INNER FAITH TRAVEL is a non-denominational Christian travel company, established to serve the travel needs of the Church. Depart via Asia where we connect with our onward flight to TEL AVIV, ISRAEL. Afternoon arrival TEL AVIV ISRAEL, where we will be met by Inner Faith Travel representatives and transported to our hotel.
1. ift.net.au
Ph: (61) 07 5530 2900
Israel tour 2014 with Nigel
& Rochelle Merrick
26th April - 20th May, 2014
ift.net.au
2. Hosted By: Nigel & Rochelle Merrick
TOUR LINK
COST PER PERSON TWIN SHARE $6985.00 (Minimum of 15
full paying adult passengers)
Greek Island Cruise Extension $2199.00.00 Business Class
upgrade is available upon request
3. ISRAEL TOUR 2014 With NIGEL & ROCHELLE
MERRICK
TOUR DATES: 26th April to 15th May 2014 – ISRAEL TOUR
OPTIONAL: 13th May to 20th May 2014 – IN THE STEPS OF PAUL LAND /
CRUISE TOUR
Featuring
ISRAEL: JERUSALEM, SEA OF GALILEE, NAZARETH, Bethlehem, BEER
SHEBA, THE DEAD SEA, JERICHO,
ACCO, CAESAREA
REF: 914 MERRICK TOUR
PLEASE NOTE: THE ITINERARY CAN CHANGE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS DUE
TO SECURITY ISSUES, WEATHER RESTRICTIONS, OR MUNICIPAL OR ENTRY
TIME CHANGES AT SITES
4. SATURDAY 26th April 2014
TOUR LINK
Depart via Asia where we connect with our onward flight to TEL AVIV, ISRAEL.
(Meals in Flight)
SUNDAY 27th April
Afternoon arrival TEL AVIV ISRAEL, where we will be met by Inner Faith Travel
representatives and transported to our hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv. (D)
5. MONDAY 28th April
TOUR LINK
Morning departure for our coastal tour of the MEDITERRANEAN SEA PORTS. En
route we will visit CAESAREA, (Acts 23:31- 26:32) site of Herod’s Palace, home
of Cornelius and where Paul was brought to trial. Overnight in Haifa. (B-D)
6. WEDNESDAY 30th April
TOUR LINK
After breakfast we visit MT CARMEL and Muhraqa, where Elijah called down
fire from Heaven to defeat the prophets of Baal. We continue and pass
through the MEGGIDO VALLEY, the large plain where the final battle of
Armageddon is prophesied to take place. Tel Meggido is our next stop. Our
journey then takes us to Nazareth where Jesus grew to manhood visiting the
Church of Annunciation, (Luke 1:26-38) which covers the boyhood home of
Jesus. We spend time at Nazareth Village recreating village lifestyle during the
time of Jesus experiencing the Nazareth Jesus knew! From there we will visit
the Mount of the Precipice where Jesus was driven by the crowd.
(Luke 4:16-30) Continuing on passing Cana we round the crest of a hill the SEA
OF GALILEE unfolds in a breathtaking panoramic scene before our eyes.
Overnight Galilee. (B-D)
7. THURSDAY 1st May
TOUR LINK
Today, we explore this historical area of Galilee. Remember how Jesus walked
on the water? (Mark 4:35-41) Our special traditional sailing vessel will take us
across the Sea of Galilee, stopping in the middle for a time of reflection and
worship. Rejoice! Jesus is alive. We disembark at Nof Ginnosar a kibbutz
located on the shores of the Galilee where we will see the remains of a boat
from the time of Jesus. Arriving later to CAPERNAUM, the city of Jesus, we visit
the ruins of the synagogue where Jesus performed many miracles.
(Luke 4:31-37) We will visit ST PETER’S PRIMACY CHURCH.
You will see the new excavations of ST PETER’S house (Luke 4:38-41) and visit
TABGHA, where Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fishes to feed the
multitudes (John 6:1-14) and later ascending to the top of the MOUNT OF
BEATITUDES, (Matthew 5:1-12) where we will read the Sermon on the Mount.
Overnight Galilee. (B-D)
8. FRIDAY 2nd May
TOUR LINK
After breakfast, we travel to the Golan Heights with Mt. Hermon in the
background. We will explore Tel Dan, and plan to have lunch at Kfar Bloom.
