Israel

In 2020, Kurt, Jo, Todd, and Kate were able to travel to Israel with John Delancey and Biblical Israel Ministries and Tours. It was an amazing, unforgettable trip, and we went hoping to be able to lead a group to Israel someday. That time is now - and we invite you to travel with us to the Holy Land in January 2024!

January 6-19, 2024 

This extensive Israel tour features over 60+ sites. (Details on Israel Tour Brochure.) We spend 1 night along the Med Sea in Tel Aviv, 1 night in Beersheba, 1 night in the Judean Desert (Hanokdim), 1 night near Jericho, 4 nights in the Galilee, and 3 nights in Jerusalem. Day 9 is a “reflection/rest day” in the Galilee. We will be reflecting upon the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7) and spending time on the Mt. of Beatitudes.  

(The online registration will take you directly to the web site of our Israel travel agent, imagine Tours & Travel. This is a safe & secure way to place your $500 deposit instantly with your credit card and reserve your spot on this tour. Please enter the tour code – ECCLife24 – to register for this trip)

Price of this Holyland Tour includes:

• Airfare & US & Int’l Departure taxes and fuel surcharges ($595),
• gratuities ($200),
• hotels,
• 2 meals daily,
• and all entry fees.

$4,945 from Chicago (ORD), IL; $4,795 from JFK, NY.

The land only price of $4,195 includes all the above except the airfare.

Sign-up deadline:

October 20, 2023

Since our informational lunch, a few questions have come up and we thought it might be helpful to share them with the group.

1. Yes. We did (and we will) get to walk the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.
2. Yes. The 2024 trip is 14 days. We were given the option of January for 14 days or May for 11 days. Multiple things factored into our decision:
3. The Weather: January is a much better time to be in Israel. May can be HOT!
4. The Cost: The May trip is $1000 more for fewer days.
5. The Itinerary: We do get to see sites that aren't on the 11-day itinerary, AND there is a built-in reflection day.
6. The Travel Companions: It will be fun to share this experience with the Covenant students on our trip.
7. No. The general itinerary isn't a Tour Activity Level 4. It also isn't a level 1... 

You will want to be able to walk a decent distance

Our Imagine Tours rep explained to me that because of all the additional, optional hikes Dr. Delancey offers they have to rate his tours a 4. Realistically it is a 2-3 with most of the activities that make it a 3, being optional. (For example: at EnGedi, Jo and Kate opted not to hike clear up to the waterfalls. We enjoyed the views we had and other people's pictures of the falls!) 

Email Pastor Kurt or Kate Cogswell with any additional questions.