Day 1 – Monday
With much excitement and anticipation you prepare to leave for Tel Aviv during the early afternoon from your hometown.
Day 2 –Tuesday
After just completing a transatlantic flight , pilgrims eagerly board modern air-conditioned coach for Jerusalem. It is here that you will check in to a four star deluxe hotel and then off for an evening of sight seeing. The illuminated Old City is beautiful and the soft air touches the heart and soul of the Pilgrim. The first day in Israel comes to a close and sleep comes easy in the land of the Bible.
Overnight: Jerusalem (breakfast, dinner)
Day 3 – Wednesday:
A full day has been planned for all to enjoy.
Mt. of Olives - The first stop after breakfast will be the Mt. of Olives where Jesus ascended into heaven. This is also the place where the Messiah taught His Disciple about the end of the world. Take a moment to reflect back to that day and time while your eyes gaze upon the panoramic view of the Holy City.The presence of God is all about, cast your eyes toward the Eastern Gate, and envision the triumphant return of our Lord in all His glory.
Tomb of the Prophets - The pilgrims press on to their next destination,
the tombs of Zechariah, Haggai and Malachi.
Garden of Gathsemane – Next you walk the short distance from the tomb of the prophets to the Garden of Gathsemane. It is here that you can walk and pray among the olive trees as our Lord did nearly 2,000 years ago. What an impact that night has had on the world when the Son of God submitted to the will of his Father.
Mt. Zion - Pilgrims will go up to Mt. Zion, and visit the Upper Room where Jesus served the Last Supper. Jesus and His disciples celebrated Passover here while they listening to the Master as He taught about the New Covenant. In addition to the Upper Room, Mt. Zion is where is believed that the tomb of King David is located.
From Mt. Zion you walk into the Old City with all of its sights, sounds and smells.
You will visit at the Jewish Quarter, the Cardo (3,000-year-old street), and Catros House. If it is possible you can shop in the Arab market to end this day.
Pool of Bethesda- In Roman times it was believed that one could be healed here when the waters were troubled by the Angel of the Lord. It was at this place that Jesus healed the man who had been sick for 38 years. Jesus told him “to get up, pick up your bed and walk”.(John 5: 1-16)
Church of St. Anne- Inside a courtyard near the Lion’s Gate stands a Crusader-era church named St. Anne’s Church. It is said to stand on the home of the Virgin Mary’s parents. Because of the way the church was constructed with its high domed ceiling this church is a wonderful place to sing hymns and praise songs.
Overnight: Jerusalem (breakfast,dinner)
Day 4 - Thursday:
A day is planned for you in the city of Jerusalem.
Temple Mt. - After a hearty breakfast you will go up on the Temple Mt. This is the most sacred piece of land in the entire world.It has been said of the Temple Mount that this is the navel of the world. Here is where the Temple of the Most High God once stood in mighty splendor and will again one day. The last Temple built by King Herod was destroyed by the Roman Army in 70 AD.
eastern Wall. You will have a wonderful time of prayer and meditation at Israel’s second most sacred site. Let your request be known unto God and place your written prayers in the cracks between the stones.
Rabbi’s Tunnel. This tunnel runs underground along the base of the Temple Mount. It is an aqua duct that was used to bring fresh water from outside into the Temple area to clean the altar after the sacrifices.
Southern Steps of the Temple Mount and the Eastern Gate. The southern steps had been one of the entrances to the temple Mount area and a place where Rabbi’s taught their followers. Jesus will enter the Eastern Gate and will set on the throne in the new Temple when He returns to rule and reign over the whole earth.
Golgotha (Gordon’s Calvary). Galgotha is where many believe that Jesus was crucified for the sins of all mankind. He was buried in the Garden Tomb below from which he arose after the third day. Victory over hell, death and the grave is ours, because He has risen.
Yad Vashem. The last stop of the day will be the Holocaust Museum.
Overnight: Jerusalem (breakfast, dinner)
Day 5 – Friday:
A day trip is planned
Bethlehem. After breakfast you board the coach and travel south to the town of Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity . Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity is the oldest Church in the Holy Land still in use. The first Church was built over the Grotto of the Nativity in the 4th century A.D under under the patronage of Emperor Constantine's mother Helena. The church has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times until the 11th century when the Crusaders renovated it the last time.
