Join us in July, 2023 for a journey to the Holy Land. This trip is open to high school students and adults.

​The tour leader is Rev. Dr. Eileen Altman, Associate Pastor at First Congregational Church of Palo Alto since 2007; she has traveled to Palestine/Israel twice. Our logistical coordinator is Susan Brooksbank, an avid traveler, who has visited the Holy Land numerous times, most recently for a wedding in Bethlehem in July 2022. Her earliest trips were for business in the 1990s. She is now retired from the corporate world with her own small business and volunteers to run trips to the Holy Land. She is a member of Westhope Presbyterian Church and an ordained deacon and elder. Our on-the-ground tour guides are from Grace Tours, a Palestinian Christian tour agency.

The all-inclusive land cost is $3700 (double occupancy), with a non-refundable $500 to reserve your spot. There is an additional land cost of $1000 for a single, but this option is not available to those under the age of 18. Please send your check to FCCPA at 1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, with Holy Land 2023 in the memo line. We strongly encourage you to book your flights as early possible to get the best price (estimated round trip airfare is $1200). Contact Eileen Altman with questions. 

​Itinerary 
Please note that the specifics of each day's itinerary is subject to change, depending upon local conditions. We will rely on the best judgment and advice of Grace Tours.

Day 1 Thursday 13 July 2023
 Leave the U.S.
Day 2   Friday 14 July 2023
Arrive to Ben Gurion Airport, drive to Tiberias for overnight
Day 3 Saturday 15 July 2023 
Adventures in the Galilee
(possibilities include hike in the Golan Heights, visit to Caesarea Philippi, kayaking in the River Jordan) 
Overnight Tiberias
Day 4 Sunday 16 July 2023 
Adventures in the Galilee
(possibilities include visiting Capernaum, Magdala, Kursi, Nazareth) 
Overnight Tiberias
Day 5 Monday 17 July 2023 
Adventures in the Galilee
(possibilites include visiting Cana, Caesarea by the Sea, and Haifa) 
Overnight Tiberias
Day 6 Tuesday 18 July 2023
Journey to Bethlehem
(possible stops include Church of the Lepers, Canaan Fairtrade, Sebastia, Jacob's Well)
Overnight Bethlehem
Day 7 Wednesday 19 July 2023 
Bethlehem
(possible stops include Church of the Nativity, Shepherd’s Fields, Bethlehem Bible College, Walled Off Hotel, meeting with youth at a refugee camp)
Overnight Bethlehem 
Day 8 Thursday 20  July 2023
Jericho area
(possible stops include visit to likely site of Jesus' baptism, Mount of Temptation, swimming at the Dead Sea)
Overnight Bethlehem
Day 9 Friday 21 July 2023 
Jerusalem
(possible stops include the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and a political tour of Jerusalem)
Overnight Bethlehem
Day 10 Saturday 22  July 2023 
Fun Day
Overnight Bethlehem
Day 11 Sunday 23  July 2023   
worship at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem
possible visit at B'Tselem and dinner with local families
Overnight Bethlehem
Day 12 Monday 24  July 2023 
Hebron and Tent of Nations
Overnight Bethlehem
Day 13 Tuesday 25 July 2023
Jerusalem
(possible stops include Western Wall, Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock). Free Time in Jerusalem
Overnight Bethlehem
Day 14 Wednesday 26  July 2023
Departure early morning