Visit Biblical Sites on Group Tour
The first morning on our group tour we visit Biblical sites along the way to the Galilee. Our first stop is at Caesarea Maritima, built by Herod the Great. Here we explore the ruins, ancient port, and the Roman amphitheater. We continue to the Muhraka Monastery on Mt. Carmel, where the dramatic battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place. We then travel to Haifa Bay and the beautiful Bahai Gardens with its impressive temples. After breakfast the next day, we visit Magdala to see perhaps the most exciting recent synagogue discovery in Israel. Then on our group tour we make our way to Capernaum, known as Jesus’ base for His early ministry. Here “walking where Jesus walked” takes on a thrilling new meaning. Next is Tabgha, where we visit the Church of the Multiplication. From here we travel to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus was said to have preached the Sermon on the Mount. We continue to the Golan Olive Oil Mill, located in Katzrin’s industrial area in the Golan Heights. We conclude our day with a group boat ride on a replica wooden Jesus Boat for our sunset boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
Walk in Jesus’ Footsteps
We start our day at the Yardenit baptism site near the Jordan River and have the option of a baptism ceremony. Next on our group tour, we stop in Cana where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine. We continue to Nazareth and the Church of Annunciation. From here we visit the Mount of Precipice, where Luke described how Jesus was rejected by his pupils. On the way to Jerusalem, we drive through the Jordan Valley and see Jericho and the Good Samaritan Inn. After breakfast, we go up to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Walking down the Old Palm Sunday Road, we arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane, the place where Jesus prayed and his disciples slept the night before Jesus’ crucifixion. We walk through the Old City and walk the Via Dolorosa, ending at the Church of Holy Sepulcher. Next we stroll in the Arab Bazaar and experience the Middle Eastern life with its rich colors, flavors, and smells. We continue on to Mount Zion and see King David’s tomb and the Upper Room, the room of the last supper. We conclude the sightseeing on today’s group tour with a special visit to the City of David, known as one of the most incredible archaeological finds in all of Israel.
Journey to Lowest Point on Earth
Today we descend from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea area, the lowest land point on earth. The road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea area is a descent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. Here we visit the Ein Gedi Reserve and enjoy a walk along the David Stream. If the group is up to it, we’ll continue our walk to the Ein Gedi waterfalls. We then ascend by cable car to Masada to the ancient fortress built by King Herod. Here we survey the ruins of fortifications, waterworks, the synagogue, temples and palaces. On the way back to Jerusalem, we stop for a mud bath and some well-deserved rest while floating in the Dead Sea.
Exlpore Bethlehem and Jerusalem
We start the next day by participating in the “Joseph Project” where the group has a chance to volunteer to pack food and other essential items for the needy and poor in Israel. We then continue on to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Afterwards, we take a moving tour of Yad Vashem, the primary memorial and museum of the Holocaust. Next, we visit a powerful exhibit at the Children’s Pavilion. This following morning, we make our way to the Jaffa Gate area where we will have time for lunch (not included), and some last minute shopping in the Armenian Christian Quarters of the Old City or the beautiful Mammilla Promenade. We then depart Jerusalem and begin our group tour sightseeing with a drive to the Elah Valley and the brook where David slew Goliath. From here we continue our drive to Jaffa for a walking tour of Old Jaffa and then on to our special Farewell Dinner before our group returns to the airport for our flight home.
Continue Group Tour with Optional Jordan Extension
Those who choose to extend their group tour will fly to Eilat. The Gulf of Eilat, which is part of the Red Sea, is the northernmost, and hence the coldest tropical sea in the world, and is considered one of the most beautiful seas. Its water supports an unequaled variety of aquatic life forms, coral and fish, in a myriad of shapes and sizes. Those interested in swimming or snorkeling in the Red Sea can do so for an additional fee. After breakfast the next day, we have a short transfer to the Arava border for Jordan. We meet our Jordanian guide and board our motor coach for our sightseeing tour of Petra, “rose red city half as old as time.” At this ancient Edomite and Nabatean capital, we see the spectacular “city of the dead,” with its famed gorge, ancient streets, temples, dwelling places and tombs, carved in the solid rock. Then we arrive at El-Ji Post, and continue the one-mile journey on horseback, or foot, passing through the famous Siq (the natural gorge) and arrive at the Treasury. In the afternoon, we visit Roman Temple Ruins of Roman City, Nabatean Judgment Hall, Palace Tombs, famous Urn Temple, and Roman Amphitheater. Those willing to climb may view the Monastery, Jebel Harun (mountains of Aaron), supposed to be the burial place of Aaron. We then journey back to El-Ji Post. We return to the Arava border for Eilat. The next day, we leave Eilat and drive back up to Tel Aviv, enjoying the incredible scenery and viewing the Ramon Crater. We arrive in Jaffa in time for dinner and then transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our late evening return flight home.