ISRAEL TOUR - $1,799

DAY 1 – Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - NEW YORK / ISTANBUL  
Tour members are welcomed this evening at
JFK International Airport , departing on Turkish Airlines via widebody aircraft arriving in Istanbul the next day.  Meals served on board.

 DAY 2 -- Wednesday - ISTANBUL / TEL AVIV / TIBERIAS
This morning we will arrive in
Istanbul and transfer to our flight to Tel Aviv.

 Upon arrival in Tel Aviv our guide who will be with us for the time we are in the Holy Land meets us. Continue through Tel Aviv, the largest city in Israel . We proceed up the coast and go to the famous Sea of Galilee where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

 DAY 3 - Thursday - TIBERIAS / BET SHEAN / SEA OF GALILEE / TIBERIAS
We visit Bet Shean at the foot of
Mt. Gilboa , where King Saul was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman and Byzantine occupations, and view the ancient tel, Roman Theater and church mosaics.  

In the afternoon we enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum , then visit Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes.  Our last stop today will be at the River Jordan then transfer to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

 DAY 4 – Friday - TIBERIAS / NAZARETH / CAESAREA / JERUSALEM
We leave Tiberias for
Jerusalem , on the way visiting Nazareth , boyhood home of Jesus.  We pass through Cana , where Jesus performed His first miracle, then proceed across the Plain of Jezreel to Megiddo to visit the excavations of over 20 different civilizations.   

In the afternoon we visit Caesarea on the Mediterranean , the Roman aqueduct and port, Crusader's Moat, and the famous Roman Theater . Board our bus and travel to Jaffa ancient port where Jonah left prior to being swallowed by the whale. Here is where Peter had his house top experience. Continue up to Jerusalem for check-in and dinner at our hotel.  

DAY 5 – Saturday – JERUSALEM / MASADA / JERICHO  
We drive to
Masada and ascend by cable car to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD, Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome .  We see the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church.  Continuing alongside the Dead Sea , 1300 ft. below sea level — the lowest spot on earth — we proceed to Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

 This afternoon we travel to Jericho , the world’s oldest city.  From the excavated tel atop the ruins of ancient Jericho we view the lush green Jordan Valley , Elisha’s spring and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. We will head up to Jerusalem and go to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

 DAY 6 -- Sunday - JERUSALEM / NEW CITY / BETHLEHEM
This morning we visit the New City of Jerusalem,
Mount Zion , the Upper Room, the tomb of King David and Dormition Abbey.  We enter the Jewish Quarter of the Old City to visit the Wohl Archaeological Museum , displaying the newly restored Herodian Quarter.  Remains of this area of Jerusalem date back to the time of the Herodian Dynasty (37 BC to 70 AD).  Proceed to the Shrine of the Book where we see the Dead Sea Scrolls on display then view the Knesset (Israeli parliament) building. Continue to visit Yad Vashem, a memorial of the Holocaust then visit the Model City .

 This afternoon we continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Manger, Crusader's Cloister and the Grotto of St. Jerome.  We then visit the cave in Shepherds' Field and view the Fields of Boaz.  En route to Jerusalem we see the Tomb of Rachel and other antiquities before returning to the hotel for dinner.

 DAY 7 – Monday - JERUSALEM / MT. OF OLIVES / OLD CITY
Today we drive to the
Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem , visit the Church of Pater Noster and the Chapel of Ascension, then proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane .  Crossing the Kidron Valley , we pass the tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and St. James, then visit the Pool of Siloam and the Church of St. Peter of Gallicantu (Caiaphas' House).

We enter the Old City this afternoon through the Zion Gate and see the Cardo and the remains of Nehemiah's Wall on the way to the Western (Wailing) Wall.  We visit the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount , the Church of St. Anne , the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man").  We follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and end our day in the Garden Tomb before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

 Day 8 – Tuesday – JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV / ISTANBUL / NEW YORK
We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.
 

OPTIONAL:  POST EXTENSION EGYPT $599

DAY 8 -- JERUSALEM / TABA / ST. KATHERINE'S Tuesday,  

Today we pass through the Valley of Elah , the site of David and Goliath's battle, through the region of Adullom, where David took refuge from Saul, and on to Beersheba , ancient city of Judah , a watering hole and trading post for thousands of years. It is the center of desert traffic, located on the edge of the vast Negev Desert . Here we catch a glimpse of Bedouin life. Then on to Eilat on the Red Sea , and cross into Egypt at Taba. Continuing through the desert, we come to St. Catherine's Monastery and Mt. Sinai , traditional site of Moses' receiving the 10 Commandments. We check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9 -- ST. KATHERINE'S / MT. SINAI / CAIRO Wednesday,   

Those who desire, may climb Mount Sinai for the sunrise. Continue to St. Katherine's Monastery, where we visit the Chapel, then go to the traditional site of the Burning Bush and the Chamber of the Skulls. We then head north to the Suez Canal and cross it to Ismailia and the desert route to Cairo , where we check into our hotel for dinner.

