Day 1 – February 19 – DESTINATION ISRAEL

Meet in the departure hall Toronto’s Pearson airport terminal 1 at 2pm. Leave Toronto at 4:55pm on your overnight nonstop Air Canada flight destination Israel, meals served on board.

Day 2 – February 20 – WELCOME TO ISRAEL

Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at 10:15am. Meet your tour guide. Drive north through the Plain of Sharon, along the Mediterranean shore to Caesarea the largest port in the Mediterranean built by King Herod the Great. Here Pontius Pilate had his seat; Cornelius lived and was baptized (Acts 10); Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and Philip preached (Acts 8:40). Visit the Roman Theatre, the Hippodrome, and the Crusader City. Stop at the visitors’ center to view the audio visual. Continue to your hotel on the Mediterranean Sea, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure with time to bathe in the Mediterranean or walk on the beach. 1 night Leonardo Beach ~ Haifa [Dinner]

Day 3 – February 21 – GALILEE

Visit Muhraka (the burned place) on Mt. Carmel where the prophet Elijah challenged the 400 false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30) and proceed along the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo one of King Solomon’s fortified city kingdoms (1 Kings 9:15; 10:26), 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 relive village life from the time of Jesus. View the Church of the Annunciation and travel via Mt Precipice to the Sea of Galilee. Emulating the disciples sail on the Sea of Galilee and visit the ancient boat from the time of Jesus 2 nights Ein Gev ~ Sea of Galilee [Breakfast & Dinner]

Day 4 – February 22 – 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 Philippi” and the Northern extent of Jesus’ ministry, where Peter made the confession of faith in Christ (Matt; 16:16). Continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The Sermon On The Mount” (Matt.5). Travel to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Feeding of the Multitude. Proceed to Capernaum centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5-7 & 14-15). See the remains of St Peter’s house (Matt. 8:14) and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). [Breakfast & Dinner]

Day 5 – February 23 – GALILEE – JERUSALEM

Travel south to Beit Shean where the body of King Saul and his sons were placed on the walls by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10) also known in Jesus day as Scythopolis, capital of Decapolis. Visit the impressive Roma/Byzantine/Omayyad ruins. Drive through the Jordan Valley, where the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2) towards Jericho, the oldest town in the world (which you will see from a distance). Visit Qasr El Yahud on the Jordan River where John Baptised Jesus. Stop at Qumran, home of the Cult of the Judean Desert, where a shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) in a nearby cave. Then ascend through the Judean Desert Wilderness to the Holy City – golden Jerusalem as the Galileans did stopping on Mt Scopus to recite a Psalm of Ascent and enjoy your first spectacular view of the Holy City. Continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity the birthplace of Jesus. 5 nights Ramat Rachel Guest House hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & Dinner]

Day 6 – February 24 – JERUSALEM

Drive to the top of Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Stroll down the Mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane at the Church of All Nations. Continue along the Kidron valley, the valley of Jehoshaphat, to see the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James to Mt Zion. Visit the Upper Room (Room of the Last Super), King David’s Tomb and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on the site of High Priest Caiaphas’ home to see the ancient stairs Jesus might have walked on. Enter the Old City through Zion Gate, walk through the Armenian and the Jewish Quarter. Visit the ancient street the “Cardo”. Continue through the “Suk” (the colourful bazaar), alleyways and market places to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit King David’s City including: the Canaanite tunnel and the Pools of Siloam. Participate in community prayers at the King of Kings Pavilion. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Day 7 – February 25 – MASADA/ DEAD SEA

Take a journey back in time through the Western Wall Tunnels along the Temple Mt then continue to the Pools of Bethesda at St. Anne’s Church. Exit the city at St Stephen’s the Lions Gate. Drive through the Judean desert to Genesis land where you meet with Abraham and enjoy biblical folklore and camel rides. Travel through the wilderness down to the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea (over 1300 feet below sea level). Continue south view Ein Gedi an Oasis in the desert en route to Masada. Ascend by cable car to the summit of King Herod the Great’s desert fortress, later the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in the revolt against Rome(73 ace). Travel north along the Dead Sea en route to Jerusalem stop to float on the Dead Sea – enjoy a remarkable experience, you cannot sink! [Breakfast & Dinner]

Day 8 – February 26 – JERUSALEM

Start the day at Yad Vashem – national memorial and Museum of the Shoah (Holocaust), pay tribute to the six million victims of the Shoah (Holocaust) in Europe 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 – visit the Shrine of the Book home of the Dead Sea Scrolls the oldest Bible manuscripts and the Model of ancient Jerusalem describing the city from the time of Jesus. Enter the Old city view the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque built on the Temple Mount. Visit the South Western Wall of the Temple Mount and the Davidson Centre including the very same steps that Jesus and the Galileans used to enter and exit the Holy Temple. Stop at the Western Wall (Kotel) to visit Judaism’s most sacred site. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Day 9 – February 27 – JERUSALEM

Spend a day of leisure in this fascinating city. If flying EL AL = Check out is at 11am you can leave your luggage with security. 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. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel.[Breakfast & Dinner]

Day 10 – February 28 – CANADA

Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada. Leave Tel Aviv at 11:50am flying on a nonstop flight to Toronto arriving at 4:55pm, meals served on board.

AN OPTION IS AVAILABLE TO EXTEND YOUR STAY AND/OR TRAVEL TO PETRA IN JORDAN, ONE OF THE 7 WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD. EMAIL AVIE avie@ihtours.com FOR DETAILS.

HOTELS AS LISTED OR SIMILAR

PLEASE NOTE THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY IN THE ORDER YOU VISIT

REQUIRE A SMARTPHONE OR SIM CARD IN ISRAEL ORDER ONLINE HERE