10-Day Tour of Israel
CLERGY FAMILIARIZATION TRIP

Tour members depart the U.S.A. for our flight to Israel. After dinner is served, we sit back, relax, and enjoy the onboard entertainment as we begin this exciting adventure.

Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, we are met by our airport representative who assists us through passport control and baggage claim. We then meet our guide and driver and travel to the ancient port city of Jaffa, where the Apostle Peter stayed at the home of Simon the Tanner and received his vision that opened the door for the Gospel to spread among the Gentiles (Acts 10). Afterwards, we continue to our hotel along the Mediterranean Sea for check-in, dinner, and overnight in Tel Aviv. 

This morning, we travel north along the Mediterranean Coast. Time permitting, we’ll perform a hotel inspection in Hadera. We then continue to Caesarea Maritima, the magnificent port city built by King Herod and later the seat of Roman government in Judea. Here, we explore the extensive ruins, including the ancient harbor, Crusader city, theater, hippodrome, Roman aqueduct, and the area traditionally associated with Paul’s imprisonment. We continue to Mt. Carmel, where the Prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:17–40), before traveling through the Jezreel Valley and past Megiddo. In Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood home, we visit Nazareth Village for a glimpse into daily life during the time of Jesus. We then pass through Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding feast (John 2:1–11), before continuing to the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight are in the Galilee region.

Today, we explore the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the setting for much of Jesus’ earthly ministry. We begin with a special boat ride across the Sea of Galilee before visiting the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. We continue to Capernaum, Jesus’ ministry base (Matthew 4:13), where we see the remains of the ancient synagogue and the traditional site of Peter’s house. Here, we reflect on the many miracles and teachings of Jesus that took place in this region. For lunch, we enjoy the opportunity to try the traditional St. Peter’s Fish. Afterwards, we visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and home to a remarkable firstcentury synagogue dating to the time of Jesus. Time permitting, we’ll perform a hotel inspection in the Galilee region. Dinner and overnight are in the Galilee region.

Following breakfast, we begin our day with a special activity organized by imagine & Immanuel Tours before traveling north into the Golan Heights. We stop at Mt. Bental for panoramic views toward the Syrian border, including the abandoned city of Quneitra and the region associated with the road to Damascus. We then continue to Banias, the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi, where Peter boldly confessed that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Afterwards, we visit Tel Dan, where King Jeroboam I established a golden calf and high place after the division of the kingdom. Today, we also enjoy a special home-hosted lunch. Time permitting, we’ll perform a hotel inspection in the Galilee region. Dinner and overnight are in the Galilee region.

This morning, we depart the Sea of Galilee and begin at Yardenit, a peaceful baptismal site along the Jordan River, where those who wish may have the opportunity to be baptized or reaffirm their faith. We continue south to Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in Israel and the site where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed following their defeat by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10–12). Next, we travel to Shiloh, where Joshua established the Tabernacle after the Israelites entered the Promised Land and where the Ark of the Covenant remained for more than three centuries. Later this afternoon, we ascend to Jerusalem and stop at Mt. Scopus for our first panoramic view of the Holy City. Time permitting, we’ll perform a hotel inspection in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

After breakfast, we travel through the Judean Wilderness toward the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. We begin at Masada, ascending by cable car to explore King Herod’s mountaintop fortress and the final stronghold of Jewish resistance against Rome. We continue to Ein Gedi, the desert oasis where David hid from King Saul (1 Samuel 24), and enjoy a short hike to the waterfalls. Afterwards, we have an opportunity to float in the famous mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. Time permitting, we’ll perform a hotel inspection in the Dead Sea region. On our return toward Jerusalem, we stop at Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, one of the greatest biblical manuscript discoveries in history. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

Our day begins atop the Mt. of Olives with a panoramic view of Old and New Jerusalem. We descend the traditional Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed on the night of His betrayal. Continuing through the Kidron Valley, we pass the Tomb of Absalom before arriving at the City of David. Here, we explore the ancient city, view a special presentation, and visit the Pool of Siloam before walking the Pilgrimage Road toward the Old City. This afternoon, we visit the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, and enjoy some free time in the Old City for shopping and exploration. We return to our hotel for dinner before attending the Tower of David Night Spectacular, an unforgettable sound and light presentation projected against the walls of Jerusalem. Overnight is in Jerusalem.

This morning, we gather at the Garden Tomb for a special time of worship and communion as we reflect on the crucifixion and celebrate the resurrection. We then travel to Bethlehem, the City of David and birthplace of Jesus, where we visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Field. Returning to Jerusalem, we visit the Israel Museum to see the remarkable 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it appeared during the time of Jesus, as well as the Shrine of the Book, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered at Qumran. Time permitting, we may also visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial and Museum. This evening, we gather with the teams from imagine & Immanuel Tours for a special Farewell Dinner! Overnight is in Jerusalem.

This morning, after breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight to the U.S.A. As our unforgettable journey comes to a close, we return home with wonderful memories, a renewed faith, and a deeper understanding of the lands of the Bible.