Then we journey on to Banias, and visit CAESAREA PHILIPPI (Mark 8:27-30),
where Peter confessed his faith in Jesus and on to the Valley of Tears and the
Fortress of Nimrod as we view the Golan heights and Gadara.
Overnight Galilee. (B-D)
SATURDAY 3rd May
Our day begins with a visit to the Yardent Baptismal site. Then we journey
south following the scenic Jordan Valley and visiting the Decapolis city of BEITSHEAN where King Saul’s body was hung on the gates of the city. (1 Samuel
31:1-13) Qumran is our next stop, where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered.
We end our day with a visit to the Ahava Factory famous for its Dead Sea
beauty products before we check into our resort hotel located on the shores of
the Dead Sea. Overnight Dead Sea. (B-D)
9. SUNDAY 4th May
TOUR LINK
This morning we ascend by cable car the mighty fortress of MASADA, the site
of the last heroic 3-year stand of 960 Jewish defenders against the Roman
Empire.
From its heights we enjoy tremendous views of Jordan and the Dead Sea. We
return to our hotel to enjoy a ‘float’ in the medicinal waters of the Salt Sea.
Overnight Dead Sea. (B-D)
10. MONDAY 5th May
TOUR LINK
We visit Lot’s wife Pillar before journeying to the Park of the Australian Soldier,
the British Cemetery where Australian, New Zealand and British soldiers lay at
rest together, Tel es Saba where the NZ Mounted Rifles and some Australians
took the high place, Chauvel’s Hill from where we can view the plain where the
800 Australian Light horsemen rode into history with their famous charge and
the Biblical site of Abraham’s well. On to Eliat on the shores of the Red Sea.
Overnight Eliat. (B-D)
TUESDAY 6th May
An easy day today. After a late breakfast we will embark on a cruise of the Red
Sea with the rest of the day free to enjoy Eliat or relax at the hotel.
Overnight Elait. (B-D)
11. WEDNESDAY 7th May
TOUR LINK
Our day begins with a visit to the interesting recreated Tabernacle in the
wilderness at Timna. Then to Mitzpe Ramon’s biggest sight is the Ramon Crater
(Machtesh Ramon), 500 meters deep, 40 kilometers long, 10 kilometers at it’s
widest, and claimed to be the largest in the world. Our sojourn ends with an
experience of a traditional Bedouin “desert camp” at Kfar Hanokdim. Feast on
traditional Bedouin grilled banquet. Overnight Kfar Hanokdim. (B, D)
THURSDAY 8th May
We travel to “UP TO JERUSALEM” via Hedron and the Tomb of Abraham,
before we enter BETHLEHEM to visit the Church of Nativity. (Luke 2:1-7) En
route, we pass by Rachael’s Tomb and spend time at the Shepherd’s Fields
(Luke 2:8-20) before visiting Christchurch, the oldest protestant Church in the
Middle East. Tonight we enjoy the sound and light show at the City of David.
Overnight Jerusalem. (B-D)
12. FRIDAY 9th May
TOUR LINK
We awaken in the city of the Great King, Jerusalem, and the geographic centre
of the world. You can feel the atmosphere that sets Jerusalem apart from any
other city in the world. We have a full day of touring Old Jerusalem, following
in the footsteps of Jesus. We visit the Mount of Olives, for an overview of the
city, and then descend via the Palm Sunday Walk to Gethsemane. (Matthew
26:36-46).In the afternoon we will follow the Via Dolorosa from Lion’s Gate to
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also visiting the POOLS OF BETHESDA, (John
5:1-10) where Jesus cured an invalid, and continue to St. Anne’s Church and
the Antonia Fortress. We continue along the Via Dolorosa to the Jaffa Gate.
Overnight in Jerusalem. (B-D)
13. SATURDAY 10th May
TOUR LINK
This morning we visit the TEMPLE MOUNT and the WESTERN WALL, (Luke
25:5-24) the most sacred site for the Jewish people. We will walk the Southern
Steps of the Temple Mount before enjoying lunch in The Jewish Quarter. In the
afternoon we will visit the Temple Institute and the Burnt House, followed by a
wander through the Jewish Quarter via the Cardo to Mount Zion. (Psalm 48).
