Day 1 February 5 ~ Tuesday – DESTINATION ISRAEL
Meet at 2:45pm in the departure hall, Toronto’s Pearson airport terminal 3 to check in for the EL AL flight to Tel Aviv. Leave Toronto at 5:45pm on your overnight, nonstop flight destination Israel, meals served on board.
Day 2 February 6 ~ Wednesday – WELCOME TO ISRAEL
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at noon. Meet your tour guide. Drive north through the Plain of Sharon, along the Mediterranean shore on the old coastal road known as the Via Maris, which linked Egypt and Babylon. Stop at 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. Continue to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. 1 night Bayview hotel Haifa [dinner]
Day 3 February 7 ~ Thursday – GALILEE
View 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 Leonardo hotel Tiberias ~ Sea of Galilee [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 4 February 8 ~ Friday – 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). 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 and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 5 February 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) also known in Jesus time as Scythopolis, capital of Decapolis to visit the largest ongoing 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). View Jericho, the oldest town in the world 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 (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 the first view of the Holy City. Travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity the birthplace of Jesus. 4 nights Prima Park hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 6 February 10 ~ Sunday – MASADA/ DEAD SEA
Drive through the Judean desert to the lowest point on earth 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 at a Dead Sea Beach to float on the Dead Sea– you cannot sink! Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 7 February 11 ~ Monday – JERUSALEM
Start the day on the Mt of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Stroll down the Mountain 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 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 the “Cardo”. Walk through the “Suk” the colourful bazaars, alleyways and market places to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. End the day at the Garden Tomb. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 8 February 12 ~ Tuesday – 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. 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 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 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 in the hotel. Late check out is provided. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. After dinner transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 10 February 14 ~ Thursday – CANADA
Leave Tel Aviv at 00:55am on your direct, nonstop EL AL flight to Toronto arriving at 6am, meals served on board.
Price per person is $765. Based on a minimum of 15 participants and 2 people sharing a double room. Not included: The single room supplement is $132; Exit Tax for Israel & Jordan US$55 paid in cash at border crossing; Jordan visa fee free (subject to change); Gratuity US$50
PLEASE FILL OUT THE JORDAN OPTION ON THE APPLICATION
Day 10 February 14 ~ Thursday – MADABA / UM RASAS
Travel through the Judean desert to the Allenby Bridge, cross into Jordan and meet your guide. Stop at Madaba visit the famous ancient Byzantine Mosaic map of the world. Then visit Mt Nebo where emulating Moses you can view the Promised land. Continue to visit the desert fortress at Mukawir (Machaerus) where Herod Antipas held then killed John the Baptist. Travel along the Kingsway, time permitting visit Little to Petra, en route to Petra. Overnight Petra Palace hotel 2 nights [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 11 February 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 February 16 ~ Saturday – PETRA / JERUSALEM
Get an early start and travel north along the Kings way to Mt Nebo – view the Promised land as Moses did. Cross back into Israel at the Allenby Bridge and proceed to Jerusalem. Dinner at a restaurant with good Mediterranean fare. Then transfer to Ben Gurion for your return flight to Canada. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 13 February 17 ~ Sunday – RETURN TO CANADA
Leave Tel Aviv at 00:55am on your direct, nonstop EL AL flight to Toronto arriving at 6am, meals served on board.
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** THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY IN THE ORDER YOU VISIT**
***HOTELS AS LISTED OR SIMILAR***