Shepard's Field. This is the area outside of the town of Bethlehem where Shepard’s for centuries watched over their flocks by night and day.
Absalom Stalagmite Cave. In case it is decided not to visit Bethlehem you will enjoy a visit to this natural wonder by viewing the magnificent stalactite and stalagmite caves.
Ein Karem - This beautiful quite village is the birthplace of John the Baptist. Also found in Ein Karem is the Church of the Visitation and John in the Mountains Monastery.
Jerusalem New City - As the day closes out pilgrims will step back in time to pre-70 AD as they view Jerusalem and the Temple in all its glory at the Holyland Hotel (25 NIS per person). This is the largest model of the old city in the world.
Overnight: Jerusalem (breakfast, dinner)
Day 6 – Saturday:
A full day along the costal plains.
Caesarea – You will visit Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea the site of one of Herod's magnificent, opulent palaces. But most importantly this is the port from which the Apostle Paul departed on his missionary journeys to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the end of the Apostle Paul’s ministry he was taken from this port in shackles, heading to Rome, where it is believed he was martyred.
Mt. Carmel - Standing on top of Mt. Carmel the pilgrim will observe the place Elijah defeated the 450 prophets of Baal. In addition the pilgrim will observe from the top of the Muhraka Monastery another excellent view of the Jezreel Valley.
Beit Shearim - Not far from Haifa is the ancient site of Beit Shearim. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and the repression of the Bar Kochba Revolt in 135 CE, Beit Shearim became a major Jewish center in the Galilee. Following the burial here in 220 CE of Rabbi Judah HaNassi, who codified the Mishna here, Bet Shearim became a popular burial place for both Holy Land and Diaspora Jews. Excavations have uncovered a network of catacombs filled with intricately carved sarcophagi with many bas reliefs and frescoes.
Haifa - The breathtaking view of the Haifa Harbor can be captured from the beautiful Persian Gardens of the Baha'i Temple. Also found in Haifa is the Tomb of the Prophet Elisha and the cave it is believed that Elijah lived in.
Overnight: Tiberias (breakfast, dinner)
Day 7 – Sunday:
A full day around the Sea of Galilee.
Capernaum - Capernaum was a fishing village which served as home for Jesus’ during His ministry. Visit the house of Peter mother-in-law a disciple of Jesus. Also located in
Capernaum is one of the oldest synagogue ruins in the Galilee
Tabgha - Next we will visit the Church of the Multiplication. This is where the feeding of the five thousand took place. The simple Chapel of the Primacy stands on the shore of the lake. It was built on the spot where the risen Christ appeared to his disciples, who were fishing on the lake.
Bethsaida – Bethsaida was a small fishing village in the Galilee. It is said that Jesus was seen walking on the water from here.
Korazim - The Sermon on the Mount was preached at this location. It is one of the most familiar sections of the New Testament and it teaches the well-known lessons of the Beatitudes.
Sea of Galilee boat ride- Enjoy a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and then stop off at
the Jordan river for a time of spiritual blessing and baptism.
Overnight: Tiberias (breakfast, dinner)
Day 8- Monday:
Today we travel the northern Galilee.
Gamla - At Gamla you will walk the ruins of an ancient city destroyed by the Romans 67AD . Sit in the ruins of the synagogue that Jesus more than likely taught in. You can listen to the distant waterfalls and marvel at the large vultures and eagles that soar on the heights above.
Tel Bental - Stand atop a volcano that rises 1400 feet above sea level and see the plains of Syria where many modern and ancient battles have been fought. To the north you can view the snowcaps of Mt. Hermon .
Tel Dan - An ancient city and is the source of one of the largest branches of the Jordan River. In biblical times it marked Israel’s northern border. It is now located in 100 acres of a glorious nature reserve.
Caesarea Philippi (Banias) - “Who do you say that I am”? Jesus asked his disciples this question at this very spot. And Peter said, “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. And Jesus replied “Upon this rock I shall build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. (Matthew 16:16-18)
Overnight: Tiberias (breakfast, dinner)
Day 9 - Tuesday:
We continue the tour of the Galilee.
