Day 1– Arrival.
Travel through customs and meet our local tour escort who will accompany you throughout your trip. Board your coach bus for the trip to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2- Tel Aviv / Caesarea / Mt Carmel / Nazareth
After breakfast, our first stop will be Caesarea by the sea and visit the Roman aqueduct, the Roman amphitheater, and the seaport from which the Apostle Paul sailed to Rome. On to the port city of Haifa, we ascend Mt. Carmel where Elijah had his contest with the prophets of Baal, and capture a magnificent view of the Jezreel Valley. Transfer to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.
Day 3- Caesarea Philippi /Golan Heights/Jordan River
After breakfast, we will continue to Banias, formerly Caesarea Philippi, where Peter said, “Thou art the Christ”. From several vantage points today, we can see Mount Herman in the distance. Our guide will take us to a special point to have lunch and view the beauty of Israel. Then we drive over the Golan Heights and back by the eastern and southern shores of the Lake, stopping at the Jordan River for those who wish to be baptized and then return to hotel for dinner in Nazareth.
Day 4- Sea of Galilee /Capernaum /Tabgha /Beatitudes
After breakfast, we take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Capernaum. There we will see the remains of an early church, the ruins of Peter’s house, and the ancient synagogue. Also by the shore, we will visit Tabgha with the Church of Peter’s Primacy and the ancient mosaic of the Loaves and Fishes. Go to the Mount of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount is remembered. Return to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.
Day 5- Beit She’an / Jericho / Bethlehem
This day we depart to visit the excavations at Beit She’an and depart from the Jordan River Valley to the ancient Canaanite city of Jericho to see the excavations of the ancient walls. Travel by the Old Jericho Road and view the valley that may have inspired the 23rd Psalm. We will stop in Bethlehem and see the Church of the Nativity containing the cave stable of Jesus’ birth. We will also stop at the Shepherd’s cave for a short visit. Check in to Bethlehem hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6- Qumran /Masada /Dead Sea
We will depart after breakfast to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947, also view the Mt. of Temptation. Continue to Masada and ascend the fortress by cable car. Visit magnificent ruins of the fortress, where from 70-73 A.D. the Jewish defenders made the last stand of the Judean revolt against Rome. We will see the remains of the storehouse, cisterns, Herodian Palaces and the remains of the 6th Century Byzantine Church. We will travel along the southernmost point of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth and see the area where most archaeologists feel that Sodom and Gomorrah is buried and where you will have time to swim in the Dead Sea. Return to hotel in Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Day 7- Mount of Olives /Gethsemane /Upper Room /Western Wall /Temple Mount
Today, we go to the Mount of Olives for a group picture and scenic view of Jerusalem. See the Place of Ascension and the Pater Noster Church, and walk the Palm Sunday Road. Then continue to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees and the Church of All Nations. We will board the bus, drive down to the Kidron Valley, and see the Pool of Siloam, and St. Peter in Gallicantu built over the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas. We will then visit the Upper room and view the Western Wall and Temple Mount. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8- Shrine of the Book /Old City /St Anne’s Church
After breakfast, we will visit the Shrine of the Book and then enter the Old City through the Dung Gate and walk through the Rabbinical Tunnel. See the Pool of Bethesda where the angel ruffled the water, St. Anne’s Church, the traditional birthplace of Jesus’ mother. Then visit the old roman road and visit the place where the Kings Game was played before departing the city through the Jaffa Gate. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 9- Jerusalem / Garden Tomb
Today, our last stop will be the Garden Tomb, a peaceful spot where we can remember Christ’s crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Then you can go into Jerusalem to shop in the Old City, revisit some of the Old City sites or just relax and reflect on your Holy Land experiences. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 10- Departure
Today our memorable journey comes to an end. We will transfer to the airport for our departure flight home.