7-29-24 update: dates changed, new hotel rsvps underway, so the price is approximate and will be updated when new hotels are secured. Flights will likely be out of RNO. 9-day Family Israel Trip $3590 each, land only/double occ. $600 down holds your spot.
On the ground: 7 nights, 8 days, with 2 travel days. Lap babies only pay airline taxes ($~140 ea.), and kids (on a pull-out chair or sofa) are $300 off price, when staying as the third person in a room with two adults. No more than 3 souls in a room, unless you've got lap babies, then up to 4 souls, with two cribs. Car seats also available on the bus, or bring your own.
The locations where we stop will remain flexible throughout our time together as no location stop can be guaranteed, thus is the nature of international travel and Israeli traffic.
7-26 note: Itinerary dates will be changed soon, but this is a good idea of what to expect. Day 0 (Friday, July 11, 2025) Travel Day Your group flight departs at [TBA in Aug/Sept 2024]. (You may of course purchase your own flight and meet us in Tel Aviv, time TBA). Meet your group at the airport to check in together for your group flight. You need to arrive at RNO and begin to check in a FULL three hours ahead of boarding, to make sure your luggage and security all goes smoothly!
Day 1 (Saturday, July 12) Arrival Day! Fly and fly, and finally arrive in Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (hopefully around 3:30 pm). Go through Foreign Entry Customs, grab your luggage, exchange any cash you want or use an ATM, then trickle through to meet Kim and our guide in the group meet up point to the far-right corner of the Entry Lobby. (Tables and chairs with space for piles of luggage, and near a rest room.) We'll load up and ride our (a/c & Wi-Fi, but no bathroom) bus through the desert wilderness to the Dead Sea resort town of Ein Bokek. About 2 hrs to get there. After check-in and dropping our luggage in rooms, we can go to dinner in the hotel, and then enjoy a good night's sleep or head out for a relaxing warm Dead Sea float. Two nights at the David Dead Sea Resort & Spa. Day 2 (Sunday, July 13) Negev Desert Day After a bountiful Israeli breakfast with rich Israeli coffee and juices, we will check out and load up the bus for the day. Our first stop is Masada (video), Israel’s last stand in 73 AD. [You may take a strenuous climb up the “snake path” (no snakes) in 40-50 minutes ~1800 feet from the valley floor then catch up to our group; or take the cable car to the top.] We’ll learn the story of Herod’s Fortress in the Desert and tour the massive grounds. Then we head north along the Dead Sea coastal road to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul and hike up to David’s waterfall. Bring wet/dry sandals for hiking and a bathing suit because you can climb into any number of enticing blue pools or waterfalls and the desert air will dry you off before you return to the bus! We will have the afternoon free to enjoy the resort, the spa if you choose to book an appointment, the Dead Sea and pools. At 5pm we will have the option to head back out for a 1 hr. double camel ride and traditional Bedouin meal in the desert like Abraham. Then back to the resort hotel for the night.
