Tour members meet for our flight to Israel. After dinner is served, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the on-board entertainment to prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime.

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we proceed through customs and security and are assisted to our motor coach. Here, we are met by our Israeli guide and our driver. We then drive to our hotel in Netanya or the Tel Aviv area for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

This morning we begin our sightseeing with stops at Jaffa and Caesarea Maritima. Then we depart for Nazareth to visit a village as it would have appeared during the time of Jesus, along with a stop in Cana. We also see Megiddo and Mt. Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Time permitting, we will stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (not included). Then, we drive up to Mount Arbel, a beautiful landmark in Galilee. Dinner and overnight are back at our hotel in the Galilee area.

Nothing compares to watching the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee! We begin today at Tabgha (the traditional site of the feeding of the 5000) and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. We then spend time reflecting and worshiping at the Mt. of Beatitudes and then head to Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. We will stop briefly at the site of John 21. Afterwards, we board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” to set sail on the Sea of Galilee. For those interested, our lunch stop includes the option of ordering the special St. Peter’s Fish (not included). After lunch, we head to Gadara and Bethsaida (time permitting). We’ll drive to the Kursi overlook, the mountainside where the demons entered the swine after being cast out of the demoniac. Dinner and overnight are back at our hotel by the Galilee.

After breakfast, we travel north to Tel Dan. We head to Korazim to visit a ruined synagogue, before making our way to Hazor, a city taken by Joshua (Joshua 11:10-14). Then, we head to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). We will travel up nearby Mount Hermon, the location of Jesus’ Transfiguration (cable car not included). From here, weather permitting, we will be able to view the city of Damascus in the distance. Dinner and overnight are back at our hotel by the Galilee.

We begin the day by driving south to the Lower Galilee to the site of Beth Shean to see the recent excavations of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities in the country. From the Byzantine period and destroyed by an earthquake in 749 C.E., this is where King Saul and his sons’ bodies were hung from the city walls after being defeated by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10-12). We then visit Ein Harod, the site of Judge Gideon (Judges 7:1-25). We stop at the Jordan River baptismal site of Yardenit. Here, we have the option to be baptized. Finally, we ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:1-2 NASB).

After breakfast, we drive to Qumran, the settlement of the Essenes. They were the first-century sect who authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, we head to Ein Gedi the oasis in the desert where David hid from King Saul. We then travel south along the western shore of the Dead Sea toward Masada where we ascend by cable car up to King Herod’s astonishing fortress. Afterwards, we make a special stop at the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on earth) for a short swim or float. Dinner and overnight are again in Jerusalem.

We begin the day with a visit to Bethlehem as we pass by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts and then visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Field. Then, we will drive south of Jerusalem to Herodium, a palacefortress of Herod the Great. It was here where Herod was buried in 4 B.C. As time permits, we will make a quick stop to enjoy an overview of the Wadi Qelt and the Judean Wilderness to hear the words of Isaiah 40 and Psalm 23 shared in the context of this desolate area! We will include a short visit to the excavations at ancient Jericho (Joshua 6). Dinner and overnight are back in Jerusalem.

We begin today on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the famous, breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage proceeds down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the ancient olive grove at the Garden of Gethsemane. Then we continue to the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) where tradition says Jesus prayed before his arrest. We enter Jerusalem through the Zion Gate and proceed to the Western (Wailing) Wall, the holiest site in Judaism. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24:18-25), which is called the Temple Mount. This area is the third holiest shrine in Islam, housing both the El-Aqsa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock. From the temple area we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate to walk the Via Dolorosa – including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of two possible locations for Christ’s crucifixion and burial. Then we conclude our day with a short walk to the original steps that Jesus climbed as he entered the Temple area. Afterwards, we will visit the Davidson Center to have a better perspective of the Jerusalem in Jesus’ time. We have dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. After dinner, we make our way back to the Western Wall for a visit to the Rabbi’s Tunnel.

This morning, we return to the Old City where we first visit the Temple Mount. Then we discover the archaeology of Jerusalem and the Jewish Quarter. We start at the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which according to Jewish tradition, is the part of the Kidron Valley between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. From here, we drive to Beit Guvrin (Mareshah). We will see the famous bell cave here. Next, we travel to the Elah Valley where David fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17). As we listen to the story, we see how this famous battle took place! We drive back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

We begin today with a visit to Caiphas’ House and the Upper Room. From here, we continue to visit the City of David (2 Samuel 5) and the new excavations of David’s palace. Those who want to, can take an optional adventurous walk through the water of Hezekiah’s Tunnel (1,720 feet long, 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32, Isaiah 8 & 37). We then sit on the steps of the Siloam Pool and listen to the story of the blind man healed by Jesus (John 9). We will visit the Shrine of the Book Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Just outside at the Israel Museum, we see the fascinating 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. We visit Ein Karem, the town where John the Baptist was born, and where Mary visited Elizabeth. We end the day at the Garden Tomb and enjoy a communion service together. Then we return to our hotel in Jerusalem to enjoy our Farewell Dinner together and our last overnight.

We transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back to the U.S.A. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.