First Presbyterian Church Nashville Tour - April 8-17, 24

Dear First Presbyterian Friends:

The gospel could be summarized in many ways, but I prefer this one: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.” It remains the scandal and the delight of the gospel that the Creator of heaven and earth actually took on flesh and lived a particular human life in a real place. God came to us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, a Jew of the first century who was born, grew up, died, and was raised - redeeming the world in actual places that still exist.

In April of 2024, First Presbyterian will host another congregational trip to Israel, where members will be able to experience the land where God took on flesh. Though it isn’t necessary to visit Israel to know the Lord Jesus, there is no doubt that it deepens one’s awareness of what God did in him. You have the chance to see the terrain, taste the food, feel the waves, and worship in places where Jesus himself worshiped. From Capernaum to Jerusalem, as well as other sites in Israel associated with prophets that preceded Jesus and disciples who followed, the Bible will come alive to you in ways you can’t imagine. Plus, you’ll experience all this in the community and camaraderie of your fellow members.

I hope you’ll join us in April of 2024 for such a great opportunity!

Grace and peace,

Stuart Gordon

Day One:  Monday April 8, 2024
Depart USA

• Depart the USA on a flight to Tel Aviv.
• Overnight:  Flight

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Day Two:  Tuesday April 9, 2024
Arrive Tel Aviv

• Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport.
• Welcome by our hosts and assistance with arrival formalities.
• Meet your Israeli tour guide and driver at the airport and depart for Tel Aviv, known as the “city that never sleeps,” with its centers of culture, recreation, national history, great beaches and fine stores.
• Check into the Renaissance Hotel with time to rest and freshen up before dinner.
• Welcome dinner at the hotel and orientation to the program.
• Enjoy a free evening in Tel Aviv for an opportunity to walk down the Tel Aviv Beach Promenade, explore Rothschild Boulevard, with its many outdoor cafés, or check out the Tel Aviv Port, with its restaurants, sidewalk cafés and clubs.
• Overnight:  Renaissance Hotel, located directly on the Mediterranean Sea. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tlvbr-renaissance-tel-aviv-hotel/

Day Three:  Wednesday April 10, 2024
From Tel Aviv to the Sea of Galilee

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check out of the hotel and depart Tel Aviv, driving northwards along the Sharon Plain to the ancient city of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar.  While in the hometown of Cornelius (the first gentile believer) and the traditional site of Paul's imprisonment before his trial in Rome, we will visit the Roman theatre, aqueducts, hippodrome, Crusader city and the new excavations in the city.
• Travel to the top of Mt. Carmel and visit the Carmelite monastery of Muchraka, the traditional site of the battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
• Visit the Druze village of Daliyat al-Carmel and have lunch (on your own) in the home of a local Druze family.
• Explore the incredible Roman city of Sepphoris, where we will view the magnificent mosaics and learn about the possible connection between this city and Jesus.
• Conclude the day at the indescribable cliffs of Arbel overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
• Continue to the Leonardo Plaza Hotel and check in.
• Dinner at the hotel.
• Overnight: Leonardo Plaza Tiberias Hotel, located directly on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
• https://www.leonardo-hotels.com/tiberias/leonardo-plaza-tiberias

Day Four:  Thursday April 11, 2024
The Sea of Galilee Region

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Begin the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a replica of an ancient fishing vessel, much like those used in the time of Jesus.
• View the incredible “Jesus Boat”, an ancient fishing boat that dates back to the time of Jesus.
• Visit Capernaum, the city on the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus performed many of his miracles, where Simon Peter had a home and where Jesus based his ministry in Galilee.
• Travel past Bethsaida, the hometown of Simon Peter, his brother Andrew and Philip and the possible site of the      feeding of the 5000 and Korazim, the remains of a 2,000-year-old Jewish community, overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
• Visit the site of Caesarea Philippi at one of the headwaters of the Jordan River, where the great confession of Simon Peter took place.
• Lunch (on your own) en route.
• Visit the Hill of Beatitudes, traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount, overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
• Drive to the Sea of Galilee and explore the new findings in the ancient town of Magdala.
• Dinner at the hotel.
• Overnight:  Leonardo Plaza Tiberias Hotel, located directly on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Day Five:  Friday April 12, 2024
From the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check out, depart the hotel and travel through one of the possible locations of Cana, the site of the first miracle of Jesus.
• Drive to Nazareth, site of Jesus’ childhood, and stop at Mt. Precipice for a spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley and of Jesus’ own home town.
• Visit the fortress city of Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley, one of Israel’s most famous Biblical sites, with its incredible archaeological remains, ancient water system and its      traditional identification as Armageddon
• Stop at the newly uncovered ruins of the city of Beth Shan, stopping on the way at the Spring of Harod, where      Gideon chose his 300 fighting men
• Drive south via the Jordan Valley, stopping for lunch (on your own) along the way.
• Visit the Jordan River at Kasser Al Yahud and stand at the spot traditionally believed to be the place where Jesus was baptized and close to the place where the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River entering Israel.
• Drive by Jericho, one of the world’s oldest cities, where Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus and had dinner with Zacchaeus.
• Ascend to the holy city of Jerusalem, entering the city from the east and stopping for a panoramic view of the city from Mt. Scopus.
• Continue to the most famous hotel in Israel - the King David Hotel and check in. 
• Dinner at the hotel. 
• Overnight: King David Hotel.
• https://www.danhotels.com/JerusalemHotels/KingDavidJerusalemHotel 

