DAY 1 TEL AVIV and JERUSALEM
Upon arrival in TEL AVIV, we recommend that you take a Sherut Taxi (shared taxi) 31 miles to your hotel in Jerusalem where you will remain for the next four nights. (If arriving from North America, we recommend arriving one day earlier in order to recover from the jet lag – an additional hotel night would be required).

DAY 2 JERUSALEM, BETHANY and BETHLEHEM
Glimpse the city Jesus knew when you view the Model of First Century Jerusalem. Travel to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus (John 11:1) and put into motion the events which lead to his own death. Continue to Bethlehem to explore the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt.1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7). The church which has been constructed on the site is the world’s oldest functioning church. Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Visit the Garden of Gethesamane where Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done (Matt. 26:30). Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:16). You’ll also visit the Chapel of the Ascension.

DAY 3 JERUSALEM
Enter the Old City of Jerusalem where everyday life and customs within narrow, crooked streets have remained much the same over the centuries. Touch a piece of the Temple when you say a prayer for peace at the Western Wall. Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-24) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle. Retrace the events in the final hours of Jesus’ life as you walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross”. Visit Herod’s Antonio Fortress (Matt. 27:11). Finally, visit the possible site of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. On Mount Zion you will view the site of King David’s Tomb. Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26). Visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57) where Jesus was imprisoned for a night. Spend time in worship at the Garden Tomb Matt. 27:60).

DAY 4 JERUSALEM
Today is at leisure with time to continue exploring the mysteries of Jerusalem. You may wish to reenter the ancient walls of the Old City and visit the Jewish, Moslem, Christian and Armenian Quarters. Many shopping bargains are available in the narrow streets and alleyways of the Old City. In the New City you will also find many interesting places to visit. During your stay in Jerusalem, an optional evening of Israeli and Arab Music and Dancing will be offered (additional $18.00).

DAY 5 MASADA, QUMRAN, JERICHO and TIBERIAS
Travel through the Judean desert and descent below sea level for a visit to Masada, the spectacular mountaintop fortress built by Herod and famous as the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore, then peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Time permitting, you’ll stop briefly at the shores of the Dead Sea and those who wish can take a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.
Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of the Essenes, who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. In Jericho, visit the ruins of the ancient city which was conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6:20). It is the oldest known inhabited city in the world and parts of the ancient city walls have been uncovered. From Jericho, you can also see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11) and the Judean wilderness.
Continue traveling northward through the scenic Jordan Valley to the Galilee region. Arrive in Tiberias this evening where you will enjoy the next three nights at your hotel, which is situated near the beautiful Sea of Galilee.

DAY 6 JORDAN RIVER, BEIT SHEAN, NAZARETH, SEPPHORIS
and CANA
Begin the day with a visit to the Jordan River where you can renew your baptismal vows. Travel to Beit Shean to visit the ruins of the ancient city which was under Egyptian rule during the 16th to 12th centuries B.C. Continuously inhabited for over 5000 years, this was one of the Roman cities Jesus passed on His way from Galilee to Jerusalem. Jesus’ boyhood town of Nazareth is revered as one of the holiest towns in Christendom (Luke 1:26-56). Visit the magnificent Church of the Annunciation which dominates the town center. At Sepphoris visit the traditional site of the birthplace of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The small village of Cana is a reminder of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast and the Franciscan church built in 1879 marks the site of this miracle (John 2:1-11). Return to Tiberias for the remainder of the evening.

DAY 7 THE SEA OF GALILEE
With your Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Visit Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar and see the “Jesus Boat”, a rare and excellent example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. You’ll arrive in Cappernaum where Jesus chose to center his ministry. Visit the synagogue site where Jesus most certainly taught and worshipped (Matt. 4:13; Mark 3:1, 8:5 and 14). Visualize life in Jesus’ day when you visit Chorazim, a reconstructed city which, along with Capernaum, was cursed by Jesus because the inhabitants did not comprehend His teachings (Matt.11:21-22). Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the multitudes (Matt. 5-7). At Tabgha, you’ll visit the Church of The Multiplication of the Fishes and Loaves (Luke 9:10-17), and the Chapel of St. Peter which recalls Jesus’ instruction to Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17).


