• Day 1: Depart the US - Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight to Israel.
• Day 2: Arrive in the Holy Land - You will be welcomed to the Holy Land by our representative and transferred to the hotel for dinner and your first overnight stay.
• Day 3: Valley of Elah, Beersheba, Lachish and Arad - Today journey through the Valley of Elah where David defeated Goliath (I Samuel 17) on your way to Lachish, a city which dates back to over 2000 years before Christ. Captured by both Joshua and fortified by Rehoboam, it was one of the principal cities of Judah. One of its conquerors, Sennacherib, destroyed Lachish (II Kings 18) and memorialized the victory in reliefs on the walls of his palace in Ninevah. Proceed to Beersheba, meaning well of swearing, the place where Abraham and the Philistine king, Abimelech, made a covenant (Genesis 21). Travel to Arad, mentioned only four times in the Bible, yet an important city in biblical times. The most remarkable discovery in Arad is the only Israelite temple yet excavated. Its plan appears to follow that of Solomon’s temple.
• Day 4: Nebi Samuel, Emmaus, Yad Hashmona Biblical Garden, Ein Karem, Bethlehem - Visit Nebi Samuel, thought to be the burial place of the prophet Samuel. Travel to Emmaus where Jesus, after His resurrection, was invited to visit with two of his disciples who did not recognize Him until He blessed and broke bread with them (Luke 24). Visit Yad Hashmona Biblical Garden where you will receive hands-on exposure to ancient mannerisms and customs of the Israelites. Continue your travels to Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of John the Baptist. It was here that Mary journeyed to share with Elizabeth her good news (Luke 1). In Bethlehem visit the cave where Jesus was born and the church that has been constructed on the site (Matthew 1; Luke 2). Nearby, you will view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard.
• Day 5: Jerusalem This morning visit the Old City of Jerusalem, and walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops and now partially restored. Visit the Burnt House, testimony to the Roman invasion of 70 A.D. and the destruction of Jerusalem. See a Roman sword and blackened ceramics lying among the scattered ruins. Leave the old city and stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the "Golden City" of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1). Walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and pray there as Jesus prayed (Matthew 26). Stroll down the Kidron Valley to the Gihon Spring, the ancient water source of the city of Jerusalem and see the entrance to Hezekiah’s Tunnel.
• Day 6: Leisure Day with Optional Masada and Dead Sea Tour - Explore on your own or visit Masada (additional charge), Herod’s mountaintop fortress that became the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Time permitting; you’ll stop briefly at the Shores of the Dead Sea for a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.
• Day 7: Jerusalem - Visit the Davidson Center and the Southern Wall Excavations including the Teaching Steps, the Western Wall. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23). Walk the Via Dolorosa, "the Way of the Cross", and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On Mount Zion you will view the site of King David’s Tomb. Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Supper (Mark 14). Visit the Garden Tomb, possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and experience the reality of the Resurrection.
• Day 8 Qumran, Jericho and Beit Shean - Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. Continue on to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6: 1,2,20). Jericho is the oldest known inhabited city in the world and parts of the ancient city walls have been uncovered. From Jericho you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt.4: 1-11) and the Judean wilderness. Visit the Baptismal Site at Kasr el Yehud, the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Travel to the ruins of Beit Shean which was continuously inhabited for 5000 years and was one of the Roman cities Jesus passed on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem.
• Day 9: Galilee - Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry. Visit the synagogue that stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4). Not far away is Bethsaida where Jesus chose five of his disciples (Matthew 4; John 1). With Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. At Kibbutz Nof Ginosaur, you will learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matthew 5-7). Drive through Nazareth.
• Day 10: Optional extension tour or Return to US - Depart on an exciting extension tour to Egypt or Jordan or return to the USA!

Single Supplement:If you request a Single Occupancy room or if a roommate cannot be secured, the charges are as follows: (Please note: When available, single occupancy rooms are often smaller then double occupancy rooms!)

• If you will be joining us for Option #1: The Holy Land - Journey Through the Bible tour, there is a $498 charge for a single occupancy room.
• If you would like to continue your adventure and join us on the Wonders of Egypt Extension Tour, there is a $498 additional charge for a single occupancy room.

FINAL PAYMENT DUE AUGUST 8, 2010 Educational Opportunities will asses a late payment fee of $100 if you pay your balance after 8/8/2010!

Educational Opportunities Cancellation Policy & Fees: 100% of Cancellation Fees are covered by the optional Travel Insurance Program provided premium has been paid and reason for cancellation is insurable. Those who do not take insurance should be aware of the following cancellation penalties: From day of registration to 90 days prior to 105 days out, you will be charged the $90 non-refundable administrative fee plus any airline fees and a $59.00 non-refundable A Matter of the Heart registration fee. Thereafter, you will be charged any airline penalties and a single room supplement if your cancellation forces your roommate into a single.

The following charges also apply :

• 104-60 days = $400
• 59-45 days = $600
• 44-31 days = 40% of total cost
• 30 days to day of departure = 100% of the total cost

In addition, cancellation fees for extension tours are:

59-31 days = 25% of extension cost
• 30-0 days = 100% of extension cost

You must submit cancellation in writing.

Sorry, no discount coupons can be used on this tour.

Roommate Matching : While Educational Opportunities & A Matter of the Heart will try to match people with roommates, we CANNOT guarantee that a roommate will be available. Roommates may be assigned as late as 35 days prior to departure. If a roommate is not available, the following additional single occupancy charge will apply $498.00 for the basic tour.