Next Herod’s Tunnel and the City of David & the Upper Room before ending
our day at Abraham’s Tent for dinner. Overnight Jerusalem. (B-D)
SUNDAY 11th May
We begin the day with a visit to Bethel, Samaraia, where we will meet a local
Samaritian Priest. Afterwards we visit the Museum, Shiloh, Mt Corazim and the
Mount of Blessing, before enjoying a lunch break. Afterwards, we will spend
the afternoon at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. We end the day with a
visit to the Ramparts Walk. Overnight Jerusalem. (B-D)
14. MONDAY 12th May
TOUR LINK
Our day begins with a visit the Garden Tomb where we will celebrate
Communion together. A spiritual oasis in this bustling city. “From here we visit
Caiphas’ House and the Israel Museum which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. The
remainder of the day is yours to enjoy shopping or resting briefly before
heading to the Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport for those guests returning home.
For those taking the Greece / Turkey option we overnight in Jerusalem. (B-D)
WEDNESDAY 14th May
Arrival home with memories to last a lifetime. (Meals in Flight)
15. OPTIONAL EXTENSION – ATHENS & GREEK
ISLAND CRUISE
TOUR LINK
TUESDAY 13th May
Early morning departure to the Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport for our flight to
Athens. The remainder of the day will be for rest and relaxation.
Overnight Athens. (B-D)
16. WEDNESDAY 14th May
TOUR LINK
We commence a morning city tour in Athens to see the Panathenian Stadium,
Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Zeus, National Garden, Parliament Building, Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier, Panepistimiou Avenue, National Library. We climb up to Acropolis
Hill and visit Parthenon & Erectheion. We then go to nearby “Mars Hill” (Areopagus)
(Acts 17:22) where Paul delivered his soul-stirring sermon to the giants of philosophy,
logic and learning and spoke about the inscription: “to an unknown god”. After the
tour we check-in at our hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Athens. (B-D)
THURSDAY 15th May
Boarding our tour bus taking the route out of Athens takes us by the Saronic Gulf and
via the historic Corinthian Canal (quick stop for photos) to ancient Corinth (Acts 18:118). It was to this megalopolis where the apostle Paul came and worked, established a
thriving church, subsequently sending two of his epistles now part of the New
Testament. Here, see all of the sites associated with his ministry: the Agora, the
Temple of Apollo, the Roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s Seat. The small
archaeological museum here is an absolute must! We continue to visit to Lechaion
and also see the ruins of early Christian 5th century basilica at the ancient port of
Cenchreae before returning to Athens for Overnight. (B-D)
17. FRIDAY 16th May TO 19th May GREEK ISLAND CRUISE
Morning embarkation on our relaxing three nights Greek Island Cruise. First
port of call is the Island of Mykonos. (BLD)
SATURDAY 17th May
Time at the Turkish Port City of Kusadasi with the option of a shore excursion
to Ancient Ephesus. Afternoon option to visit St John’s Grotto on the Island of
Patmos. (BLD)
18. SUNDAY 18th May
TOUR LINK
Day on the beautiful island of Santorini. (BLD)
MONDAY 19th May
Morning disembarkation at Piraeus Port, Athens. Some free time for shopping
before transferring to the Athens airport for our flight home.
(B – Meals in Flight)
TUESDAY 20th May
Arrival Home
19. SUMMARY OF TOUR
Price include: Airfare to Tel Aviv, Israel – Israel to Athens and Athens return to Australia
Airport assistance and touring expenses in all countries visited, with an English speaking
tour guide in new air-conditioned coaches, overnight accommodations in mostly 4 star
hotels, Cruise – with All Meals (Breakfast – Dinners) where indicated. All entrance fees,
Sea of Galilee boat expenses, and majority of hotel and airport baggage handling.
Price does not include: Drinks with meals, Tipping Expense, Travel Insurance, departure
and ticket taxes, or visas. Single room supplement cost available on request. Additional
extra trips must be booked and paid for 60 days before departure.
This tour is being made possible through Nigel Merrick & Inner Faith Travel. Prices and
dates are subject to change at any time at the discretion of Inner Faith Travel due to
currency fluctuations, flight rescheduling or airfare increases, etc. at time of publication
05/04/13
COST PER PERSON TWIN SHARE $6985.00
(Minimum of 15 full paying adult passengers)
Greek Island Cruise Extension $2199.00.00
Business Class upgrade is available upon request