Gauntlet International

Israel - the trip of a lifetime!

An overview

From May 3rd to May 19th, 2005, we traveled throughout Israel as part of a Margaret Morse Tour. We chronicled the journey through a daily journal and numerous pictures. This journey is now available for general purchase. Find a 178-page spiral bound book with nearly 540 color pictures and 17,000 words of fact, discussion, and impressions. Whether a Christian or a Jew, if you are considering a trip to Israel, you'll find this book worthwhile in helping you get the most for your money. A trip to Israel is a significant investment - do you want to choose the wrong tour operator with less then optimal guides? This book will show you what you can see in Israel.

This book is from a Christian perspective, but done as part of a Jewish tour group. We think that it is the best of both worlds. We had a great time and want to share that with you. The book costs $70 plus shipping. I print these myself and this price barely covers my costs. We simply want to share the incredible adventure that is a trip to Israel.

Send an e-mail to me at gauntlet2@hotmail.com to order. Side note - this page loads slowly due to the number of higher resolution images. Please be patient and I think you'll see that the wait is worthwhile. With a cable modem or DSL connection, this page will load in about ten seconds.

I want to thank Margaret Morse tours for making such a trip and our book possible. We spent a long time researching on the internet and one name kept recurring in regards to high quality and comprehensive tours of the Holy Land, Israel. From the second we were met in the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport to the last drop off 17 days later, we did not have to handle our luggage, worry about a meal, hassle with accommodations, or generally want for anything.
Most importantly, for any trip to Israel, one must examine one's own faith. As it turned out, we were the only Christians in a group of sixty-seven people. Everyone else was Jewish and the average age on the tour was probably in the sixties. So we were the double minority by also being the youngest couple. And we were welcomed within our group and we were treated with dignity and respect just like we try to treat others. We enjoyed the tour immensely and have regrounded our faith in Christ. Keep in mind that Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew. He was the King of the Jews and the Son of Man. I believe that we are stronger Christians because of our trip to Israel as part of a Jewish group. No matter, even if one is completely secular, Israel's archaeological sites are second to none.

What can we say? Everyone must go to Israel. Reinvigorate your faith or just visit a place that is the foundation of history. We recommend a Margaret Morse tour for your first trip in order to get the best overview of Israel.

We'll provide some excerpts from the book below. Enjoy!
In this montage you see a Value Added Tax reimbursement receipt (the green background). There is a 15% tax on items purchased from stores that is returned to foreign visitors when they leave the country. Just make sure you get your documentation before you leave the store!

Places visited during our Margaret Morse tour:

Ben Gurion International Airport (and the Ayalon Valley)

Tel Aviv

Carmel Market

Jaffa (old Yafo)

Ayalon Kibbutz (Haganah)

Atlit (Jewish Holding Camp under the British)

Caesarea

Megiddo

Druze Village

Bahai Gardens

Akko (Old Acre - Crusader Fort & prison)

The Galilee

Karmiel

Tzfat (home of Mystic Kabbalism)

Kibbutz Kfar Giladi

Golan Heights (border of Syria & Lebanon)

Katzrim

The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret Sea)

Tiberias

Lavi Forest (Jewish National Fund reclamation area)

Beit Alpha

Beit She'an

Jerusalem

Mount Scopus

National Military Cemetary

Yad Vashem

The Israel Museum

Hadassah Hospital (Chagall windows)

the National Menorah & the Knesset

Mount of Olives (Church of All Nations)

The Old City

The Western (Wailing) Wall

The Tunnels

Via Dolorosa

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Jewish, Muslim, & Armenian Quarters

Ben Yehuda Street (shopping area)

The Dead Sea (driving past Qumran)

Ein Gedi Spa

Masada

Kibbutz Yotvata

Eilat

Timna National Park (Solomon's Pillars)

Eilat Undersea Observatory

Petra (Jordan)

Border Sites with Egypt in the Sinai

Negev Desert

Mitzpe Ramon

Ben Gurion's grave

Beersheba (drive through)

In Caesarea, you'll see Herod's Roman ruins. This is the dignitary dais in the hippodrome. Some archaeologists believe that this is an amphitheater - a place where battles took place, either between gladiators or between animals and people. As a hippodrome, it would have hosted chariot races. It also could have served both purposes. There is a theater here that seats 3000 people, too!

A view from our hotel room balcony in Haifa. The Dan Carmel sits on a promontory overlooking the Bahai Gardens, a walking path, and the port of Haifa. This view is looking north and east. On the other side of the hotel, you can see south along the Mediterranean Sea.

From Megiddo, the location that is predicted in Revelations where the final battle between the forces of good and evil will take place. This large altar was built by the Canaanites for sacrifices. The priests and the sacrifices would be on the altar at the same time (it is large at about twenty feet across). This altar dates back nearly 5000 years. I took many pictures of this area and included most in the book.

Acre (Akko) - a Crusader Fort with an unhappy modern history. This fort was used by the British during the British Mandate period as a prison for criminals and Jewish political prisoners.

Olive trees in the Galilee. There were also many vineyards and banana plantations in this fertile area of Israel.

