Best of Israel Tour

with Geneva College

Best of Israel Tour with Geneva College

Join Geneva College on a 12 Day Inspirational Tour!

December 18-29, 2023

Optional Jordan Extension | December 29, 2023 - January 2, 2024

Geneva College invites students, alumni, and friends of the college on The Best of Israel Tour. Led by Geneva College Bible Department professors Dr. Byron Curtis, Dr. Scott Shidemantle and Dr. Jonathan Watt, participants will travel to Israel, see first-hand some of the places where Jesus walked and taught, and explore important geographic and archaeological sites.

Price per Person (based on double occupancy):
$3,369 | Single Room Supplement $1,025

*Includes round-trip air from Washington Dulles

Jordan Extension:
$1,159 | Single Room Supplement $200

Reservation Due: September 8, 2023
Final Payment Due: October 18, 2023

The archaeological sites of Caesarea Philippi, Qumran (where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered), Sea of Galilee boat ride, Capernaum are among the places that the group will visit. Participants will travel to the ruins of the ancient port of Caesarea Maritima and view a Roman Aqueduct, swim in the Dead Sea, and spend time in Jerusalem. They will also journey to Bethlehem, explore Masada, hike the Ein Gedi nature reserve, visit the Western Wall, and much more.

Included In Tour Price

Roundtrip air from Washington Dulles including current air taxes and fuel surcharges (taxes and fuel charges are subject to change), 10 or 14 nights lodging at 4 star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, full time English speaking tour escorts, services of air conditioned deluxe motor coach, all guides, entrances, touring and transportation as appears on itinerary, baggage handling at hotels (one piece), tips to driver, guides, and hotel staff, Jordan Visa.

Not Included In Tour Price

All lunches, optional bus from Geneva College to Dulles airport and back, optional travel insurance (7.95% or 10.85% of tour cost). For more information, contact Dr. Scott Shidemantle at 724-847-6781 or sshidema@geneva.edu.

Student Information Sheet

Archaeology and Geography of Israel course, BIB 341

The trip is associated with the fall Archaeology and Geography of Israel course, BIB 341. The on-campus class will discuss the art and science of archaeology and the geography of Israel; however, current students may attend the trip without enrolling in the course. Alumni and friends who register for the trip and place a deposit are invited to audit the Archaeology and Geography of Israel course at no charge.

"We'll learn about how archaeology is done, how archaeology intersects with the story of the Bible and look at case studies that will relate to some archaeological sites that we will visit," explains Dr. Shidemantle. "We'll also look at the diverse regions of Israel and learn how the geographic realities relate to the story of the Bible."

And the trip to Israel truly connects classroom curriculum and biblical knowledge with experiential learning. "Not only will we read about the location of some of the stories of the Bible, but we'll actually visit them - so we'll see and feel these stories," says Dr. Shidemantle. "Travelers have told me more than once, I'll never read the Bible the same way again."

According to Dr. Shidemantle, the trip provides so many unique and spiritual experiences that it is difficult to identify a singular highlight for travelers: "Some are impressed by the ancient churches such as the Church of the Nativity, commemorating where Jesus was born, or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus. Others appreciate the cultural interchange - interacting with Jews, Muslims and Middle Eastern Christians. Still others enjoy connecting the written accounts of the Bible with their actual physical location."

Meet the Professors

Dr. Jonathan Watt

Professor of Biblical Studies and Chair, Department of Bible Christian Ministries & Philosophy at Geneva College

Dr. Byron Curtis

Professor of Biblical Studies at Geneva College

Dr. Scott Shidemantle

Professor of Biblical Studies and Bible Core Coordinator at Geneva College

Trip Itinerary

Monday, December 18, 2023

Depart USA for Israel

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Arrive in Tel Aviv and transport to hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Hazor, Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, drive to scenic view of Mt Hermon with a stop at the Valley of Tears in the Golan Heights.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Caesarea Maritima & Aqueduct, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, and Archaeological remains of Jezreel.

Friday, December 22, 2023

Kursi, Sea of Galilee Boat Ride (including visit to the 'Jesus Boat'), Magdala, Capernaum, and end the day with an Arbel nature walk.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Sepphoris, Mt. Precipice (Nazareth), Beit Shean and drive south along the Rift Valley Road to the hotel on the Dead Sea with an optional Dead Sea Swim.

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Lord's Day devotions to be held at the following sites: Masada, Qumran, Ein Gedi; drive to the hotel in Jerusalem.

Monday, December 25, 2023

Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity, Jerome's Cave); Nissan Brothers Olive Wood Store shopping; Shepherd's Fields & archaeological excavations; Herodion.

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Mount of Olives, Dominus Flevit, Church of All Nations, Pool of Bethesda, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Western Wall and Shopping at Shabban Amir's store in the Christian Quarter. (Optional evening activity: the Israel Museum is open until 9pm on Tuesdays).

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Temple Mount tour, Davidson Center & Southern Steps excavations, City of David & Pool of Siloam (optional: Hezekiah's Tunnel, which involves getting wet!).

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Free day exploring Jerusalem.

Friday, December 29, 2023

Flight home to the USA.

Optional Jordan Extension

Friday, December 29, 2023

Optional Extension to Jordan: Cross into Jordan at the Sheikh Hussein Crossing near Beit Shean. Lord's Day devotions to be held at the following sites: Succoth and Gadara. Drive to Amman where we will overnight at the Geneva Hotel.

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Decapolis ruins of Philadelphia (Amman Citadel), Jerash; Jabbok River overlook. Drive to and overnight in Petra.

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Lord's Day devotions held at the following sites: Petra; in the mid-afternoon, travel north along the King's Highway with a stop in Bozrah (ancient capital of the Edomite Kingdom); drive to and overnight in Kerak.

Monday, January 1, 2024

Depart Kerak in the morning and continue north along the King's Highway with stops at Dibon (ancient capital of the Moabites), Madaba (Greek Orthodox Church & Madaba map), and Mt. Nebo. Drive back to Amman where we will overnight at the Geneva Hotel and prepare for our return home to the USA the next day.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Flight home to the USA.

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.

Best of Israel Tour