Sea of Galilee
Aliyah Return Center

RESTORATION TOUR 2023

with Chaim Malespin

Prices start from:

$2,320

Tour Details

Chaim Malespin

Travel Dates: September 11 to 19 September , 2023
Departure & Return Location: Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)
Your Host: Chaim Malespin

back to top

Itinerary

all dates subject to change

Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

You will be welcomed at the Tel Aviv airport by the representative and transferred to your hotel to
enjoy dinner before retiring for the night.

Worship as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). Recall Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River. This afternoon visit the Aliyah Return Center and learn of the many wonderful ways the center assists in helping Jewish immigrants thrive in the Holy Land.9:14-29).

Visit a Kibbutz, a collectively organized agricultural settlement, in the upper Galilee. Meet a Kibbutznik who will tell about life along the Lebanese border, some kilometers away from the area where Hezbollah, a militant Islamic movement, is in power. Meet Israeli soldiers, young guys that are responsible for Israel’s safety on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. An on-site briefing regarding Israel’s security challenges concerning the Iranian supported Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon Visit to Banias, the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi on the feet of Mount Hermon, where Jesus demanded to know of his disciples who people were saying he was (Matthew 16:13).

Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle, before continuing on to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Look out over Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) to view one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. Today’s last stop is Caesarea, a center of the early Christians where an angel visited Cornelius, the first Gentile believer (Acts 10), and where Paul was imprisoned for two years before appealing to Caesar.

We leave the Galilee and begin our journey south along the Jordan Valley. Turning West, we enter ancient Samaria, home of Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal. We also plan to visit a local winery and Shiloh where the Ark of the Covenant was housed prior to the Temple being constructed. We will continue our journey south, entering the capital city of Jerusalem where we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.Visit the Western Wall, where people gather to pray for the start of the Shabbat. Join in Shabbat prayers with thousands of others at the Western Wall.

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace and see the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 1:18-25). Gaze out over Shepherds’ Field before returning to Jerusalem. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and envision the scenes of the night before Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 26:36 – 44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was questioned the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:57). Meditate on the events of the Last Supper as you visit the traditional location of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26).
Visit the Garden Tomb. This ancient cemetery is a moving site in which to recall the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Spend time in these peaceful garden surroundings in prayer, song and fellowship.

Today you visit Masada and the Dead Sea. Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s legendary mountaintop fortress which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. You can still look down on the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below. End your day with a dip in the salt and mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.

Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City. Explore ancient Jerusalem at the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. View the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle (John 5:1-18). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and experience its rich acoustics. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1).

Departure flight to the USA.

back to top

Services

Price Includes

  • 8 overnights according to the itinerary
  • Air conditioned transportation by deluxe coach
  • Licensed, English speaking local tour guide
  • Daily breakfast and dinner in the hotel
  • All entrance fees, gratuities and taxes according to the itinerary
  • Tips for driver, guide and local hotel staff
  • Access to all relevant tour information on custom-made travel app

Price Excludes

  • Airfare to/from Israel
  • Travel insurance (Click for more information)
  • Lunches
  • Beverages
  • Visa Costs (Click for more information)
  • Personal Expenses

back to top

? FAQs

back to top

WHO IS KESHET JOURNEYS?

Keshet Journeys LTD. is the travel agency  and local tour operator in Israel coordinating the booking process and the land operation for the Tour with Nate Buzolic.

WHO IS WORLDWIDE VILLAGE LTD?

Worldwide Village LTD (WWV) is the travel agency, based in Switzerland, coordinating the booking process and collecting the payments for the Tour with Nate Buzolic on behalf of Keshet Journeys.

WWV can provide assistance for all questions regarding registration, payments, lodging, and flights. You can contact WWV representative by sending an email to customerservice@wwv.travel.

HOW DO I JOIN THE TOUR?

You can reserve your place on the Tour by registering on the website.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS?

The minimum number of participants for this tour is 25 people.

WHEN IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE?