Day Six:  Saturday April 13, 2024
The Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Begin the day with a spectacular view of the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.
• Walk down the Mt. of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane and spend time for prayer and worship in the olive grove where Jesus prayed prior to his arrest and crucifixion.
• Enter the Old City of Jerusalem through St. Stephen’s gate and visit the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus told the lame man to “take up his mat and walk.”
• Visit Antonia Fortress, the traditional site of Jesus’ trial by Pontius Pilate.
• Continue along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
• Travel to Bethlehem where we will have lunch (on your own).
• Visit the city of Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
• Dinner at Chakra, a fantastic local, 5 star Jerusalem restaurant.
• Free evening to explore the Old City at night, the Mamilla pedestrian mall across the street or outdoor cafes on Ben-Yehuda Street.
• Overnight: King David Hotel.

Day Seven:  Sunday April 14, 2024
Old City of Jerusalem and the New City of Jerusalem

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Begin the day by visiting the holiest site in Judaism – the Western Wall.
• Walk under the walls of the Old City through the recently opened Western Wall Tunnels.
• Visit to the Southern Wall Excavations, including the southern steps, where Jewish pilgrims would have entered the Temple Mount and the stores and stalls where Jesus and the other Jews would have bought their food, drink and sacrifices for the Temple.
• Lunch on your own in the Jewish Quarter and continue on a walking tour, including King Hezekiah’s First Temple period Broad Wall, and the ancient Roman Cardo.
• Visit the area of Mt. Zion, including the traditional burial site of King David, and the Room of the Last Supper.
• Travel to the New City of Jerusalem and see the Knesset, Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book (home of the Dead Sea Scrolls) and the hustle and bustle of the open-air Machaneh Yehuda market.
• Dinner at the hotel.
• Free evening to stroll along the Ben-Yehuda and Rivlin streets, joining the many Israelis out on the town.
• Overnight: King David Hotel.

Day Eight:  Monday April 15, 2024
Masada and the Dead Sea Region

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Depart Jerusalem and travel through the wilderness of Judea, the place where Jesus was tempted.
• Ascend by cable car to visit Masada, Herod’s mountain palace and site of the Jewish Zealots’ last stand against      the Roman legionnaires in 70 AD.
• Lunch on your own at the base of Masada.
• Stop for an overview of Ein Gedi, where David hid from King Saul.
• Visit Qumran, a settlement of the first century Jewish sect known as the Essenes and site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
• Experience the weightlessness of the Dead Sea as you float in its waters.
• Return to Jerusalem.
• Dinner at the hotel.
• Overnight: King David Hotel.

Day Nine:  Tuesday April 16, 2024
Garden Tomb - Free Afternoon - Depart.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Begin the day with the highlight of the trip - a worship and communion service at the Garden Tomb, where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the grave!
• The rest of the day is free!  Feel free to shop in the Old City, walk the walls of the Old City, visit the City of David, Tower of David Museum, Old City Market, etc. 
• Farewell dinner at Naura, a local restaurant in Jerusalem.
• Travel to the airport, check in for your flight and depart.
• Overnight: Flight

Day Ten:  Wednesday April 17, 2024
Arrive USA.

• Arrive back in the USA.

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST

AIR TRANSPORTATION:

• ​Roundtrip airline reservations from Nashville to Tel Aviv.