DAY 8 MEGIDDO, HAIFA, MT. CARMEL, CAESAREA and TEL AVIV
Travel the ancient caravan route to the well-preserved archaeological site of Tel Megiddo, a fortified urban center where excavations have revealed remnants of 22 layers of occupation. Continue to the modern port city of Haifa, renowned as a Jewish shipbuilding city and seaport in ancient biblical times. Nearby is Mount Carmel and the traditional site where the prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:25). You will find the Carmelite Monastery of Elijah built on the ruins of the early church. Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theater at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. It was here that Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to Christianity (Act 10) and the Apostle Paul was imprisoned before taken to Rome to stand trial. Travel on to Tel Aviv for your overnight trans-Atlantic flight to North America. You may wish to consider one of the exciting tour extensions to Egypt or Jordan, which will begin tomorrow morning. (An additional hotel night would be required).

Includes breakfast and dinner. Lunches only where shown in the itinerary.

The Best of the Holy Land (TH06) 10 Days
Rates in US Dollars

• January (every Mon. & Wed.) 2006 $865.00 US
  
  February (every Mon. & Wed.) 2006 $865.00 US
  
  March (every Mon. & Wed.) 2006 $865.00 US
  
  April 19, 24 & 25 $916.00 US
  May 1, 3, 10, 17 & 24
  June 7, 2006
  
  July 19, 2006 . $865.00 US
  
  August 23, 2006 . $865.00 US
  
  September 4, 6 & 11.  $865.00 US
  October 18, 23, 25 & 30, 2006
  
  November 1, 6, 8, 13, 20, 22, 29, 2006 . $865.00 US
  
  December 4 & 6, 2006 . $865.00 US
  
  Tips payable in Isreal
  DRIVER: US $2.00 pp/per day
  GUIDE: US $3.00 pp/per day
  
  Extra hotel night in Jerusalem US $74.00 per night/pp half board

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Menno Travel Service (MTS) uses the services of Educational Travel Services (ETS) for the land portion of the Holy Land Tour.

2. THE REPUTATION OF ETS
In 1973, Education Travel Services (ETS), located in Lakeland, FL., became a pioneer of Christian Pilgrimages to the Eastern Mediterranean. Today ETS continues to be recognized as an industry leader of quality Christian Pilgrimages and group tours to the Holy Land.


APPRECIATION GRATUITIES
The gratuities collected by ETS in advance cover porter age at the airports and hotels, services of hotel front desk employees, chambermaids, dining room waiters and chefs, as well as standard gratuities for the tour guide and drivers. A customary appreciation gratuity is normally given by tour members to the guides and drivers at the end of each tour. Although the amounts presented are left to the discretion of tour members, ETS suggests a minimum of $3.00-$4.00 daily for the guides and $2.00-$2.50 daily for the drivers.

BAGGAGE\

Due to limited motor coach capacity, ETS requests that tour members carry only ONE suitcase plus one carry-on flight bag. Garment bags cannot be handled. Additional baggage is subject to a supplementary charge. Porter age for one normal sized suitcase is included at all hotels and is collected in advance by ETS. Baggage insurance is recommended to cover the possible loss or damage to passengers’ baggage or personal belongings.

CANCELLATION AND PENALTIES AND REFUNDS

All cancellation requests and refund claims must be received in writing by the ETS headquarter office in Lakeland, FL. We strongly recommend the purchase of cancellation insurance to cover any penalties imposed. No refund can be made for unused portions of any tour. Make sure passengers obtain a medical certificate for support of insurance claims if they withdraw from the tour for medical reasons. Refunds will be processed after return of the tickets to the insurance company. All passengers will be subject to the following tour cancellation penalties and all other additional incurred penalties from suppliers. If cancellation within 60 forces a roommate into a single room, a single room supplement will also be charged as part of the cancellation penalties.

Cancellation Penalties for All 2006 Programs

US $250.00 59 - 45 days prior to departure
25 % of total tour cost + US 50 44 – 31 days prior to departure
50 % of total tour cost + US 50 30 – 15 days prior to departure
100 % of total tour cost 14 – 0 days prior to departure

CHILDREN FARES

ETS offers you the lowest group volume discounts available and there are no additional children’s discounts. Children under the age of 7 cannot be accepted on any of our tour programs.

FUEL SURCHARGES

In the event that airlines or other suppliers should impose a fuel surcharge, a supplemental invoice will be sent to each passenger.

