aviv
• All Deluxe Hotels
• All Entrance Fees Included in Itinerary
• 7 Full Days of Sightseeing
• 2 Meals/Day
• Expert Guide & Escort
• Exclusive Bus

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

• $103.50 - International Airport Taxes & Subject to Change
• $120.00 - Suggested Gratuities to Guide, Driver & Hotel Staff

TOUR QUESTIONNAIRE
FAM RESERVATION PAGE

A Special Invitation to Ministers ...

Holy Lands Sun Tours invites you to join us on our 2011 Ministerial Familiarization (FAM) Tour - The Best of Israel! This unique and exclusive tour is open to ministers currently serving congregations who have not yet visited Israel or who are considering Holy Lands Sun Tours as their future travel partner. Holy Lands Sun Tours wants to “WOW” you with Israel’s fascinating Biblical sites and our expertise in operating top-quality tours! And, we know we can!

Our FAM group will be small and thus, we'll make the most of each day – filling it to overflowing with exciting adventures and spur-of-the-moment treats. Baklava anyone?

This opportunity is made available to you by Holy Lands Sun Tours, Iberia Airline and our three (3) deluxe guest hotels. We all want to encourage you to experience Israel for yourself and then host a future tour for your congregants - we're confident one trip to 'His Land' will never be enough!

As an incentive, should you return to Israel within twelve (12) months of this FAM with twenty (20) or more paying passengers, HLST will return the base FAM cost of $1410. to you – along with your tour financial benefits. As you can see, this FAM is truly an exceptional investment!

Seats are now available, though limited. Should you wish to join us, kindly click on the links provided for theTour Questionnaire and FAM Reservation Page (See Above) for further information. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at CEgan@isram.com or 607-862-5033.

Just think, Next Year in Jerusalem!

Your travel partner,

Carol Egan
HLST Special Liaison to Ministers

Our Itinerary ...

DAY 1 SUNDAY, JANUARY 9
JFK - NYC AIRPORT • MADRID-BARAJAS AIRPORT • EN ROUTE TO ISRAEL

You are warmly welcomed today at NYC - JFK International Airport. Subsequent to check-in and security clearance, our jet is set for take-off. Our pilgrimage has "officially" begun as we leave the US coastline behind! En route to Israel, we make a brief transfer at Madrid-Barajas Airport. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served on board.

DAY 2 MONDAY, JANUARY 10
BEN GURION AIRPORT • JAFFA • TEL-AVIV

Upon arrival in Israel, we are met, assisted and transferred via an awaiting motorcoach for our first glimpse of Israel! Our only stop will be at Jaffa (ancient Joppa) - the oldest known port city. It was from this port that Jonah set sail (Jonah 1:3) and where Peter, the Apostle, had his rooftop experience at the home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:8). It’s also the best overlook for the city of Tel-Aviv, so have your camera ready! Dinner and overnight at the lovely Dan Panorama Hotel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Tel-Aviv. (D)

DAY 3 TUESDAY, JANUARY 11
TEL-AVIV • CAESAREA MARITIMA • MEGIDDO • MOUNT CARMEL • TIBERIAS

After a hearty breakfast, we travel north to Caesarea Maritima (Acts 25:4), capital of the Roman procurators of Judea, to view the remains of the Roman theater, port and aqueduct. Then we travel to Megiddo (I Kings 9:15), the focal point of the Book of Revelation, where excavations have unearthed over twenty layers of civilization. We conclude our day on the summit of Mount Carmel - Muhraka - for a panoramic view of the entire region (I Kings 18:18). This is the traditional site where Elijah manifested the Lord’s supremacy over the false prophets of Ba’al. As the sun sets we cross the Galilean hills to the deluxe Leonardo Plaza Hotel in Tiberias, where every balcony overlooks the Sea of Galilee. (B/D)

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
MOUNT BENTAL • CAESAREA PHILIPPI • DAN • ACCO

Our touring day begins as we travel northeast to the summit of Mount Bental. Here you can enter an army bunker and take in the panoramic view of the three countries intersecting below. It’s simply breath-taking! We continue north to ancient Caesarea Philippi, known today as Banias (Mat. 16:18). Situated at the foot of Mount Hermon, it is a source of the Jordan River and also the site where Peter made his ringing confession to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God!" Next we stop at Dan (Judges 18:29) before turning south along the Hula Valley. This afternoon we travel across the Galilean hills to the Mediterranean port city of Acco (Acre) where Apostle Paul visited (Acts 21:7) and where today we’ll visit the remains of the Crusaders' subterranean complex and browse along the narrow streets of this charming fishing village. At twilight, we begin our journey back to the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D)

