Pack your bags and bring your sense of wonder. Your journey to the Holy Land begins!

Savor the moment as you enjoy your first dinner in the Holy Land. We’ll spend the night at the Herod’s Hotel in Tel Aviv.

Today we head south and our first stop is Tel Beersheba, the site where the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sojourned. We’ll travel through the canyons and highlands of the Negev—from Ben Gurion’s grave, to the overlook at Ein Avdat, to the massive Machtesh Ramon panorama. We’ll stop in the Wilderness of Zin—the wandering place of the children of Israel after the Exodus. Then we head to Timna Park and tour a full scale-replica of the tabernacle constructed during the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness.

This morning we will cross the border into Jordan and drive to the Wadi Rum for an exciting Jeep Safari Tour in this beautiful landscape of ancient Edom. Drive to Petra for dinner and overnight at Petra’s Old Village Resort.

You’ve never seen a place like Petra! Located in ancient Edom, this spectacular desert dwelling boasts rose-hewn sandstone, rugged hills, and monumental facades—all accessible through a twisting narrow gorge. We’ll even have a horse ride (included, but plan to tip the driver)! This afternoon, we will travel on the King’s Highway through the land of Moab where Ruth grew up. We’ll journey to Machaerus, the site where John the Baptist was imprisoned, and ultimately, beheaded. Finally, we’ll arrive at the beautiful Holiday Inn by the Dead Sea, where we will overnight.

Start your day floating in the Dead Sea before we journey to the top of Mount Nebo, the vantage point where Moses got his first and only look at the Promised Land. Crossing back over into Israel, we will overnight at the lovely Sofia Hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

We begin the day atop Mount Arbel with a spectacular overlook of the Sea of Galilee and the ministry of Jesus. Next, we visit Chorazin, one of the cities that rejected Jesus’ miracles. We’ll visit the amazing ruins in Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. Next, we take a Sea of Galilee boat ride on the water where Jesus walked. We’ll visit the shore at the Primacy of Peter, where the Lord restored Peter. If time allows, we’ll enjoy the sunset at the Switzerland Forest, with one of the most amazing views of the Sea of Galilee. Overnight is again at the Sofia Hotel.

As we journey up to Jerusalem today, we’ll travel through biblical Samaria to Mt. Gerizim, which overlooks the ancient site of Shechem where so much Old Testament history took place. Next, we’ll experience biblical Shiloh where the Tabernacle rested for three centuries when the Hebrews entered the land. We’ll pass the cliffs of Michmash, where Jonathan and his armor-bearer routed the Philistine army. Finally, we enter the Holy City of Jerusalem before dinner and overnight at the beautiful Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem, where we’ll stay the next few nights.

Today we’ll explore Jerusalem’s history at the David Citadel Museum. In the Old City, we’ll visit the Upper Room, where Jesus had the Last Supper with His disciples. We’ll walk to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the probable site where Jesus died and rose again. We’ll observe archaeological wonders from the finds in the Israel Museum. Finally, at the Garden Tomb we’ll have a wonderful communion service.

We begin the day atop the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Then we head east into the Judean Wilderness to the Ein Prat Nature Reserve, the location where Jeremiah hid his cloth as an illustration to Judah. We’ll overlook St. George’s Monastery in the Wadi Qelt and see a wonderful example of the monastic life of the Judean Wilderness. From there we’ll visit the Herodian Palaces of Herod the Great. We’ll also explore Tel Jericho where the walls came tumbling down in the time of Joshua. This evening we’ll have a special dinner at the Bulgourji Restaurant in Jerusalem.

Early this morning, we’ll ascend the Temple Mount, the site of the Jewish Temples and where Jesus taught. Then we’ll journey to the final resting places of the patriarchs in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron (pending security situation). Then we travel to visit Herod the Great’s amazing Herodium, which overlooks Bethlehem, the city where the true King of Israel was born. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we’ll enjoy some free time in Jerusalem to savor the sounds, sights, and shopping in the Old City. Afterwards, those not continuing to Egypt will transfer to the airport for our return flight home with memories to last a lifetime!