Mt. Tabor - Pilgrims will visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration, the site where Jesus was transfigured. The view from atop Mt.Tabor is one of the most breathtaking panoramas in Israel.
Tel Megiddo –This Tel consists of twenty civilizations built one on top of another. The Jezreel Valley surrounds the Tel, giving you an in the round view of where the Battle of Armageddon will take place.
Nazareth - Jesus grew up in the village of Nazareth until his ministry began at the age of 30. In Nazareth the pilgrim will see the Basilica of the Annunciation, the workshop of Joseph and Mary’s well.
Cana - Jesus performed his first miracle in Cana by turning water into wine at a friend's wedding.
Zipori (Sepphoris) - These ruins date back to the first Temple period and give the pilgrim an intimate view of the remnants of a complete pre-Roman Jewish town along with a Roman theatre. It is the home of the famous Mona Lisa of the Galilee.
Overnight: Tiberias (breakfast, dinner)
Day 10 - Wednesday:
A day in the Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea area.
Zefat – This is the ancient city of where Jewish scholars study Kabbalah. Zefat is one of the four holy cities in the land of Israel.
resting place of many important Rabbi’s of the past. Zefat‘s old part of town consists of narrow streets where you can shop the art galleries and visit the medieval synagogues.
Akko – Akko is located on the Mediterranean Sea and became the Holy Land capital for the Crusaders. The historic city has many interesting sites including the Crusader’s Tunnels, Inn of the Columns. Tel Akko is about a mile inland and was the home of the Canaanite’s as far back as three thousand years ago.
Rosh Hanikra - Located in the hinterland at the northwestern Israeli border is the natural wonder of Rosh Hanikra. It’s white chalk cliffs plunge down into the blue Mediterranean Sea. At the bottom of the cliffs the sea has eaten into the sandstone cutting out large caves. You will be able to ride to the top in cable cars and wind your way down through the caves all the way to the bottom.
Overnight: Hiafa (breakfast,dinner)
Day 11 – Thursday:
A day in the Negev Desert.
Qumran – In this area is located the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a young shepherd boy. Legend has it John the Baptist once studied here with the Jewish religious sect the Essenes.
EnGedi - En Gedi is a tropical paradise in the desert and was a source of renewal and strength for David and his men as they fled King Saul. King David wrote in the Psalms “As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, my God. (Psalms 42:1)
Dead Sea –We will briefly visit and experience the warm waters of the Dead Sea with the salt content 28 times stronger than any ocean and is said to offer many medicinal remedies.
Masada - Once the Palace of Herod, and then a refuge for Zealots, it is considered by some the Gamla of the South. Eventually conquered by the Romans Massada offers a magnificent view of the Dead Sea and surrounding area .
Overnight: Dead Sea (breakfast, dinner)
Day 12 – Friday
The Small Crater - Coaches will take the Scorpion Accent, which was originally a Roman road, to the rim of The Small Crater. Atop the rim you will experience the awesomeness of God, this is truly a place of worship. Prophets came to the desert to hear from God…..listen!
Jerusalem –You will travel back to Jerusalem for one last visit to the western wall to pray and to say goodbye to the city of God.
Tel Aviv - We will travel to Ben Gurion airport for our flight home with a lifetime of memories to keep.
Monday - Flight from US to Israel
Tuesday - Arrival and transfer to Jerusalem, orientation and sightseeing
Wednesday – Full day in Jerusalem
Thursday - Full day Jerusalem
Friday - Bethlehem, Absalom Stalagmite Cave, Ein Karem, Holy land Hotel
Saturday - Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Beit Shearim, Haifa
Sunday - Capernaum, Tabgha, Bethsaida, Korazim, Sea of Galilee
Monday - Gamala, Tel Bental, Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi
Tuesday - Mt. Tabor, Tel Megiddo, Nazareth, Cana, Zipori
Wednesday - Zefat, Akko, Rosh Hanikra
Thursday - Qumran, En Gedi, Dead Sea, Masada
Friday - Small Crater, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Return to US (arrive Saturday)
· 10 Nights in a first class hotels
· 2 Meals a day
· Long distance coach from pick up to drop off
· All attractions in the itinerary
· Local english speaking tour guide for the entire trip
· Porterage and gratuities
· Free Service for the organizer