Day One: Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Departure Day.

Depart USA for Israel. Meals and overnight: In flight.

Day Two: Thursday, May 15, 2025. Arrival Day.

Arrive Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. Transfer to the hotel near the Mediterranean coast for dinner and a good night’s rest! Dinner and overnight: coastal area. (1 of 1) D

Day Three: Friday, May 16, 2025. Four Conflicts in the Background of the Gospels.

Highlighting example sites, this study focuses on four key conflicts in the background of Jesus' public ministry. Sites: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Valley of Armageddon, Zippori, Nazareth (cave homes). Overnight: Sea of Galilee area. (1 of 3) B, D

Day Four: Saturday, May 17, 2025. Characteristics of the Disciples.

Using the four gospel accounts, we will investigate the hints on the background, education and theology of the disciples. Sites: Arbel, Magdala, Mt. Beatitudes, Capernaum, Ancient Boat exhibit, boat ride, baptism. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. (2 of 3) B, D

Day Five: Sunday, May 18, 2025. Private Teachings for the Disciples.

Based on the five sermons in the Gospel according to Matthew, our focus will be on the common teaching style of the ancient rabbis. Sites: Tel Dan, Banias (Caesarea Philippi), overlook into Syria, Qatzrin (Talmudic Village). Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. (3 of 3) B, D

Day Six – Monday, May 22, 2025.  The Perean Ministry

Our first stop is the massive excavations at Bet Shean, one of the cities of the Decapolis. Luke’s “Special Section” (chapters 10-19) includes a longer narrative of Jesus’ walk through Perea. This is discussed as we journey down the Jordan Valley, through the wilderness of Samaria to overlook the ancient city of Jericho, and then on to Qumran (where the Dead Sea scrolls were found). After a hike to the waterfall in the Ein Gedi gorge, we will arrive at our hotel on the Dead Sea. Sites include: Beth Shean, overlook of Jericho, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Spa. Overnight: Dead Sea area spa (1 night). B,D

Day Seven – Tuesday, May 23, 2025.  The Wilderness Places

The morning is free to enjoy the Dead Sea and the facilities at the spa. At noon we’ll leave for Masada, ascending in the cable car, and walking down the Roman ramp. As we drive through the Judean desert, various Biblical wilderness themes will be highlighted. The Bedouin experience at the end of the day will include a camel trek, and learning about Bedouin culture (think: Abraham). Sites include: Masada, HaNokdim Bedouin Camp. Overnight: in desert tent (with camp-style bathrooms and showers); older adult couples will have private rooms with ensuite bath. (1 night) B,D

Day Eight – Wednesday, May 24, 2025.  Patriarchs, Judges, Prophets and Kings

Visiting the areas of Tel Sheva (Bersheva), Lachish (Babylonian invasion), Azekah (Assyrian invasion), the Valley of Elah (David and Goliath), and Bet Shemesh (Samson) we look at examples of leaders who followed God, and those who didn’t.  And finally, it is “up to Jerusalem”, the Holy City. Overnight: Jerusalem (5 nights). B,D.

Day Nine – Thursday, May 25, 2025.  Temple Troubles and Messianic Expectations

This morning’s visits include the Temple Mount, Mt. Scopus, Mt. of Olives, and the Garden of Gethsemane. The afternoon takes us back into the Old City for the Western Wall, and the South Wall steps. Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D

Day Ten – Friday, May 26, 2025.  A Living People

A visit to Gush Etzion will make us much more aware of the modern history of the Jewish people and then on to the modern Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem (with its ancient Cardo, Broad Wall, and Herodian Mansions and Burnt House). Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D

Day Eleven – Saturday, May 27, 2025. Journey to Calvary. 

The issues involved in the arrest, trial and conviction of Jesus will be our subject today as we walk the Via Dolorosa with the Pools of Bethesda, Praetorium, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We finish the morning at the Garden Tomb with communion. Setting of the Birth of Jesus:  After lunch in Bethlehem, we will investigate what the biblical accounts tell us of the time of Jesus' birth. Sites include: Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem (conditions permitting). And then we make a stop in an olive wood shop owned by an Arab believer.  Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D

Day Twelve – Sunday, May 28, 2025.  Free day

Today is free for exploring, shopping, packing and/or relaxing before our final dinner together. B,D

Day Thirteen – Monday, May 29, 2025.  Return Home! Breakfast, and then our morning departure to the airport for security and our flight to the USA, arriving the same day.

Every effort will be made to complete the full itinerary. Yet, because conditions are often unpredictable in travel, we reserve the right to make changes during the tour.

