ISRAEL – with Optional Egypt Extension – March 8-22, 2024

Centering our Sites on the Savior

Sacred Ground. Jesus lived his 33 year life in a relatively small geography. A visit to the Holy Land is not just another travel experience – it’s a singular, spiritual pilgrimage that is truly life changing. There is nothing like being in the places where He was – and understanding His teachings by learning in the places He taught them. Our directors have prepared carefully so that you can see and learn and feel the unmistakable spirit of the Holy Land. 

And there is of course much other history here:  This is the most fought over, sought after and prayed for ground in the world. It is home to the most sacred sites of Christians, Jews and Muslims – representing over half of the world’s population. There is simply no other travel experience to equal a journey to Israel and Egypt. 

We have offered tours to the Holy Land for over 20 years. Our director for this year’s tour is Michael King (see bio below). He’ll be joined by CES instructor, Michael Hyatt who will add additional insights. In addition, we’ll have excellent local guides who will provide an invaluable local perspective as we travel through the area. Most get to go to Israel only once – and you want to make sure that it is the best that it can be. You know you can trust Webb Tours to exceed your expectations – so join us as we journey to the Land of Jesus and surrounding areas. We promise you’ll be glad you did.

Centering our Sites on the Savior

A Scripture Study Tour of the Holy Land and Egypt

March 8-22, 2024

Directors: Michael King & David Webb

Days 1 and 2: Friday & Saturday, March 8 & 9   Transatlantic Flight • Tel Aviv, Israel

We’re off!  Our exciting adventure begins with a morning flight from Salt Lake City (or home airport) to Tel Aviv, Israel.  Arriving on Saturday afternoon, we catch our first glimpse of the Holy Land as we land at Ben Gurion Airport. Following arrival formalities, we will be met by our guide and luxury coach driver, who will take us on to Tel Aviv, where we will overnight at the lovely Metropolitan Hotel, just a block from the Mediterranean Sea.  A nice dinner is included at the hotel.  D

Day 3: Sunday, March 10                        Caesarea, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Megiddo

Driving up the coast, we will visit the ruins of ancient Caesarea, the magnificent seaport and capital city built by Herod the Great.  Next we will visit Mount Carmel, the traditional site of Elijah’s confrontation with the priests of Baal.  On we go to Haifa, Israel’s third largest city and major seaport, stopping at Kaiser’s Watch, where two apostles dedicated the Holy Land.  Our final stop will be Megiddo in the beautiful Jezreel Valley.  We continue to Tiberias where we check in to the Leonardo Plaza Hotel (or similar) near the shores of the Sea of Galilee for three nights.  We also visit Nof Ginosar where we will view an ancient boat from the time of Christ that has been reclaimed from the sea.  B, D                            

Day 4: Monday, March 11                 Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Mount Tabor, Nazareth

It is easy to see why Jesus loved Galilee as we visit places where He walked, taught, and performed many miracles. This morning we will boat across the Sea of Galilee to visit the ruins of Capernaum, the town Jesus called His own city, where He spent almost two years of His three-year ministry. At the Mount of Beatitudes we will take time to reflect on Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount.  Next we will ascend Mount Tabor, the traditional site of the Transfiguration.  We then journey to Nazareth, the bustling city which was once the little town where Jesus spent His youth. At Nazareth we visit a first-century village showing life at the time of Christ.              We stay again in Tiberius tonight. B, D                                                                                            

Day 5: Tuesday, March 12          Dan, Jordan Headwaters, Magdala, Mt. Arbel

This morning we drive up to the headwaters of the Jordan River: Dan, ancient Israel’s northern-most city. On our way, we’ll make an interesting stop at Caesarea Philippi to review important events that transpired here. We then make our way to Magdala, the city of Mary the Magdalene to visit interesting ruins and the chapel by the sea. This afternoon, we’ll ascend up Mt. Arbel to enjoy the views of the Sea of Galilee but more importantly to be in the place where Jesus often went to ponder and pray to prepare himself for what was ahead. We ponder what it means for our lives. We stay in Tiberius again tonight. B, D.

