The group departs for Tel Aviv, Israel.  Dinner served on the overnight flight from the US.

Our flight arrives at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) where we are greeted by our guide and assisted with arrival procedures. Dinner and overnight beside the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

Dinner

Today we depart for the Galilee enjoying stops at the extensive ruins of Caesarea Maritima, an ancient port city, built by King Herod and later becoming the seat of government of the Roman governors, and where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman centurion (Acts 9 & 25). We continue to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah prayed, and God defeated 450 prophets of Baal with fire from heaven (1 Kings 18). Next, we drive to Nazareth Village – a recreated village offering detailed explanation of what life was like during the time of Jesus.  We take a short ride to Mount Precipice, the traditional site believed to be where an angry mob attempted to throw Jesus off the cliff after his bold proclamation in the Nazareth synagogue.  We continue on to Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee area for check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

                                                                                 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our special time in the Galilee, rich in memories of the life of Jesus, with a drive to Mt. Tabor, where the early church fathers believed that the Transfiguration of Jesus occurred. Returning to the Sea of Galilee, we visit Capernaum (Mark 1: 31-­38), the base of Jesus’ early ministry, the home of Peter, and the site of many healings. We end our day aboard a replica “Jesus Boat”, a fishing boat of the kind used by the disciples of Jesus, for our ride on the Sea of Galilee.

We end the day with a visit to the baptismal site -Yardenit- for baptisms. (Please note- white robes must be worn over clothes/swimsuit at this site – a robe/towel rental fee of ~ $10 will be charged for those desiring baptism)

We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Tiberias.  

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we travel north into the Golan Heights to visit Caesarea Philippi - where Jesus asked His disciples “who do men say that I am?” (Mark 8: 27-30, Matt. 16:13).  Continuing north, we enjoy a short hike through the beautiful nature reserve of Tel Dan where the remnants of the Bronze-Canaanite Era can be found. This area later became the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Israel belonging to the Tribe of Dan (1st Kings 12:28-29). We will see a Canaanite-era gate as well as an impressive ritual site, most likely built by King Jeroboam, as well as the Israelite Gate from the time of the Judges.  We make  a stop at Tabgha, the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes followed by a short walk to visit Peter’s Primacy - located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and best known for where Christ appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and where He commands Peter to “feed and tend” His flock. We enjoy a time of teaching and prayer at this lovely site.  We ascend to the Mt. of Beatitudes where we enjoy the beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee as we reflect on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5: 1-15). We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Tiberias.  

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we depart early for Jerusalem with interesting places to visit along the way.  Before we depart the area, we make an early morning stop at Mt. Arbel taking a short hike for an incredible panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee.  We leave the Galilee area and stop at Beit She’an to see one of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities.  In Beit She’an, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hung on the city walls (1 Samuel 31:10-12). We continue through the Judean desert toBethany Beyond the Jordan, believed to be the location where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.  Here we enjoy a time of teaching.  Before ascending to the holy city of Jerusalem, we stop to view the Valley of the Shadow of Death- another name for the road between Jerusalem and Jericho- the ancient road used by David, Jesus, and thousands of Jews heading to festivals in Jerusalem.  Soon after, we enter Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our day on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breath-taking view of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will proceed down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, and the Church of All Nations, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed on the night of His betrayal (Matt. 26:36, John 18:1). We will visit the private area of the Garden of Gethsemane for a time of worship and meditation. Entering the Old City of Jerusalem through the Zion Gate we walk along the ancient road making stops at The  Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a paralytic (John 5:1-15), the Pavement, where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate, Ecce Homo Arch “behold the man”, and the ancient Cardo.  We continue through the old city to the most holy site of the Jewish people, the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod's Temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre Temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel. 24:18-25). On this site now stands the Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in all Islam) and the El-Aksa Mosque. After visiting the Western Wall, we will enter the Western Wall Tunnel to walk along the entire length of the Western Wall.  We continue to the outside of the temple wall to stand on the Southern Steps- the very steps where Jesus would have taught!  Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, traveling along the Dead Sea, our first visit is to the amazing Masada, the fortress built by King Herod and site of the last Jewish resistance against the Romans in 73 AD. Ascending Masada by cable car, we will be able to survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces. Continuing along the Dead Sea, we will enjoy a stop at the desert oasis of Ein Gedi.  After a time of teaching, enjoy hiking to the waterfalls and seeing the caves as we imagine David hiding here from King Saul (1 Sam 24: 1-7). Our next stop before leaving the Dead Sea area will be to enjoy a “float” in the healing waters of the Dead Sea. (Please be sure to bring water shoes, as the bottom surface can be rough, swimsuit, and a towel from hotel) Dinner and overnight at hotel in Jerusalem. 

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our day early with a visit to the Temple Mount to see the Golden Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in all Islam) and the El-Aksa Mosque. This area is traditionally said to be the site where Abraham demonstrated his devotion to God by taking his son, Isaac, to be sacrificed (Gen. 22).  This is also the site where the First and Second Temples were built.  Next, we travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity - the birthplace of our Lord, and Shepherd’s Field, where the angels announced the birth of the Savior.  In Shepherds Field, we will also visit Herodium, one of the fortress palaces built by Herod which became his tomb. Returning to Jerusalem, we visit the Upper Room, the site of the last supper followed by a visit to the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the site of the House of Caiaphas and where three times Peter denied Christ. We will see the original steps used by Jesus as he was held at Caiaphas's house before being tried by Pontius Pilate and ultimately, crucified.  Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our day with a visit to the City of David where we visit the archeological remains of David’s period and that of the Kings of Judah (2 Samuel 5: 8-10). We will have the opportunity to walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, the 2,700-year old tunnel dug during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:30) and remaining today as one of the wonders of early engineering.
The tunnel ends at the Pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the blind man. *A flashlight and good water shoes will be helpful should you choose to walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel. We end our day with a visit to Golgotha and the Garden Tomb for a time of quiet reflection, worship, and communion.  Farewell dinner and overnight in hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel by 11:00 AM and depart for airport for return flight to USA.

Breakfast