Sunday, February 23
Depart Turkish Airlines approx. 8:30PM with connection in Istanbul, Turkey.
Monday, February 24
Arrive Tel Aviv approx 9:30PM, and welcomed by our tour guide and bus driver for the next 10 days. Overnight Netanya.
Tuesday, February 25
Caesarea by the Sea/Mt. Carmel/Megiddo/Nazareth/Cana/Mt. Precipice. After a breakfast buffet, we will visit Caesarea by the Sea, an incredible fortress built by King Herod the Great on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Here, Pontius Pilate had his base; Cornelius lived and was baptized; Paul embarked to Tarsus and Philip preached. We then travel north to Mt. Carmel, the site where the prophet Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal. We turn inland and proceed to Megiddo, one of King Solomon’s walled fortified cities, with ruins of 20 levels of civilization. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon while viewing the Plains of Jezreel. Continue to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus; Drive through Cana, the sight of Jesus’ first miracle. Overnight Tiberias.
Wednesday, February 26
Boat ride on Sea of Galilee/Jesus Boat Museum/ Capernaum/Magdala. Today we board a boat for a spectacular time on the Sea of Galilee followed by a visit to the Jesus Boat Museum where we will see a 2,000-year-old boat discovered in 1986. On to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many of his miracles and the remains of Peter’s house and the synagogue site where Jesus taught and worshipped. After a tasty St. Peter’s lunch, we drive to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. We will then proceed to the city of Magdala. This first century city was on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was the hometown of Mary Magdalene and a village where Jesus would have visited and preached in the synagogue. Overnight Tiberias.
Thursday, February 27
Caesarea Philippi/Tel Dan/Mt. of Beatitudes/Baptism in the Jordan River/Golan Heights. We begin today with a moving worship service at the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered what is perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached – “The Sermon On The Mount”. Continue to Tel Dan and see a 5,000 year old gate that Abraham walked through. Continue on to Caesarea Philipi where we will stand in the pagan Roman worship center near where Peter made his famous profession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” We end our day celebrating our faith in Jesus Christ with baptisms in the Jordan River. Overnight Tiberias.
Friday, February 28
Beit Shean/Mt. Nebo/Petra. Today begins with a walk through the incredible excavations of one of the most important cities from the time of the Canaanites, Beit Shean. This is also the site where the body of King Saul and his sons were nailed to the walls by the Philistines. We will cross the border and climb Mt. Nebo and stand where Moses saw the Promise Land. Overnight Petra.
Saturday, February 29
Tour of Petra/Oceanarium in Eilat. Begin the day touring one of the wonders of the world, Petra. Marvel at the ancient city of the Nabaateans and view the tombs, temples and monuments cut directly into the red rock. Enjoy the opportunity to ride camels or horses. After lunch we continue through the Jordanian wilderness to Eilat, a resort city on the Red Sea. Time permitting, we will stop at the Oceanarium, a unique underwater observatory. Overnight Dead Sea, Israel.
Sunday, March 1
Dead Sea/Masada/Ein Gedi/Qumran/Jericho/Valley of the Shadow of Death. Begin the day with a “therapeutic float” in the Dead Sea. Then travel by cable car to the summit of Masada, one of the magnificent fortresses built by King Herod the Great. After lunch we continue to Ein Gedi, where David hid from King Saul and his 3,000 men. We will visit Qumran where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls (the oldest biblical known texts) in 1947. We then drive by Jericho and stop at the Valley of the Shadow of Death for an interpretative view of Psalm 23. Overnight Jerusalem.
Monday, March 2
Mt of Olives/Garden of Gethsemane/Dominus Flevit, St. Anne Church/Pool of Bethesda/Antonio Fortress (Ecco Homo)/Via Dolorosa/Church of Holy Sepulcher. Today we begin at the Mt. of Olives for a panoramic view of the Jerusalem and trace the footsteps of Jesus down Palm Sunday Road, and visit the Garden of Gethsemane. We continue our walk along the Via Dolorosa to visit the Pools of Bethesda, St. Anne’s Church, and Antonio Fortress. We pass through the colorful bazaars, alleyways and market places and reach the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Overnight Jerusalem.
Tuesday, March 3
City of David/Pools of Siloam/Jerusalem Archeological Park/Southern Steps of Temple/Western Wall/Mount Zion/ Caiaphas House/Cardio Maximus/Old City/View of Bethlehem. Today we visit the excavations at the City of David and his palace where David looked from his rooftop and saw Bathsheba and end the with a visit to the Pools of Siloam. Continue to Mt. Zion to visit the traditional site of the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper). We return to the old city and walk along the Roman/Byzantine Street called the “Cardo” (ancient main street Jerusalem) to the Western Wall and visit the Archeological Park and enjoy a time of reflection on the Southern Steps of the temple where Jesus often taught. Overnight Jerusalem.
Wednesday, March 4
Shiloh/Valley of Elah. Today we visit the rather new excavations of Shiloh, an ancient city where the Ark of the Covenant remained for 369 years. Here we will see impressive archaeological ruins dating to the days of Samuel. After lunch, we are off to the Valley Of Elah, site of the famous David and Goliath showdown. Overnight Jerusalem.
Thursday, March 5
Israel Museum/Garden Tomb. Start the day at the Israel Museum to view archaeological wonders from various finds throughout the country and also see a model of Jerusalem as it appeared in Jesus’ time. Then to the Shrine of the Book Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest manuscripts of the Bible ever found. We will have lunch at Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. Finish our amazing time in Jerusalem with a visit to the Garden Tomb for a communion service. This evening we will celebrate and share our memories at our farewell dinner. Overnight Jerusalem.
Friday, March 6
Morning departure from Tel Aviv to Houston/ arrive at 7:15PM.