ITINERARY CHANGES AND HOTEL SUBSTITUTIONS

ETS reserves the right to make necessary changes and adjustments in tour itineraries, to improve and enhance in whatever ways deemed necessary without hindering the enjoyment of tour participants. ETS also reserves the right to substitute hotel accommodations, only when necessary and will provide a similar hotel property of the same standard.

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Any tour member requiring assistance due to physical limitations must be accompanied by a companion who will take full responsibility of accommodating those needs. ETS will not assume this responsibility. Motor coaches used on the ETS tour programs are not wheelchair accessible.

PRICE GUARANTEES

Tour prices in this catalogue are based on foreign exchange rates at the time of printing. Should currency values change prior to departure due to fluctuating transportation and accommodation pricing, ETS reserves the right to make the necessary adjustments and increase prices accordingly. A price will only be guaranteed at the time of passenger’s final payment.

SINGLE AND TRIPLE RATES

The prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms are subject to availability and are usually smaller than the normal twin or double rooms. ETS will make every effort to match your clients with a roommate. If one is not available, a single room supplement will be charged. You will find single supplement prices on each individual tour page. Due to the group volume discounts on these programs, triple room reductions are not offered.

PAYMENT STRUCTURES

DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: A US $250.00 per person deposit is required to secure confirmed reservations. Passengers are registered with an active status only when names and deposits are received by ETS. ALL TOUR DATES ARE CLOSED AT 45 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Registrations accepted after 75 days must include full payment. Late additions, if accepted, will be charged US $100.00.

FORMS OF PAYMENT ACCEPTED: ETS will accept either agency or certified checks for deposits and final payments. ETS will also accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover for deposits and final payments on all tour programs; however, two percent (2%) of the total credit card sales will be added to the required net wholesale amount due.

PAST DUE PAYMENTS: Agency checks or credit card payments will not be accepted from 50 days prior to tour departure. During this period, ETS will only accept either bank or cashiers checks for any outstanding payments.

CHANGES: All requests for changes must be submitted in writing and approved by ETS. Changes in the standard programs and/or extension tours may be made to up 50 days without penalty, unless tickets have been written and penalties are imposed by the airline. Name changes are not permitted.

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY

ETS/MTS agrees to provide the itinerary described in this brochure, no changes or deviations to the itinerary are effective unless approved in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the tour operator. Except as stated herein, no person is authorized to cancel, modify, or vary the tour arrangements or to make any representation of warranty concerning the tour.
ETS/MTS reserves the right to refuse or revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgment of ETS/MTS, incapable of group travel without causing undue demands upon the staff or other tour participants.
Except where otherwise stated, ETS/MTS acts only as an agent for the relevant supplier in securing hotels, transportation and other travel services and in no event shall ETS/MTS be liable for failure by any such supplier to render any transportation, lodging or other travel service to be provided on the tour.

The passenger agrees that ETS/MTS assumes no liability for injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may occur by reason of any negligent or willful act
or omission of any suppliers of service. ETS/MTS does not own or operate any of the suppliers of services to your tour. Similarly, without limiting the foregoing, passenger agrees to hold ETS/MTS harmless for any defect in any vehicle, plane, boat, bus, car, van or other vehicle, act of war or insurrection, terrorist activity, revolt or other civil uprising, military action, strikes or labor unrest or any Act of God, or for any other act of any third party.
ETS /MTS does not accept responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air schedules, hotel over bookings or other hotel related problems or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be the responsibility of the passenger. The right is reserved to make adjustments to the itinerary as deemed desirable to ETS/MTS and the right is reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure. ETS/MTS may not be held responsible for any loss or damage to luggage during the tour program. Enrollment in, payment of deposit and/or acceptance of final documents, vouchers or tickets shall be deemed to be consent to the Program Conditions and Statement of Responsibility. Prices are based on tariffs in effect as of January 1, 2000 and are subject to adjustment without notice in the event of any change or currency fluctuation.
It is agreed by and between the passenger and ETS that all disputes and matters whatsoever arising under, or in connection with or incident to the responsibilities of ETS shall be litigated in and before a court located in the State of Florida, USA to the exclusion of the courts of any other state or country. Florida law will be applicable to any dispute which arises out of/or concerns this brochure or your tour.  

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