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 guide who assists us to our motor coach. We have a short drive to our hotel in Netanya in time 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). In Caesarea we will also see the beautiful Roman Aqueducts that lead water from the hills around to Caesarea on the Mediterranean. We then continue to see Megiddo and Mt. Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Time permitting, we’ll stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (not included). Then we continue to Nazareth (Jesus’ childhood home) to see the Church of the Annunciation and Mt. Precipice. Then we make our way to our hotel for dinner and overnight on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

There is nothing like watching a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee from our hotel. After breakfast, we travel north to the Golan Heights for a beautiful view of northern Israel’s landscape. Time permitting, we will include a stop at Hippos. Then we will head to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). We embark on a short hike to Tel Dan to see the altar of Jeroboam. Our lunch stop includes the option of the special St. Peter’s Fish for those interested (not included). Afterwards, we make our way to the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), with time for reflection and worship. Then we visit Capernaum (Jesus’ base for His early ministry). Then, we return to our hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we board a wooden boat for our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, and we will see the Boat Museum. We then visit the black basaltic ruins of the small Jewish town of Chorazim showing the remains of a 3rd-4th century synagogue found in the village (this town along with Capernaum and Bethsaida were condemned by Jesus for their rejecting of him and his teachings) (Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 10:13-15). Afterwards, we see Kursi on our way to visit the new Magdala archaeological site, which is rich in cultural history for both Jews and Christians, and the synagogue where likely Jesus taught. We continue to visit Bethsaida, birthplace of the apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and where Jesus performed several miracles. Dinner and overnight on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

We begin our sightseeing with a beautiful panoramic view from Mount Arbel (time permitting) over the Sea of Galilee. We then make our way to the Jordan River and have the opportunity to step into that special river before heading to Gideon Springs (short stop at Nain on the way). Next, we visit Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities. This is where King Saul and his sons’ bodies were hung from the city walls after being defeated by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10-12). We make our way to Bethany beyond the Jordan. Finally, we ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight. “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).

After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing as we drive to the wilderness. The road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea region is a descent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. Our first stop will be at Masada, where we take a cable car up to the fortress built by King Herod. Here we survey the ruins of fortifications, waterworks, the synagogue, temples, and palaces. Next, we drive to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. A short drive takes us to Qumran and the settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Afterwards, we follow the road south along the western shore of the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on earth) where we will stop for a short swim. If time and conditions permit, we’ll include a short visit to Jericho and Wadi Qelt. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

We begin the day with worship on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will proceed down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, and the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed. We will 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 Samuel 24:18-25). On this site now stands El-Aksa Mosque, and the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in Islam). We make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate, to walk the Via Dolorosa, including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch. We continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A short walk takes us to stand on the original steps that Jesus walked on as he entered the Temple area. If time permits, we will visit Solomon’s Quarry or enjoy a visit to the Museum at the Notre Dame Jerusalem Center, which hosts the Shroud Exhibition. We will have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

This morning, we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the fascinating 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Next, we drive to the City of David, an incredible archaeological find. Then we will make our way through the Dry Shaft by Hezekiah’s Tunnel and visit the newly excavated Pool of Siloam. Next, we see the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. We end our day with worship and communion at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

After breakfast, we depart Jerusalem and drive North to visit ancient Shiloh, the site of the Tabernacle and the first capital of the Israelite Kingdom, is one of the most importance heritage sites in Israel, with a history of 3,000 years. Then we will visit Bethel (House of God) named by Jacob. Afterwards, we visit Tel Beth Shemesh (“House of the Sun”), an important Biblical city during the Canaanite and Israelite periods. During a battle with the Israelites, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. But when they realized that the ark brought them nothing but trouble, the Philistines decided to return it to the Israelites and sent it to Beit Shemesh. Then we depart for the Elah Valley to see the brook where David slew Goliath. We return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, time permitting, we will have a visit to Bethany and Lazarus’ tomb – this unique visit will give us the opportunity to climb into a first century tomb. We continue our sightseeing with a visit to Herodian. We make time to climb up the Herodian, a literally Herod-made mountain, where he interrogated the Magi. Afterwards we have a short drive for our visit to Bethlehem. We pass by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts and if time permits, before continuing onto to the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field. We have an opportunity for some shopping as well as see how they make the Olive Wood carvings and more. From here, we leave Bethlehem and continue our drive to Jaffa for sightseeing. We then return to our hotel in Jerusalem for a Farewell Dinner together and last overnight.

This morning, we transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back home. We arrive back in the U.S.A same day. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament.