Clergy/Church Leader Familiarisation Trips, or “FAM Trips”, are designed with you in mind and open to all denominations. We’ve negotiated special introductory rates that allow you to visit Israel and experience a Holy Land Tour at a significantly reduced price before leading a trip of your own. These tours are at a heavily discounted rate and subsidised by us and our partners in Israel. Consequently, FAM Trips are offered exclusively to Church Leaders and Clergy who are interested in hosting a future group tour.
Join us on this heavily discounted tour to the Holy Land. This tour is open to Vicars, Pastors, Ministers, Bishops etc. of all denominations. If you are leading a flock this trip is for you!
Depart: January 19th 2025 - 7 nights
Tour Leader: TBC
Sunday January 19th: Meet at Heathrow Airport for our late evening flight on ElAl to Tel Aviv. We have chosen this time so you will only miss one Sunday morning!! Arrival time in Tel Aviv is around 5 o'clock on the Monday morning where we will be welcomed by our professional guide.
Monday January 20th: Your tour begins straightaway! After a stop for breakfast near the airport, we head long the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region; visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman Theater and aqueduct. Continue to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; learn the impressive history of this battle field as you visit the archaeological excavations, including the well-preserved water supply system. Thereafter we continue to Galilee (passing Nazareth and Cana on the way) to check in to the beautiful new David's Harp Resort - our base for three nights.
Tuesday January 21st: Today we will visit some key sites from Jesus' ministry that we read about in the gospels. Capernaum, the town where Jesus lived, is home to many amazing discoveries that we read about in the New Testament. Magadala, home of Mary Magdalene, Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount and Chorazhim - cursed by Jesus in Matthew 11. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Wednesday January 22nd: Today we'll head to Kursi, traditionally the site where demons were allowed to enter into the pigs before being drowning in the Sea of Galilee. Also know as Hippos, Sussita was part of Decapolis (Mark 5) and the site is likely where the man healed from demons in Kursi went to tell of what Jesus had done for him. After, we will enjoy a 'Jesus' boat ride on the Sea of Galilee; and Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Dinner and overnight at David's Harp.
Thursday January 23rd: Today we head South towards Jerusalem. However, there is much to see and do on the way!! We will stop at the Qasr al Yahud baptismal site on the Jordan River. This is the site where, tradition holds, Jesus was Himself baptised by John. Here you will have the opportunity to also be baptised in a truly spiritual experience. From here we will continue to the shores of the Dead Sea to visit Masada, ascending by cable car and touring the mountain fortress built by King Herod; visit the remains of the walls, the water cistern and Herod’s Palace. Thereafter we will visit Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls before heading into Jerusalem and checking in to our hotel . Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Friday January 24th: Really busy day today! We will visit: Yad VaShem, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Southern Steps, Western Wall, Western Wall Tunnels, Jewish Quarter, Roman Cargo, Hezekiah’s Wall and St. Peter Galicantu/Caiaphas’ House! Return to our hotel to pause for breath, dinner and overnight! Our hotel here is centrally located so you can explore more of Jerusalem in the evening at your leisure.
Saturday January 25th: An incredibly poignant day today as we dwell upon some of the places from Jesus' last days here as well as His death and resurrection. The Garden Tomb, Mt. of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, Gethsemane, Lions Gate, Pool of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will all be visited and, no doubt, leave you impacted and reflective.
Sunday January 26th: Our last day in Israel. However, we have a late afternoon flight so there is still time to visit the Israel museum in the morning. Then we head back to Tel Aviv airport for our flight back to Heathrow with our hearts and minds full.