DAY 5 THURSDAY, JANUARY 13
MOUNT OF BEATITUDES • TABGHA • CHURCH OF PRIMACY • CAPERNAUM • JESUS BOAT • BOAT RIDE • NAZARETH • PRECIPICE • YARDENIT

This morning we ascend to the Mount of the Beatitudes (Mat. 5) and take time to reflect on the words of Jesus spoken before the multitudes. Nearby we’ll visit Tabgha (John 6:8), the traditional site which commemorates the miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves. Next, we stop at the Church of the Primacy built on the shore of the Galilee to commemorate the place where Jesus, after His resurrection, conferred leadership to Peter with the command, "Tend my sheep" (John 21:15). Then, it’s on to Capernaum (John 6:24) - home to Peter and the center of Jesus’ preaching. From here we retrace our drive along the Galilee shores to Kibbutz Nof Ginosar where we'll see the remains of an ancient fishing boat dating from the time of Jesus - commonly referred to as the Jesus Boat. Then it’s time to enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee! Once we're out on the lake we’ll turn off the engines for a time of fellowship, remembering the many miracles that Jesus performed on these same waters. Our boat docks in Tiberias where we once again board our motorcoach. This afternoon, we travel to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus (Mat. 2:19-23). In this small village we visit the traditional site of Mary’s Well and leisurely walk through the narrow alleyways of the old marketplace to the Synagogue Church - believed to be built on the ruins of the former synagogue where Jesus attended. Just outside of town, we’ll stop at the traditional Precipice (Luke 4:28-30), believed to be where the mob took Jesus with the intention of throwing Him from the cliff. We conclude our day at Yardenit, a baptismal area constructed where the Galilee flows into the Jordan. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D)

DAY 6 FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
TIBERIAS • BEIT SHE'AN • *BETHLEHEM • *SHABBAT AT THE WESTERN WALL • JERUSALEM

Today we depart the Galilee region and head south along the Jordan Valley to Beit She’an (I Sam. 31:10), an ancient Decapolis city where King Saul and his sons were pinned to the city walls and where an extensive archeological reconstruction has been completed. We continue our journey southward around the outskirts of ancient Jericho where we are able to view the Mount of Temptation before ascending to Jerusalem. This afternoon, subject to security conditions, we'll journey to *Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 / Luke 2:1) birthplace of King David and Jesus. Our visit to the holiest site of Christendom includes the Manger area - place of Christ's birth. Our special visit also includes Shepherds’ Fields (YMCA site - Luke 2) which overlooks the fields of Boaz. And, our time in Bethlehem wouldn’t be complete without an opportunity to shop for a special handcrafted olive wood piece. At dusk, *time permitting, we’ll enter the Old City for *Shabbat at the Western Wall where we’ll witness the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath with great celebration, songs and dancing! (Kindly note that while you are free to watch, no photographs are permitted). Overnight at the deluxe Leonardo Plaza Hotel, a short walk from the Old City of Jerusalem. (B/D)

DAY 7 SATURDAY, JANUARY 15
ISRAEL MUSEUM - MODEL • QUMRAN • MASADA • EIN GEDI OVERVIEW • MINERAL BEACH - DEAD SEA SWIM

Our fun day begins with a visit to the Israel Museum to see the Model City which explains “the look” of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus and the Shrine of the Book which houses many original manuscripts as well as copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Next, we’ll retrace our steps through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea – the lowest spot of earth! Our first stop along the shore is Qumran , the place where Essene scribes actually hid ancient Dead Sea scrolls nearly 2,000 years ago. We’ll travel further south along the shoreline passing the lunar-like landscape to reach Masada, King Herod the Great's fortress/palace built in the midst of the desert. First we’ll learn the story of the Jewish zealots who chose death atop Masada in 73 AD rather than becoming slaves to their Roman conquerors. Then it’s off to the summit by cable car to view the exquisitely restored archeological remains of the palace complex. This afternoon, we visit Ein Gedi for an overview (I Sam. 23:29) of the Nature Reserve, David's Waterfall and the myriad of caves that became David's refuge from Saul. Our day concludes with some fun at Mineral Beach where you may personally sample the unique buoyancy of the highly therapeutic Dead Sea waters! It's said that each dip in the sea takes 20 years off your age! Regardless, the experience is simply indescribable! Overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

