July 2024 Bible Study Tour of Israel
A 13-day journey in which we will cover the land of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
Led by Barry Britnell
NOTE: THIS TOUR COMPLETELY SOLD OUT.
Barry Britnell, standing on the Mount of Olives.
Having grown up going to church, I have always had a passion for God’s Word. However, it was not until I traveled to Israel and Jordan in 2010 that I was able to successfully put the Bible in its geographical context. The trip also made the characters of the Bible seem more real. I was able to walk where they walked and see the same places that they saw. I finally was able to understand why the Biblical writers wrote the way that they did because I had seen the land.
Since that time, I have dedicated my life to helping others understand what I have learned. Hardly a month goes by in which I am not preaching or teaching a series of lessons involving Biblical geography.
In 2014, I began leading tours to Israel because there is no better teacher of the land than the land itself. Since 2010, I have been to Israel about a dozen times, and every day that I spend over there, I learn more and more about God’s Word.
Why don’t you join me and experience this for yourself? In 2024, I’m leading several tours of this historic land and I would love for you to join me. We will travel from Dan to Beersheba and all points in between. You will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus calmed the storm. You will walk through the creek bed in the Valley of Elah where David chose his five smooth stones. And, you will stand on the Mount of Olives and view the beautiful city of Jerusalem.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at barry.britnell@exploringbiblelands.com.
GENERAL ITINERARY
MONDAY, JULY 15
You will rendezvous with your tour group in New York City and board an overnight flight to Israel.
TUESDAY, JULY 16
Our luxury touring coach will be waiting for us at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport. After boarding, we will visit Tel Aviv, the largest city in Israel. Tel Aviv is a very modern city and is quickly becoming one of the technological capitals of the world. Our hotel is in the coastal resort city of Netanya, and sits on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
Our first destination of the day will be the coastal city of Caesarea Maritima on the coast of the “Great Sea”, the home of Cornelius and the city where Paul was imprisoned for two years awaiting trial. From there we will arrive at the top of Mount Carmel where the prophet Elijah competed with the prophets of Baal. This will also offer us our first view of the expansive Jezreel Valley. A visit to Megiddo will highlight its strategic importance. On the northern side of the valley, our tour of Nazareth will include a visit to a reconstructed first-century village. This village is always a highlight for Bible class teachers as it offers tremendous opportunities to better understand the customs of the Bible. Our day will end with our arrival at the Sea of Galilee.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, JULY 18 & 19
Since there are so many things to see in the region of Galilee, we are going to take two full days. On one day, we will travel to the Upper Galilee region and visit the cities of Hazor, Dan, and Caesarea Philippi. This area usually provides some beautiful views of Mount Hermon. On our return back to the Sea, we will travel through the Golan Heights, which will include a view of the Syrian plains in the direction of Damascus, where Paul received his vision. Our second day will be spent entirely around the Sea itself, beginning with a boat ride across the Sea. You will be able to understand the way that the narratives are written when you can see the locations for yourself. Our time on the sea will be followed by visits to Capernaum, Tiberias, Magdala, the Mount of Beatitudes, Chorazin, Bethsaida, the Cove of the Sower, and an actual boat from the first century.
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Today, we will go to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. As we travel along the way, we will visit Beth-shean, the Spring of Harod, and Jezreel. We will be able to see the Hill of Moreh where Gideon attacked the Midianites, Mount Tabor where Deborah and Barak fought against Sisera, and Mount Gilboa where Saul died. After lunch in Jericho, we will travel to our overnight destination on the shores of the Dead Sea. That evening, you will have the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea.
SUNDAY, JULY 21
In the morning, we will travel along the western shore of the Dead Sea. We will start off at the site of King Herod's summer palace at Masada. Then we will visit En Gedi where David hid from Saul and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Finally, we will arrive at one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Jerusalem.
MONDAY, JULY 22
We will start our day with a visit to the Mount of Olives. You will never forget this traditional view of Jerusalem. Walking through the Garden of Gethsemane and to the Kidron Valley will bring us to the City of David. Here, we will see the foundations of the ancient city, the Gihon Spring, and see Hezekiah’s tunnel. On the southern end of the hill, excavations are underway around the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus told the blind man to wash to receive his sight. After lunch, it is on to Bethlehem, and a visit to the Church of the Nativity.
