We have just returned from Israel, traveling there with a small group of Big Country pilgrims, who, without a doubt, had the time of their lives!! This was my third time to travel to this Holy Land, and I can assure you that we had no fear whatsoever touring that land from the Sea of Galilee on the north to Masada on the south.
We started using this tour operator, Educational Tours, back in 1995, but they have been in business since 1976, started by a Methodist minister who after traveling over there decided that his fellow pastors just had to have that experience walking where Jesus walked. Over the years, they have moved 20,000-30,000 tourist from the United States to Israel each year . .all without a security incident.
Beside the excellent tour guides, they have “tour hosts” at each hotel where we stay who answer questions and assist with lost luggage and flight confirmations. They usually always have one or two lectures at night for those interested. Each time I have been there has been a discussion between a Palestinian Christian and a Jew as to their philosophical, political, cultural, and religious differences. . . . very interesting.
We began our sightseeing around the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus did most of his teaching and ministry. We even sailed on a small boat on the Sea, much like those in Jesus day, and as we pushed away from the dock, the boat staff put on a recording of The Star Spangled Banner. We sang a hymn or two, our pastor/leader read scripture passages referring to the Sea, then reflected as we observed the beautiful mountains around us, trying to imagine what it was like 2000+ years ago.
Before we left the Galilee area, we visited a site along the Jordan River where some members of our group were baptized in the Jordan, just as Jesus was. Jerusalem is a city where one could spend several weeks and still not see all the holy sites in that area. We did visit the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Caiaphas house, the Western Wall, Pool of Bethesda, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Garden Tomb, just to name a few.
We had a wonderful serendipity experience at the Garden Tomb. One of the tour hosts at this site was an Abilene native, Joe Armstrong. He lives in New York, retired a few years ago from being the editor of Rolling Stone. He volunteers a couple of months a year to host individuals and groups as they go through this holy site and we were all very impressed with his casual but reverent descriptions of the site.
A trip to Jericho, Masada, and the Dead Sea topped the trip. Masada was King Herod’s mountaintop fortress which became the last stronghold for the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans.. . .just an unbelievable story.
My tip for the day…do not hesitate, if given the chance, to go to the Holy Land; as one person described it, “my life will never be the same”. Give The Travel Factory a call for this or any other vacation option; 698-1421 or 800-760-4040.