LON SOLOMON’S BEST OF THE HOLY LAND TOUROCTOBER 15 – OCTOBER 23, 2012REGISTER BY MARCH 1, 2012 (postmark date),AND RECEIVE A $100 DISCOUNT PER PERSONOFF THE ISRAEL PORTION OF THE TOUR!Dear Friend,I am happy to send you <strong>the</strong> details <strong>of</strong> our Holy Land tour scheduled for October 2012. As you can see, <strong>the</strong> tour is a deluxetour that has us flying El Al, staying at <strong>the</strong> finest five-star deluxe hotels and eating <strong>the</strong> finest food. When you comparetour packages be careful to check <strong>the</strong> hotels o<strong>the</strong>r tours are using. There are only a few 5-star deluxe hotels in Israel and<strong>the</strong> quality difference is noticeable! There are lots <strong>of</strong> tours to Israel for a person to choose from, so why should you decideto go with Lon Solomon? Here are <strong>the</strong> testimonials <strong>of</strong> two previous tour-goers:“I went on <strong>the</strong> Holy Land Tour and was surprisingly overwhelmed in a deeply spiritual way from <strong>the</strong> experience. Before I went, Iremember two things Lon said: „A trip to <strong>the</strong> Holy Land will change your life‟ and „<strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> will come alive in ways you can neverimagine.‟ I will tell you, no truer words were ever spoken and <strong>the</strong>y were understatements. The spiritual impact was deep, humbling, andimmensely satisfying…Thank you, Lon for <strong>the</strong> clear teaching and doctrinal leadership that made <strong>the</strong> tour so meaningful. And thank you for<strong>the</strong> personal service <strong>of</strong> being with us all <strong>the</strong> time instead <strong>of</strong> leaving us with a guide…I could never imagine how deeply this would touch mylife. This tour is one <strong>of</strong> those „Pearls‟ that is worth any price.”“I returned from you tour to Israel last week and am still amazed at all <strong>the</strong> things we did and all <strong>the</strong> places we saw. What an incredibletrip! The trip was spectacular on many fronts. While someone may be able to find a trip that is less expensive, <strong>the</strong>y could never find onethat is more meaningful…Most people go to Israel as part <strong>of</strong> a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage, and I can‟t imagine doing that with anyoneelse but you. The devotions at each stop, your explanations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> events that occurred <strong>the</strong>re, and your insights into <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> and <strong>the</strong> Lordwere fundamental to making this a very special and spiritual journey…A sign in <strong>the</strong> Tel Aviv airport said, „You are a part <strong>of</strong> us; we are apart <strong>of</strong> you‟ – and I do feel now that Israel is a part <strong>of</strong> me in a way that it wasn‟t before. The trip expanded my world, and my heart, and Iam <strong>the</strong> better for it. Thank you so much.”Here are some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> highlights <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Israel portion <strong>of</strong> our tour:1. An evening meeting with Israeli believers who share both <strong>the</strong>ir testimonies and <strong>the</strong> many exciting things that Godis doing among Israelis for Jesus, <strong>the</strong> Messiah.2. A service <strong>of</strong> dedication in <strong>the</strong> Jordan River where those who choose can renew in baptism an existingcommitment to <strong>the</strong> Lord or celebrate a new commitment.3. A visit to <strong>the</strong> Israeli Museum to see <strong>the</strong> Dead Sea Scrolls, and many o<strong>the</strong>r archaeological discoveries that confirm<strong>the</strong> trustworthiness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong>.4. A visit to <strong>the</strong> Garden Tomb, where we will have a communion service and celebrate <strong>the</strong> death, burial, andresurrection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord Jesus that purchased our salvation.I am especially happy that we are able to <strong>of</strong>fer our 2012 tour for <strong>the</strong> exact same base price as our 2011 tour ($2899)- and both extensions too!Our extension options for 2012 are great:1. A special pilgrimage to Mount Sinai. We begin by busing through <strong>the</strong> Sinai where <strong>the</strong> Israelites spent 40 years.Experiencing <strong>the</strong> climate and terrain will give us a real appreciation for <strong>the</strong> stories in Exodus and Numbers. AtMt. Sinai, first we'll visit historic St. Ca<strong>the</strong>rine's Monastery, established in <strong>the</strong> 4th century A.D., followed by aclimb part-way up Mt. Sinai. I promise you that Mt. Sinai will be an adventure you will never forget or regret.2. A one day excursion to Petra, Jordan, <strong>the</strong> "Red-Rose City". This city, carved out <strong>of</strong> solid rock, served as <strong>the</strong>capital for <strong>the</strong> Nabatean Empire in <strong>the</strong> days <strong>of</strong> Jesus. Based on Isa. 63:1-6, <strong>the</strong>re are many who believe that this is<strong>the</strong> place where <strong>the</strong> Christians will flee from <strong>the</strong> Antichrist and from where Jesus will lead <strong>the</strong>m in triumph intoJerusalem after his defeat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Antichrist at Armageddon. Our exquisite buffet lunch, which is included in <strong>the</strong>price, will be at <strong>the</strong> fabulous 5-star deluxe Movenpick Hotel in Petra.Please note that HLP Tours is <strong>of</strong>fering a $100 per person discount (on <strong>the</strong> Israel portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tour) to everyone whoregisters with <strong>the</strong>ir $750 deposit by March 1, 2012 [postmark date]. Your discount will be reflected on your statement andwill be deducted from your final payment due. I urge you to take advantage <strong>of</strong> this discount by registering early. I alsohope that HLP’s no-interest payment plan will help you be able to participate in this life-changing trip in a way that isfinancially comfortable for you.Please let me know if I can be <strong>of</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r service to you (phone 703/280-1114 and fax 703/280-1116). When you send inyour deposit, you will be hearing from me regularly with articles and information aimed at better preparing you to get <strong>the</strong>most out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tour. Hope to see you in October!Sincerely,Lon Solomon
LON SOLOMON'S BEST OF THE HOLY LAND TOUROCTOBER 15 – OCTOBER 23, 2012Oct. 15, 2012 – Depart New York City.Oct. 16, 2012 – Arrive Israel--Board buses and ride to Caesarea, home <strong>of</strong> Pontius Pilate, location where <strong>the</strong> Apostle Paulwas imprisoned (Acts 25-26) and <strong>the</strong> city where <strong>the</strong> Gospel was first taken to <strong>the</strong> Gentiles in <strong>the</strong> person <strong>of</strong> Cornelius, <strong>the</strong>Roman centurion (Acts 10). Caesarea was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> great cities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Roman world, so we will spend time exploring <strong>the</strong>extensive excavations here by <strong>the</strong> beautiful Mediterranean Sea. We will also take time in <strong>the</strong> amphi<strong>the</strong>ater for devotionsand prayer. We <strong>the</strong>n travel to <strong>the</strong> Sea <strong>of</strong> Galilee to our deluxe hotel for dinner and overnight.Oct. 17, 2012 – Today, we have a full day in store for us as we rise to view <strong>the</strong> beautiful shores <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sea <strong>of</strong> Galilee.After breakfast, we will visit <strong>the</strong> site where Jesus ate with Peter after <strong>the</strong> resurrection and we will have a time <strong>of</strong> worshipand devotions here from John 21 to begin our day. From <strong>the</strong>re we will visit Tabgha, site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> multiplication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> loavesand fish. We will see up close <strong>the</strong> ancient mosaic commemorating this event, perhaps <strong>the</strong> most famous mosaic in allIsrael. We next proceed to <strong>the</strong> Mount <strong>of</strong> Beatitudes where Jesus delivered <strong>the</strong> Sermon on <strong>the</strong> Mount. We will take timehere for meditation and prayer. After this, we will drive to <strong>the</strong> excavated ancient city <strong>of</strong> Capernaum, where Jesusestablished <strong>the</strong> headquarters for his three-year public ministry. We will stand in <strong>the</strong> very synagogue where Jesus preached.Time will be taken here for devotions and prayer. We will <strong>the</strong>n visit <strong>the</strong> ancient boat from <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> Christ, found in <strong>the</strong>mud <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sea <strong>of</strong> Galilee during <strong>the</strong> drought <strong>of</strong> 1986. Following this, we will sail across <strong>the</strong> magnificent Sea <strong>of</strong> Galileeand pause in <strong>the</strong> middle to reflect on Jesus' miracles that were