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Why Go?
• To celebrate Israel’s 60 years of independence.
• To explore the land of the Bible and to experience the beauty of Israel.
• To learn first-hand how archaeology illuminates ancient history.
• To benefit from the expertise of Amnon Wallenstein, one of Israel’s most informed tour guides, and from on-site archaeologists.
• To have your tour enhanced with lectures and on-site tours by well-known Bible scholars and archaeologists.
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Who Should Go?
• Anyone interested in the Bible and the Biblical lands.
• First-time visitors or those who have been in Israel before and want to see the many new excavations that have taken place over the last few years.
• Those who want to enjoy a special archaeological, historical and cultural tour of Israel with a master guide and in the company of people who share your passion for the land of the Bible.
• Anyone interested in an unforgettable journey!
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Reading List
Download reading list. (PDF)
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Itinerary
Depart | November 15, Saturday Depart on nonstop Continental flight from Newark to Tel Aviv.
Day 1 | November 16, Sunday
Arrive with group at Ben Gurion airport and visit Ne'ot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape reserve in Israel, which features vegetation mentioned in the Bible and presents everyday agricultural life during Biblical times, including tools. etc. See www.neot-kedumim.org.il. Proceed to short visit to Old Jaffa. On to the hotel in Tel Aviv.
Day 2 | November 17, Monday
Tel es-Safi, Ekron Museum, Ashkelon, Tel Beer Sheba
Begin day at Tel es-Safi, which was recently identified as Biblical Gath, the home of the Philistine warrior Goliath. On to Ekron Museum at Kibbutz Revadim, which provides a history of Philistine culture.
Next stop: Ashkelon National Park, along the beautiful Mediterranean coast. End the day with a visit to Tel Beer Sheba and its water system.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Day 3 | November 18, Tuesday
Beit Guvrin-Maresha, Valley of Elah and Tel Azeka, Tel Beit Shemesh
Visit Beth-Guvrin-Maresha park | a Roman Byzantine amphitheater, a Crusader church turned into a mosque, bell-shaped caves once used as quarries, and the ruins of Hellenistic Maresha surrounding an Iron Age tell.
On to Valley of Elah and Tel Azeka, setting for the Biblical account of the battle between David and Goliath.
Finish at Beit Shemesh, on the border between the Philistine coast and the Shefela; time permitting, view Tel Lachish, site of a massive Assyrian siege against Judah.
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Day 4 | November 19, Wednesday
Caesarea, Nahal Taninim (Roman dam), Dor, museum and tel
Visit the magnificent ancient port city of Caesarea, home of the largest artificial harbor of ancient times. Built by Herod the Great as Judea’s main link to imperial Rome, the city served as the provincial capital for seven centuries. Paul embarked on his final trip to Rome from Caesarea. Nahal Taninim is the site of a Roman dam erected as part of a gigantic water project to supply a growing population in Caesarea. At Mei Kedem is a 600-foot-long restoration, part of a 4-mile-long water tunnel built during Roman-Byzantine times, which is itself is part of a 15-mile network of canals, tunnels, clay pipes and aqueducts supplying water to Caesarea.
Visit site of Dor, a busy trading port from Canaanite times through the Persian period, and tour museum with a maritime archeologist.
Overnight: Haifa
Day 5 | November 20, Thursday
Haifa's Hecht Museum and Panorama, Crusader-era Acco, Prehistoric Caves
Explore ancient Israel’s history at the Hecht Museum, at the University of Haifa on Mount Carmel. Examine the shipwrecked boat at the museum with Kurt Raveh. Enjoy the Panorama view of Haifa and its bay, and the Bahai Temple. Tour Crusader-period Acco, a picturesque city north of Haifa and one of the oldest harbor towns along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. An important hub of civilization since the dawn of time, Acco served as the Crusaders’ capital in the Middle Ages. End the day with a visit to the pre-historic caves at Mt. Carmel.
Overnight: Haifa
Day 6 | November 21, Friday
Muhraka, Beit She'arim, Megiddo, Zippori (Sepphoris), Nazareth
Start with a visit to Muhraka, which hosts a Carmelite monastery built on the spot where tradition commemorates the encounter between the Prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal, as recounted in 1 Kings 18.