All registrations must be made by August 10, 2023. Registrations beyond this date will only be accommodated based on availability.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS NECESSARY FOR TOUR REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL TO ISRAEL?

A current passport, valid for at least six months beyond the tour, is required. There are no exceptions to this policy. A travel visa is required for some countries. Please find out more about Israel’s visa policies regarding your country here: Israel’s Visa Policy.

HOW IS THE LODGING DETERMINED?

The registration pricing per tour participant is equal for double occupancy (two people sharing a room), or single occupancy.  If you want to share a room with a specific roommate, you must register together as a two guest registration. Different bedding arrangements can be requested. If you wish to add a roommate to your registration later on, please contact WWV directly to do so.

WHAT IS THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE?

The full price of the land package is: based on double occupancy USD 2320.  A deposit of USD 500 per person is due at the time of registration.  Full payment is due 45 days before the start of the tour.

AM I REQUIRED TO PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE?

We urge you to purchase cancellation insurance and supplemental medical coverage (which covers pre-existing conditions).

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE TO CANCEL MY PARTICIPATION?

In addition to the Contractual Conditions of WorldWide Village Travel Ltd. the following cancellation policy is valid for your trip:

Cancellation charges:

In case of cancellations by client, the following percentage of the total price will be charged:
Until 61 days prior the scheduled departure date: free of charge
Until 60 – 31 days prior the scheduled departure date: non-refundable down payment
30 – 0 days prior the scheduled departure date: 100% of total amount

Cancellation of additional services:

Unless otherwise stated, all by the client pre-booked additional services related are non-refundable after booking. In case of full cancellation of the tour by Keshet Journeys / WorldWide Village the down payment as well as pre-booked pre-/ and post-nights will be refunded.

WHAT MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BEFORE TRAVELLING TO ISRAEL?

There are no specific immunizations or medications that are recommended or required for travel to Israel, but we advise you to connect with your primary care physician regarding his/her recommendations for you specifically. Please keep in mind that you can purchase the equivalent of most standard over-the-counter medicines in Israel. We would also encourage you to inform your health insurance provider that you will be traveling out of the country to determine your coverage and medical care options while in Israel.

HOW SAFE IS TRAVELING TO ISRAEL?

Your safety is our top priority. Israel is a very safe country to visit and tour, and we use a variety of measures to ensure the safety of all the participants on the Tour. We also encourage you to take all the normal precautions as you would when traveling to any other city or country.

WHAT IS THE TIMEZONE IN ISRAEL?

Israel Standard Time (IST), is the standard time zone in Israel. It is two hours ahead of UTC and seven hours ahead of EST.

CAN I DRINK TAP WATER IN ISRAEL?

Tap water is safe to drink in Israel, but bottled water will also be available.

WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO WIFI?

Most hotels in Israel have WiFi available for hotel guests at standard rates. Many cafes and restaurants also offer complimentary WiFi services. Since September 2013, Tel Aviv offers a citywide free WiFi network which provides 80 free internet “hot spots”across the city. Most of the touring buses also have complimentary WIFI available.

WILL I BE ABLE TO USE MY CELL PHONE WHILE IN ISRAEL?

Please check with your mobile phone service provider to determine if you will need to purchase an International plan to use your phone in Israel. Local Israeli SIM cards with phone/data plans can be purchased during the registration process and will be delivered upon arrival in Israel. To make use of this service, your phone has to be “unlocked”.

ARE CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED IN ISRAEL?

You can use your credit/debit card to obtain NIS (New Israeli Shekels) at ATMs throughout Israel. Most Israeli hotels, restaurants and stores accept American Express, MasterCard and Visa cards as well. American dollars are accepted in many places in Israel; however, in most cases, change will be given in NIS.

WILL I NEED TO BRING A POWER ADAPTER?

Almost all hotel rooms are equipped with hairdryers, and all have shaver sockets. For other appliances, Israel’s electricity is 220V A/C, single phase 50-cycles; 110V-220V transformers can be used. Israeli outlets have three prongs, but European two-prong adapters usually work.