A Journey to the Holy Land

We will drive to the city of Jaffa (Joppa), where we will take a short walking tour in picturesque alleys of the old, fortified town. We will pass by the house of Simon the Tanner and marvel at the views from the hill top. We will leave Tel Aviv and drive north along the Plain of Sharon, the old Mediterranean coastal road (Via Maris), which linked Egypt and Babylon to the archaeological ruins of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar. We will see the ancient Roman theatre, built by Herod and once; the capital of Judea. Here Paul embarked on his journey to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and where Cornelius and his family (the first Gentile believers) lived. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base; and where Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30 Acts 10 24-48) and where Philip preached (Acts 8:40). We will explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries. Today, it draws major venue attractions, for concerts and festivals. We will walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city. We proceed inland to Megiddo, one of King Solomon’s walled, fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the 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. It is an ancient city inhabited continuously for more than five millennia (6000-500 B.C.).  Arrive at Tiberias and check-in to your hotel.

Overnight: Tiberias Meals: Breakfast

Visit the sites on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, the stage for many of the events in Jesus’ life. Drive along the shore of the sea to Capernaum – known as “His Town”, the center of Jesus ministry where he spent much time healing the sick and performing miracles On to Tabgha, the site of Christ’s miracle of feeding the 5,000, visiting the Church of Multiplication, where the mosaic floor depicts a basket with loaves and two fishes, and the Church of the Primacy of St Peter, commemorating Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter as chief among the Apostles. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the sea, where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount” and it is believed that he picked his 12 apostles. Ascend to the Golan Heights to view the panoramic view of the peaks of Mt. Hermon and the rugged Golan plateau. Visit Banias (Caesarea Philippi), one of the sources of the River Jordan, where Jesus took his disciples, revealing his purpose and His Church before his last trip to Jerusalem and
where Simon identified Jesus as the messiah. Drive to the southern part of the Sea of Galilee to visit the Yardenit Baptismal Site. Return to Tiberias for another night in town.

Overnight: Tiberias Meals: Breakfast

Sail on a boat on the Sea of Galilee to experience the tranquility and scenery little changed during the past 2000 years (subject to conditions and fee).Travel through the Galilee to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood, and the Church of Annunciation, built on the site where archaeologists believe the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary. You will also see Mary’s Well and Joseph’s Church. Visit the ancient synagogue at Beit Alpha, located at the foot of the northern slopes of the Gilboa Mountains which has one of most preserved and beautiful mosaics in Israel. Drive through the Jordan Valley, passing by Jericho, before ascending through the Judean Mountains to Jerusalem. 

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we leave Jerusalem and travel south through the Judean Wilderness towards the shores of the Dead Sea. We will start to descend to the lowest point on the surface of earth, to 1305 feet (398m) below sea level and arrive at the shore of the Dead Sea. We proceed south along the Dead Sea to visit Qumran, where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will drive further south to beautiful Ein Gedi reserve to see the Oasis in the desert. Here we will have a short hike to see the incredible waterfalls; including David’s Falls, the gardens, caves and learn the biblical stories of David, Saul, and the book of Psalms. We continue to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada and ascend by cable car to the ancient fortress. Here was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans. We will visit the excavations of King Herod’s palace, the synagogue and the bathhouse. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva and chose to die as free men at their own hands rather than submit to Roman slavery and torture. The site was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. We will enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, floating on the waters of the Dead Sea, and or covering ourselves in mud. 

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast

Start the day at the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book with the famous Dead Sea scrolls, then a visit to the beautifully renovated model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem, dating back to the time of the Second Temple. Enjoy Ein Karem, a picturesque village in the south western outskirts of Jerusalem. This small village has great significance in Christian traditions, since this is where according to tradition John the Baptist was born. Visit Yad Vashem the official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, established in 1953, located at the foot Mt. Hertzl. Visit Bethlehem – the birthplace of Jesus at the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square. 

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast

Enter the Old City of Jerusalem where you will see the Western Wall and the actual site of the Second Temple, the Temple Mount. Walk the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, housing both the traditional site of Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection. To the southwest, just outside the Old City, is Mount Zion, with the traditional tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent his last night and was betrayed by Judas. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem – the holy city for each of the world’s three great religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam, from atop the Mount of Olives. 

Overnight: Jerusalem Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast or depending on flight time, we will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back home.

Overnight: Not Available  Meals: Breakfast