HOTELS: 

• Seven (7) nights accommodations at Deluxe First Class hotels in Israel, as listed in itinerary, or similar, based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room with private bath throughout.  A few single rooms are available at an additional cost. If a passenger cannot supply a roommate and MBF Enterprises, Inc. is unable to do so, the passenger will have to pay the supplemental charge.

MEALS:

• Two meals daily in Israel consisting of buffet Israeli breakfast and dinner are included throughout the tour.

EXTRA DINNERS: 

• Two dinners will be outside the hotel at fantastic local restaurants – Chakra in Jerusalem and Naura in Abu Gosh.

SIGHTSEEING: 

• Sightseeing by private bus, as shown in itinerary, including all entrance fees, with private English-speaking guide.

TRANSFERS: 

• All transfers between airports and hotels.

PORTERAGE: 

• Porterage and handling of one (1) bag per person.

TAXES: 

• All taxes on the hotels, meals and other tour services.

Not included in tour price:

• Airline taxes and fuel surcharges (approx. $125-$195 per person)
• Tips for the local Israeli guide and driver.
• Trip cancellation insurance (strongly recommended).
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, etc.).
• Excessive baggage charges, such as overweight charges or the porterage of more than (1) suitcase.
• Individual services apart from group.
• Expenses due to flight delays, strikes, bad weather or other irregularities.
• Cost of passport.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Registration and deposits:  An initial deposit of $500 per person is required to secure definite reservations.  We regret that no space may be reserved without a deposit.
 

Final payment:  Balance of payment is due on February 8, 2024.
 

Cancellations and refunds:  If the trip is cancelled 120 days or more prior to departure, there is no penalty and a full refund will be issued.  If the trip is cancelled between 119-90 days prior to departure, there will be a $100 per person cancellation charge.  If the trip is cancelled between 90-61 days prior to departure, there will be an additional $200 per person cancellation charge.  If a trip is cancelled within 60 days of departure, there will be no refund.  The cancellation penalties may be less if there is a person on a waiting list or if the trip can be sold to another individual.  Cancellations must be made in writing; verbal cancellations, whether in person or by phone, are not valid.  A special optional trip cancellation insurance policy is available.
 

Travel and Health Documents:  A valid passport is required for all tours.  No special inoculations are required unless specifically notified.
 

Tour price:  The price of the tour is based on a minimum of 30 passengers.  Should the final membership fall below this number, MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to increase the tour price.
 

Responsibility: This tour is planned and operated by MBF Enterprises, Inc. by contracting for services from other suppliers.  MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or its agents, acting as agents for the tour members, shall be responsible to tour members for supplying services and accommodations as set forth in this brochure, except to the extent such services and accommodations cannot be supplied due to force of nature, delays, or other causes beyond the control of MBF Enterprises, Inc.  If the service and accommodations set forth in this brochure cannot be supplied due to delays or other causes beyond the control of MBF Enterprises, Inc., best efforts will be made to supply comparable services and accommodations.  If such services and accommodation cannot be provided due to the above reasons, or if the services are not used due to voluntary omission by the tour member, refunds will not be granted.
 

By becoming a member of the tour, a participant waives any claim against MBF Enterprises, Inc. for any damages to or loss of property, or any injury to or death of persons due to any act of negligence of any hotels or any other persons rendering any of the services and accommodations included in the ground portion of the itinerary.  MBF Enterprises, Inc. shall not be responsible for any delays, substitutions of equipment, or any act or omission whatsoever by any air or surface carrier, its agents, servants and employees; and a participant, by becoming a member of the tour, waives any claim arising there from.   MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or its agents is not responsible for loss or damage to participants baggage (baggage insurance highly recommended).  The liability of the Airlines for the loss or damage to the baggage of the participant shall be limited in accordance with the carrier's liability insurance coverage, unless a higher value has been declared with respect hereto and additional payment made to the airline.
 

MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to decline, accept or retain any participant as a member of this tour at any time.  If a participant is removed from the tour, a proportionate refund will be made.  MBF Enterprises, Inc. reserves the right to cancel the tour prior to departure and if the tour is canceled, MBF Enterprises, Inc. shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid by the participant to MBF Enterprises, Inc.  NOTE:  If, because of war, or an act of God, or any reasonably unavoidable catastrophic circumstances, MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are forced to cancel the tour after funds are advanced to the airlines, ground service agents or other such vendors, MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are only obligated to return moneys advanced by the passengers in this tour which MBF Enterprises, Inc. and/or the tour hosts are successful in recovering from those vendors.​​​