Travel on to Beit She'arim, featuring a Jewish necropolis and catacombs with magnificent sarcophagi.
Next stop is Megiddo (Armageddon), a key crossroad and battleground. Examine archaeological remains of Bronze and Iron Age gates, altars, stables, storage areas and water system.
Continue to Zippori (Sepphoris), called "The Glory of the Galilee" and home of the "Mona Lisa" mosaic. Rooted in the First Temple Period, Sepphoris became an important center under Rabbi Judah Hanassi, the compiler of the Mishna, the code of Jewish law.
In Nazareth, home town of Jesus, view remains of first-century homes under the Sisters of Nazareth Convent.
Proceed to hotel by the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 7 | November 22, Saturday Hazor, Dan, Mt. Bental, Katzrin, Mt. Beatitude
Explore Tel Hazor, Canaanite King Jabin's capital, and view the Bronze Age palace and the Iron Age fortifications, gate and water system with one of the site’s excavators.
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Mt. Hermon and the Golan as you travel north to Tel Dan, built on the main source of the Jordan River. Wander through the beautiful nature reserve to the remains of the ancient city (where the remains of a stele with the name of a king from the "House of David" was Discovered), with its ritual center, wall and gates.
View Paul's "Road to Damascus" from the lookout on Mt. Bental.
The village of Katzrin and its museum presents life in the Talmudic era (Roman and Byzantine periods), with its display of houses, tools and synagogue, as well as some beautiful artifacts from prehistoric times through the First Jewish Revolt against Rome and the story of the rebel city of Gamla.
End the day at the Mt. Beatitude, where Jesus delivered the "Sermon on the Mount."
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 8 | November 23, Sunday
Galilee Boat, Tabgha, Corazin, Hippos, Mt. Arbel
Begin the day with a visit to the 2,000-year-old fishing boat, dubbed the "Jesus Boat."
Continue on to Tabgha, the site that commemorates the miracle of the multiplication of the "Fish and Loaves."
Visit Corazin, one of the three towns berated by Jesus for not listening to his message.
Climb Mt.Sussita to visit the town of Hippos, one of the cities of the Decapolis mentioned in the Scriptures. We’ll be shown the site by an excavator.
End day with a walk to the edge of Mt. Arbel, with its bird's-eye view of northern Israel.
Optional for tonight: bathing at the Tiberias Hot Springs.
Overnight: Tiberias
Day 9 | November 24, Monday
Roman Tiberias, Tel Jezreel, Beit She'an, Jericho, Dead Sea
Visit Roman Tiberias to see its bath, Cardo (Roman main street), market and remains of Berenice's palace.
On the way to Beth She'an, stop at Tel Jezreel observation point for a discussion of Biblical events described as having taken place there.
Arrive at Beth She'an, one of the most strategic sites in ancient Israel, which was a major center during Roman and Byzantine periods—theater (still in use), colonnaded streets, baths, temples and more.
We will pass Jericho, noting Mt. of Temptation, the crossing point of the Children of Israel into the Promised Land and a possible location of John's baptismal site.
Overnight: the Dead Sea
Day 10 | November 25, Tuesday
Masada, En-Gedi
Masada—the story of ultimate heroism; view the fort and excavations. Special entrance to the new Masada Museum. En-Gedi—climb to the waterfall and/or visit the ancient synagogue and its unique mosaic floor. Bathe and relax at the Dead Sea.
Overnight: the Dead Sea
Day 11 | November 26, Wednesday
Qumran, Jerusalem, Mt. Samuel
After a late start this morning, we visit Qumran to explore the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It will be possible to climb to the caves above Qumran. On to Jerusalem—view the city from Mt. Scopus. Mt. Samuel, north of the city, will invite a climb to the roof of a Crusader church to look over the land of Benjamin, the town of the prophet Samuel town and a discourse on the location of Emmaus.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 12 | November 27, Thursday
Jerusalem—Temple Mount, Western Wall, City of David
Visit the Western Wall area and its new ongoing excavations: The new approach to the Temple Mount and the Cardo.
