OUR ITINERARY

SAT, NOV 20 - DAY 1: We leave the States for a journey to the land where the Bible will unfold before our eyes. We will walk, see, feel and touch the roots of our faith, encounter the divine and sense His presence.

SUN, NOV 21 - DAY 2: Flying over the Atlantic Ocean and over Europe, we reach the shores of God’s land. Upon our arrival to the Ben Gurion airport (in Tel Aviv) we will be met by our guide and transferred to our hotel on the Mediterranean Coast, for a wonderful buffet dinner and a good night’s rest.

COASTAL PLAIN
MON, NOV 22 – DAY 3: After a rich Israeli breakfast we will begin our tour of Israel at Caesarea, city of Cornelius the Centurion, the first Gentile to convert (Acts 10). We will visit the Roman Theatre, walk on the pier used by the apostle Paul on his way to Rome and see the impressive water aqueduct built by Herod the Great. Leaving the Mediterranean, we will travel north to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah held the contest with 450 prophets of Baal (I Kings 18). At noon, a memorable experience is awaiting for us, as we stop for a typical Falafel Meal at the Druze village of Daliat El-Carmel. The afternoon will be dedicated to a trip through the Valley of Jezreel. At Megido we will view the excavations of 21 superimposed cities, the remains from Solomon's days (I Kings 9). At the end of the day we will drive through Nazareth, where Jesus spent most of His life. We will drive by Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding feast (John 2) and continue to our hotel in the beautiful region of Galilee.

NORTHERN AREA OF THE TRIBE OF DAN
TUE, NOV 23 - DAY 4: Today is dedicated to the spectacular northern part of Israel. Following the accounts described in the Gospel of Luke chapter 9, we will drive through the Hula Valley to reach Mt. Hermon, where the miracle of Transfiguration occurred. Our first stop will be at Nimrod’s Fortress. Then, we will visit the Banias, one of the headwaters of the Jordan River and site of Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed Christ's divinity. From there, we will continue to the Dan Nature Reserve. After a refreshing walk through the beautiful reserve and a taste from the cool water, we will discover Jeroboam's Altar (I Kings 12). We will also see a city gate from the time of Abraham the Patriarch and learn about the importance of the gate in the social life of the city in the Old Testament times.

GALILEE REGION
WED, NOV 24 - DAY 5: Today we will be visiting the places where Jesus spent most of his public life and the sites you have read about all of your life. Using a replica of the wooden fishing boat from the disciples’ time, we will sail on the Sea of Galilee and recall Jesus’ experiences with the fishermen. Our first stop will be at Capernaum, where Jesus taught in the synagogue and spent much of His ministry (Matthew 4). Then we will continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Christ preached the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Driving around the lake we will visit Tabgha place of the feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14). We will then visit the Galilee Experience. In the afternoon we will stop by the Jordan River for a Baptism service in the same water Jesus was baptized in. 

JORDAN VALLEY
THU, NOV 25 - DAY 6: Traveling through the beautiful Galilee we will drive by Mt. Gilboah, where King Saul fell on his sward and found his death (I Samuel 31). Our first stop will be at the Spring of Harod, the site where Gideon received the 300 men to fight the Midianites (Judges 7). From there, we will head down south to Beth Shean (I Sam. 31), a Decapolis Capital mentioned in the Gospels. Here, we will walk on the ancient streets, view the steam Roman baths, the theatre, coliseum, market and temples. At noontime we will have a refreshing stop at the Sachne, a beautiful hot springs nature reserve. Those who wish will be able to swim.



JERUSALEM/MOUNT OF OLIVES
FRI, NOV 26 - DAY 7: This morning we will drive further down the Jordan Valley passing near Jericho, the oldest city in the world and a beautiful oasis (Joshua 3). We will continue on the old Jericho Road, used in Christ times (Luke 10) and start ascending to the Golden City of the Mighty King: Jerusalem. We begin at the Mt. of Olives with a magnificent overview of Jerusalem and an explanation of its history. Then, we will walk down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane, site of Jesus’ betrayal (Luke 22).  In the afternoon we will go to the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the lame man (John 5). After a time of singing in St. Anne’s Church, we will view the remains of the Antonio Fortress, site of Jesus’ trial Mathew 27).

