Tour members meet for our flight to Israel, the incomparable Land of the Bible. After dinner is served, sit back, relax, and enjoy the on-board entertainment as we prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime, walking where Jesus walked.

We arrive in Tel Aviv, where we are met by our agent who assists us through customs and security. (Time permitting) We transfer to our motor coach and visit Jaffa and Caesarea Maritima, where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion (Acts 10). Next, we drive to our hotel in Hadera for dinner and overnight by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

Today, we depart for the Galilee, visiting Megiddo and Mt. Carmel, where Elijah prayed, and God defeated 450 prophets of Baal with fire from heaven (1 Kings 18). Time permitting, we’ll stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (not included). From here, we continue to Zippori. Then, we continue to Nazareth (Jesus’ childhood home), and the Mt. of Precipice. Time permitting, we continue to Cana (John 2), where Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding reception. Next, we arrive in Tiberias for dinner and overnight on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

There is nothing quite like watching a sunrise from our hotel on the Sea of Galilee in the morning. We begin our sightseeing with our first stop at Magdala to see this new archeological site with the ancient synagogue, and then we drive to the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), with time for reflection and worship. From here, we make our way to Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. We will visit the recently excavated “Jesus Boat” which is believed to have been built during the time of Jesus. We then board a present time replica wooden “Jesus Boat” for our Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee. Next, we stop for lunch, with the option of the special, traditional St. Peter’s Fish (not included). Afterwards, we see Gadara and then make our way to the Jordan River with the opportunity to step into that special river. Optional Baptism in the Jordan River will be available for those interested. We will have dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

After breakfast, we travel north for the Golan Heights to lookout over the area at an incredible sight. Then, we visit Tel Dan and have a short hike/walk where we will see the gate of Jeroboam. Then, we drive to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter made the good confession of Christ as “the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13- 16). Afterwards, we stop at Tabgha, the Church of Peter Primacy. Next, we visit Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities. In Beit Shean, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls (1 Samuel 31:1012) after they were defeated by the Philistines. We return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

After our breakfast, we begin our day of sightseeing by traveling south toward the Dead Sea. En route we will make our first stop in Jericho (conditions permitting). Afterwards, we continue north for a visit to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. We then proceed to our hotel at the Dead Sea for some free time to relax and float before dinner. Dinner and overnight in the Dead Sea region.

This morning, we follow the road south along the western shore of the Dead Sea, where we will visit Masada. Here, we ascend the wilderness mountain by way of the cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. We’ll have time to survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples, and palaces. After we’ve made our way back down, we venture to Qumran and the settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We leave the Dead Sea area for Jerusalem, an ascent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. “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) As we arrive in Jerusalem, we begin our explorations with a drive to the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold a breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage continues as we proceed down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane and its ancient olive grove. There, we will visit the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed before his arrest (Matthew 26:36-56). We conclude our day with dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem.

After breakfast this morning, we enter Jerusalem through the Zion Gate, and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) of Herod’s temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel. 24:18-25). On this site now stands the El-Aksa Mosque, and the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in Islam). From here, we take a quick walk to the Southern Steps to stand on the original steps that Jesus walked on as he entered the Temple area. Afterwards, we have a short drive into Bethlehem, where we’ll stop for lunch (not included). On our way in, we’ll pass by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem! After we eat, we’ll visit the Church of the Nativity and view the Shepherd’s Field. We conclude our day as we travel back to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we have a short drive to Yad Vashem Children’s Holocaust Memorial for a visit. Afterwards, we travel to the City of David where we’ll have the opportunity to explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel (conditions permitting). Be sure to bring good water shoes with you should you choose to take the wet tunnel, as well as a flashlight. From here, we make our way to the Church of Agony at St. Peter Gallicantu. Afterwards, we make our way to the Via Dolorosa, including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools 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 Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. After dinner, we make our way back to the Western Wall for a visit to the Rabbi’s Tunnel.

After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. You will be fascinated by the 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. After lunch (not included), we travel via bus to Golgotha to the Garden Tomb (for a time of worship and communion. We’ll have some time for reflections and private prayers as we wander the gardens before meeting back at our bus. On our way back to the hotel, we detour to a local restaurant for a special Farewell Dinner commemorating the end of an amazing trip to the Holy Land. Afterwards, we return to our hotel as we closeout the tour with a final overnight in Jerusalem.

This morning, we transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight home. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we bring with us lasting memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life and ministry of our Lord.