DATE
Aug 31 – Sep 11, 2023
TRIP LENGTH
12 Days
COST
$5250
THIS ADVENTURE WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
- Partake in an intimate dinner on the Sea of Galilee as you explore what it means to find peace amidst life’s storms.
- Spend a night in the desert with the nomadic Bedouin people — the same people who discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- Have a life-changing dinner with Holocaust survivors, one of the last opportunities to hear their stories as their numbers dwindle.
- Float the Dead Sea, visit the location of the Sermon on the Mount where you’ll learn what Jesus really meant when talking about anxiety, and visit the EMPTY garden tomb.
What if the Bible came alive like never before? What if you could see your faith in a new way? What if you could understand the scriptures by actually experiencing where they were written? What if you could walk where Jesus walked? That’s not only possible, but it’s happening. And you’re invited to experience it all!
If you’re looking to deepen your faith and make it come alive, Jon and Brett Seidl are inviting you to join them on the journey of a lifetime through the Holy Land to experience and understand the scriptures, Jesus, and your faith in an incredible new way!
This trip has been customized with a special focus on understanding how Jesus and the Bible offer hope, peace, and stability in a world dominated by chaos, anxiety, and hopelessness. Join your hosts, Jon and Brett, other like-minded pilgrims, and Uncharted Adventures guides with extensive experience for this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
You’ll not only read the Scriptures on location, but experience them in a new way. You’ll gain a fresh understanding of Jesus’s message of peace on the Sea of Galilee where he calmed the storm. You’ll gain a new appreciation for his commands in the Sermon on the Mount by visiting where it was given, the Mount of Beatitudes. You’ll appreciate his sacrifice – and anguish – by strolling through the Garden of Gethsemane and the empty tomb.
You’ll also see the rich cultures of both the Jews and Arabs, have lunch with Holocaust survivors, and see the historical sites where Jesus performed the miracles that shook the world and continue to do so today. And that’s just a few of the experiences you’ll have throughout the 12-day trip! (Full itinerary below.)
We’ve worked hard to keep this trip affordable while also memorable. The total cost includes transportation (including airfare to and from Israel), lodging, nearly all meals, National Park passes, professional guides, and on-ground transportation for 12 days. As a special gift, all trip members will also receive free, signed copies of both my book, Finding Rest, as well as the accompanying workbook, which will become even more alive and relevant during the adventure.
So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch […] This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.
“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Acts: 8:27-31
Jon and Brett are thrilled to be your guides on this memorable pilgrimage to the land where Jesus walked. You will be transformed, and your Bible will never be the same again!
*Please note trip price is based on double occupancy and includes flight costs and basic travel insurance. If you wish to purchase flights on your own, or full coverage/cancellation insurance, email here.
Meet Your Hosts
Jonathon M. Seidl is a writer, speaker, and digital media veteran. He’s the author or the #1 bestselling book, Finding Rest, which has become an essential guide for those battling anxiety, OCD, and other mental health disorders. In 2010 he helped start a top-50 news website, and has since worked with some of the biggest names in culture like Chip and Joanna Gaines, Glenn Beck, and Kirk Cameron. He’s published over 6,000 stories on websites like I Am Second and FoxNews.com, and is passionate about transformative storytelling as well as erasing the stigma around mental health.
Brett Seidl is the founder and CEO of the wildly popular Dallas interior design firm, Brett Nicole Interiors. Her work has been featured in numerous design magazines, books, blogs, and on TV. An entrepreneur at heart, her original degree is in biblical studies and she even tutored Hebrew students in college.
Jon and Brett live in Frisco, TX, with their two kids, Annie and Jack.
Trip Details
Explore the sites of Jesus’ ministry along the Sea of Galilee where the wind and waves miraculously obeyed Jesus.
Float 1,300 Feet below sea level in the mesmerizing Dead Sea.
Walk the streets of Jerusalem where Jesus spent his final week before his crucifixation.
Day 1 | Aug 31st: Depart USA to Israel
Day 2 | Sep 1st: Arrive in Tel Aviv
Drive to Tel Aviv from the airport. Welcome Dinner at the Grand Beach Hotel.
Tel Aviv Grand Beach
Day 3 | Sep 2nd: The Mediterranean Coast to the Sea of Galilee
Tour Caesarea, today the Book of Acts comes alive as you tour the Roman headquarters in Israel during the 1st Century AD. Peter, Philip, and Paul spread the Word of God here and Caesarea became a launching point for the gospel. Herod Agrippa died here in the theater that still stands. The massive archaeological site spans over 10 centuries to from the Romans to the Crusaders.
Mt. Carmel is the site for the Old Testament showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. The God of Israel convincingly defeated the pagan priests and taught the nation of Israel a lesson.
Megiddo is one of the Chariot Cities of King Solomon from 1 Kings 9 and it is impressive! As we read the Bible on location, you can also survey the Jezreel Valley where the battle of Armageddon will occur as seen in Revelation 16.
Mt. Arbel is our last stop of the day and after we cross the Jezreel Valley we’ll gaze from the top of the mountain at the beautiful Sea of Galilee. This became the headquarters for Jesus’ earthly ministry and most of His miracles occurred in, on or around the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight will be spectacular near the shore where Jesus called His disciples to “Follow Me!”
