Touching Lives with Dr. James Merritt 10-Day Journey to the Holy Land, October 30 - November 8, 2022

Questions? Email us at info@signaturetours.com

Join us on the journey of a lifetime as we explore the land of the Bible. We will follow in the footsteps of Jesus and his disciples as we travel through the Holy Land where our Messiah lived and worked miracles. Watch the Scriptures come to life as you visit places like Bethlehem, Jericho, the Mount of Olives, the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem. Float in the Dead Sea, discover Masada and gaze upon the Valley of Armageddon. This trip will be an incredible spiritual experience that will forever change the way you read, study, and understand the Scriptures. Reserve your spot today!

James & Teresa

DAILY ITINERARY
10-Day Journey to the Holy Land

October 30 - November 8, 2022

DAY 01: BEGINNING OF OUR TOUR – Depart Atlanta for Tel Aviv, Israel.

DAY 02: INTO THE LAND OF THE BIBLE – Arrive in Tel Aviv where you will be met at the airport for transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Netanya.

DAY 03: CAESAREA/MEGIDDO/MAGDALA – Drive north along the Mediterranean coast to gorgeous Caesarea Maritima built by Herod the Great. Visit the Roman theater as well as Herod the Great’s seaside palace and its ruins. Continue to Mt. Carmel where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Proceed to Megiddo (Armageddon), a very important strategic point on the Via Maris connecting Egypt and Damascus. Journey to Mt. Precipice for a panoramic view of Nazareth, Cana, and the Jezreel Valley. Explore Magdala, the birthplace of Mary Magdalene where ruins from a first-century synagogue and fishing village have been uncovered. Proceed to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Lunch provided. 

DAY 04: GALILEE/GOLAN HEIGHTS – The morning begins on the calm surface of the Sea of Galilee, cruising toward Capernaum. Upon landing, visit the town where Jesus started His ministry and performed several miracles. Among the ruins, see the house of Peter and the location of the synagogue where Jesus taught. Continue to Tabgha, the site of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish and the Primacy of Peter where Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection. Drive to the top of the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding area. In the afternoon, journey to the Golan Heights in Upper Galilee to see the sources of the Jordan River at Caesarea Philippi. See Kursi where Jesus commanded a legion of demons to come out of a man and enter a herd of pigs. Stop at Ein Gev for a stunning view before returning to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Lunch provided.

DAY 05: BEIT SHE’AN/JACOB’S WELL/JERUSALEM – Leave Tiberias and travel south along the Jordan River. Visit Beit She’an, the leading city in the Decapolis and the place where the Philistines hung the bodies of King Saul and his sons on the city walls. Take a beautiful drive through the heart of Samaria to the city of Nablus. Stop by Jacob’s Well where Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. Enjoy a traditional Palestinian lunch before going to ancient Shiloh, the first capital of the Israelite Kingdom and site of the tabernacle. Begin the journey south to Jerusalem, taking in the scenic countryside. Pass beneath the Mount of Olives and savor the dramatic entry into the Holy City. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Lunch provided.

DAY 06: MOUNTAINS OF JERUSALEM/BETHLEHEM – Begin the day on the Mount of Olives at the Chapel of Ascension. Observe the Kidron Valley and take in the spectacular views of the Temple Mount. Follow the Palm Sunday path stopping at Pater Noster, Dominus Flavit, the Church of All Nations, and spend time in quiet reflection and prayer as you visit the Garden of Gethsemane. Drive south to the little town of Bethlehem for a visit to the Church of Nativity and the caves where Jerome translated the Bible into Latin. Visit the Shepherd's Fields with views of the Fields of Boaz and Ruth. Proceed to Herodium, Herod’s mountain hideaway. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Lunch provided. 

DAY 07: MASADA/JERICHO/DEAD SEA – Travel along the ancient “Bloody Way” into the wilderness of the Judean Desert. Visit Wadi Qelt and see the Valley of the Shadow of Death from the high cliffs. Continue to Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a shepherd boy. Proceed to Masada, the desert fortress built by Herod the Great and used by Jewish zealots as a stronghold during the revolt. Eat lunch in Jericho, the oldest city in the world, and admire the ruins and excavations of the ancient city. View the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by Satan. Continue to the Jordan River for an opportunity to be baptized in the same location where Jesus was baptized. See En Gedi before continuing on a scenic drive along the shores of the Dead Sea. Stop at the lowest point on earth to float in the healing, mineral-rich waters. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. Lunch provided. 

