By JoDell Haverfield, Have Travel Memories
Recently, I was talking to a friend who I knew was well traveled. She mentioned she had been to Israel four times, and she wanted to go again! She was interested in our tour coming up in December. I asked her why she wanted to go again, suddenly her voice went up a pitch as she responded, “because it’s so magical!
I almost felt like I had asked her a stupid question! I soon learned she didn’t mean Disney World magical; she was referring to a very spiritual connection to the Savior. I have never been there myself, which is why I was curious about my friend’s desire to go again! Dave and I plan to go this December with our oldest son Jason, who is one of our travel agents at HTM and who is familiar with the incredible and unique Israel experience. He has not only studied the ancient history in depth, he was last there just four months ago on an educational tour with other travel agents.
One of my dear friends and favorite clients called me last year to book our tour to Israel, even though we both knew her husband absolutely hated organized group touring. However, we booked it anyway. It was a December tour, so using it as a Christmas gift, she was able to keep it a secret until the last minute. When they returned, she reported their whole trip was amazing from the start when her husband met another doctor and made a new friend on the plane to Tel Aviv. She said he also very much enjoyed their group and the tour as well. They both loved their guide and, as two of my choosiest luxury clients, I was relieved they returned all smiles and extremely pleased.
Here are just a few of the comments made from recent travelers about this trip.
Most common is this one: “It was the experience of a lifetime.”
“Since going on this journey, I cannot read the Bible the same anymore.”
“The Bible really came to life as we walked the same lands Jesus walked.”
“When I saw the tomb, I experienced a new appreciation for all that Christ did for our salvation.”
Almost everyone remarks on how well priced these tours are. Including Air from New York, our All-Inclusive Dec. 5 tour is only $3,498 for 10 days. We also offer post extensions such as Wonders of Petra and the Dead Sea $1,098, Cairo and the Route of the Exodus $1,198 or a Nile Cruise $2,098.
The 5-star hotels, concierges, food experiences, tour guides, even the buses for this itinerary are provided by our vendor, who has been leading these journeys to the Holy Land since 1974. Israel is not the only faith based itinerary offered, either, as the Ancient Wonders and Stories in the Bible take place all over the world. You can choose to visit Egypt, Greece, Turkey, England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, even South America and there’s more! Many of these tours are offered on cruise ships as well as river cruises, such as Celebrity, Norwegian and AmaWaterways. You can book a group pilgrimage with your own church or book a group with your girlfriends. Who knows, if you have a group, you yourself might even be able to go free, or you can just travel solo. There are so many available options.
Dave and I have been privileged to travel to Ephesus and visit the home of Mary, where she lived after Jesus ascended. It has been one of our favorite trips. Last year, we saw the Passion Play in Bavaria. We are looking forward to finally being able to go to Israel in December, which is, by the way, a great time of year to be there. The weather is nice and it’s a little less crowded. Living on the Emerald Coast, we can understand that mentality.
Imagine standing where the miracles happened, such as the Sermon on the Mount, where the feeding of the 5,000 took place, or Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding, the Western Wall, the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle when he healed the crippled man who had waited so long.
This month, we will remember the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Christ as we celebrate Easter. I can’t believe our tour will include visiting the traditional location of the Upper Room where the events of the Last Supper took place. I am eager to walk the Palm Sunday Road, and the Garden of Gethsemane. It will be humbling to envision the scenes that took place the night before Jesus’ crucifixion and see the Garden Tomb where he was laid.
Much of our trip will include visiting Jerusalem and the City of David, Masada and the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Jesus’ birthplace, and Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home, Jericho and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We will visit the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and sail on the Sea of Galilee. Did you know there is a city continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years? It’s the city of Beit Shean.
I just don’t have enough room to keep telling you how excited I am about our magnificent upcoming trip to Israel, but you can view all about it on our website. I am so excited about the return of travel. I hope I have inspired my readers to get familiar with these amazing stories of Christ’s life.
The world is waiting!
Thanks for Travelin’ with JoDell.
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