Day 1

New York, NY

Depart from the USA on overnight flight Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast will be served aboard.

Day 2

Tiberias

Arrival in Tel Aviv, we are met and transferred to our hotel in the Galilee for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 3

Tiberias

Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginnosar where we visit the fishermen's boat found here that dates to Jesus' time , continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. On to Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and to Capernaum, the center of the Lord's early ministry. Drive along the lower Galilee mountains to Cana, site of the wedding feast , followed by a visit to the Nazareth Village where we experience a living presentation of life at the time of Jesus and visit the Church of Annunciation and Mary's Well. We continue on to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 4

Jerusalem

This morning we drive along the Sea of Galilee and arrive at Yardenit, the Baptismal Center on the Jordan River. From here we drive to Mount Carmel to visit the Carmelite Monastery at Muhkraka, the location of Elijah's altar. We continue via the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation of Tel Megiddo and drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman theater and aqueduct. We ascend the Judean Hills to arrive at the Holy city of Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 5

Jerusalem

Departing Jerusalem we visit the inn of the "Good Samaritan" and continue to the shores of the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. We drive along the shore to Masada, the fortress where the Jewish Zealots held off the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing suicide over surrender..Continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. After lunch, we enjoy a short "float " on the Dead Sea. Continue to Qumran where in 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in cave. Afterwards we return to Jerusalem. (B, D)

Day 6

Jerusalem

We start the day with a visit to the Garden Tomb, followed by an orientation beside Calvary. Travel to the Old City, through St. Stephen's Gate to the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch. View the Gabbatha pavement then proceed to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah to visit the Western Wall, the Ophel archaeological park, where we see the Pinnacle and visit the new visitors' center dedicated to research of the Biblical Temple. Continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa. In the afternoon drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Milk Grotto and the cave of St. Jerome. (B, D)

Day 7

Jerusalem

Drive to Mount Scopus to view the impressive home of the Hebrew University. Then drive to the Mt. of Olives for an outstanding view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley and Tomb of Absalom, Zechariah and James. We continue to Mount Zion, the Room of the Last Supper, and King David's Tomb, and past the Knesset and the Israel Museum. Next visit the recently constructed Model of Ancient Jerusalem. Time permitting, visit the recently excavated archaeological site in the Jewish quarter- the Cardo, the "Wide" wall built by King Hezekiah and the Herodian mansion. Enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport. (B, D)

Day 8

New York, NY

Depart Tel Aviv and arrive home the same day.

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For those Passengers going on the JORDAN OR EGYPT EXTENSIONS, after a full day of sightseeing we return to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

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OPTIONAL JORDAN EXTENSION (AMMAN & PETRA)

Day 8

Amman/Jerash

After breakfast we depart for the Allenby Bridge to cross into Jordan and drive to the city of Jerash, known as the Pompeii of the East. It is also known as the city of a thousand Pillars. We have time to walk around the ancient ruins, which includes churches dating back to the 4th century. We leave Jerash we drive to the beautiful city of Amman driving past the King Hussein's Sport City. We then continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Ammam.

Day 9

Amman/Petra/Mount Nebo

Today we have an early start as our motor coach heads south stopping first at Madaba where we will see some of the finest Byzantine mosaics we then visit Mt Nebo with remarkable view of the Jordan Valley where we can see the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. After our visit we drive to the hidden city of Petra. As we arrive to the town of Wadi Musa, we are at the entrance of Petra, and have ample time to view the rose red colored city. This site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is more than 2,000 years old.This place that dominated the trade routes was completely lost to the western world by the 16th century and remained that way for 300 years. In 1812 it was “rediscovered “. Petra is carved out of rock, and to enter the city one must travel through a deep narrow gorge in the mountain called the siq. The Nabataean Kingdom endured for centuries, and Petra became widely admired for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels. We see the Palace Tomb, Monastery and the famous monument, the Treasury which appears dramatically at the end of the siq. The Apostle Paul studied here for three years and Herod the Great came from this city. The movie Indiana Jones was filmed here. We then return to Amman for dinner and overnight.

Day 10

Amman/Tel Aviv

After Breakfast at our hotel we depart for the Border and say farewell to Jordan and cross the Allenby bridge to Israel after meeting our guide who will take us on day of sightseeing we will have time for additional shopping and visits before our farewell dinner. Transfer to the airport for our flight back home.

Day 11

USA

Arrive back in the USA

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OPTIONAL EGYPT EXTENSION (MT. SINAI & CAIRO)

Day 8

Jerusalem / Mt Sinai

After breakfast head south to the city of Eilat on the Red Sea. We motor coach throughs the Negev Desert, whose history dates back to the tenth century fortresses constructed by Solomon to defend King David's rule over the Negev. Marvel at the wind carved rock formations known as King Solomon's Pillars. Our motor coach arrives at Solomon's southern port of Etzion Geber, known today as Eilat. Then we continue to the Taba border to cross over to Egypt. We are met by our Egyptian guide and bus which takes us to the foot of Mt. Sinai, where we have dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B,D)

Day 9

Mt Sinai / Cairo

An early wake up call starts our journey to climb Mr. Sinai following in the footsteps of Moses. A prayer service is held on the summit. As we descend the mountain, we are able to see the majestic view of the desert. We visit the Chapel of the Burning Bush and the Museum of the Skull. The monastery of St. Catherine, the oldest on earth, is where monks have been witnesses to the Christian faith since the fifth century AD. Our motor coach takes us through the Sinai Desert over the Suez Canal to Cairo where we will stop at the tomb of President Anwar Sadat and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight (B,C)

Day 10

Cairo

After breakfast our sightseeing includes the great Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx. Here you can have an opportunity to ride a camel. Later we embark on a pleasant drive to Memphis. Stop at the Alabaster Sphinx and the remains of two colossal statues of Ramses II. We proceed to the Necropolis of Sakkara and see the Serapeum tomb of Apis, the Sadred Bull, the Step Pyramid of Zoser, and the funerary temple. Return to our hotel in Cairo for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 11

Cairo

Following breakfast visit the Egyptian Museum which contains mummies, many artifacts and treasures of King Tut. Tour the Citadel, Mohammed Ali Mosque (which offers a panoramic view of Cairo and the Nile), and visit the bazaars to pick up souvenirs. Dinner and overnight in Cairo. (B,D)

Day 12

Cairo/USA

Today we say farewell as we transfer to Cairo Airport for our flight home. Arrival the same day in the USA