Move on to the Temple Mount and climb the grand staircase that led to the main entrances to the temple area. See the magnificent Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque (conditions allowing).
Visit the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, beginning at the Cardo, the ancient Roman road that once served as the main thoroughfare of the city and is now a shopping area.
Enjoy a special tour of the City of David, including Professor Eilat Mazar’s new excavations to the Siloam Pool, the Hill of Ophel, Southern Wall and the Davidson Center (including Jeremiah’s water cistern, Warren’s Shaft,Hezekiah’s Tunnel), the Citadel and Tower of David Museum, if time permits. Our special guide for part of the day will be Hillel Geva, who has dug in Jerusalem for decades and is intimately familiar with the city and its many excavations.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 13 | November 28, Friday
Jerusalem—Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, St. Anne & Pools of Bethesda, the Antonia, Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Experience the beauty and topography of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives, with its famous churches.
Visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Kidron Valley lookout; the Crusader church of St. Anne and the Pools of Bethesda. Tour the Sisters of Zion convent and what was once thought to be the lithostrotos, the pavement where Jesus was tried by Pilate, and the Ecce Homo arch, where Pilate presented Jesus before the crowd. Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of Jesus' tomb.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 14 | November 29, Saturday
Jerusalem—Jewish Quarter: Cardo and Herodian Mansions, Davidson Center & Southern Wall, Western Wall Tunnel; Bible Lands Museum
Explore the Herodian Mansions near the Western Wall, where Jerusalem’s elite lived during the time of the Temple. Walk through the Western Wall Tunnels and marvel and the huge building stones placed by Herod’s workers. Tour the Bible Lands Museum.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 15 | November 30, Sunday
Depart Tel Aviv on Continental nonstop flight to Newark.
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Master Tour Guide
Amnon Wallenstein, one of Israel’s most informed and seasoned tour guides, has extensive knowledge of the Bible and wide experience with numerous archaeological digs over the past three decades. A native "sabra" born in Tel-Aviv, he has studied law at Jerusalem’s Hebrew U. and is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Business School. His ability to dust off the most ancient of sites—from the prehistoric caves of Carmel to the dramatic ruins of Herodion—and bring them vividly to life makes Amnon a rare teacher. His enthusiasm is infectious, so come and enjoy this popular BAS study tour!
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Tour Price
Tour price per person
including air & double-occupancy hotel |
$3,995 |
Taxes, surcharges (estimated) |
$295 |
Gratuities (see TIPS below) |
$190 |
Single room supplement |
$1,000 |
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Terms and Conditions
Payments: A deposit of $500 per person is required to secure your place on the program, along with signed application form. (Full deposit may be refunded only if Biblical Archaeology Society [BAS]/Canaan Tours withdraw the offer of the program.) Final payment is due to BAS no later than August l 1, 2008. Thereafter, late fees may be issued by some land and air providers.
Tips, Taxes, misc.: Shown separately is the total for service charges and gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff, for bus drivers, local guides, and payments for international air taxes (including fuel surcharges), visas, and border crossings.
Cancellation & Refund Policy: All cancellations for any reason and at any time must be received in writing and will be subject to a $500 per person administrative fee. Cancellation between 90-61 days of departure will be subject to additional loss of some non-recoverable sums from independent providers of land and air services. No refund is available 60 days or less prior to departure. Air tickets once issued are non-refundable.
Itinerary length: Flight times are subject to change without advance notice. BAS/Canaan Tours are not responsible for changes and delays in airline schedules and cannot reimburse passengers for expenses resulting from airline delays. Because airlines often change flight times and dates at the last minute, BAS/Canaan Tours strongly recommend the purchase of domestic tickets that can be changed without heavy fees and penalties. If airline changes flight schedules, BAS/Canaan Tours reserve the right to lengthen or shorten the itinerary accordingly and, whenever possible, you will be notified in writing. If airline changes necessitate an extra overnight, you will be charged (per night) the full cost of the hotel room.
Passport Requirements: A valid passport, good for 6 additional months from date of return (November 30, 2008) is required of all tour members.
