Day 1 November 5 ~ Tuesday DESTINATION ISRAEL
8pm Meet in the departure hall at Pearson airport, in Terminal 3, to check in for the EL AL flight to Tel Aviv. Leave Toronto at 11pm on your overnight, direct, nonstop EL AL flight, destination Israel. Meals served on board.
Day 2 November 6 ~ Wednesday – WELCOME TO ISRAEL
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport 4:20pm. Meet your tour guide. Continue via Jaffa, of Jonah and the whale and Tabitha fame to your hotel. 1 night: hotel TBA ~ Tel Aviv region [dinner]
Day 3 November 7 ~ Thursday – GALILEE
Drive north through the Plain of Sharon, along the coastal road to Caesarea to visit 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. View Muhraka (the burned place) on Mt. Carmel where the prophet Elijah challenged the 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 25 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 to relive village life from the time of Jesus. View the Church of the Annunciation as you travel to the Sea of Galilee. 2 nights: Kinar hotel ~ Sea of Galilee [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 4 November 8 ~ Friday – JESUS’ MINISTRY IN THE GALILEE
Emulating the disciples sail on the Sea of Galilee and visit the ancient boat from the time of Jesus. 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). Proceed to Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5; 14-7; 9; 1-7; 17: 18). See the remains of St Peter’s house and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). Time permitting visit Mt Arbel for a spectacular view of the area of Jesus’ ministry around the Sea of Galilee. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 5 November 9 ~ Saturday – 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). Later known, in Jesus’ time as Scythopolis, capital of Decapolis where one visits the largest archaeological dig in the land of Israel. Drive through the Jordan Valley, where the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). 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 (1947), in a nearby cave. Ascend through the Judean Desert (Wilderness) to the Holy City – golden Jerusalem, as the Galileans did. Stop on Mt Scopus to recite a Psalm of Ascent and enjoy the first view of the Holy City. Travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus. Due to Sabbath late check in at the hotel. 5 nights: Caesar hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 6 November 10 ~ Sunday – JERUSALEM
Start the day at Yad Vashem – national memorial and Museum of the Shoah (Holocaust), where you 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 at great personal risk saved Jewish souls. Continue to the Israel Museum to visit the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Bible manuscripts and the adjacent Model of ancient Jerusalem describing the city from the time of Jesus. Visit King David’s City including: a fascinating multimedia presentation, ruins of King David’s city, the Canaanite tunnel and the Pools of Siloam. Enter the Old city, view the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque built on the Temple Mount. Visit the Southern 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 the imposing 2000 year old massive remnant of Temple Jesus knew. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 7 November 11 ~ Monday – 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 (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 Super), King David’s Tomb and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on the site of High Priest Caiaphas’ home. Enter the Old City, walk through Zion Gate, the Armenian and the Jewish Quarter. Visit the ancient street, known in antiquity as the “Cardo,” walk through the “Suk,” the colourful bazaars and alleyways to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. End the day at the Garden Tomb. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 8 November 12 ~ Tuesday – MASADA / DEAD SEA
Drive through the Judean desert 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, where David fled the wrath of King Saul, en route to Masada. Ascend/descend by cable car to the summit of King Herod the Great’s imposing, remote, desert fortress, later the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in the revolt against Rome (73 ace). Travel north along the Dead Sea, stop at a Dead Sea beach to float on the Dead Sea– you cannot sink! [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 9 November 13 ~ Wednesday – JERUSALEM
Spend a day of leisure in this fascinating city. With 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. Late check out is provided. After a farewell dinner, transfer to Tel Aviv airport for the return flight. [Breakfast & dinner] OR OVERNIGHT IN THE HOTEL, THEN JOIN THE UNIQUE OPTIONAL 4 DAY (3 NIGHT) JORDAN TOUR EXTENSION STARTING November 14, 2019
Day 10 November 14 ~ Thursday – CANADA
Leave Tel Aviv at 1am on your direct nonstop EL AL return flight to Toronto arriving at 6:15am, meals served on board.
Day 10 November 14 ~ Thursday – MADABA / MACHAERUS
Travel through the Judean desert to the Allenby Bridge, cross into Jordan and meet your guide. Stop at Madaba to visit the famous ancient Byzantine Mosaic map of the world. Then visit Mt Nebo where emulating Moses you can view the Promised land. Travel through the Moab wilderness and stop to visit the desert fortress at Mukawir (Machaerus), where Herod Antipas held, then killed, John the Baptist. Travel along the Kingsway to Petra. 2 nights: Petra Palace hotel [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 11 November 15 ~ Friday – PETRA
Enjoy a full day in Petra, the Red Rock, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world visiting the lost Nabatean necropolis. Start with an easy horseback ride; continue on foot through the “Siq” a narrow immense colourful canyon, which ends at the famous treasury. Visit the many ancient temples, tombs, mosaics and the Roman theatre. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 12 November 16 ~ Saturday – PETRA / JERUSALEM
Get an early start and travel north along the Kings way to cross back into Israel at the Allenby Bridge and proceed to Jerusalem. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Jerusalem. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Abu Ghosh, a possible site of biblical Emmaus, at a restaurant with good Mediterranean fare, then transfer to Ben Gurion for your return flight. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 13 November 17 ~ Sunday – RETURN TO CANADA
Leave Tel Aviv at 1am on your nonstop direct, EL AL flight to Toronto, arriving at 6:15am, meals served on board.
HOTELS AS LISTED OR SIMILAR
**PLEASE NOTE THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY IN THE ORDER YOU VISIT**
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