Day 3 (Monday, July 14) Up to Jerusalem Day Don't miss a stunning sunrise over the Jordanian mountains across the Dead Sea (Biblical Mountains of Moab) with an in-room instant coffee (better in Israel than the US). After a nice Israeli breakfast, we start at Qumron, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Then we begin the climb to the Holy City. We stop for some teaching and iconic family pics (relaxed) at the Mount of Olives' view of the city. Then walk down a steep hill to the groves of Garden of Gethsemane and a silent walk through the Church of All Nations with a view of the Gate Beautiful (a.k.a. Gate of Mercy, Golden Gate). The driver will pick us up here and take us to Caiaphas's house to stand in the cistern where Jesus may have been held prisoner before his crucifixion. Then we check into our Jerusalem hotel home for the next 3 nights, centrally located Prima Kings hotel, known around Jerusalem for the flowers hanging from the balcony rooms. Arrival in time for dinner. Day 4 (Tuesday, July 15) Jerusalem Walking Tour part 1 We will start after breakfast at the Old City's Jaffa Gate to climb up to walk on top of the Old City Ramparts (walls) (bec's of many steep and uneven stairs, there is an option to walk at street level for this 45 mins and meet us) over to Dung Gate, to pray at the Western Wall. Then we head underground to explore the Rabbinical tunnels for an underground tour of Jerusalem. We will continue from the end of this tour to the Pool of Bethesda (no water for swimming anymore) and explore the ruins, and have some worship time singing in the beautiful acoustics of Saint Anne's Church. but you can explore and see thousands of years of layers of civilization here!). Our afternoon will have rolling breaks depending on the age(s) of your kids. There are Children's Prayer Watches at Succat Hallel (24/7 house of prayer near our hotel) where our kids will join local children in leading worship and prayer (by age group) that has been taking place continuously here since 1999! Take the free evening to enjoy individual time of exploring a local park or finding a cool view of the city. Perhaps dads can take the kids to play while moms walk into town with Kim for shopping. Day 5 (Wednesday, July 16) Jerusalem (little less) Walking Tour part 2 We start today with contemplation at the Garden Tomb where we will see the empty tomb, view the Place of the Skull up close, and have some alone time with the Gardener of our Souls, and take communion together. Then we meet back up with the driver and are driven over to the Upper Room for some "Come, Holy Spirit" time and perhaps stop by King David's tomb (not much to see, but to say you were there). Then we have a highlight adventure in the City of David (active archaeological dig video) where we will change into our water shoes & submerge into a 533-meter underground tunnel containing the Gihon Spring up to 2.5 feet deep in Hezekiah’s Tunnel. It's very close quarters (as small as 16 inches wide in some places & definitely watch your head!) for~ 1 KM, and completely dark so bring a flashlight or headlamp! If you’re claustrophobic or just need a break, you’re welcome to grab an ice cream or coffee and chill or talk to some locals on the shaded patio and wait. We will come out at the Pool of Siloam and take a bus back up to the entrance of the City of David to pick up anyone as needed. From there the driver will take us uphill over to Mamilla mall where the kids (& parents) will visit the Jerusalem Time Elevator. Anyone who prefers can have a coffee break at Aroma Cafe, or shopping in the Old City just a few steps away. Back to our hotel for dinner on our last night in Jerusalem. Day 6 (Thursday, July 17) Transfer North toward The Galilee Today after an early breakfast, we checkout, load the bus and head North. But before we leave Jerusalem, there's one more highlight adventure! We will stop at the Temple Mount Sifting Project to practice some real archeology by washing rubble from the Temple Mount and looking for signs of civilization past! (don't worry training is involved and all buckets get reviewed by a professional). Back on the bus we make our way toward the Galilee. Along the way we will stop at Bet She'an, where once David went in to remove the bodies of King Saul and his sons, later this Roman Baths spa-city became a haven for the Christian community until it collapsed and was frozen in time by an 8th century earthquake. From here we will drive a few more minutes over to Gan Ha Slosha, an Eden-like paradise of green lawns, turquoise pools (swim or wade there's deep water but a little kiddie area too for small ones.), and we will enjoy a boxed picnic lunch together here and have an afternoon of playtime. (Depending on time of arrival, we may need to switch the order of Bet Sh'ean and the swimming hole to accommodate lunch). Then we continue toward our hotel, another resort called Nof Ginosar with access to the Sea of Galilee. It used to be a Kibbutz! But there is a swimming pool!]