Israel 2022

October 30 - November 9, 2022
REGISTRATION CLOSED

Led by Host Dr. Carl Rasmussen, Bethel University & Master Guide Ofer Drori
Your dynamic tour duo!

Greetings! The following is the handcrafted itinerary of the trip to Israel that Mary and I are leading in response to those who have asked us to put together a “not for credit” study tour. I will be giving mini-lectures along the way both on the bus and on the sites, drawing from my studies. I have spent 16 years of my adult life living in, and guiding, academic groups in Israel, Jordan, Greece, and Turkey (including living, teaching, and guiding in Jerusalem for 7 years).

This specially planned itinerary is based upon my experience of leading/guiding/teaching over 100 groups in Israel and is structured to include as many important biblical sites as possible as we study the Bible in the Land of the Bible.

I am Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I received my PhD in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from Dropsie University (now the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania). Currently I am an adjunct professor at the Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem and Bethel University in St. Paul, MN and have served as a consultant for a publisher and several media organizations.

In 2010 Zondervan published a new, updated version of my Zondervan Atlas of the Bible. Lavishly illustrated, the new version has been updated in every way including new maps, pictures, graphics and updated text. In 2013 Zondervan published my Zondervan Essential Atlas of the Bible. In addition, I maintain the web site www.HolylandPhotos.org that features over 5,000 free, high quality and high-resolution images of Israel, Turkey, Greece, Jordan, and Italy.

Itinerary

October 30, Sunday: Depart New York – Fly Tel Aviv

October 31, Monday: Arrive Tel Aviv
Upon arrival at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met by TUTKU
representative with a “BAS – TUTKU” sign. After collecting our luggage we will head to meet our Tour Guide Mr Ofer Drori thereafter drive to hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight. (D)

November 1, Tuesday: Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Mt. Tabor – Tiberias
After breakfast drive to the ruins of Caesarea, a large city port built by Herod the Great to honor Roman Caesar Augustus. His city includeda theater, a hippodrome, and an aqueduct system stretching from the springs of Mt. Carmel to Caesarea. The book of Acts refers to Caesarea as the city Peter visited (Acts 10). Continue to Mt. Carmel where we visit the Carmelite Monastery of Muhraka to survey the site where God caused Elijah to defeat the priests of Ba’al and a wonderful view of the Jezreel Valley. On to Megiddo where archaeologists uncovered 20 civilizations built one upon another. At this site, King Solomon built his vast stables and, in 609 BC, good King Josiah died in battle. Drive to Mt. Tabor. Take a taxi to the top of the mountain and visit the Church of the Transfiguration. Enjoy an outstanding view of the Jezreel Valley where the battle of Deborah and the Canaanites took place (Judges 5). Continue on to the Sea of Galilee area for dinner & overnight. (B,D)

November 2, Wednesday: Hazor, Dan, Banias/Caesarea Philippi, Golan Heights
Today travel north to visit Hazor, the largest Old Testament site in Israel (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). We will then proceed to Dan, on the northern border of the biblical kingdom of Israel. There we will walk to one of the headwaters of the Jordan River and visit the extensive excavations. A short drive will take us to Banias/Caesarea Philippi, the place where Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ (Matt 16:16). From there drive up on to the Golan Heights and view into Syria (if local conditions permit). Time permitting visit Katzrin where there is a well–preserved Synagogue and reconstructed houses. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B,D)

November 3, Thursday: Sea of Galilee, Jesus’ Ministries
Begin our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, visit the first century fishing boat that is now in a museum and continue on to the well–preserved, first century A.D. synagogue at Magdala and the excavations. We will continue on to visit the Mt. Of Beatitudes then Capernaum, Jesus’ “home” for a good portion of his earthy ministry. We will visit Corazim with its reconstructed synagogue. If time permits we will visit Bethsaida. Return to Tiberias for dinner & overnight. (B,D)

November 4, Friday: Sepphoris, Nazareth Overlook, Jericho, Jordan River – Jerusalem
Visit Sepphoris, 3 miles north of Nazareth with its beautiful mosaic floors. Continue to visit the Mount of Precipice where we will have a wonderful view of the Jezreel Valley. We continue on to visit the site of Jezreel, where Naboth had his vineyard that was coveted by the Israelite King Ahab. We will then drive south down the Jordan Valley and visit Old Testament Jericho where the “walls came tumbling down.” End our day at the Jordan River near where the Israelites entered the land of Canaan and where John was Baptizing continue through the Judean hills to the City of Jerusalem for Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

November 5, Saturday: Dead Sea, Masada, Qumran
Drive east from Jerusalem to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. Visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. Thereafter drive to Masada, a natural fortress with majestic ruins overlooking the Dead Sea. Take a cable car to the top of the plateau for a tour. Jewish zealots held the rock for several months in 73AD under siege by the 10th Roman legion. The Romans finally took the fortress by way of a massive attack ramp. The camps and other fortifications that encircle the mesa constitute the most complete Roman siege works to have survived to the present day. Then, drive back North – stop at Kalia Beach on the Dead Sea for a possible float in the water. Continue to Jerusalem Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