DAY 8 SUNDAY, JANUARY 16
HERODIUM • MOUNT OF OLIVES • DOMINUS FLEVIT • GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE • SOUTHERN EXCAVATIONS • WESTERN WALL • RABBINIC TUNNEL • EVENING: SHOPPING & ILLUMINATED WALLS

This morning begins with a special treat! We’ll journey south past the outskirts of Bethlehem to the Herodium, another palace – fortress made by Herod the Great. This palace is located on a hill that looks like an upside down cone in the desert. According to the great Jewish historian – Josephus Flavius – the Herodium was built on the spot where King Herod won a victory over his Hasmonean and Parthian enemies in 40 BC. Here, he also built a royal tomb for himself. Josephus later describes the king's funeral procession and burial at Herodium. In 2007, after more than 30 years of searching, archeologists announced they had unearthed the remains of King Herod the Great's grave, sarcophagus, and mausoleum, solving one of Israel's great archaeological mysteries – excavations are still underway. From here we retrace our drive to Jerusalem and ascend to the summit of the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:6-12) to enjoy the spectacular view of the Old City before walking down the Palm Sunday Road to the tear-shaped church of Dominus Flevit (Luke 19:37), where tradition holds that Jesus wept over His beloved Jerusalem. We continue our descent to the Garden of Gethsemane (Mat. 26:36) with its ancient olive trees and, based on availability, enter a private garden where we can take a few moments of quiet reflection. This afternoon, we’ll enter the Old City through the Dung Gate to visit the Southern Excavations where we gain a better understanding of the Second Temple compound before standing on the stairs that Jesus would have used to ascend to the Temple. Next, we return to the only visible remnant of the Temple's Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. For it is here that the Jews lament the destruction of their Temple and pray for the coming of their Messiah. Nearby, subject to availability, we’ll enter the *Rabbinic Tunnel system by which means the priests traveled from their homes to the Temple. Inside we’ll view ancient passages, arches, and cisterns as we walk on roman pavement stones over 2,000 years old! After dinner, this evening is a special night out! Explore more of the city, browse the many shops and enjoy a drink or ice cream at one of the many sidewalk cafes on Ben Yehuda Street, a pedestrian mall in the heart of New Jerusalem. We’ll complete our perfect evening with a drive around the illuminated walls of the Old City. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

DAY 9 MONDAY, JANUARY 17
HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS • UPPER ROOM • POOL OF BETHESDA • LITHOSTROTOS • VIA DOLOROSA • HOLY SEPULCHRE • GARDEN TOMB • FREE TIME • FAREWELL DINNER

Our last touring day is full of highlights! Our first stop is on Mount Zion at the House of Caiaphas (John 18:13) – the high priest of Jerusalem. Tradition holds that it’s here where Jesus was tried and beaten late into the night. We’ll descend deep into the pit where Christ was kept until morning when He was led away to Pilate. Nearby we visit the traditional site of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12). Next we’ll visit the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2). From here we continue to the Lithostrotos (The Pavement – John 19:1). Nearby, we view the Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) and then follow along the traditional Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Our last stop today is at Garden Tomb (John 19:38) where we will try to gain a sense of Christ’s crucifixion at Calvary (Luke 23:26) and celebrate the reality of His resurrection with communion. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to return to your favorite site, browse in the Old City "souk" (marketplace) or simply relax at our hotel. Tonight we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner before we return for overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. (B/D)

DAY 10 TUESDAY, JANUARY 18
BEN GURION AIRPORT • MADRID-BARAJAS AIRPORT • EN ROUTE TO NEW YORK - JFK AIRPORT

Early this morning we bid ‘Shalom’ to the land and people we have come to love! We transfer to Ben Gurion Airport, pass through security and board our 6:10A Iberia flight to the US. En route complimentary meals and beverages are served on board. After a brief transfer at Madrid-Barajas Airport we head home to NYC - JFK Airport. Arrival in New York is anticipated at 7:25P - local time - of the same day. Treasure your memories of the fellowship and Biblical sites we’ve experienced - Memories that will last a lifetime!

Our Deluxe Hotels:

• Tel-Aviv / Dan Panorama Hotel
• Tiberias / Leonardo Plaza Hotel (Former Sheraton Plaza)
• Jerusalem / Leonardo Plaza Hotel (Former Sheraton Plaza)