Tuesday, 7 June: Departure
Today we embark on our journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight.tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!
Wednesday, 8 June: When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport to be met by our Israeli guide, who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. After a panoramic bus tour of the city, proceed to our hotel in Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean Sea, relax, and have dinner. The time is right for a personal devotional with the sunset over the "Great Sea" -- a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and a good night's rest.
Dinner and overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv
Thursday, 9 June: Foundations of the Modern State
We begin our tour as we climb down into the amazing underground, pre-State bullet factory built by the Haganah under the noses of the British at the Ayalon Institute. We then travel to Old Jaffa, once the gateway to the land of Israel, and the port from which Jonah the Prophet tried to escape the Lord's command. At Independence Hall, we relive David Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State. We then take in an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available). Delicious dinner in Tel Aviv's Yemenite Quarter
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv
Friday, 10 June: Layers of History
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea Maritima, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We will see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct, and then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We arrive in Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, and enjoy a visit to the Biblical Village. We continue to Tiberias, passing through the town of Cana, site of the Miracle of the Wine. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next two nights in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias
Saturday, 11 June: Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights
Following breakfast, we take a moving Sea of Galilee cruise on a fisherman's boat. A brief scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. Our morning travels then take us to important sites of Jesus' Ministry in the Galilee. In Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter's home. Then we travel on to Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and then to Mount of the Beatitudes the site of the Sermon on the Mount. We proceed to the Banias, ancient Caesarea Philippi, one of the main sources of the Jordan River and where Jesus was recognized as the Messiah by His disciples. We then ascend the Golan Heights to look down over the Galilee from above, as the Syrians once did. At Kibbutz El Rom, we see original footage from the brave Valley of Tears battle, which secured the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War.
Dinner and overnight: Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Tiberias
Sunday, 12 June: The Jordan River Valley and Ascent to Jerusalem
We begin our day with a visit to the Jordan River Baptismal Site, including time for prayer, study, and meditation. Next we travel southward to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, and look out toward Nain, where Jesus resurrected a young man, and Mount Gilboa, the site of numerous biblical events. We continue to Beit Shean, the most extensive archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Following the fertile Jordan Valley southward, your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the "Land of Milk and Honey," the kibbutz system, and Israel's intricate irrigation development. We continue south and then west for the ascent to Jerusalem. As we enter the Holy City, we pause to pray, learn and meditate: Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem (Ps. 122:2). Our lodging for the next four nights will be in Jerusalem. We proceed to the Western Wall just before sunset to welcome the Jewish Sabbath with thousands of others.
Dinner and overnight: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Monday, 13 June: In Holy Footsteps
We ascend the Mount of Olives for a breathtaking overview of the Temple Mount, Mount Moriah, standing where Jesus once stood as He approached the Holy City. We then follow His footsteps to the Garden of Gethsemane, where we walk among the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer, and take time for personal reflection. In the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise. We then spend the remainder of the day surrounding the birth of Christ with a visit to Bethlehem, including Shepherd's Field, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus, and the Church of the Nativity, that stands upon the site where Jesus was born.
Dinner and overnight: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Tuesday, 14 June: Mount of Olives, Old City of Jerusalem
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper Room," where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast, and where later Thomas cried, "my Lord and my God." We enter the city walls and move on to the Judgment Hall ofPilate, to hear of those who conspired against Him and be reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. From here we will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate, and St. Ann's Church. We return to the Old City to take in a view of the Temple Mount, where Jesus drove out the vendors and money changers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that Peter stood and preached, and where thousands were saved and baptized on the Day of Pentecost. We then enter the Kotel Tunnels, where we walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall. We exit this tunnel at the Via Dolorosa, His Way of Suffering. Our guide will explain the differing opinions concerning the route along which Christ was led. Enjoy some free time to browse and shop in the colorful Arab Market or in the Jewish Quarter.
Dinner and overnight: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Wednesday, 15 June: Jerusalem Today
We begin today with a panoramic bus tour of modern Jerusalem, including views of the Knesset (Parliament), Supreme Court, and President's House. An interesting and educational time then awaits us at the Israel Museum, where we will visit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit and then view an accurately detailed model of biblical Jerusalem, which helps summarize what we have experienced and to prepare us for what we will see tomorrow. Next is a tour of the lovely village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist. We then visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people. Evening: Attend The Night Spectacular, the fabulous new sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum.
Dinner and overnight: Leonardo Hotel, Jerusalem
Thursday, 16 June: The Dead Sea Region
At Ammunition Hill, see former Jordanian bunkers, a moving film about the soldiers who fought here, and a terrificmmnew audio-video presentation about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem. We then depart Jerusalem and head for the Dead Sea Region, the lowest place on earth. We visit Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Next we stop at Ein Gedi, "Spring of the Goat," with its warm climate, abundant supply of water, and fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites with praise and worship led, by King Jehoshaphat. Now we check into our hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea.
Dinner and overnight: Isrotel, Dead Sea
Friday, 17 June: Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Our day begins early as we ascend by cable car to the mountaintop fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous Jewish stand against the Romans. We return to our hotel to check out of our rooms; spend the remainder of today enjoying its spa facilities, pool, and the amazing Dead Sea. After a delicious Middle Eastern farewell dinner in Abu Ghosh; we depart for the airport for our overnight flight.
Important Note: Although the itinerary above obviously emphasizes the spiritual aspect of this marvelous country, our guides are also experts in, and passionate about, the miracle of the return of the Jews and the restoration of the state of Israel. This fact, along with many modern day topics (military, politics, education, and other cultural aspects), will be woven into the commentary in order to give you well-rounded information.
*Itinerary Subject to Change
Itinerary
