DAY 1: NEW YORK/TEL AVIV
Depart on an international overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.
DAY 2: GALILEE
Upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport, we are met and greeted by our tour escort, and next board our deluxe motorcoach for transfer to Galilee. Already we begin to feel the spirit of this land enchanting us, as we will be visiting sites from the Bible and share the experience of walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Dinner and overnight in Galilee.(D)
DAY 3: GALILEE
This morning we enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginosar where we will visit the fishermen’s boat found here dating back to Jesus’ time. We continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. Our next stops are Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and Capernaum, the center of the Lord’s early ministry. We drive along the lower Galilee mountains to Cana, site of the wedding feast. Tour continues to Nazareth where we visit the Church of Annunciation and Mary’s Well. Our final stop on today's journey is Tiberias. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D)
DAY 4: JERUSALEM
This morning we drive along the Sea of Galilee to arrive at Yardenit, the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River. From here we drive to Mount Carmel to visit the Carmelite Monastery at Keren Carmel (Muhkraka), the location of Elijah’s altar. We continue via the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation of Tel Megiddo. Drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman Theater and the Roman Aqueduct. Ascend the Judean Hills to the Holy City of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)
DAY 5: JERUSALEM
After departing Jerusalem, we drive past the inn of the “Good Samaritan” and continue to the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. We travel along the site 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 can enjoy a short “float“ on the Dead Sea. Continue to Qumran where in 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a cave. Afterwards, we return to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)
DAY 6: JERUSALEM
We start the day with a visit to the Garden Tomb, followed by an orientation beside Calvary. We enter the Old City through St. Stephen’s Gate visiting the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch. View the Gabbatha pavement before proceeding to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah to visit the Western Wall, the Ophel archaeological park, where we see the Pinnacle and the visitors’ center dedicated to research of the Biblical Temple. Continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa. In the afternoon we drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Milk Grotto and the cave of St. Jerome. Return to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)
DAY 7: JERUSALEM/TEL AVIV
Drive to Mount Scopus to view the impressive home of the Hebrew University before continuing to the Mount of Olives for an outstanding view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the 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
Depart Tel Aviv on your flight back to the United States.
*(B,L,D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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