DAY 08: JERUSALEM – Step into history as you enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Stroll through the colorful bazaars, picturesque neighborhoods, and narrow streets as you make your way to the temple area where Solomon's Temple was built on Mount Moriah. Visit the Western Wall the Wailing Wall) before slipping under the old city to experience a tour of the Western Wall Tunnels. Observe remnants from the days of the Second Temple which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Marvel at the Dome of the Rock enclosing the Rock of Sacrifice and the Mosque of Al Aksa. Enjoy lunch in the old city and take some time to shop for souvenirs, jewelry, and ancient coins. In the afternoon, visit the Church of Saint Anne, the Pool of Bethesda, Lithostrotos, and Antonia Fortress. Follow the Via Dolorosa with its culmination at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 09: MOUNT ZION/GARDEN TOMB – The day begins at Mount Zion with a visit to the Upper Room of the Last Supper, the presumed Tomb of King David, and the House of Caiaphas where Jesus spent his last night on earth before his crucifixion. Explore the ruins of the city of David where the original inhabitants of Jerusalem lived. Travel to the Shrine of the Book, home of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Examine an expansive model of Jerusalem depicting the city as it was laid out during the time of Christ. Finish the day with a poignant visit to the Garden Tomb and Gordon’s Calvary where a communion service will be held. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 10: TEL AVIV/USA – Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for your return flight home with luggage packed with keepsakes and your heart full of memories!

NOTE: Schedule is subject to change due to various factors and your tour guide’s discretion.

PRICING:

• $4,695 per person based on double occupancy. 
• Single room supplement - $895
• $500 per person with registration to secure space.
• 50% of the total amount is due on or before May 30, 2022
  
• Balance due on or before August 30, 2022

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

TK  32   30OCT  ATL-IST   2235 1610

TK 788  31OCT  IST-TLV   1820 1920

TK 785  08NOV  TLV-IST   1020 1340

TK  31   08NOV  IST-ATL   1545 2005

* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.

INCLUDED:

AIR: The Standard Tour includes round-trip, economy-class airfare from the international departure city listed in the itinerary. Group airfares are based on contracted rates and are highly restrictive. Seats will be assigned by the airline at check-in, and specific seat requests cannot be guaranteed. Upgrades such as Comfort, Premium, Business, or First Class are not available with the standard tour. Participants who wish to upgrade or purchase a specific seat should choose the Land Only option when registering. Participants are responsible for providing frequent flyer numbers, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry information upon check-in. Group fares do not permit schedule deviations. Participants who wish to deviate from the group schedule should choose the Land Only option. 

LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. $1000 will be deducted from the standard tour price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours prior to the second payment date listed on the payment schedule. Transportation to and from the airport/hotel can be arranged by Signature Tours for Land Only passengers.

GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport.

HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with private bath and shower.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of single rooms are available at additional supplement prices. Signature Tours and/or the group leader will make every attempt to pair single participants requesting a roommate. However, the single supplement fee will be charged for each person occupying a single room, whether by choice or circumstance.

MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided at the hotel daily. Lunch is provided most days as noted in the itinerary. 

SIGHTSEEING: Entrance fees to all places of interest listed in the itinerary as well as an expert English-speaking guide.

PORTERAGE: See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Any fees for additional baggage beyond the standard airline allowance will be the responsibility of the individual. 

SERVICE CHARGES AND TAXES: Service charges added to the bill as required by hotel management. Taxes as imposed by national and/or local governments and/or administrations from the date listed on this brochure. Tips, taxes, and airport taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. 

NOT INCLUDED: Excess baggage fees, passport fees, visa fees, food or drink items not listed on the regular table menu for included meals, and items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, etc. Any service not indicated in the itinerary and/or the above list of included features.

PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport before the trip, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: This tour requires a substantial amount of walking. Many of the sites are not accessible by wheelchair, and the uneven terrain is not feasible for rollators. Signature Tours reserves the right to refuse individuals who may require special attention beyond what the tour guide and tour host can provide.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $500 per person deposit is nonrefundable. Other payments exceeding the $500 per person are refundable in full up to sixty days prior to departure. After this date, refunds for unused accommodations and services will be limited to the amount received from and/or credited by all carriers, sightseeing operators, and hotels.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information and rates, please review the product flyer or Click Here to enroll in the plan.

* Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, NAIC #22276. V94 

Signature Tours
PO Box 956817 Duluth, GA 30095
info@signaturetours.com