Joining an organized tour group is an easy and carefree travel experience. Our specialized tours are especially designed by our experienced local staff based in the countries you will be visiting: Israel Jordan, Egypt, Greece and Turkey. These special theme tours are led by tour leaders and all aspects of the tour will be taken care of from the registration process and until you get back home. The tours include most expenses: Flights, Hotels, 2 meals a day, guide, tourist bus, transfers and entrance fees.
Day 1 Jaffa – Ceasarea
Arrive in Tel Aviv to meet your tour guide. Tour Jaffa, see Simon the Tanner’s House as you stroll through the picturesque port city of winding alleys, art galleries and boutiques. Enjoy a spectacular view of port and Tel Aviv. Drive north through the Plain of Sharon, along the Mediterranean shore on the old coastal road known as the Via Maris, which once linked Egypt and Babylon. Stop at Caesarea the largest port in the Mediterranean built by King Herod the Great. Visit the Roman Theatre, the Hippodrome, and the Crusader City. Stop at the visitors’ center to view the audio visual. Walk along the beach (Mediterranean) and see the sunset before dinner.
Dinner and overnight in Tel Aviv or Haifa
Day 2 Mt. Carmel - Megiddo- Nazareth
Travel to Muhraka on Mt. Carmel where the prophet Elijah challenged the 400 false prophets of Baal. Drive along the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, with impressive ruins of 20 levels of civilization. From here the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as you read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the fertile plains of the Jezreel. Proceed to Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus, visit Nazareth Village and the Church of the Annunciation. Continue via Cana site of the first miracle changing water into wine. End the day emulating the disciples with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Kibbutz Gennosar and visit the ancient boat from the time of Jesus that was discovered in the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight by the Sea of Galilee
Day 3 Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee
Drive north along the foot of the Golan Heights to visit Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River, site of ancient “Caesarea Philipi” where Peter made the confession of faith in Christ. Continue to Korazin a village from Jesus’ time with ruins of a First Century Synagogue one of three villages Jesus prophesied over. Continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The Sermon On The Mount”. Walk down the mountain to Tabgha, visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter. Proceed to Capernaum Centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles. See the remains of St. Peter’s house and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped. Time permitting stopping at Kursi ruins of an impressive Byzantine monastery.
Dinner and overnight by the Sea of Galilee
Day 4 Jerusalem
Travel south to Beit Shean where the body of King Saul and his sons were placed on the walls by the Philistines, also known as Scythopolis, capital of Decapolis - view the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel. Drive through the Jordan Valley and continue south along the shores of the Dead Sea to Qumran, home of the Cult of the Judean Desert, where a shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls in a nearby cave. Then ascend through the Judean Desert Wilderness to the Holy city of Jerusalem as the Galileans did, stopping on Mt. Scopus to recite a Psalm of Ascent and enjoy the first view of the Holy City. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Baptism Ceremony will be at Yardenit by the Sea of Galilee in the morning or at Kaser El Yehud by the Dead Sea at noon according to your choice.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 5 Old City of Jerusalem
Drive to the top of Mount of Olives, for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Tracing the footsteps of Jesus, stroll down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane the Church of All Nations. Continue along the Kidron, the Valley of Jehoshaphat, past the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James en route to Mt Zion. Visit the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper), King David’s Tomb and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on the site of High Priest Caiphas’ home. Enter the Old City walking through Zion Gate and the Armenian Quarter to the Jewish Quarter. Visit the Roman/Byzantine/Crusader Street called the “Cardo.” Continue down the “Upper Hill” view the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque built on the Temple Mount en route to the Southern Wall Archaeological Park and the Davidson Centre. Visit the impressive excavations along the South Western Wall of the Temple Mount. Continue to the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest spot. End the day at the Garden Tomb for communion before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 New Jerusalem - Bethlehem
Start the day at Yad Vashem – national memorial and Museum of the Holocaust, pay tribute to the six million victims during the Second World War. Visit the new Museum, the Children’s Memorial and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous Amongst the Nations commemorating those who risked their own lives to save Jewish souls. Continue to the Israel Museum to visit the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls the oldest Bible manuscripts and the Model of ancient Jerusalem. Visit King David’s City including multimedia ruins of King David’s city, the Canaanite tunnel and the Pools of Siloam. Proceed along the path of Palm Sunday to the Pools of Bethesda at St. Anne’s Church and through the colorful bazaars, alleyways and market places along the Stations of the Cross to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Proceed to Bethlehem birthplace of Jesus to visit the Church of the Nativity the birthplace of Jesus.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem
Day 7 Masada – Dead Sea
Drive through the Judean desert towards Jericho, the oldest town in the world which you will see from a distance to the lowest point on earth the Dead Sea (over 1300 feet below sea level). Continue south to Masada. Ascend by cable car to the summit of King Herod the Greats’ desert fortress, later the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in the revolt against Rome. Travel north along the Dead Sea en route to Jerusalem stop at Mineral Beach to float on the Dead Sea, the saltiest body of water in world. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 8 Jerusalem
Spend a day of leisure in this fascinating city. Check out of the hotel at noon (luggage can be left with security). Time to re-visit the Old City for shopping in the bazaars or walk through the new city for shopping along Jaffa Road and Ben Yehuda Street. Visit one of the many Museums that Jerusalem has to offer or simply relax at the hotel and prepare for your late evening departure. Enjoy a farewell dinner for your last day in Israel.
Day 9 Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
** Program can be customized and other activities and sites of interest can be arranged
Visit Local communities and industries
Plant Trees in the Land
Evening out for local shows
Biblical garden and meal
Desert Camp and camel ride
Visit an Army Base and more
St. Peter’s Fish lunch with Boat Ride
EXTENSIONS TO JORDAN AND/OR EGYPT