TUESDAY, JULY 23
We will start our day on the Temple Mount, where Solomon built his temple and Peter preached to the crowd on the Day of Pentecost. We will walk through the Old City of Jerusalem on our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional location of Golgotha. You will never forget your walk through this ancient city. The Western Wall of the Temple Mount is the holiest site in Jewish religion. We will end our day sitting on the southern steps of the Temple Mount, the same steps that Jesus walked up when he visited the temple as a child.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24
We will spend the day with a tour of the Shephelah. We will visit the Sorek Valley where Samson lived, and the Valley of Elah to see the site where David defeated Goliath. Following lunch, Lachish, Gath and many other sites in the area are on our route. We will end our day with a trip to the Garden Tomb, north of the Old City.
THURSDAY, JULY 25
We will spend the entire day in the land of Samaria. We will visit Shiloh, Nablus, and ancient Samaria. The land in this area of the country is simply beautiful. The rolling hills will make you rethink many of the Biblical stories that happened in this area.
FRIDAY, JULY 26
On our final day in Israel, we will start at the Israel Museum. From there, you will be able to view the original Dead Sea Scrolls and several artifacts that relate directly to many places we have visited. The large-scale model of Jerusalem in the first century will “pull it all together” for you. Our day ends by touring ancient Joppa and enjoying our last meal together while overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. After dinner, we will head to the airport to prepare for our overnight flight home.
SATURDAY, JULY 27
We will arrive back in the United States remembering all of the things that we have learned and ready to share them with others.
TOUR INFORMATION
The cost of your tour includes:
• Accommodations in first-class hotels (based on two persons sharing in twin-bedded rooms with private bath).
• All breakfasts and dinners served at the hotels.
• All transfers to/from the airport and daily transportation provided by private motorcoach.
• Excellent and extremely knowledgeable English-speaking guides.
• All admission fees, porterage, hotel taxes, and services charges.
• All tips for tour guide, bus driver, hotel staff, porterage, and dining hall staff.
• $700.00 in government taxes and airline fuel surcharges.
The total cost for this tour is only $——- (per person, based on double occupancy). This is a custom tour built at the request of Barry Britnell for the travelers on this tour. And, as stated above, this tour includes many extras already built in including all tips and most meals.
It will be a tour that you will always remember. Israeli tourism is at an all-time high. If you are interested at all, contact me as soon as possible.
Sign me up! What do I need to do?
• Download the Tour Brochure and Registration Form.
• Read the General Terms and Conditions linked from the brochure to the Nawas website.
• Complete the Registration Form in the brochure.
• Mail the Registration Form, a copy of your Passport, and your deposit to the address listed on the form. (Full payment is due by January 11, 2024.)
• Sit back, relax and count the days until we leave.
TESTIMONIALS
“There is something special about standing in the valley of Elah within yards of where David bravely defeated Goliath as opposed to simply reading about it in the Bible. In fact, my entire perspective of the Biblical writings of events that took place in Israel have changed after having traveled on the ‘Exploring Bible Lands’ tour with Barry. The trip was what I expected: organized, safe, inspiring and informative. What I was not prepared for was the fun, the brotherhood and friendships that were formed while exploring the Bible lands with fellow students of the Bible. There is no doubt that I will make this trip again since there was far too much information to gather in one trip. But Barry does as good as possible to make every hour informative and fun. Cannot wait for the next journey.”
“Every aspect of the trip was incredible. It is impossible to describe standing in places we read about in the Bible. Dipping your feet in Galilee, feeling the hot air of the wilderness, walking across the ruins of ancient cities - these experiences bring the Scriptures to life. What can be described is the first rate accommodations and the joy of traveling with fantastic people. Knowing that each day you will have good food, a comfortable bed, and enjoyable company makes each day a gift in itself. Combine all this with a fantastic tour guide and you have an unbeatable experience! I am excited for anyone who is able to travel with Barry and Tabatha to the Bible Lands!”
“I toured Israel with Barry’s group in July 2017, and the tour far exceeded my expectations. Barry’s scope of knowledge about the country and its history, his relationships with the local tour guide and driver, and the immaculate planning of each day’s itinerary ensured that we had a spectacular trip. I would encourage anyone with a desire to learn more about the places, cities and sites in the Bible to consider a trip with Barry, it was an experience of a lifetime!”