Journey to Egypt & The Holy Land with Bishop C.L. Shepherd, March 11 - 21, 2023

Questions? Email us at info@signaturetours.com

It is my pleasure to invite you to join me for a journey of a lifetime to the Holy Land and Egypt. In March 2023, we are going to embark on a 10-day spiritual journey to walk where Jesus walked and experience the Bible coming to life as we visit such locations as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, and the region around the Sea of Galilee. Other highlights include visiting the pyramids in Egypt and the land of Exodus. It promises to be a trip that will impact your life forever.

-Bishop Curtis L. Shepherd

DAILY ITINERARY

March 11 - 21, 2023

DAY 01 MAR11: BEGINNING OF OUR TOUR – Depart New Orleans for Cairo, Egypt

DAY 02 MAR12:  CARIO, EGYPT – Arrive in Cairo, where you will be met by your tour representative and transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight. 

DAY 03 MAR13: EGYPTIAN MUSEUM/OLD CAIRO – Begin your tour with a visit to the infamous Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then step into history at the Egyptian Museum. Admire antiquities from Egypt’s Pharaonic period, dating back fifty centuries and including the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

DAY 04 MAR14: CAIRO/TEL AVIV – This morning, Journey through the centuries with a visit to Old Cairo, a city dating back to the sixth century BC. The Hanging Church, perched above the Babylon Fortress, features intentional design elements from the seventh century and a long, fascinating history rooted in the third century. Then, visit Abu Serga Church, built on the site believed to house Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus during their time in Egypt. Explore Ben Ezra Synagogue, Cairo’s oldest Jewish synagogue. Tradition holds that the building is located on the site where baby Moses was drawn out of the water by the pharaoh’s daughter After lunch, transfer to the Cairo airport for your short flight to Israel. Arrive in Tel Aviv where you will be met at the airport by your tour representative. Begin with a drive north along the Mediterranean coast. Proceed to your hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Lunch provided.

DAY 05 MAR15: GALILEE Start your morning by boarding a boat on the calm surface of the Sea of Galilee, cruising toward Capernaum. Upon landing, visit the site where Jesus started his ministry, the house of Peter, and the synagogue where Jesus taught. Continue to Tabgha, the site of Peter’s restoration, and the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish with its beautiful fourth-century mosaics. Drive to the top of the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee and surrounding areas. In the afternoon, visit the Jordan River where you will have a chance to be baptized in the very river where Jesus was baptized. Return to your hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Lunch provided.

DAY 06 MAR16: BEIT SHE’AN/MOUNT CARMEL/CAESAREA  — Begin the day exploring the impressive ruins of Beit She'an, the leading city in the Decapolis and place where the Philistines hung the bodies of King Saul and his sons on the city walls. Then a stop at Mt. Precipice for a panoramic view of Nazareth, Cana, and the Jezreel Valley. Continue to Mt. Carmel through the valley of Armageddon for a visit to Elijah’s cave. Continue along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea built by Herod the Great. See the Roman theater and its ruins. Proceed to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. Lunch provided.

DAY 07 MAR17: MOUNTAINS OF JERUSALEM/BETHLEHEM/ELAH — Today takes you to the Mount of Olives with its outstanding views of the city. Follow the Palm Sunday path stopping at the Church of All Nations and spend time in quiet reflection and prayer as you visit the Garden of Gethsemane. View the Kidron Valley. Traverse to Mount Zion where you will visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper as well as the Tomb of King David and the House of Caiaphas, where Jesus was taken after his arrest. From there you will drive south to the little town of Bethlehem with a visit to the Church of Nativity. Visit The Shepherd's Fields and the Fields of Boaz and Ruth. Time permitting, travel to the Valley of Elah where David defeated Goliath in a showdown between the armies of Israel and the mighty Philistines. Return to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. Lunch provided.

DAY 08 MAR18: MASADA/JERICHO/DEAD SEA – This morning you will drive into the wilderness of the Judean Desert. Visit Wadi Qelt and view 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. Then to Masada, a desert fortress built by Herod the Great which was used as a stronghold by Jewish zealots who committed suicide rather than surrender to the Romans. Enjoy lunch in Jericho and see the ruins and excavations of the ancient city. See the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by Satan. Visit En Gedi before continuing on a beautiful drive that takes you along the shores of the Dead Sea. Stop at the lowest point on earth and float in the healing, mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. Lunch provided.

DAY 09 MAR19: OLD CITY OF 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 Dome of the Rock enclosing the Rock of Sacrifice, the Mosque of Al Aksa, and the Pinnacle of the Temple. Enjoy lunch in the old city and take some time to shop for souvenirs, jewelry, and ancient coins. In the afternoon, you will visit the Church of Saint Anne, the Pool of Bethesda, the Lithostrotos, Pilate's Judgment Hall, Antonia Fortress, and walk on the Via Dolorosa leading you to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Experience the Western Wall and the Southern Steps then visit the City of David and Hezekiah's Tunnel. Return to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10 MAR20: 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 11 MAR21: 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:

• $4795 based on double occupancy.
  
• Single room supplement - $995
• $500 per person with registration to secure space.
• 50% of the total amount is due on or before October 12, 2022
• Balance due on or before January 12, 2023

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

• BA 224  11MAR   MSY-LHR 09:25 PM 11:00 AM
• BA 400  12MAR   LHR-CAI   03:20 PM 10:20 PM
• MS 593  14MAR  CAI-TLV    0425 PM 05:50 PM
  
• BA 162   21MAR  TLV-LHR   06:20 AM 09:45 AM                                   
• BA 225   21MAR  LHR-MSY  01:55 PM 07:10 PM  

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

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE REGISTERING

PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. Participants with non-US passports are responsible for country-specific entry requirements. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.

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. All funds, including the deposit, are non-transferable.

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.

GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.

HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with a 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 daily. Lunch is provided on days as noted in the itinerary. 

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

LUGGAGE: Space is limited on the tour buses. Participants are allowed one suitcase weighing 50lbs or less and will be transported in storage under the bus. Participants are allowed one backpack/daypack or personal bag to carry on the bus during the tour. These requirements will meet most airline carrier restrictions. See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Medical devices are not included in these restrictions. 

TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES, AND TAXES: Tips, service charges, and taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. Taxes, as imposed by national and/or local governments, that are not included at the time of booking are the responsibility of the participant.

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.

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.

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