Hi Friends,

We leave for Israel in exactly four months on June 9, 2012, so this is my last big announcement about this trip. If you feel guided, it is time to sign up for:

1. What is the full cost of this trip? – The trip is divided into different costs and the total should be about $4000 per person, more if you want to do some serious shopping in Israel or if you want a single room. Here is a breakdown of costs:

A. In country tour by air conditioned bus: $1844 includes hotels, admittance into all of the places we will visit and most of the meals. Five lunches and one dinner are not included in the price because of the layout of those days. Bring money for meals that are not included and for purchasing plenty of bottled water each day. All tips have been included in our tour price.

B. International travel to Ben Gurion airport: For those who register before March 1, we have seats reserved on an international flight from JFK airport in New York to Tel Aviv, Israel. The cost of this flight is $1645. If you register after March 1 or if you do not live in the US or Canada, flight arrangements will need to be made separately and cost may vary.

C. Domestic travel to JFK: If you are traveling with us on the international flight from JFK to Tel Aviv, you will need to arrange your own transportation to JFK. I will coordinate with you to make sure your flight times fit well with our scheduled international flight. The price will vary depending on your location.

2. What is the trip itinerary? – We will travel on June 9 arriving in Tel Aviv on Sunday, June 10. In country travel via air conditioned bus begins on Monday, June 11. Places that we will visit include:

Caesaria National Park – Built by King Herod the Great to honor Rome, Caesarea is one of Israel’s most impressive archeological sites. It was the capital of Judaea and the official residence of Roman governors & procurators including Pontius Pilate. Paul was imprisoned at Caesarea before being sent to Rome for trial.

Nazereth – Hometown of Jesus’ parents and the place where Jesus was raised from childhood to adult.

Haifa – We will visit the second holiest site of the Baha’i religion, and we will visit a monastery built on Mt. Carmel. We will follow a path to the cave where the prophet Elijah is said to have hidden from Queen Jezebel when she sought to kill him for slaughtering 400 prophets of Ba’al. You can also take cable car ride from the mountain to the beach area to shop, have a snack or walk.

Mt Hermon & Banias Nature Reserve – At the base of Mt. Hermon, we will visit Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked his apostles, “Who am I?” & Peter revealed that Jesus was Christ. Jesus responded by saying, “This was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in Heaven.” We will also take time for walking & silence in the beautiful Banias Nature Reserve.

Sea of Galilee – We will take a cruise on the Sea of Galilee & enjoy the feel of the area where Jesus spent most of his time during his 3-year ministry. We will also visit the following sites: Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus is said to have delivered the famous Sermon on the Mount; Peter’s home town, Capernaum; Mensa Christi, where it is said Jesus cooked & served breakfast to his disciples after his resurrection. There will also be plenty of free time. You may choose to swim, walk or meditate amidst the beautiful energy of the Sea of Galilee. As we leave the Galilee area, we will stop for awhile on the banks of the Jordan River, the river in which Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

Judean Wilderness & the Dead Sea – If you are interested in commemorating Jesus’ 40 days in the desert with a hike up a desert, the opportunity will be provided. If you aren’t interested in the hike, you can take a cable car up Masada mountain and meet the hikers on top for a tour of the fortress where hundreds of Jewish zealots committed suicide to avoid being captured by the Romans. You will also be given a chance to swim in the Dead Sea before we visit Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Those who would prefer to skip the desert entirely can visit Bethlehem instead.

Jerusalem – We will have a lot of time in Jerusalem, because there is a lot to see here. Some of the sites we will visit are: King David’s 3,000 year old fortress; Western Wall, which is the holiest of all Jewish sites; Whol Museum, which contains ruins of homes from Jesus’ time; Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus’ prayed prior to his arrest; House of Caiaphas, where Jesus was taken immediately after his arrest; the Garden Tomb, which is one of the probable sites of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial; the Israel Museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are now kept.

Jaffa – One of the oldest port cities in the world, some say Jaffa was built by Japheth, one of the three sons of Noah. Jonah sailed from Jaffa when he was swallowed by the fish. Peter resurrected Tabitha here during his ministry after Jesus’ ascension. Jaffa is also famous for its flea market and art studios.

3. What can I expect from the trip? – Actually, I think it is best to go without specific expectations. Whenever I travel and let a trip be what it is without expecting something specific, I always find the trip to be a pleasant surprise. If you’d like to look at photos of our last trip to Israel, click here.

4. What do I need to bring on the trip? – There is a dress code at holy sites in Israel; shoulders and knees must be covered. Since we will visit holy sites everyday, you’ll need to be dressed this way. There are also specific items that will make your trip more comfortable. I will write to everyone who registers and provide information about what to pack and what not to pack prior to our departure.

5. How do I register? – Email me at reginadawnakers@yahoo.com. I will send you a registration form. You will need to pay $500 deposit to register. Final payment is due in April. Travel insurance is available for $95. Credit card is the easiest way to pay since we are working with an Israeli travel company. Before going, you will need a current passport that is good through at least March 2013.

6. Can I talk to someone who went on the last Israel pilgrimage? – Absolutely. Just let me know if you’d like to talk to someone and I will send you a list of people that you can contact. You can also email me with any additional questions.

In joy,
Regina

Regina Dawn Akers
http://reginadawnakers.com

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