Depart the USA for Jerusalem.
Arrive in Tel Aviv and meet our tour guide and bus driver, who will accompany us for the next 10 days. Time permitting, we will tour Jaffa before heading to Netanya for our first night in Israel. Overnight: David’s Harp Hotel, Netanya (D)
After breakfast, 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 for Tarsus, and Philip preached. We then travel north to Mt. Carmel, where the prophet Elijah confronted the 400 false prophets of Baal. We continue inland to Megiddo, one of King Solomon’s fortified cities, with ruins representing 26 levels of civilization. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon while overlooking the Jezreel Valley. We then continue to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Overnight: Magdala Hotel (B)(L)(D)
Today begins at the Mt. of Beatitudes with a powerful time of worship where Jesus delivered His most famous message, the Sermon on the Mount. Afterwards, we drive to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. We continue to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many of His miracles, where we will see the remains of Peter’s house and the synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped. After enjoying a delicious St. Peter’s fish lunch, we will experience an inspiring time of praise and worship aboard a wooden boat on the Sea of Galilee, followed by a visit to the Jesus Boat Museum to see a 2,000-year-old fishing boat discovered in 1986. The day concludes with a visit to Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, where we will see the ruins of a first-century synagogue in which Jesus likely taught. Overnight: Magdala Hotel (B)(L)(D)
Today we drive north to Tel Dan to see a 5,000-year-old gate that Abraham likely walked through on his way to rescue his nephew, Lot. We continue to Caesarea Philippi and stand in the former pagan worship center where Peter made his famous declaration: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” As we travel through the Golan Heights, we will stop at Mt. Bental to view the Syrian border and the route traditionally associated with the Apostle Paul’s journey to Damascus. We conclude the day by celebrating our faith in Jesus Christ with baptisms in the Jordan River. Overnight: Magdala Hotel (B)(L)(D)
Today begins with a walk through Beit She’an, one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Israel and home to some of the best-preserved ruins in the Middle East. This is also the place where the bodies of King Saul and his sons were fastened to the city wall by the Philistines. We will cross the border into Jordan and ascend Mt. Nebo, where God showed Moses the Promised Land. Overnight: Mövenpick Hotel, Petra (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast, we will tour Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and marvel at the ancient city of the Nabataeans, once inhabited by the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. We will see magnificent tombs, temples, and monuments carved directly into the rose-red rock and enjoy an opportunity to ride camels or horses. After lunch, we continue through the Jordanian wilderness to Eilat, a beautiful resort city on the shores of the Red Sea at Israel’s southernmost point. Overnight: Dan Neptune Hotel, Eilat (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast, we drive north along the probable route of the Israelites during the Exodus and stop at Timna Park to visit the fascinating replica of the biblical Tabernacle. Built after extensive research, this full-scale replica accurately reflects the appearance and dimensions described in Scripture. We conclude the day with a therapeutic float in the Dead Sea and enjoy an afternoon of free time. Overnight: Herod’s Dead Sea Hotel (B)(D)
This morning begins at Ein Gedi, where David hid from King Saul and his 3,000 men. We then pass by the Qumran Caves, where a young shepherd discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls—the oldest known biblical manuscripts—in 1947. En route to Jerusalem, we stop at an overlook of the Old Jericho Road, the setting of Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. Lunch will be in Bethlehem, followed by visits to the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Fields. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem (B)(D)
This morning we wake up in Jerusalem and begin the day on the Mt. of Olives for a panoramic view of the city before tracing the footsteps of Jesus down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane. Passing through Lion’s Gate, we visit the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the crippled man. At St. Anne’s Church, we will enjoy a special time of worship while experiencing its remarkable acoustics. We then walk through the colorful bazaars, alleyways, and marketplaces along the Via Dolorosa, remembering Christ’s suffering as we make our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again. Later in the afternoon, we visit the Israel Museum to see the scale model of Jerusalem as it appeared during the time of Jesus and tour the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem (B)(D)
After breakfast, we visit the Temple Mount, built atop Mt. Moriah, where Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac and where the First and Second Temples once stood. We stop at the Western Wall, the last remaining section of the retaining wall surrounding the Second Temple, for a time of prayer. We continue to the City of David excavations, where we will see the area traditionally identified as David’s palace. We then walk underground alongside Hezekiah’s Tunnel and conclude with a visit to the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the man born blind. Returning to the Temple Mount through the recently opened Pilgrim’s Tunnel, we will reflect on Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem while sitting on the Southern Steps, the primary entrance used by worshippers entering the Temple. This is where Jesus likely entered the Temple, drove out the money changers, and where many believe the events of Pentecost occurred. Lunch will be in the Jewish Quarter, followed by a walk along the ancient Roman-Byzantine street known as the Cardo. After lunch, enjoy free time for shopping.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem (B)(D)
This morning begins in the Valley of Elah, the site of David’s victory over Goliath. We will stand in the stream where David selected five smooth stones before facing the giant. Afterwards, we visit Mt. Zion and worship at the traditional site of the Upper Room, where the Last Supper took place. We then visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built over the traditional site of the High Priest Caiaphas’ house, where Jesus is believed to have been held before His trial. We conclude our unforgettable journey through the Holy Land with a communion service at the Garden Tomb. Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem (B)(D)
Depart Tel Aviv and arrive in the USA. (B)
