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 stop is Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Feeding of Five Thousand, to see the chapel built over the rock commemorating the primacy of Peter. Then, we visit Capernaum, the city of Jesus and Peter to see the house of Peter and an ancient synagogue where Jesus preached and gathered his disciples. Next, we drive across the Jordan River via the land of Gadarenes. In the afternoon we drive north to Caesarea Phillipi, now called Banias, where Peter made his confession of faith, and identified Jesus as the Messiah. And Jesus said, “thou art Peter upon this rock I will build my church”. Matt .16- 17-18. Return to Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Galilee. (B/D)
DAY 4: GALILEE
Today take a scenic drive past Cana of Galilee to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Mary’s Well. On to Keren Carmel (Muhkraka), the location of Elijah’s altar during his confrontation with the false prophets of Baal. Continue through the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation site at Tel Megiddo. On to Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 B.C. to visit the Roman Theater, the Roman Aqueduct, and the Herodian Port. It was here that Cornielius was baptized by Peter (Acts 10:24-28) and Paul was brought to trial (Acts 25). Dinner and overnight in Galilee. (B/D)
DAY 5: JERUSALEM
An early start in the morning brings us to Yardenit, a baptismal site on the bank of the Jordan River. Some groups pause for baptism here (optional). We then continue south along the Jordan River. Bypassing Jericho, we start our ascent to Jerusalem, the City of Gold. The route was the site of the funeral procession of Herod the Great, and the way Ruth and Naomi travelled back from Jordan to Bethlehem. Our first stunning view of Jerusalem comes from the top of the Mount of Olives. From here we go down to the Garden of Gethsemane and cross the Kidron Valley to Mt. Zion. We visit the traditional room commemorating the Last Supper before traveling south to Bethlehem where we visit the birthplace of Jesus inside the Church of Nativity and have time for shopping before returning to our hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)
DAY 6: JERUSALEM
Following breakfast we head southeast to The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at 1,300 feet below sea level. We explore the ancient Essene community of Qumran where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and continue on to the magnificent ruins of Masada. A modern cable car speeds us to the top of this magnificent site. We can float in the Dead Sea (optional). We return to Jerusalem late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)
DAY 7: JERUSALEM
Today we enjoy a full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. We begin at the Church of St. Anne built near the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus told the lame man to “pick up his bed and walk”. This beautiful church offers a wonderful singing experience. On to the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus took on his way to his crucifixion and resurrection, and the colorful bazaar area for lunch and shopping opportunity. Following lunch, we tour the Jewish Quarter and visit the Davidson Center and the Wailing Wall. Our tour culminates with a worship service at the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)
DAY 8: JERUSALEM/JERASH/MT NEBO/AMMAN
Early int he morning we head to the Allenby Bridge and cross over into Jordan. We drive to the city of Jerash known as the Pompeii of the East and the city of a thousand Pillars. We will have time to walk around the ancient ruins which include Hadrian’s Arch, the Hippodrome, the Forum, and the Temple of Zeus. As we leave Jerash we continue to Mount Nebo where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death. Our next stop is Madaba, the city famous for its ancient mosaics, before reaching our destination for today, the beautiful capital city of Amman. Upon arrival we devote some leisure time to walk around the city, to shop and enjoy the local culture. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (B/D)
DAY 9: AMMAN/PETRA/AMMAN
Today we enjoy a full day trip to Petra to explore “The Red Rose City”. This site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra is more than 2,000 years old and dominated the trade routes. It was completely lost and remained that way for 300 years. In 1812 it was “rediscovered”. Petra is carved out of rock deep inside a narrow gorge. We will see the Palace Tomb, the Monastery, and the Treasury to name a few. The Apostle Paul studied here for three years and Herod the Great came from this city. The movie “Indiana Jones” was filmed here as well. We return to Amman early evening. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (B/D)
DAY 10: AMMAN/NEW YORK
Transfer this morning to Amman Airport for your flight back home arriving the same day. (B)
*(B/L/D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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