Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Meet at the Airport to depart our flight to Israel – The Holy Land
Thursday, May 23
Arrival at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv. "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey." (Deuteronomy 8:7) Transfer to our Hotel in Tel Aviv. The rest of the day free to explore this amazing city.
Dinner and overnight at the Prima City Tel Aviv.
Friday, May 24
After an Israeli buffet breakfast, board our deluxe Motorcoach and head north to Caesarea - a city built by Herod the Great, who made it the "secular" capital of his state. It was in Caesarea that the residence of the Judean governor Pontius Pilate was located. It is also where the apostle Paul was held in captivity, and the apostle Peter baptized the Roman centurion Cornelius. Mukhraka - the site of the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the pagan priests. "And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon." (Revelation 16:16) Visit to the MegiddoNational Archaeological Park. The city of King Solomon, the remains of its walls, gates, wells, and stables will bear witness to the great "Battle of Armageddon," the final battle between Good and Evil. "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth." (Matthew 2:23) Nazareth: Before Nazareth visit Mt. Tabor the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus and on to Nazareth to the Basilica of the Annunciation and the house of Joseph, where Jesus spent His childhood. Continue to Tiberias for Dinner and overnight at the Prima Galil hotel.
Dinner
Saturday, May 25
After breakfast begin our day at the Sea of Galilee. "And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd." (Luke 9:16) Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. "And again He began to teach by the sea..." (Mark 4:1). The Sea of Galilee, whose shores witnessed the events of Jesus' preaching: healings, miracles, and teachings. Kibbutz Ginossar. "And He came to Capernaum, a city of Galilee." (Luke 4:31) Capernaum, the city where Jesus began His preaching ministry. No city received such an honored title as Capernaum. The evangelists called it "His own city." "And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him." (Matthew 5:1) The Mount of Beatitudes, the location of the Sermon on the Mount. Magdala - the birthplace of Mary Magdalene. Back to Tiberias for Dinner and overnight.
Dinner
Sunday, May 26
We ascend the Golan Heights. Sites of battles in the wars for Israel's defense. Prayer on the Golan for Israel's borders. The Banias National Park (Caesarea Philippi) one of the sources of the Jordan River - where Jesus asked His disciples and gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:13-20). The Dan National Park. Continue to Mount Ben-Tal, observing the border with Syria. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Dinner
Monday, May 27
After Breakfast, drive to Jerusalem. Begin our day at “Yardenit” the baptismal site at the Jordan River Visit Beth Shean- an ancient city in the Decapolis, the place of Saul's death. Drive south along the Jordan River to Qumran - the place of discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, likely inhabited by the Essene sect. "So says the LORD: I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy, my house shall be built in it..." (Zechariah 1:16) Arrive in Jerusalem and proceed to the Mount of Olives: an observation point overlooking the Temple Mount. The tombs of the prophets Haggai and Malachi. Prophecies about Jerusalem in the Old and New Testaments. "But He answered and said to them, 'Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.'" (Matthew 24:2). Check in to the Prima Park hotel. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Dinner
Tuesday, May 28
After breakfast begin our exciting tour in this Holy City. "They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.'" (Mark 14:32) The Garden of Gethsemane: the place of prayer over the Cup, betrayal, and the arrest of Jesus, marked today by the famous Church of All Nations. The Western Wall - the main Jewish shrine, a mournful reminder of the destroyed Temple. "And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified." (Matthew 27:31) Via Dolorosa - The Way of the Cross. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a grand testimony to the birth, struggle, and triumph of Christianity. Davidson Center - an archaeological museum near the Western Wall, displaying the results of excavations from the time of the Second Temple. Here, a film is shown that recreates the atmosphere and life of the Second Temple period. Additionally, an interactive virtual model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period has been created using modern computer technology, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the ambiance of that time. Hezekiah's Wall. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Dinner
Wednesday, May 29
Begin our day at The City of David - an archaeological park at the site where the construction of Jerusalem began in the time of King David. Hezekiah's Tunnel. Pool of Siloam. Mount Zion: "...where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" (Mark 14:14) The Upper Room of the Last Supper, where Jesus held His final Passover Seder and where, fifty days later, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. "And David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David." (3 Kings 2:10) Visit to the synagogue on Mount Zion, where the tomb of King David is located - warrior, poet, founder of Jerusalem, and author of the Psalms. "Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.'" (Matthew 26:34) Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu - a Franciscan church built on the site of the house of the high priest Caiaphas, where Peter denied Jesus three times. "He is not here; for He is risen." (Matthew 28:6) Golgotha. The Tomb in the Garden: the place of crucifixion and burial, identified by the English general and Protestant Charles Gordon.
Dinner and overnight stay in Jerusalem.
Dinner
Thursday, May 30
After Breakfast check out of or hotel for our last stop. Drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity built over the traditional site of the birth place of Jesus. Drive east and than along the shore of the Dead Sea the Lowest point on Earth!! Arrive Masada and the history of the Roman conquest of Judea. It is here that the surviving remnants of the participants of the Great Jewish Revolt took refuge. Their tragedy on the top of Masada became a symbol of Israel's invincibility. Check in to the Oasis hotel for Dinner and overnight.
Dinner
Friday, May 31
Enjoy the hotel spa and the Dead Sea, shop for Dead Sea products based on the Mineral rich waters and rest before we return home. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.
Dinner
Saturday, June 1
Early transfer to the airport for our flight back home.