Day 6: Wednesday, March 13       Baptism of Jesus, Shepherd’s Field, Temple Mount

This morning we drive to the Jordan River and ponder about the baptism of Jesus. We then travel to Jericho, the ancient city conquered by Joshua. Ascending the east side of the Mount of Olives, we visit Bethany, home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus and where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. We then continue into Jerusalem where we will check into the Olive Tree Hotel. After a brief rest, we will go immediately to the Dome of the Temple Mount (Mount Moriah) where Abraham came to offer Isaac and where the Temple of Solomon and the second temple stood. It is also the place where Muslim tradition holds that Mohammed ascended into Paradise. It is a holy site for the three great world religions and a profound place to visit. We will be able to see the famous Dome of the Rock, El Aksa Mosque and the Golden Gates. We then return to our hotel for dinner.

Day 7: Thursday, March 14                   Bethlehem, Upper Room, Palace of Caiaphas, Via Dolorosa

We start our day with a visit to the Shepherd’s field where will be reminded of the message of the angels (by word and song) before continuing on to Bethlehem to visit the traditional birthplace. Then into Jerusalem to visit the places that were critical in the final days of the Savior’s life. The most consequential events in history happened in the places we are visiting today and tomorrow. First, we’ll visit the Church of All Nations on the Mount of Olives. We will see the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed a crippled man. We then walk through the Old City to visit the Upper Room where Jesus initiated the sacrament. We will see the Palace of Caiaphas where Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin before we continue down the famous Via Dolorsa or the Stations of the Cross which takes us to the Antonia Fortress where Christ may have been tried by Pilate and finally to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher which is the traditional site of the crucifixion, burial tomb and the resurrection. B, D                                                                                                                         

Day 8: Friday, March 15    Jerusalem Center, Hyde Memorial, Gethsemane, Garden Tomb

This morning we travel through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea to Qumran.  At Qumran we see the remains of the village where the Essenes lived, who wrote and hid the Dead Sea Scrolls in caves.  We travel on to the spectacular fortress of Masada, where we will ascend by gondola to see the ruins of the palace/fortress built by Herod.  We will next stop at Ein Gedi for a dip in the Dead Sea. We will return to Jerusalem tonight for a nice dinner together. B, D.                                                                                                                                                               

Day 9: Saturday, March 16                  Qumran, Masada & the Dead Sea

Today is the Jewish Sabbath and a very spiritual day is in store. We begin our day at the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden which is a five acre park on the Mount of Olives (dedicated by President Kimball). We will then attend Sacrament Meeting at the BYU Jerusalem Center which is a treat. We will spend our time this afternoon at Gethsemane and the Garden Tomb as we reflect on the Savior’s atonement and its personal impact for each of us. It is a day we’ll never forget.  B, D

Day 10: Sunday, March 17            Jerusalem, Model City, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel

After driving by the Knesset, we will go to the Israel Museum to see the Shrine of the Book (where the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited) and the Model City of Jerusalem, which shows how the city looked at the time of the Savior.  We return to the Dung Gate to enter the Ophel Archaeological Gardens, where we know for certain that Jesus walked.  We’ll also observe the Jewish rituals at the Western Wall. Descending south we enter the City of David, where we visit Warren’s Shaft and Gihon Spring; here we will enter Hezekiah’s Tunnel dug by King Hezekiah’s workmen at the time the Northern Kingdom was taken captive by Assyria and Jerusalem was threatened by siege in the eighth century B.C.  We exit the tunnel near the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus restored a blind man’s sight. We make our way back to Tel Aviv this afternoon stopping at the old city of Joppa that, according to legend was settled by Japheth, Noah’s youngest son, and is known as one of the world’s oldest cities. We stay at the Mediterranean in Tel Aviv tonight.  B, D         

Day 11: Monday, March 18        Ben Gurion Airport, Cairo, Egypt

Today we bid farewell to Israel.  Those flying back home will depart Tel Aviv for the States.  Others will catch the flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, we’ll transfer to the hotel for a rest and a nice dinner.   B, D