TOUR CONDITIONS

Your Study Program includes hotels, Israeli buffet breakfast and dinner daily; all tips for group services, full sightseeing, the services of an English-speaking local guide, and all entrance fees to sites as listed in the program. All taxes and surcharges in effect as of July 1, 2024 are included. If additional surcharges or taxes are imposed by the airlines or governments, any additional amounts will be the responsibility of the passenger. This price is based on a minimum of 30 passengers.

FULL TOUR PRICE will be announced and will include air from the US, and group transfers.

NOT INCLUDED are any expenses required for COVID compliance, personal items such as laundry; drinks or coffee with dinners; lunches, tips for personal favors; excess baggage and forwarding of baggage; transfers other than with the group; optional (but highly recommended) travel insurance.

YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS are based on First Class (4*) hotels using double occupancy in a twin bedded room with private bath. There is a supplemental charge of $1300 if you prefer a single room. Individuals enrolling without a roommate may request to be matched with a roommate. In the event that a roommate is not available, individuals will be required to pay the single supplement charge. All single rooms are subject to availability and may be smaller than normal twin rooms.

PAYMENT: A nonrefundable deposit of $400 per person, is required to secure your place on the program. A second payment of $2400 per person is due six (6) months prior to departure. Deposits received within six (6) months of departure require a total initial payment of $2800. Final payment (your balance) is due to CTSP three (3) months prior to departure. Thereafter, a late payment fee of $100 per person per month will be assessed.

CANCELLATION FEES:

90+ days prior ….. non-refundable deposit

66-90 days prior ….. 50% plus non-refundable deposit

0-65 days prior …… No refund

*If your cancellation results in a roommate needing a single supplement, that amount will be charged to you in addition to the above fees.

*All refund claims must be in writing to CTSP. There is no refund for any services not used.

TRIP INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Insurance purchased within two weeks of deposit provides the best value, and may cover pre-existing conditions.  CFAR (cancel for any reason) insurance is available from several companies, but can be quite expensive. Read all insurance policies carefully and choose the most prudent one for your situation. CTSP does not sell or recommend insurance policies or companies.

ITINERARY LENGTH: Flight itineraries are subject to change without advance notice. CTSP is not responsible for changes and delays in airline schedules and does not reimburse passengers for expenses resulting from delays. Because airlines often change flight times and dates at the last minute, CTSP strongly recommends that if passengers are purchasing any connecting tickets they should be able to be changed without heavy fees or penalties. If airline(s) change flight schedules, CTSP reserves the right to lengthen or shorten the itinerary accordingly, and whenever possible, you will be notified in writing. If changes necessitate extra overnights, you will be charged (per person, per night) US$180 double occupancy, or US$320 for single rooms (includes single supplement).

AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS from the USA will be included in the Full Tour price. Air Transportation will be economy class aboard regularly scheduled carriers utilizing non-refundable, non-transferable, non-amendable tickets. Once your ticket has been written, it cannot be transferred, rewritten, or refunded.

YOUR LUGGAGE is restricted in size and shape by the airline, and is limited to one checked piece (max 50 pounds), one carryon, plus a smaller personal piece. You should check with the airline for the specific restrictions.

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY

CTSP agrees to provide the itinerary described for this trip, and it represents the entire agreement between the passenger and CTSP. No changes or deviations are effective unless approved in writing and signed by an authorized officer of CTSP. Except as stated herein, no person is authorized to cancel, modify, or vary the study program arrangements (during the course) or to make any representation of warranty concerning the program.

All prices, itineraries, and schedules are subject to regulations and changes thereof by acts of Government, International Agreement and Airline tariff adjustments, rules and regulations.

CTSP reserves the right to change or withdraw the program, in whole or in part, at any time. In the event of a change, the sole exclusive obligation of CTSP will be to refund pro rata any recoverable payment received, based on recovered funds. In the event of rescheduling of the program due to unforeseen circumstances, the cancellation and refund clause will apply. CTSP reserves the right to refuse or to revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgment of CTSP, incapable of or detrimental to group travel.

Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, CTSP assumes no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconveniences, illness, irregularity or incidental damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of CTSP, or by any person or reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disaster, closures of airports or hotels, default or omission of any common or private carrier or the default, negligence, or omission of any by any third party providing services or facilities related to or included in this program. 

The commercial carriers are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board commercial carriers. The passenger contracts, in use by all commercial carriers involved, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the commercial carriers and the passenger or purchaser of this program and/or passage and program operator assumes no liability or responsibility in connection therewith.

ENROLLMENT  in and payment of the deposit for the tour constitutes your acceptance of the Program Conditions and Statement of Responsibility.