Tours - to Israel
Have you ever wanted to go to Israel?
Take a guided tour around the cultural, geographical,
and historical aspects of the World of Jesus. Discover
how an appreciation of the first-century brings the
Gospels to life – why did Jesus say what he said,
where he said it?
There has been an upsurge in interest in the ‘Jewish
Jesus’ or the ‘Historical Jesus’. This is good as it is vital
to understand the context and culture of the Gospels
to properly interpret the first-century situation and its
relevance to our twenty-first century setting.
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Each year, I lead groups around the region of Galilee - including Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum - and around Jerusalem - including the Chapel of the Ascension and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
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The tours are seven days in length - usually Friday-Friday or Saturday-Saturday. The premise of these tours is to take people who, for whatever reason, would not normally be able to afford to go to Israel.
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Through teaching and times of prayer, we will get to know our Jewish Messiah as well as 'the land of the Book' so much better!
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Please get in touch for more information.
Above - Caesarea Philippi
Left - first-century Jerusalem street
Above - Korazin synagogue
Right - Teaching on the southern steps of the Temple Mount
Tour Testimonials
Anastra: “Best trip leader ever without a doubt. So patient, accommodating, caring, compassionate, flexible, knowledgeable, selfless, excellent teacher. So, yes, I would recommend Phil Grasham any time, any day.”
Hannah: "I cannot recommend a tour with Phil highly enough. His wisdom, care and spirit enriched theology literally changed the landscape of my faith in the faith-filled landscape of Jesus’ home."
Ya'akov (Israeli tour guide): "In thirty years of being a tour guide, I have never learnt so much from one person. The details and the depth were wonderful."
Bob: “Phil's tour of Israel is simply a must for those wanting to go deeper in their relationship with God. His ability to bring scripture alive with understanding and application for today is both refreshing and empowering.”
​Chris: “I would recommend a tour with Phil without a moment’s hesitation! His breadth of knowledge of the culture, language, and context of the Scriptures brought each place we visited to life. He has a rare ability to bring head and heart together!”
Anita: “I would 100% recommend an Israel tour with Phil. I found the preparation and planning prior to the trip to be easy and smooth, with Phil giving plenty of advice and support. Phil's itinerary was well-paced and thoughtfully chosen. During the trip, we had wonderful, rich teaching from Phil that was brought alive by our amazing locations ... in a Nazareth synagogue, on the Mount of Beatitudes, or an ancient Jerusalem street.”
Andy: “Phil really cares about the tours he puts on and leads a trip that is more than just a site seeing tour, but a time to engage with God, resulting in a meaningful and life-enriching experience. Phil's genuine and kind approach to running our tour really fostered a friendly and 'low pressure' atmosphere.”
Saturday – arrive in Tel Aviv and drive to Tiberias
Sunday – Capernaum, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes, and Tabgha
Monday – Sepphoris, Mount Tabor, Mount Arbel, and Nazareth Village
Tuesday – Caesarea Philippi, Kursi, Ginosar, and take a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee
Wednesday – drive to Jerusalem via the Jordanian route, Jerusalem markets, and Mount Scopus
Thursday – Chapel of the Ascension, Dominus Flevit Church, Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, Jerusalem Archaeological Park, Mount of Olives, and the southern steps of the Temple
Friday – the Upper Room, the Pool of Siloam, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Israel Museum, and the Shrine of the Book
Saturday – Christ Church (to meet Messianic believers), the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, and drive to Tel Aviv to fly home
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For group bookings (churches or colleges), all itineraries can be adapted to your specific requirements.
Sample Itinerary
Tour Information
1. Prayer – I hope that as a result of coming on this tour you will know, love, worship, and serve Yeshua (Jesus) more than you did before. Also, the Spirit is the Spirit of unity. Usually, the people who come with me run along a spectrum of mainline churches. This means we may hold different theological ideas. It is important that we are inclusive and respectful of each other.
2. Involvement – it needs to be understood from the beginning that this is not a holiday – this trip will take you beyond mere site-seeing in the Holy Land. However, everyone should feel free to do as much or as little as they choose. Each day, our coach will leave the hotel each morning, so that we can visit several sites each day, and then return to the hotel each evening. Therefore, people cannot opt out of one site without opting out of a whole day. Of course, you are free to remain on the coach rather than visit a particular site if you so choose. Each evening, after we’ve eaten, we will gather together to review the day as well as discuss what we will be doing the next day. Also, we will share and pray together. The Lord may highlight all sorts of things on this tour, so it will be important to pray for one another. Please note that these evening get-togethers will be between half an hour and an hour long. People have found these valuable but they are completely optional.
3. Fitness – there will be a certain amount of walking each day. This is because our coach will be able to get us within striking distance of ancient sites but we will still need to go on foot to get to the sites themselves. Also, the best way to get around Jerusalem is to walk up and down the narrow streets. Note that we will not be hiking but it’s a good idea to be prepared to walk over rocky, uneven ground.
4. Culture – please remember that while Israel is a modern, developed nation, you will certainly encounter differences from the UK. We are going to a very different country with diverse cultures. These include different clothes, food, and material products. More significantly, they include different perspectives and different worldviews on personal space, gender roles, and, of course, religious beliefs. It is good to pray and ask the Lord for joy in any difficulties or misunderstandings. Also, you are not there on your own and it is encouraged that people look out for each other.​
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Flights and Money
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We will fly from Luton Airport with EasyJet. If you come with me from there, I will organise and book your flights. If you prefer to fly from a different airport, you will need to book your own flight and you must be at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) BEFORE the plane lands from Luton Airport. Our Israeli guide and coach will be coming to meet the EasyJet flight and we won't wait for you!
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The amount you will pay covers the following:
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Flights to and from Israel with EasyJet (if applicable)
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Being met at the airport and assistance on arrival in Tel Aviv (if flying with me)
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Seven nights in two hotels – first, in Tiberias and secondly, in Jerusalem
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Seven full Israeli breakfasts and seven evening meals at the hotels
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Seven fully escorted touring days with an Israeli English-speaking professional tour guide
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All entrance fees to the sites during our tour
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All travel in our own air-conditioned tourist vehicle with an experienced driver
Therefore, ‘extra’ money will be needed for:
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Travel/medical insurance
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Seven lunches (an average lunch is £5-10)
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Any other consumables
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Any souvenirs you wish to purchase
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Any tips you decide to give
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Any additional items (e.g. passport renewal, electric adaptors, etc.).
Payments are made in instalments. The first payment books your seats on the two planes - there and back! This also acts as a deposit and secures your place on the tour. I will send reminders for the remaining payments and would appreciate these being made on time. Unfortunately, if you have not paid the full amount eight weeks before take-off, you will not be able to go.
Please note:
1. If you cancel your place, the airfare is non-refundable and you will forfeit the £300 deposit until eight weeks beforehand when there is an increasing scale of cancellation charges. For example, seven days before departure would mean a cancellation charge of the full amount.
2. You need to be aware that should the dollar-pound rate fall, there may be an increase in the overall cost. This is most unusual, but it has happened once.
3. If for whatever reason the tour is cancelled by our agent, then there is a full tour refund, but no refund for the airfare.
I hope that as a result of coming on this tour you will know, love, worship, and serve Yeshua (Jesus) more than you did before. Also, the Spirit is the Spirit of unity. Usually, the people who come with me run along a spectrum of mainline churches. This means we may hold different theological ideas. It is important that we are inclusive and respectful of each other.