Trip Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

IF = In-flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1: Depart
We will depart on our international overnight flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. (IF)

Day 2: Arrival in Tel Aviv
Upon arrival at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport our Israeli host will assist us with the transfer of our luggage. We will then board the motor coach, meet our guide, and drive along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to our Tel Aviv hotel. We will dine in our hotel.  (IF/D)

Day 3: Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, Nazareth
After our first Israeli breakfast, we will board our coach and drive north up the coast to Caesarea Maritima, built by King Herod the Great in 22 B.C. It was here that Pontius Pilate lived and where the Gospel was first brought to the Gentiles. While here, we will visit the Roman Theater, the Roman Aqueduct, and the Herodian Port. We will drive by Mount Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and stop at Mount Precipice where the Nazarenes wanted to throw Jesus off the cliff (Lk. 4:16-30). In Nazareth, we will visit the Church of the Annunciation, see Mary’s Well and walk through Nazareth Village. (B/D)

Day 4: Caesarea Philippi, Magdala, Capernaum, Tabgha
This morning we will drive to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), one of the sources of the Jordan River. It was here that Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and began to explain to them that he must go to Jerusalem (Mt. 16:13-23) and be crucified. We will visit Herod Agrippa’s Palace, then continue on to the Nimrod Fortress. We will drive around the Sea of Galilee, passing by Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. We will enter the 2,000-year-old remains of Capernaum (Lk. 4:31-37) and stand in what is left of the synagogue in which our Lord ministered. We will also see Peter’s house. We will visit Tabgha, commemorating the feeding of the 5,000 (Lk. 9); Mensa Christi, where the Lord appeared to the disciples after the resurrection (Jn. 21); and the Church of Peter’s Primacy. We will stop at the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. (B/D)

Day 5: Yardenit, Jerusalem
We will start our day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and stop to see the 2000-year-old Jesus boat. We will visit Yardenit, the famous baptismal site at the headwaters of the Jordan River, and touch the water. Then we will travel south to the top of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where we will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Old City and the Kidron Valley. From here it is a short walk down along the Palm Sunday Way to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed while the disciples slept. We will stop at Dominus Flevit, the Tear Drop Church, which commemorates Jesus’ tears as he looked over Jerusalem. (B/D)

Day 6: Masada, En Gedi, Qumran,  Jerusalem
After breakfast we will take an excursion south of Jerusalem to key Jewish heritage sites. Our first stop will be Masada, the famous stronghold where the Jewish people held out while under attack from the Roman Army. We will rise to the top by cable car and see remnants of the city on the top. Then we will continue to En Gedi and relive one of David’s historic encounters with King Saul and relate the topography and David’s life to the Psalms. We will also have a brief stop at Qumran to view Cave #4, which contained the greatest quantity of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will end the day at the Yad Vashem museum. (B/D)

Day 7: Jerusalem
Our morning will begin at the Western (Wailing) Wall, Judaism’s most holy site, and the Western Wall tunnels. We will then drive to Mt. Zion, where we will sing praises in the Upper Room (Lk. 22:7-38), view the traditional tomb of King David, and proceed to the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu and Caiaphas, the High Priest’s house (Jn. 18). Here we will walk through some of the ancient rooms. A walk is also planned through the colorful Arab Bazaar where the sounds and smells of the Middle East will come alive.  In the Israel Museum, we will see the Temple Model and the Shrine of the Book. (B/D)

Day 8: Jerusalem
Today will include a visit to the South Steps where the Rabbis taught, as well as the Pools of Siloam, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Warren’s Shaft, and David’s Palace. Entering the Old City through the Lion’s Gate, we will walk along parts of the Via Dolorosa past Zion Monastery. We will continue to Ecce Homo (site of Jesus’ scourging) and see an authentic Roman pavement at the Antonia Fortification. Following visits to Saint Anne’s Church, the Pool of Bethesda, we will continue our walk to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This evening will include an unforgettable Shabbat dinner hosted by a local family. (B/D)

Day 9: Bethlehem, Jerusalem (Return)
We will begin our day with a tour of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. We will visit the Shepherd’s Fields and the Church of the Nativity, before returning to Jerusalem. On our way back, we will stop at Herodium where we will view the tomb of Herod the Great, as well as Calvary and the Garden Tomb. This evening will include a very special communion service and a closing session. We will enjoy our farewell dinner in a restaurant with those who are flying home late tonight. (B/D)

Day 10: Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Petra
Today we will cross the border via the Allenby Bridge into Jordan and proceed to Bethany Beyond the Jordan and the area where John the Baptist ministered. The overwhelming Biblical, archeological and historical evidence has led many religious leaders throughout the world to recognize this site as the authentic site of Jesus’ baptism. We will continue on to Petra and relax at the pool. (B/D)

Day 11: Wadi Rum, Petra
After breakfast, we will drive to Wadi Rum, a moonscape terrain of ancient riverbeds, wind-sculpted mountains, vast desert vistas, and smooth, pastel-colored sands. We will enjoy a jeep ride tour through this oasis home to the film “Lawrence of Arabia.” We will also have tea with the Bedouins before we return to our hotel in Petra. This evening we will have the option to see Petra by night. (B/D)

Day 12: Petra, Dead Sea
Today we will explore the jewel of the Nabataean Kingdom, Petra. Our guide will escort us on a walking tour through the Siq, a narrow canyon that is the main entrance to the city. At the end of the passage is Petra’s most beautiful monument, the Treasury, carved out of the solid rock from the side of the mountain. After our tour, we will travel up to our luxury resort hotel where we will be able to enjoy floating on the Dead Sea. (B/D)

Day 13: Mount Nebo, Madaba, Amman
We will stop on Mount Nebo, believed to be the burial place of Moses. We will enjoy the panoramic view of the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Jordan River, and see the Memorial Church of Moses on top of the mountain with its well-preserved mosaics dating back to the Byzantine era. We will also visit Madaba to see the historic mosaic map of the Holy Land, which dates back to the 6^th century. (B/D)

Day 14: Return
We will board our plane for our very early morning flight home. (IF)

What are 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 CLICK HERE to tell us more about your tour requirements or call (800) 303-5534.