Tour Price Includes:
Air Transportation: Round-trip flights, group economy class, scheduled from Newark Airport. Departure tax and Federal Inspection Tax additional as estimated. Your tickets are usually finalized and written a minimum of 45 days prior to departure in order to guarantee the fare. Once your group ticket has been written, it cannot be rewritten or refunded to the passenger by the airlines. Air transportation will be jet economy class aboard carriers that may utilize non-refundable, non-transferable tickets to/from your destination for groups flying together for the entire itinerary. Any fare increases or surcharges will be paid by the passenger. Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS) and Canaan Tours cannot be responsible for any such increases.
Transfers: You will be transferred with the group between arrival airport and hotels and to the departure airport. Non-group flight participants must handle their own ground arrangements.
Accommodations: Price is based on two persons in a room in four-star superior and five-star hotels. A supplemental room charge of US $1,000 will be applicable to individuals enrolling without a roommate. If you are interested in BAS assigning you a roommate, all attempts will be made to do so, but it is not guaranteed. All single rooms are subject to availability and are often smaller than normal twin rooms.
Meals: Breakfasts and dinners are included.
Travel Program: Includes the services of an English speaking scholar/lecturer, local guides (where required), entrance fees and transportation to sites on deluxe coaches as listed in the program, lectures by other scholars. All entrances for activities scheduled on the tour, plus the guide services, are included throughout.
Luggage: Restricted in size and shape by your airline. You may contact them if you need the specific restrictions.
Price Does Not Include:
Insurance: We highly recommend that applicants purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in the event of illness or accident.
Information will be provided upon deposit.
Tour deviations: All deviations from or additions to the tour may be subject to a handling and processing fee plus any out-of-pocket charges (i.e., telex, hotel cancellation charges, messenger or other fees involved).
Notice: Dates, schedules, program details and costs, although given in good faith and based on information available at the time of publication of the brochure, are subject to change and revision. In the event of such an omission or substitution, no liability will be granted by BAS/Canaan Tours. All itineraries are subject to change. Prices quoted for this tour are based on a minimum group size of 15 participants and September 2007 exchange rates.
Responsibility: The Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS), Canaan Tours and/or their agents, affiliates, assignees and cooperative agents act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation, hotels and automobile contractors. They exercise every care possible but cannot be held responsible for personal injury in connection with the service of any hotel, ship, airplane, train, automobile, horse, donkey, carriage or other conveyance used in carrying out the tours, nor are they responsible for delay, accident, sickness, loss of personal property, strikes, armed conflict, additional expenses due to weather, disruption of advertised schedules, refusal of visas or other causes beyond their control. Further, the operation of vehicles used in their tour is the full responsibility of the companies and individuals engaged in the conveying of passengers; said companies or individuals are governed by the laws of the country of operations, and recourse for any mishap must be filed locally. Unforeseen conditions may necessitate tour changes, and the right is reserved to make such changes or withdraw the tour as deemed advisable. The right is also reserved to refuse to accept or retain any passengers on any tour at any time for any reason. Cooperating airlines and steamship companies are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board; the limit of their liability is that of a common carrier, and the passage contract in use by such carriers, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between companies and the purchaser of this tour and/or passenger. Acceptance of the services of BAS/Canaan Tours, by all agents and/or travelers constitutes acceptance by them of all the above terms and conditions. The program conditions become a binding contract when your signed enrollment form and deposit payment are received and accepted by Biblical Archaeology Society, Travel/Study Department.
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Registration
Click "Register" on the left hand menu, or follow the link below for our printable registration form. You must have Adobe Reader to view this form. If you do not have Adobe Reader, click here first to download this free program.
DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM
If you are unable to download this PDF file, please contact the Travel/Study department at 1-800-221-4644 ext.208
If you have any questions, please contact the Travel/Study department:
Biblical Archaeology Society Travel/Study Programs
4710 41st Street NW
Washington, DC 20016-1700
USA
Toll free: 1-800-221-4644 ext.208
Fax: 1-202-364-2636
email: travelstudy@bib-arch.org
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ISRAEL AT 60