A picture of the intrepid author on the Kibbutz Kfar Giladi. In the background on the left side of the picture is the Golan Heights. In the valley directly behind me is the Jordan River and in the distance on the right is the Sea of Galilee (called Kinneret in Hebrew which means "harp").

Tiberias - picture taken while cruising on the Sea of Galilee.

Mount of Beatitudes on the left where Jesus preached. The Sea of Galilee is in the background and the shoreline here is where the miracle of the fishes & loaves occurred some 2000 years ago.

Beit She'an - one of the most significant archaeological locations in the world. Beit She'an covers a huge area and was once home to over 100,000 people. It lies at the strategic crossroads near the River Jordan and the Jezreel Valley. We spent a few hours here touring the ruins. The book has an extensive section on Beit She'an.

From Mount Scopus, a view of Jerusalem's Old City. As we entered the city from the east, the tour stopped at the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus for a welcoming ceremony into Jerusalem - this is traditional for all first time visitors. However, it is touching and invigorating for new and experienced alike.

The National Menorah across the street from the Knesset.

The Garden of the Righteous - this is the entrance to Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. The Garden of the Righteous pays tribute to the non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

The Church of All Nations (Franciscan) and the Church of Mary Magdalene (Russian Orthodox). Both are on the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley from the entrance to the Temple Mount. The Garden of Gethsemane is at the Church of All Nations (foreground with the three arches & mural above the entrance).

The Western Wall. It is busy because a Bar Mitzvah is ongoing.

The Tunnels beneath the Old City that show more of the Western Wall. The Western Wall is the original western retaining wall of the Second Temple.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre on a Friday.

The ramparts of the Old City and the wall as one currently sees were built in the 1500's by Suleiman the Magnificent. The ramparts walk are not a formal part of the tour, but there is enough free time in Jerusalem (out of five full days) that you can get there if you would like. We took many pictures of and from the ramparts - these are all included in the book.

The original Qumran Cave where the Bedouin boy found the first Cave Scroll (also called the Dead Sea Scrolls).

This picture was taken at the top of Masada looking at Herod's Northern Palace. Masada is about 1000 feet above the desert floor, which puts the top of Masada right at sea level.

In Eilat, this memorial stands near the beach. It is the Israeli version of Iwo Jima. The soldiers, after liberating Eilat, did not have an Israeli flag, so they drew one and put it at the top of the flagpole.

Margaret Morse offered an optional tour into Jordan to see Petra. This was magnificent. The picture here shows one of many carved monuments and structures. There is a complete Roman city at the bottom of the Siq, the chasm leading to Petra and through Petra. It is an extensive area covering many miles. We walked about five miles this day, but it was well worth the cost and every step.

David Ben Gurion's grave site in the Negev.

Wendy & Craig Martelle at an area that overlooks Egypt and the Sinai.

Thanks for looking at our web page - I hope you find it informative. If you have any questions about our trip to Israel, please do not hesitate to ask - my contact link is below. Or if you would like to see what Margaret Morse Tours can offer you, go to their web page at www.margaretmorsetours.com. This page is copyrighted by Craig Martelle. Pictures are for personal use only and may not be used without the permission of Craig Martelle.