Kibbutz Maagan
Day 4 | Sep 3rd: Experiencing Jesus at the Sea of Galilee
Capernaum is the first stop of the day. This became the “home of Jesus” after our Savior left Nazareth. This site is rich with stories from the gospels as Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law and many others. He also conclusively defeated the demons in the synagogue who cowered in His presence.
The next stop is the Mt. of Beatitudes. This is Jesus’ most famous sermon and we’ll read from Matthew 5-7 at the most likely spot where Jesus spoke to the massive crowd just north of the Sea of Galilee. This site is inspiring, and Christians have worshipped here for centuries.
Next, we visit Tabgha, where Jesus fed the 5,000 and where he appeared to the 12 after His resurrection. Peter was also restored at Tabgha when Jesus asked Him three times “Peter, do you love Me?”
We conclude our day at Yardenit, where the Jordan River connects to the Sea of Galilee. This site is a gathering place for believers from around the world to get baptized in the Jordan River.
Kibbutz Maagan
Day 5 | Sep 4th: Israel vs. the Nations
Today you head north to the “finger of Israel” and begin the day with an invigorating hike at the Dan Nature Reserve. Israel fell into idolatry here under King Jeroboam and we’ll walk up to the pagan altar where it all happened. Next, is a short hike to a lookout spot into Lebanon.
Caesarea Phillipi is our next stop, and this important site in Jesus’ ministry is where He took the disciples to give them their marching orders with “Upon this Rock, I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
After lunch, we travel to the Golan Heights and the place where Israel has battled threatening nations for centuries. At Har Bental, we’ll look into Syria.
Kibbutz Maagan
Day 6 | Sep 5th: Negev Desert
Drive to desert for Bedouin outreach.
This will be a highlight of the trip, we’re driving down south to camp out with desert dwellers, the Bedouins! Say goodbye to running water, and electricity for one night as we will be staying in Bedouin tents or sleeping under the stars if you’d like. Blankets can be provided, but we recommend bringing a sleeping bag!
Day 7 | Sep 6th: Jerusalem
Today we will walk through Holocaust Survivor Museum. This is a very sobering reality of what God’s chosen people endured. After going to the Museum, we will host a Holocaust Survivor Dinner. This special evening will be one to remember as we listen to stories of survival.
Enjoy Jerusalem with some free time in the Old City. If you want to hit coffee shops or shop for souvenirs, this will be your best opportunity.
Jerusalem – Christ Church Guesthouse
Day 8 Sep 7th: Jerusalem
Today is a day you will never forget because you will hit Jerusalem. The day will start at the Mt. of Olives.
Then you will stroll down the Palm Sunday route that Jesus rode a colt on as the massive crowds cried out, “Hosanna!”
Dominus Fleivit is a site that commemorates where Jesus wept over Jerusalem and how lost the people were in religion and the coming judgment on them for rejecting the Messiah.
The Church of All Nations is also in the Garden of Gethsemane and where Jesus met with the Father on the night He was betrayed. Feel the agony of Jesus and the weight of sin laid on Him that caused Him to sweat drops of blood as told in Luke 22. Judas betrayed Him here.
Next, we enter St. Stephen’s Gate and begin our walk through the Old City. Here you’ll walk the Via Dolorosa and the traditional route that Jesus carried His Cross on “The Way of Suffering.”
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a possible site of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection and you will tour the place that became the headquarters of the Christian faith for centuries.
In the Christian Quarter, we’ll tour Mt Zion to visit the Upper Room, the Tomb of King David, and the famous Zion Gate.
Conclude the day with a walk-through Hezekiah’s tunnel which the king had dug to keep the water source of the Gihon Spring inside Jerusalem and away from the enemies of Israel.
Jerusalem – Christ Church Guesthouse
Day 9 | Sep 8th: The Dead Sea
You’ll leave the Holy City today and travel to the Judean Desert.
The first stop is Masada the fortress where the Israelites made their last stand against Rome after the Fall of Jerusalem. They committed mass suicide there to avoid becoming prisoners of Rome. This is also where David went while on the run from King Saul.
En Gedi is next up, and Ruth and Naomi walked up the rugged mountain to go to Bethlehem where Boaz would marry the Moabite who became a follower of the God of Israel. The site has a spectacular waterfall and caves where David hid from angry King Saul as recorded in 1 Samuel 23.
Qumran is the ancient Essene settlement that existed before the time of Christ and where the archaeological find of the century-The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin Shepherd in 1947.
After lunch and shopping at Qumran, we’ll conclude our day with a float in the Dead Sea!
Back to Jerusalem for dinner and rest.
Kibbutz Maagan
Day 10 | Sep 9th: Jerusalem & Bethlehem
We start our day at the Temple Mount and prayer walk the site near the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. This has been instilled a place of conflict but most importantly the very place where the Glory of God resided at the first and second Temple.
Next, travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity which is the traditional site of Jesus’ birth. We’ll gaze at Shepherd’s Fields which is more likely the place where Jesus was born right near Herod the Great’s Herodium palace. Herod claimed to be “The King of the Jews” but Jesus the real King of the Jews was birthed in a humble stable right near his palace.
