Trip Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, D = Dinner

Day 1:  Depart
Our journey begins with an overnight flight from the US to Tel Aviv.

Day 2:  Arrival in Tel Aviv
We will arrive in Tel Aviv in the evening and transfer to our hotel, where we can rest. The hotel is close to Joppa/Jaffa, the ancient seaport mentioned in the biblical narrative of Jonah and the whale, and in the story of Solomon’s import of the cedars of Lebanon. We will enjoy dinner and stay overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 3:  Caesarea, Nazareth, and Tiberias
A full and memorable day awaits us! We will enter Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the East, which became the Christian springboard to the West. Here, the Gentiles first heard the Good News, and Paul made his defense prior to his final journey to Rome. We will tour the Roman theater, the hippodrome and promenade to the renovated Crusader city and home of Philip the Evangelist. Next, we will visit the top of Mt. Carmel/Muhraka, where Elijah prayed down fire from heaven and defeated the 450 prophets of Ba’al. From there, we will go to Nazareth, the childhood town of Jesus, with the Basilica of the Annunciation and the reconstructed Nazareth Village Museum, a full scale reconstruction of life in Nazareth during the time of Jesus. We will drive through Cana, the village where Jesus performed the first miracle, turning water into wine. We will spend two nights in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. We can choose from many different local options this evening, from shopping to cafes by the waterfront to a visit at a local spa.

Day 4:  Galilee Area
This morning, we will enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Kibbutz Ginosar to see the Yigal Allon Jesus Boat Museum, which features the Jesus Boat, dating to the 1st century AD, similar to the boat Jesus and his disciples sailed in. Next, we will drive along the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, where we will visit the synagogue and the place where early Christians remembered Peter’s house. We will continue to Tabgha (short for Heptapagon, “seven springs”) to view the mosaics in the Church of the Loaves and Fishes. Ascending the Mount of Beatitudes, we will listen to Jesus’ teachings and envision the Sermon on the Mount. Following an ancient trade route, we will continue to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter answered Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Our route will then take us over the Golan Heights, skirting Mt. Hermon, with a view toward Damascus. We will end our day at the Arbel Cliff, which will afford us a view over the Lake of Galilee and the main sites of Jesus’ ministry. We will return for a second night at our hotel in Tiberias.

Day 5:  Megiddo and Jerusalem
After breakfast, we will go to nearby Mt. Tabor, the Mount of Transfiguration. After enjoying the incredible views, we will tour the stunning Church of the Transfiguration. We will then have an opportunity for baptism in the Jordan River at Yardenit. From there, we will visit Herod’s Spring (Gideon’s Spring), where Gideon chose his army of 300. We will continue our journey to the ancient city of Megiddo in the Valley Armageddon. Our guide will explain Megiddo’s significance and tell about the Yezreel Valley, the ancient Via Maris and nearby Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and his son Jonathan lost our lives against the Philistines. Next, we will journey through the Judean wilderness to view St. George’s Monastery, which began in the fourth century with a few monks who sought the desert experience of the prophets and settled around a cave where it’s believed Elijah was fed by the ravens. We will check into our hotel near the ancient city and have dinner close by. This evening we will tour the famous Western Wall Tunnel, a place most tourists don’t get to experience. The remaining nights will be spent at the Prima Royal Hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 6:  Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Our journey today begins with the City of David, an archeological park which tells the story of the establishment of Jerusalem, its wars and hardships, its prophets and kings, and the history of the Jews during Biblical times. Following that, we will drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Room of the Last Supper and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus. Here, according to tradition, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus. This site affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. Next we will go to Bethlehem to visit the key sites. We will tour the Shepherd’s Fields, Church of the Nativity, and Rachel’s Tomb. Finally, we will return to the hotel for dinner and another night in Jerusalem.

Day 7:  Baptismal sight, Qumran, Dead Sea, Masada, and Bethany
This day begins with a drive through the Judean desert to Kasr Al Yahud. Here the Children of Israel crossed the Jordan when they entered Canaan and, many believe, John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Next we will visit Qumran, where we will view Cave #4, which contained the greatest quantity of Dead Sea scrolls. We will continue south to Masada and take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod’s mountain palace/bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome. We will experience a brief float in the Dead Sea. On the way back to our hotel, we will view Jerusalem from Bethany (visit subject to regulations), home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. We will return to our hotel for dinner.

Day 8:  Jerusalem and parts of Via Dolorosa
We will start our day with an orientation to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Then we will follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“the Lord weeps”). After viewing the Golden Gate, we will walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we will take time to meditate on the Gospel text. Next, we will visit the Church of All Nations, built atop the rock upon which Jesus prayed before his arrest. We will enter the city walls at St. Stephen’s Gate, also known as Lion’s Gate, and visit the Pool of Bethesda, the site of the miraculous healing of a paralyzed man by Jesus. The tour will continue to the Church of St. Anne, where Christian groups love to sing hymns as they visit. We will then continue our journey walking the Via Dolorosa, passing the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the ancient site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Next, we will re-visit the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, revered as the last remnant of the Second Temple. If time allows, we will visit the Burnt House, which archeologists believe was destroyed at the time of the Roman conquest of Jerusalem in AD 70. We will return to Jerusalem for dinner and our overnight lodging.

Day 9:  Jerusalem
We will ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. Next we will visit the Yad Vashem Memorial to the Holocaust. In modern Jerusalem, we will drive by the Knesset (Parliament) and the campus of Hebrew University. A highlight of our tour will be the Israel Museum, where we will see the detailed model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple, and the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea scrolls. Finally, we will visit Gordon’s Calvary, known as the Garden Tomb, a serene authentic first-century tomb that some believe was the site of the burial and resurrection. We will enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel.

Day 10:  Return
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the Tel Aviv airport for departure, arriving back in Boston in the evening.

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the time of this quotation. Should currency fluctuations necessitate an adjustment in tour price the adjusted price will be reflected in the final invoice.

What are the accommodations like?

Our hotels are chosen for their quality,amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!

If you are interested in a quote for your group, please e-mail us at info@reformationtours.com or call (800) 303-5534.