. Day 7 (Friday, July 18) Christian Sites around the Sea of Galilee Day Another bountiful breakfast! Then we will visit some Jesus-Biblical sites around the Galilee today. Today's itinerary is flexible as all sites are fairly close together, and their order will depend on the time the boat pilot is able to accommodate us. Capernaum to see Peter's home near a 300-B.C. Synagogue. We'll stop to see the Jesus Boat Museum and take a 50 minute "cruise" on the Sea of Galilee. We will include a contemplative time at Magdela, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and a 2009-discovery of a 1st-century synagogue where Jesus would have preached! Lunch options here, including a grocery store if you want to pick up food and make your own local picnic or get some fruit and snacks. After lunch we will head to the Jordan River for an optional Yardenit baptism (re-baptism). A gown and towel will be rented for anyone who wants to participate (all are welcome)! Then we go just up the river to Rob Roy Kayaking for unique (read hippy-like compound) for a little Jordan River "rafting." We will be back at the Resort for our Shabbat Dinner celebration. Day 8 (Saturday/Shabbat July 19) Finale Day & Transfer to Airport We will take a later morning today on our final day to get packed up and enjoy family devotions by the Sea of Galilee before breakfast. Then depart by 10 to drive inland to Nazareth Village for a Biblical lunch experience (included) and exploring what a town might have looked like in Jesus' day. From here we drive up Mount Carmel to Muchraka, the site of Elijah and God defeating the prophets of Ba'al, and a view of the Valley of Armageddon! (Did you know those were in the same place?!) Our last stop is the ancient Port of Caesarea Maritima. Our dinner will be traditional Middle Eastern feast at a Tel Aviv restaurant to say "la hitraot" ("see you later") to Israel on our way to the airport. The bus and guide will drop off our group at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. You'll pass through about 15 security checks (you'll only know about 4 of them!) then board your flight home. Departing at 11:15 or TBA. There will be a second dinner offered on your flight, if you have room to eat again by then. :) Day 9 (Sunday, July 20) Travel Day Today will be super long as you fly west with the night. You should arrive back home via a layover or two by Sunday evening California time, carrying memories and pictures galore and new and deepening relationships with the Lord God of Israel and friends from your church family! (Parents, we do recommend if at all possible, taking Monday off of work to help acclimate yourself and your family to home, as this trip is exhausting!)
All the Details You Really Want to Know
We suggest that you start training your body as you train your heart for this trip, so you will be able to fully participate in it with your teammates. Trips include accommodation, breakfasts and dinners in the land, transportation via bus, a certified tour guide and bus driver, entrance to sites, the simply written book Israel Basics: What Every Christian Should Know to help you prepare your grid of understanding and A Spiritual Journey Through Israel book/journal for on the ground in country. This book will help record all the spiritual encounters we will enjoy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and help inspire you for the portion you will lead on-site. However, lunches, tips, health insurance, trip insurance, and souvenirs are on your own. This trip is personalized for Modoc Vineyard Families, and is limited to 35 people. Our medium size allows easier access to sites and yet large enough to get us some good discounts. There is an aspect of personal spiritual development, prayer activations, spiritual formation exercises, and "Friendship with Jesus" strengthening and deepening that accompany each Ruth Israel Initiative Unhurried Pilgrimage at nearly every location stop in the Land, and the Lord usually shakes some things up in our hearts in a beautiful way. If you are not accustomed to journaling or "listening prayer" Seth Barnes book Listening Prayer is another book you'll want to buy to prepare your heart and skills for listening for God's voice as you interact together in the Holy Land. This devotional is great even if you are skilled at hearing God's voice.
If you become intrigued with the new information you are gaining in knowledge and want to go further, purchase the book Unbroken Cord by D.H. Withers to read on your own. Or another great one is Sandra Teplinsky's bookWhy Still Care About Israel? These books will really fill out your foundation so that you can get the most out of your time in Israel. See the Resources Page for even further study.
We will offer a team meeting for cross-cultural training and Q&A before we go, and we hope to build friendships as we share what God is doing in our hearts along the way. You will have most evenings free to rest, process the day, or explore on your own (perfectly safe in each place we will stay).
Designed specifically for Modoc Vineyard Families. Registration now open. Register here
Cost: $3590 each, land only Downpayment is $600 each. double occupancy, 3rd in room is $300 off. FLIGHT: will be priced separately at whatever cost we are able to arrange with the airline with the best itinerary for cost. Down payment on flight will run $100 each, and full balance due 90 days before travel.
Mail your down payment to: Ruth Israel Initiative 9 B Chatham Court Pelham, AL 35124 OR PAY ONLINE (adds 3% to cost).
$600 Down payment
$618.00
pay $600 + 18.00 (3%) fee for downpayment on Birmingham Vineyards trip to Israel. Please also complete and sign the Jotforms registration details.
$1000 + $30 admin fee= $1030. Use this purchase feature to make your down payment after filling out the application and use it for your mid-payment too.
Families Exploration Trip Features include: 1. Fewer hotel transfers when everyone needs to be on the bus all day. 2. Coastal, Galilee, Jerusalem and Desert exploration time. 3. Development of your friendship with Jesus and each other through spiritual formation exercises on site. (Can be age adapted.) 4. Small-ish group traveling with people you know. 5. NO vaccination or Covid testing required.
Important Information
Pricing is based on double occupancy and a minimum of 20 people traveling (limit 42 people). Single-room supplement available at $800 additional.
Please apply for passports early! They are running months in the production time right now!
You will want to work on fitness several months before traveling to fully participate with your team.
See all the "B-4 You Go" topics in the drop-down list in the header.
We recommend each child have their own camera to take pics of things that are meaningful to them. (perhaps borrow an old phone from a friend).
Learning There is a ton to learn and catch up on, even if you know your Biblical history. This will be like a college-level course, so we require some pre-req reading so we all have an equal grid of understanding when arriving in Israel. This easy-to-read book, Israel Basics, is included in your price for one per family, and has been used as a high school Bible curriculum in the past, so it is an easy on-ramp for everyone over 12. But you don't need to bring this one with you.
Insurance You will need to purchase trip insurance to ensure your travel, trip interruption, lost luggage, or emergency medical treatment or evacuation insurance. Contact your personal insurance specialist or try our favorite here: Insurance.You will need to provide Kim with electronic proof of insurance within 30 days of booking your trip. This would also cover your downpayment if you can't travel for a covered reason. Packing Check out our packing suggestions here! We highly recommend one checked bag and one carry-on sized bag or less per person. Those with younger children may want to bring a stroller or wearable baby wrap for hands free exploring with the team. For your carry-on. We suggest a backpack that rolls for ease of transiting long international terminals. **Your carry on should contain a minimum of 2 days of clothes in case of lost luggage.** It's going to be very warm! everyone needs a hat, sunglasses, and personal water bottle. No chance of rain.
Team Meetings We will have a team meeting on Zoom before we leave the country to prepare you and get your questions answered. Food/Snacks/Coffee Once you arrive, all breakfasts and dinners are included and served at the hotels where we will stay. Lunch is usually on your own (plan about $10-12/per person/day), but we have arranged for one picnic lunch (noted in the day-by-day itinerary) and one Biblical meal lunch. All snacks are on your own. We suggest bringing a box of your family's favorite protein bars and other on-the go options in case lunch is delayed by our adventures. We don't want anyone to feel hangry! Tips: (this is important to budget for) Gratuities are not included in your price, but are expected. Plan for $5-7/day/person for the driver and $7-10/day/person for the guide. At the hotels, plan for $1/bag load/unload (3 hotels) and $1/person/meal in the dining room. Ballpark for a family of 4: $106-$125 per person x 4= $425-500 in cash, US dollars, small denominations.
Our Guide: Eliav Kapusta
I was born and raised on Moshav YadHaShmona in a Messianic Jewish family where I am living until today, with my wife, three dogs and two cats. Growing up at Yad HaShmona has given me a great appreciation for the Land and people of the Bible. I am happy and excited to be able to be able to share my experiences, faith and love with people from around the world who visit the Land of Israel.