We conclude the day with a visit to The Garden Tomb which is possibly the site where Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, buried, and rose victoriously from the dead!
The rest of the afternoon is free to do Jerusalem shopping.
Jerusalem – Christ Church Guesthouse
Day 11 | Sep 10th: Depart Israel to USA
Day 12 | Sep 11th: Arrive in USA
Clothing
- shirts, blouses, socks, underwear (pack limited supply – use wash-and-wear)
- shorts, slacks, jeans, skirts (pack limited supply)
- personal modesty kit (for entering holy places and conservative communities)
- heavy sweater or jacket
- swimsuit
- walking shoes (plenty of walking! Good shoes are very important!)
- flip-flops
- sunglasses
- hat
Toiletries/Medications
- shampoo
- toothbrush and paste
- deodorant
- personal soap
- comb and hairbrush
- shaving equipment
- eyedrops, contact lens solutions and cleaners
- other personal hygiene products
- band-aids
- diarrhea medicine (just in case!)
- cold remedy or decongestant tablets
- sleeping pills
- motion sickness pills
- aspirin
- sunscreen
- package of towelettes
- earplugs
Miscellaneous
- water bottle (we like Grayl)
- travel alarm
- plastic bags
- pen, notebook, small Bible
- adapter or converter
- tiny flashlight
- tissues
- small umbrella
- snacks
Carry-On Items
- airline tickets
- passport
- one-day change of clothes
- essential toiletries
- neck pillow and sleeping mask
- good book
Is Israel safe?
Israel is regarded as one of the safest countries in the world. Annually, the city of Chicago has more violent crimes than the entire country of Israel.
The safety of our travelers is of the highest priority to Uncharted Adventures and our partners. If for any reason safety is threatened by any factors the owners/operators reserve the right to make whatever changes deemed necessary for the safety of the team. This could include changing lodging or avoiding areas at short notice.
COVID-19 Policy
Effective 6/22/2022
Currently in Israel there are no special entry procedures required for tourists regardless of Country of Origin due to COVID-19.
All tourists (regardless of whether vaccinated or not), from all countries will be able to travel to Israel. Tourists flying to Israel do not require any testing before or after their flight. Same applies for cruises and land borders. Tourists do not need to isolate after entering Israel.
Trip Cancellation
In the event that I choose to cancel my reservation, or it is cancelled due to reasons outside the control of Uncharted Adventures (including, but not limited to, political turmoil, natural disasters, acts of God, pandemic or epidemics), I will be responsible for any non-refundable expenses incurred for me or on my behalf (including, but not limited to, airfare, airline cancellation fees, deposits, lodging etc.) Uncharted Adventures will strive to refund everything possible if the expedition is cancelled for reasons outside of our control.
Cancellation Fees and Refunds
If you choose to cancel your reservation, cancellation fees will be determined according to the following schedule:
- 181 days or more prior to departure date, the cancellation fee is $200 per person, plus any air costs or administrative fees incurred from airline, transportation agency or hotel.
- 91-180 days prior to departure date, the cancellation fee is 50 percent of trip cost plus any air costs or administrative fees incurred from airline, transportation agency or hotel.
- 90 days and less prior to departure date, the entire price of the trip becomes nonrefundable.
Additionally, all cancellations received after Uncharted Adventures has booked rooms and/or local travel will incur a $175 administrative fee per person. Any refunds will be processed in accordance with the hotel/resort, ground operators, etc. refund policies.
Passport Requirements
All participants must have a valid passport that will expire no sooner than six months past their scheduled date of return. You must always carry your passport on your person. Be aware, if you are traveling with us to Israel customs may take longer if your passport contains stamps from Muslim majority countries. Due to Covid-19, be aware that some countries may require proof of negative Covid test two days prior to scheduled departure.
Ready to Experience The Holy Land?
This is an invite-only trip. If you’ve been invited by Jon & Brett Seidl read below on how to sign-up.
Important Documents
Here you will find our Expedition Contract. Please read carefully before booking.
Payment Options
Option 1: Pay Full Amount
Pay 100% now. Please select quantity depending on number of participants in your party.
Option 2: Pay 50/50
Pay 50% now. Please select quantity depending on number of participants in your party. The balance will be billed 90 days before trip.
Option 3: Payment Plans
Pay $200 deposit per person at sign-up. The remaining balance will be split into two equal payments due 6 months and 3 months prior to departure.
*Price per person based on double occupancy (two people in a hotel room) with final payment by check. Solo travelers will have the option to pick “Single Occupancy, Assign Roommate” or “Single Occupancy, Private Room.” We will do our best to assign solo travelers to roommates if that is their preference. In the event we can’t assign someone a roommate, an additional charge of $640 per person will be assessed approximately two months prior to depature. If “Single Occupancy, Private Room” is selected, this will provide a private room for the traveler at each hotel for the entirety of the trip at an additional cost of $640 per person.
Passport
Send clear picture or scanned copy of passport to our team. Verify that passport does not expire within 6 months of return date.
