About Timeless Tours
Timeless Tours offers exciting itineraries geared for Christian participants who want to experience for themselves some of the most important biblical sites in the world. Experienced and knowledgeable local guides will be with you every step of the way, and in addition you will have the opportunity to learn from your two scholars and archaeologists, Bob and Stefanie, whose work is at the forefront of biblical archaeological research. In addition, our biblically focused tours are a profound way to build your faith as you explore the roots and stories of the Bible with other Christian believers. The power of walking in the very footsteps of biblical history, or standing in the very places where events laid out in Scripture unfolded, is a powerful experience that is magnified when you share it with others. We specialize in tours to Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Italy but can customize a tour just for you and your group!
Why Our Tours are Different
When comparing our tours to others, take a look at what's included. Many "budget" tours will expect you to shell out extra cash during your trip for tips and sightseeing admissions. We offer an all-inclusive package for a price you will find hard to beat!
What we include: Expert archaeologists and biblical scholars who will serve as your tour guides.
Why it matters: You will learn the connections between biblical tradition and archaeological research in ways you may not have expected!
What we include: All admissions, tips, and gratuities to every site and experience included on the itinerary.
Why it matters: Many tour companies require that you pay for admission to sites separately and nearly all of them require that you take care of all tips to guides, drivers, hosts, etc. We take care of all that so you don't have to worry about it or get hit up by unexpected expenses.
What we include: A smaller group of 15 - 30 people; half the size of most tour groups.
Why it matters: The goal of most tour companies is to fill every seat of a 50-seat bus. Our smaller groups feel less like a mob, and more like family.
What we include: Accommodations in clean and centrally located hotels for more than one night at a time.
Why it matters: While we may have a single night stay in some locations, we stagger it out with longer stays so you can unpack a bit and don't feel so worn out. Our accommodations, while not always fancy, are clean and safe.
What we include: Airfare!
Why it matters: Rarely will you find tours that include roundtrip airfare as part of the total tour package price. Ours do! By purchasing tickets in bulk, we save you money and ensure that everyone arrives on time.
Our Tour Agencies
Here at Timeless Tours, we utilize the services of established, reputable tour agencies to arrange all the details of travel, airfare, lodging, etc. The agencies we commonly use are:
Gospel Travel
This Christian based tour company is owned by our friend Wanda Martinez. Wanda handles the US side of things and books our airline tickets. Bob has been a guide on many of Wanda's tours for over 15 years now!
http://gospeltravel.net/
Jordan Gateway Tours
Jordan Gateway Tours is one of the most reliable travel agencies in Jordan. As a Christian run agency, Jordan Gateway has worked with us and many of our colleagues for several years. Emad is typically our guide!
http://jordangt.com/
Meryland Tours
Meryland Tours is a licensed travel agency established in 1985 in Cairo, Egypt. A Coptic Christian family run agency, Meryland is considered one of the leading agencies in Egypt handling groups and individuals. We at Timeless Tours have worked with Meryland for nearly over 15 years and have formed a close relationship with the family and guides. Our guide Max has become like family to us!
http://www.merylandtours.com/
Why Our Tours are Different
When comparing our tours to others, take a look at what's included. Many "budget" tours will expect you to shell out extra cash during your trip for tips and sightseeing admissions. We offer an all-inclusive package for a price you will find hard to beat!
What we include: Expert archaeologists and biblical scholars who will serve as your tour guides.
Why it matters: You will learn the connections between biblical tradition and archaeological research in ways you may not have expected!
What we include: All admissions, tips, and gratuities to every site and experience included on the itinerary.
Why it matters: Many tour companies require that you pay for admission to sites separately and nearly all of them require that you take care of all tips to guides, drivers, hosts, etc. We take care of all that so you don't have to worry about it or get hit up by unexpected expenses.
What we include: A smaller group of 15 - 30 people; half the size of most tour groups.
Why it matters: The goal of most tour companies is to fill every seat of a 50-seat bus. Our smaller groups feel less like a mob, and more like family.
What we include: Accommodations in clean and centrally located hotels for more than one night at a time.
Why it matters: While we may have a single night stay in some locations, we stagger it out with longer stays so you can unpack a bit and don't feel so worn out. Our accommodations, while not always fancy, are clean and safe.
What we include: Airfare!