BETHLEHEM/FREE AFTERNOON
SAT, NOV 27 - DAY 8: In the morning we will visit Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and the Church of Nativity. We will  have some time for shopping and a authentic Arab/Bedouin lunch in Bethlehem. We will end our visit at the pastoral Shepherds' Fields, where David raised his sheep and where the Good News about Jesus’ birth was received (Luke 2). Throughout our Journey in the Holy Land we have come to see a variety of sites and experience profound emotions. This afternoon will allow us to rest and absorb in the information we have come to obtain. You may want to use this day to re-visit a certain site, to stroll on your own or to do some shopping. Our tour bus will function as a shuttle bus and different activities will be suggested.

OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM
SUN, NOV 28 - DAY 9: We will begin our visit to the Old City with a quiet moment of prayer at the Wailing Wall. Then, We will also visit the impressive Rabbi’s Tunnel, running along the continuation of the Western Wall to get a better understanding of how the impressive complex of the Temple Mount was constructed. At the Ophel digs we will walk on the First century Street, used by pilgrims for centuries, while viewing the remains of the Temple and the steps used by Jesus when entering it (Luke 19, Matthew 21).  We will continue to the Jewish Quarter, to visit the extensive area uncovered by archaeologists, including the Burnt House and the Herodian Quarter, where we will see the interior of houses from Jesus’ time with ashes indicating Jerusalem’s destruction.  We will walk through the Cardo and Hezekiahs Wall, towards the Arab Market and bazaar and leave the Old City through the Jaffa Gate.

DEAD SEA REGION
MON, NOV 29 - DAY 10: Today we will leave Jerusalem and descend towards the Dead Sea, located in the lowest place in the world, 1300 ft. below sea level! Our first stop will be at Ein Gedi, where David wrote some of his beautiful psalms. After a short hike we will reach the waterfall where David cut off Saul's skirt (I Samuel 24). We will continue to the astonishing ruins of Massada. Using a cable car we will reach Herod's magnificent fortress, site of Zealots' stand against Rome. Well preserved storehouses, cisterns and palaces will be among the features to visit. At noontime we will stop at Ein Bokek for lunch and a float on the salty sea. Before returning to Jerusalem, we will visit Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery.

NEW CITY OF JERUSALEM
TUE, NOV 30 - DAY 11: Today we visit the City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel and Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man (John 9). In the afternoon we leave the Old City and visit the modern part of Jerusalem. We will spend most of the afternoon at the Israel Museum. Here we will have a chance to visit the Model of Jerusalem during Jesus’ time to obtain an excellent perspective of the city at His time. We will visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed, and view the ossuary of Caiphas and Pontious Pilatus stone. Finally, at Yad Vashem, the museum of the Holocaust, we will better understand the miracle of Israel’s revival and return to the Land, as promised by God.

ELAH VALLEY & THE GARDEN TOMB
WED, DEC 1 - DAY 12: 
In the morning we will leave Jerusalem and drive towards the Elah Valley, where you will be able to pick up your own stone from the brook where David slew Goliath (I Samuel 17). On the way we will visit Beth Shemesh, where the story of Samson took place (Judges 13). We will continue to the Garden Tomb, the site of the crucifixion, and culminate our tour with communion at Calvary. We will have dinner at the hotel and time to rest before departing to the airport for our late night flight home.

THU, DEC 2 - DAY 13: We return home, after fulfilling a lifetime dream of seeing, touching and breathing the very places we have only read about until now. Our Bible will never be the same, for it will be alive in front of our eyes and in our hearts forever.

The itinerary is as described, but is subject to local conditions at the time of the tour, and may change at the discretion of the tour director or land operators.

SHALOM & ALOHA!