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I want to thank Margaret Morse tours for making such a trip and our book possible. We spent a long time researching on the internet and one name kept recurring in regards to high quality and comprehensive tours of the Holy Land, Israel. From the second we were met in the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport to the last drop off 17 days later, we did not have to handle our luggage, worry about a meal, hassle with accommodations, or generally want for anything. Most importantly, for any trip to Israel, one must examine one's own faith. As it turned out, we were the only Christians in a group of sixty-seven people. Everyone else was Jewish and the average age on the tour was probably in the sixties. So we were the double minority by also being the youngest couple. And we were welcomed within our group and we were treated with dignity and respect just like we try to treat others. We enjoyed the tour immensely and have regrounded our faith in Christ. Keep in mind that Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew. He was the King of the Jews and the Son of Man. I believe that we are stronger Christians because of our trip to Israel as part of a Jewish group. No matter, even if one is completely secular, Israel's archaeological sites are second to none. What can we say? Everyone must go to Israel. Reinvigorate your faith or just visit a place that is the foundation of history. We recommend a Margaret Morse tour for your first trip in order to get the best overview of Israel.
	We'll provide some excerpts from the book below. Enjoy! In this montage you see a Value Added Tax reimbursement receipt (the green background). There is a 15% tax on items purchased from stores that is returned to foreign visitors when they leave the country. Just make sure you get your documentation before you leave the store!
Places visited during our Margaret Morse tour: Ben Gurion International Airport (and the Ayalon Valley) Tel Aviv Carmel Market Jaffa (old Yafo) Ayalon Kibbutz (Haganah) Atlit (Jewish Holding Camp under the British) Caesarea Megiddo Druze Village Bahai Gardens Akko (Old Acre - Crusader Fort & prison) The Galilee Karmiel Tzfat (home of Mystic Kabbalism) Kibbutz Kfar Giladi Golan Heights (border of Syria & Lebanon) Katzrim The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret Sea) Tiberias Lavi Forest (Jewish National Fund reclamation area) Beit Alpha Beit She'an Jerusalem Mount Scopus	National Military Cemetary Yad Vashem The Israel Museum Hadassah Hospital (Chagall windows) the National Menorah & the Knesset Mount of Olives (Church of All Nations) The Old City The Western (Wailing) Wall The Tunnels Via Dolorosa Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jewish, Muslim, & Armenian Quarters Ben Yehuda Street (shopping area) The Dead Sea (driving past Qumran) Ein Gedi Spa Masada Kibbutz Yotvata Eilat Timna National Park (Solomon's Pillars) Eilat Undersea Observatory Petra (Jordan) Border Sites with Egypt in the Sinai Negev Desert Mitzpe Ramon Ben Gurion's grave Beersheba (drive through)
	In Caesarea, you'll see Herod's Roman ruins. This is the dignitary dais in the hippodrome. Some archaeologists believe that this is an amphitheater - a place where battles took place, either between gladiators or between animals and people. As a hippodrome, it would have hosted chariot races. It also could have served both purposes. There is a theater here that seats 3000 people, too!
	A view from our hotel room balcony in Haifa. The Dan Carmel sits on a promontory overlooking the Bahai Gardens, a walking path, and the port of Haifa. This view is looking north and east. On the other side of the hotel, you can see south along the Mediterranean Sea.
	From Megiddo, the location that is predicted in Revelations where the final battle between the forces of good and evil will take place. This large altar was built by the Canaanites for sacrifices. The priests and the sacrifices would be on the altar at the same time (it is large at about twenty feet across). This altar dates back nearly 5000 years. I took many pictures of this area and included most in the book.
	Acre (Akko) - a Crusader Fort with an unhappy modern history. This fort was used by the British during the British Mandate period as a prison for criminals and Jewish political prisoners.
	Olive trees in the Galilee. There were also many vineyards and banana plantations in this fertile area of Israel.
	A picture of the intrepid author on the Kibbutz Kfar Giladi. In the background on the left side of the picture is the Golan Heights. In the valley directly behind me is the Jordan River and in the distance on the right is the Sea of Galilee (called Kinneret in Hebrew which means "harp").
	Tiberias - picture taken while cruising on the Sea of Galilee.
	Mount of Beatitudes on the left where Jesus preached. The Sea of Galilee is in the background and the shoreline here is where the miracle of the fishes & loaves occurred some 2000 years ago.
	Beit She'an - one of the most significant archaeological locations in the world. Beit She'an covers a huge area and was once home to over 100,000 people. It lies at the strategic crossroads near the River Jordan and the Jezreel Valley. We spent a few hours here touring the ruins. The book has an extensive section on Beit She'an.
	From Mount Scopus, a view of Jerusalem's Old City. As we entered the city from the east, the tour stopped at the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus for a welcoming ceremony into Jerusalem - this is traditional for all first time visitors. However, it is touching and invigorating for new and experienced alike.
	The National Menorah across the street from the Knesset.
	The Garden of the Righteous - this is the entrance to Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. The Garden of the Righteous pays tribute to the non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
	The Church of All Nations (Franciscan) and the Church of Mary Magdalene (Russian Orthodox). Both are on the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley from the entrance to the Temple Mount. The Garden of Gethsemane is at the Church of All Nations (foreground with the three arches & mural above the entrance).
	The Western Wall. It is busy because a Bar Mitzvah is ongoing.
	The Tunnels beneath the Old City that show more of the Western Wall. The Western Wall is the original western retaining wall of the Second Temple.
	The Church of the Holy Sepulchre on a Friday.
	The ramparts of the Old City and the wall as one currently sees were built in the 1500's by Suleiman the Magnificent. The ramparts walk are not a formal part of the tour, but there is enough free time in Jerusalem (out of five full days) that you can get there if you would like. We took many pictures of and from the ramparts - these are all included in the book.
	The original Qumran Cave where the Bedouin boy found the first Cave Scroll (also called the Dead Sea Scrolls).
	This picture was taken at the top of Masada looking at Herod's Northern Palace. Masada is about 1000 feet above the desert floor, which puts the top of Masada right at sea level.
	In Eilat, this memorial stands near the beach. It is the Israeli version of Iwo Jima. The soldiers, after liberating Eilat, did not have an Israeli flag, so they drew one and put it at the top of the flagpole.
	Margaret Morse offered an optional tour into Jordan to see Petra. This was magnificent. The picture here shows one of many carved monuments and structures. There is a complete Roman city at the bottom of the Siq, the chasm leading to Petra and through Petra. It is an extensive area covering many miles. We walked about five miles this day, but it was well worth the cost and every step.
	David Ben Gurion's grave site in the Negev.
	Wendy & Craig Martelle at an area that overlooks Egypt and the Sinai.
Thanks for looking at our web page - I hope you find it informative. If you have any questions about our trip to Israel, please do not hesitate to ask - my contact link is below. Or if you would like to see what Margaret Morse Tours can offer you, go to their web page at www.margaretmorsetours.com.	This page is copyrighted by Craig Martelle. Pictures are for personal use only and may not be used without the permission of Craig Martelle.