November 6, Sunday: Mt. Of Olives, Gethsemane, Old City, Holy Sepulcher, Garden Tomb
We begin our day with a spectacular view of Jerusalem from the top of
the Mount of Olives. As we walk down the mount, we will stop at Dominus Flevit, the church that commemorates Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, and the Garden of Gethsemane—the site of Jesus’ Passion. We will view of the Kidron Valley. Afterwards enter the Old City at the Lion’s Gate. We will visit St. Anne’s Church and Pools of Bethesda continuing on the Via Dolorosa to Umariyah Boys’ School for a view of Temple Mount and then to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher—the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. End our day at the Garden Tomb and Gordon’s Calvary. Dinner & overnight. (B,D)

November 7, Monday: Bethlehem, Herodium, Mt Zion, Western Wall
Start our day and drive to Bethlehem where we will visit the Church of
the Nativity and have some time for shopping. Drive to the Herodium, the palace/fortress where Herod the Great was eventually buried and then return to Jerusalem to Mt. Zion to visit the room of the last supper and King David tomb. Walk through the Jewish Quarter to view the holiest site for Judaism the Western (wailing) Wall. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Dinner & overnight. (B,D)

November 8, Tuesday: City of David,Wohl Museum, Yad Vashem, Israel Museum
We start our day at the City of David where we will visit Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, and the Pool of Siloam. Be sure to bring a flashlight and water shoes to walk through the tunnel. Anyone wanting to stay dry can walk through the dry Canaanite Tunnel. Continue to the Wohl museum. Then drive to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Afterwards, continue on to visit the Israel Museum where we will see the model of Second Temple Jerusalem, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and archaeological highlights of the Israel Museum. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

November 9, Wednesday: Departure
You will be transferred to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport for your flight back home. End of our services.

Experts

Carl Rasmussen

Carl Rasmussen is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He received his Ph.D. in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from Dropsie University (now the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania). Dr. Rasmussen has spent 16 years of his adult life living in Israel, Jordan, Greece, and Turkey, where he taught and led academic study programs. Since his retirement from Bethel University, Dr. Rasmussen has continued to teach and lead adult study tours in Turkey, Greece, and Israel. Each year he spends time in Jerusalem, where he is Adjunct Professor at the Jerusalem University College. [More Bio]

Carl was a “10”—an excellent teacher, providing Biblical references to augment each archaeological site. —Geana M., BAS Israel 2018 tourist

Ofer Drori

Ofer Drori has many years of guiding experience and has acquired great knowledge in biblical history, desert tourism, archaeological missions and agricultural seminars, as well as having great experience in guiding pilgrimage groups, Jewish missions and private group guiding.

During his high school years, military service, or various jobs in the kibbutz, he has always enjoyed guiding, and today this is his only job and a way of life. [More Bio]

A great guide! Highly recommended. —Gilli, Israel tourist

Details

INCLUDING:
  • Roundtrip International Air Tickets between New York JFK – Tel Aviv TLV (Air schedule will be given after deposits)
  • 1 Night at Vert Lagoon Netanya Hotel
  • 3 Nights at 4 star Sea of Galilee Hotel in Tiberias or similar
  • 5 Nights at 4 star Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem or similar
  • Daily breakfast and 9 Dinners at the hotels
  • Sightseeing as per the itinerary
  • All transfers and transportation by private AC Buses
  • Entrance fee at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel beach & public area
  • Private English Speaking Guide during all tours (Ofer Drori)
  • Entrance Fees
EXCLUDING:
  • Travel or Health Insurances
  • Lunches
  • All Drinks
  • Tips to drivers and guides (suggested tip is $7.00 per person, per day for the guide, and $3.00 per person, per day for the driver)
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance is highly recommended. You are encouraged to apply within 21 days of our receipt of your deposit to obtain coverage from a Travel Insurance company. Best quality coverage occurs if applied for within 15 days of our receipt of deposit. We recommend, but you are not limited to, www.travelinsuranceselect.com. Visit them online or call them at 1-800-937-1387. Mention Code 32335.

Price

  • Land/Air (based on double occupancy): $5,690
  • Single Room Supplement, Land/Air: $990
  • Land Only (based on double occupancy): $4,590
  • Single Room Supplement, Land Only: $990
  • Full Payment: July 25, 2022

Brochure

Register

REGISTRATION CLOSED

To pay off your balance, click here.

If you are unable to fill out the electronic registration form, please contact the Travel/Study department at 1-800-221-4644 ext. 216.

SEE ADDITIONAL TRAVEL INFORMATION ON THE REGISTRATION PAGE.

Contact

For more information, contact:

Alicia Bregon
Biblical Archaeology Society
Email: [email protected]
800-221-4644, ext. 216 (Toll-free)
202-364-3300, ext. 216
5614 Connecticut Ave. NW #343
Washington, DC 20015

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