Day 12: Tuesday, March 19                   Giza, Memphis, Train

A great tour to the famous Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Memphis (the capital of ancient Egypt) and Saqqara. A camel ride from the Giza Pyramids to the Sphinx is included.  Lunch provided in Sakkara. After a full day of touring, we will proceed to the famous Cairo train station to board the famous sleeper train to Luxor. Dinner is served on the train as you travel south through the Nile Valley to Upper Egypt. We’ll get a good night’s sleep and be ready to see Luxor in the morning.  B, D

Day 13: Wednesday, March 20:            Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Kamak

After breakfast on the train, we arrive in Luxor. Our local guide will be there to meet us as we exit the train.

We will enjoy a full day of touring today as there is much to see here. We’ll start our day on the “West Bank” of the Nile visiting the Valley of the Kings which houses the tombs of the Pharaos. After a unique lunch, we’ll cross over to the East Bank and see the spectacular Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple (along with other interesting sites in the area). We’ll stay in Luxor tonight.  B, L, D.

 Day 14: Thursday, March 21:    Cairo

There is much more to see in Cairo on our final day and a half.  We’ll see the world-famous Cairo Museum. We’ll also have a chance to visit the Old City of Cairo, the Citadel and Alabaster Mosque, and pass through the City of the Dead.  Dinner at the hotel.  B, D

Day 15, Friday, March 22:    Flights Home

FLIGHTS HOME, arriving back in home cities on the same day. 

Registration Information:

To make a reservation, simply fill out the attached reservation form and send it to us with a deposit of $400 per person deposit.  This will cover your initial deposit and confirm your space on the tour. When we receive your deposit, we will mail you a receipt confirming that you are registered for the tour.  Final payment for the tour will be due three months before departure.  We require final payments in the form of a check.  If that is not possible, arrangements can be made to use a credit card.  Webb Tours accepts Visa, Mastercard, AMEX and Discover, but for international tours a surcharge of 2% will be added to the balance.

Cancellation Penalties

We understand that you may need to cancel your trip for whatever reason.  If it is 120 days or more before departure, all money will be refunded.  If it is within 120 days, we will charge you only what Webb Tours cannot recover.  In some cases, we can recover all of it.  In others, we cannot.  Cruise lines, airlines, hotels and other service providers require funds in advance and have their own rules about what will be refunded once paid.  We must follow their guidelines.  For airlines, specifically, tickets are generally non refundable when purchased.  However, most airlines will allow the value of the canceled tickets to be reused for future travel, though a penalty may be assessed to reuse the tickets.  If you have to cancel, Webb Tours will work with other providers to obtain as much refund as possible for our travelers.  Our travelers know us to be very fair in this regard.

Cancellation Insurance: 

To avoid cancellation penalties, cancellation insurance may be purchased.  This insurance will reimburse you for the non-refundable cancellation penalties imposed if you must cancel your trip for a covered reason such as illness, injury or death to you, a traveling companion or an immediate family member.  Other reasons for cancellation include Common Carrier-caused delays due to inclement weather, jury duty, or a documented traffic accident en route to departure.

The per person price for insurance for the ISRAEL ONLY tour is $249

The per person price for insurance for the ISRAEL & EGYPT tour is $299

If you are interested in the insurance, it is best to purchase it when your deposit is made as all preexisting conditions are waived.  However, insurance may be purchased any time up to the point you make your final payment.  Insurance cannot be purchased after your final payment is made.  Webb Tours is not the insurer and aces as agent for the insurance company.  To activate your insurance, we need your premium and your birth date.  Travel insurance also includes $2,500 for baggage loss, $500 for baggage delay, up to $50,000 for medical expenses and up to $50,000 for medical evacuation.

Mail deposit and enclosed reservation form to:

WEBB TOURS

2378 Evergreen Avenue

Salt Lake City, UT  84109

Tel. (801) 278-3101

or Toll Free 1-800-658-8519

Or call us and register over the phone.  We hope you can join us.