Experience True Biblical Travel
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. In Tel Aviv, we proceed through customs and security and meet our agent who assists us to our motor coach. We have a short drive to our hotel in the Netanya area in time for dinner and overnight. This morning, we depart for the Galilee to visit Biblical sites at Caesarea Maritima, where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion (Acts 10). We also see Tel 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 continue to Nazareth (Luke 1 & 2), Cana (John 2), and Zippori. We then arrive in Tiberias for dinner and overnight near the Sea of Galilee. There is nothing quite like watching a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee! After breakfast, we travel north to the Golan Heights and view the area from a special lookout. From here we continue our drive to Caesarea Philippi, where we have time for devotions. Afterwards, we take a short hike/walk to Tel Dan where we see the gate of Jeroboam. Afterwards, we see Gadara and then make our way to the Jordan River. Dinner and overnight are in Tiberias.
Walk through the Zion Gate
We begin our sightseeing with a visit at the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7), with time for reflection and worship. From here we make our way to Capernaum. We then board a replica wooden Jesus Boat for our Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee. We stop for a special traditional St. Peter’s Fish lunch (not included). From here, we depart Galilee and include a visit to Gideon Springs. Time permitting, we’ll end our day with a visit to Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities. We arrive in Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight at our hotel. After an early breakfast, we drive to Qumran, the possible settlement of the Essenes. They were the first century sect who authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, we head to Ein Gedi 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. Here we survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, the synagogue, temples, and palaces. Afterwards, we make a special stop at the Dead Sea for a short swim or float. Remember to bring with you good water shoes, as the bottom surface of the Dead Sea can be rough on your feet. Afterwards, we make our way to Jerusalem. The road from the Dead Sea area to Jerusalem is an ascent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. If time and conditions permit, we’ll include a short visit to Jericho prior to arriving in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. We begin our explorations this morning with a drive to the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage proceeds down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove. There we visit the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed. We enter Jerusalem through the Zion Gate and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod’s temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Sam. 24:18- 25). On the Temple Mount now stands the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in all Islam) and the El-Aqsa Mosque. Conditions permitting, we’ll drive to Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Bring water shoes and a flashlight with you, as you will get wet walking through the tunnel. We conclude our day on the Southern Steps to stand on the original steps that Jesus walked on as he entered the Temple area. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.
Adventure the Rabbi’s Tunnel
We begin our sightseeing with a short drive to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Then we pass by Rachel’s tomb on our way to Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field. Afterwards, we make our way to the Garden Tomb for a time of worship and communion. We have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. After dinner we make our way back to the Western Wall for an optional visit to the Rabbi’s Tunnel. After an early breakfast, we begin our sightseeing with a visit to the temple area. We make our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and then on to St. Stephen’s Gate, St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pool of Bethesda, the Sister of Zion Convent (to see the Pavement where Jesus stood as he was being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Shrine of the Book Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. Then we see the fascinating model of Jerusalem (1:50 scale model of Herodian Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time). From here, we travel to Tel Aviv for our Farewell Dinner and have a late evening transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight back to the U.S.A. We arrive back in 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.