Why it matters: Rarely will you find tours that include roundtrip airfare as part of the total tour package price. Ours do! By purchasing tickets in bulk, we save you money and ensure that everyone arrives on time.
Our Tour Agencies
Here at Timeless Tours, we utilize the services of established, reputable tour agencies to arrange all the details of travel, airfare, lodging, etc. The agencies we commonly use are:
Gospel Travel
This Christian based tour company is owned by our friend Wanda Martinez. Wanda handles the US side of things and books our airline tickets. Bob has been a guide on many of Wanda's tours for over 15 years now!
http://gospeltravel.net/
Jordan Gateway Tours
Jordan Gateway Tours is one of the most reliable travel agencies in Jordan. As a Christian run agency, Jordan Gateway has worked with us and many of our colleagues for several years. Emad is typically our guide!
http://jordangt.com/
Meryland Tours
Meryland Tours is a licensed travel agency established in 1985 in Cairo, Egypt. A Coptic Christian family run agency, Meryland is considered one of the leading agencies in Egypt handling groups and individuals. We at Timeless Tours have worked with Meryland for nearly over 15 years and have formed a close relationship with the family and guides. Our guide Max has become like family to us!
http://www.merylandtours.com/
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About UsBob and Stefanie are married archaeologists residing in Niles, Michigan. They have each participated in many archaeological excavations; primarily in the country of Jordan. In fact, they met on a dig! With over 50 years of combined teaching experience ranging from elementary through college levels, and having led a combination of eighteen tours to the Middle East and Mediterranean, Bob and Stefanie have a unique perspective on history that melds experience with a passion for education and sharing the Bible through archaeological discoveries.
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Bob |
Robert D. Bates is currently a research associate and assistant director of archaeological publications at the Institute of Archaeology at Andrews University. Bob received his doctoral degree in Biblical Archaeology and Ancient Languages from Andrews University and did his post-doctoral work in Egyptology at the University of Chicago. He currently teaches Biblical Hebrew at the Seminary at Andrews where students compete to get a spot in his popular class. He also teaches undergraduate classes in archaeology and history where he has created class projects putting students on the forefront of actual archaeological research. Bob has been published in numerous archaeological, theological, and educational venues including the Journal of Christian Education, the Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, and Andrews University Seminary Studies.
Since 2007, Bob has worked as a field director and data entry specialist for the Madaba Plains Project at Tall Jalul, Tall al-‘Umayri, Tall Hisban, Khirbat 'Ataruz, and most recently Tall Safra, in the country of Jordan. His leadership and participation in numerous tours to the Middle East and throughout the Mediterranean has enabled him to combine his research interests with a passion for teaching. His reputation for being a compassionate teacher and his desire to dig deep into the Bible as a history source for archaeology has gained him a reputation for creating fresh ways of viewing biblical truth for his students. In his spare time, Bob enjoys gardening, playing the guitar, visiting museums, and eating international foods with Stefanie. Originally from San Diego, Bob has three grown daughters - Elizabeth, Jessica, and Becky; all who have traveled and excavated with him in Jordan. |
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Stef |
Stefanie P. Elkins has a PhD in Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology and her research is focused on model shrines and cult stands from the Iron Age in Jordan. She is also Associate Professor of Art History with the Department of Visual Art, Communication and Design at Andrews University where she teaches art history and studio classes. Her reputation for being a creative and enthusiastic teacher has also translated into unforgettable tour experiences for her students. A former elementary, middle, and high school teacher, Stefanie is still close with many of her former students who she will always consider her "kids."
A veteran of numerous excavations in Jordan, Israel, and Italy where she had the privilege of excavating at Pompeii, she has been a staff artist and publications illustrator for the Madaba Plains Project in Jordan since 1989. She has been published in multiple venues including the Journal of Adventist Education, Biblical Archaeology Review and Smithsonian's Artifact Magazine and also has served on several committees with the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), the premiere organization for ancient Near Eastern Archaeologists. She has also given several presentations around the country on ancient art and archaeology. Stefanie's preoccupation with travel and all things ancient drives her to connect art history and archaeology with everyday life, bringing history and the Bible alive. Outside of the classroom Stefanie enjoys cooking, reading, crafting, traveling with Bob, and is a diehard Atlanta Braves fan. Originally from Georgia, Stefanie is proud step-mom to Bob's three lovely daughters. |