performed on this Sea. We <strong>the</strong>n settle in at a local restaurantfor a delicious lunch <strong>of</strong> St. Peter’s fish (veal schnitzel is also available if you insist!). After lunch, we will go down to <strong>the</strong>Jordan River to baptize those who desire to do this. We will <strong>the</strong>n return to Tiberias, where those who wish (for a smallextra fee) can enjoy <strong>the</strong> wonderful hot springs that made Tiberias famous. After a full day, we return to our hotel fordinner and overnight.Oct. 18, 2012 – After a restful night, we rise to enjoy afabulous Israeli breakfast at our deluxe hotel. Followingbreakfast, we drive into <strong>the</strong> central Israeli high<strong>land</strong>s thatformed <strong>the</strong> nucleus <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn kingdom <strong>of</strong> Israel in<strong>the</strong> days after King Solomon. We will head first for <strong>the</strong>ancient city <strong>of</strong> Megiddo sitting high above <strong>the</strong> Valley <strong>of</strong>Armageddon. We will discuss <strong>the</strong> biblical prophecies <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> last days that culminate with <strong>the</strong> great battle thatoccurs in this valley. We will also see <strong>the</strong> fabulousexcavations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancient Megiddo, one <strong>of</strong> KingSolomon's "chariot cities" and a city that figuresprominently in biblical history. From here, we proceed toMt. Carmel, site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> prophet Elijah's showdown with<strong>the</strong> prophets <strong>of</strong> Baal. Time will be taken here to read and The Sea <strong>of</strong> Galileereflect on this incredible biblical event as recorded in 1Kings 18. Next, we go to Nazareth, <strong>the</strong> hometown <strong>of</strong> Jesus. We will visit <strong>the</strong> spot where tradition says that <strong>the</strong> angelGabriel appeared to Mary and announced to her <strong>the</strong> birth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Messiah. Time will be taken here for worship anddevotions. After an exciting day <strong>of</strong> biblical challenge, we return to our deluxe hotel on <strong>the</strong> shores <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> beautiful Sea <strong>of</strong>Galilee for dinner and overnight.Oct. 19, 2012 – After a hearty Israeli breakfast overlooking <strong>the</strong> beautiful sunrise on <strong>the</strong> Sea <strong>of</strong> Galilee, we head <strong>of</strong>f to <strong>the</strong>East side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sea <strong>of</strong> Galilee to Kursi. This site is in <strong>the</strong> ancient ―Land <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gadarenes‖ mentioned in Mark 5 and was<strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> demon-possessed man named Legion. It was here that Jesus cast <strong>the</strong> demons out <strong>of</strong> this man and into <strong>the</strong>herd <strong>of</strong> swine. Lon will share a devotional at <strong>the</strong> quaint little church on this spot. From Kursi we proceed to <strong>the</strong> amazingexcavations just south <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sea <strong>of</strong> Galilee at <strong>the</strong> ancient city <strong>of</strong> Bet Shean. Bet Shean was a significant city in Palestinesince <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> Abraham and is mentioned in <strong>the</strong> records <strong>of</strong> Pharaoh Thutmosis III as a city he conquered on his Canaancampaign in 1468 BC. It figures prominently in a tragic episode from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong>, when <strong>the</strong> Philistines took <strong>the</strong> beheadedbodies <strong>of</strong> King Saul and his son Jonathan, and hung <strong>the</strong>m on <strong>the</strong> city wall <strong>of</strong> Bet Shean (1 Sam. 31:8-10). Under Greekand later Roman rule, Bet Shean became a wealthy and influential city, as evidenced by <strong>the</strong> impressive remains from thisperiod, including a <strong>the</strong>ater that rivals <strong>the</strong> one at Caesarea. We <strong>the</strong>n drive to Jerusalem, <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong> God, where we will siton <strong>the</strong> Mount <strong>of</strong> Olives and look over at <strong>the</strong> breath-taking Temple Mount and Old City. Lon will share a message herefocusing on <strong>the</strong> many biblical events that happened on <strong>the</strong> Mount <strong>of</strong> Olives. After a full day, we will have dinner andovernight at our deluxe hotel.