DAY 10 -- CAIRO - MUSEUM & PYRAMIDS Thursday,    

This morning we visit the Egyptian Museum with its priceless gems from the tomb of Tutankhamen and other world-famous relics. We tour Old Cairo, including the Coptic church of "El Moallaka", dating from the early fourth century and the Mohamed Ali Mosque. This afternoon's excursion includes an exciting camel ride to the Pyramids and visit the Sphinx. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 11 -- CAIRO / NEW YORK Friday,  January 22, 2010  

This morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.

 

"TERMS AND CONDITIONS":

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Good quality hotels with bath will be used throughout tour.  Price is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room.  An extra charge of $50 per person per night will be charged when passenger does not have a roommate or wishes a private, Single-room. (This is Not an Upgrade.)

MEALS:  Continental breakfast and dinner daily throughout the tour.  Except that no meals are provided in USA.  Extra charge for beverage or food not included in the itinerary or menu of the day.  (Beverage not included in dinners.)

SIGHTSEEING: By modern motorcoach including services of English-speaking guides and entrance fees to places included in the itinerary. 

NOT INCLUDED: Airport and airline taxes, Visa and border crossing fees, gratuities to guides, drivers and porters and hotel personnel. (These tips, taxes and fees will be approximately $682 and will be pre-collected.) (Note: Egypt is $95 and  Turkey is $97 additional) Passport, laundry, sightseeing or services other than those specifically mentioned, items of a personal nature, excess baggage, and airport porterage.  Hotel or food not included in USA .

THE TOUR PRICE:  Price is based on international tariffs and rates in effect on Date of proposal and is subject to change without notice should there be a revision in AIR or LAND rates prior to departure of tour. Price is based on a minimum of passengers using double occupancy and departing from New York . In the event a minimum of passengers do not book the tour within 45 days of departure the agent reserves the right to cancel or re-cost the tour.  Late booking or changes may result in and additional fee.

DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION:  A Non refundable deposit of $300 per person is required to secure reservations.  Balance must be paid in full not later than 60 days prior to departure of tour.   In event of cancellation, refund in full will be made up to 60 days prior to departure. (Excluding the $300 deposit.)  Cancellation 59 or fewer days prior to departure will result in forfeiture of 100% of tour price. Note: There is no exception to cancellation fee.  Date is effective when cancellation by letter, fax or e-mail is in hands of Three Coins Travel, Inc.  If Three Coins Travel cancels tour all money will be refunded.

INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is available and is strongly recommended. It includes Trip Cancellation & Interruption due to covered causes plus many other covered benefits - See policy. (Insurance premiums are non-refundable.)

RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY: The printed day-to-day itinerary and policy described in "Terms and Conditions" constitutes the complete agreement between passengers and Tour Company. The tour operator reserves the right to change the itinerary, delete or substitute sites when tour operator feels it to be in the best interest of the tour. While Three Coins Travel will attempt to assist passenger in obtaining Valid Passport, Visa and Entry permits to all countries, they remain the sole responsibility of the individual passenger. Three Coins Travel, Inc., and the participating Tour Operators and travel agencies act only as agents of the sightseeing contractors and others which provide the actual air transportation and ground transportation and land and or other tour arrangements and are not liable for civil unrest, acts of war, terrorism and/or any act, omission, governmental warnings, delay, injury, loss or damage or non-performance occurring in connection with these travel arrangements.  Passenger should note that none of these occurrences constitute reasons for cancellation of tour. The tour operator reserves the right to remove any passenger that operator feels is creating discord on the tour. This program will be operated from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 .

PASSENGER ACCEPTANCE: Payment of deposit certifies passenger has read, understands and accepts the itinerary and policy described under “Terms and Conditions” and agrees it is contractual also that any dispute regarding this transaction will be handled in King or Snohomish Counties of Washington, State.

EXCEPTIONS to any of the above policy described under "Terms and Conditions" must be in the hands of the tour members in writing from Three Coins Travel, Inc.        

Seller of Travel Registration - Washington State # 600 490 276 000