Day 1 March 20 Wednesday – DESTINATION ISRAEL

7:30am Meet in the departure hall at Sudbury airport to check in for the Air Canada flight to Toronto leaving at 9:55am arriving in Toronto at 10:55am. Leave Toronto at 4:55pm on the overnight nonstop Air Canada flight destination Israel, meals served on board.

Day 2 March 21 Thursday – WELCOME TO ISRAEL

Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at 9:15am. Meet your guide, drive north through the Plain of Sharon, along the Mediterranean shore on the old coastal route which linked Egypt and Babylon. Stop at Caesarea the Roman capital boasting 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. Travel to the summit of Mount Carmel at Muhraka the “burning place,” where Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30) for a breathtaking view of the Jezreel Valley. Continue to the Sea of Galilee to get a good night’s rest. 3 nights: Leonardo hotel ~ Tiberias Sea of Galilee [Dinner]

Day 3 March 22 Friday – GALILEE

Visit sites central to Jesus’ Ministry – starting at the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The Sermon On the Mount” (Matt.5). Continue to Chorazin, one of the three villages Jesus prophesied over for not accepting his teaching. Drive down to the Church of the Primacy of Peter and the church of the “feeding of the multitude” in Tabgha. Continue to Kfar Nahum, Capernaum, centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5-7 & 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). Proceed to Mt. Arbel for a great view of the area of Jesus ministry in the Galilee. Stop to visit the famous ancient fishing vessel from the time of Jesus and learn about its discovery. End the day sailing on the Sea of Galilee, with time for meditation and prayer. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 4 March 23 Saturday – GALILEE

Stop at Kursi to visit the Byzantine Monastery marking the site of the miracle of the swine. 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” where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16). Drive south in the Jordan Valley to Hazor “the head of all kingdoms” to visit the site famous for Joshua (11:1) and Deborah’s conquest with an impressive Solomonic gate. Time permitting, and for those up to it, take a walk to visit Hippos, one of the cities of the Decapolis. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 5 March 24 Sunday – JORDAN

Travel south along the Jordan Valley to the Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. Stop in Madaba to study the unique ancient mosaic map of the world from the Byzantine era. Emulating the children of Israel and Moses, stop on Mt. Nebo for a glimpse of the Promised Land. Continue south through the Moab Mountains of Ruth and Naomi fame to Mukawir to visit the desert fortress built by Herod the Great where later Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist. Travel south to Petra. 1 night: Petra Palace hotel ~ Petra [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 6 March 25 Monday – PETRA ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Get an early start, walking and riding into Petra “The Red Rock“, centre of the ancient Nabatean people and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. See the stunning charm of the Necropolis and the many magnificent sandstone edifices. Midafternoon leave Petra travelling south on the Kings Way via Ras El Naqeb to Wadi Rum of Lawrence of Arabia fame. Explore this fascinating unique sand and sand stone desert travelling by jeep through the heart of this magnificent stark terrain. Then take a camel convoy to your Bedouin tent camp where you will enjoy a sumptuous Bedouin feast. 1 night: Sun City Tent Camp – Wadi Rum [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 7 March 26 Tuesday – THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD

Leave Wadi Rum at 7:30am. Travel south toward the biblical “Etzion Gaber,” cross into Israel at the Arava terminal, then travel North through the Arava wilderness to the Dead Sea. Enjoy a unique experience “float” in the Dead Sea – you cannot sink! Visit Masada – ruins of King Herod’s mountaintop fortress and last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 73 C.E. (Ascend and descend by cable car). Ascend through the Judean Desert and enter Jerusalem as Jesus did via Mt. Scopus. Stop to recite a Psalm of ascent with your first view of the Holy City and the Temple Mt. 4 nights: Tower hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 8 March 27 Wednesday – WINDOWS INTO THE BIBLICAL PAST

Visit the Model of Jerusalem, learn about the city from the time of Jesus and visit the Shrine of the Book home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Explore King David’s City including an audio visual presentation, Warren’s shaft, the Canaanite tunnel and the pool of Siloam. Continue to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (Southern Wall Excavations) including the very same ancient steps that Jesus and the Galilean pilgrims used to enter and exit the Holy Temple. Stop at the Western Wall (Kotel), Judaism’s most sacred site then walk back in time under the city through Western Wall Tunnels (Excavations). Pay respect to the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem, National Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust. End the day in Bethlehem visiting the church of the Nativity. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 9 March 28 Thursday – JERUSALEM OLD & NEW

View the site of the Holy Temple from the Mt of Olives, then follow in the footsteps of Jesus and the Galileans, walking down the Mt. via Dominus Flevit to visit Gethsemane – the Church of All Nations. Enter the Old City and stop at the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic man. Continue through the Suk (market) along the Stations of the Cross and stop at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, then enjoy the ancient alleyways of the Old City to the Zion Gate. Visit the Church of the Last Supper and St Peter in Gallicantu, the site of Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus. End the day at the Garden Tomb remember the resurrection, with time for prayer and reflection. Stop at the Western Wall to witness the greeting of the Sabbath Bride. [Breakfast & dinner]

Day 10 March 29 Friday – JERUSALEM

Spend a day of leisure in this fascinating city. Revisit places of interest and do some shopping in the colourful “Suk” (Market Place) in the Old City. Options to consider (on your own) – spend time doing archaeological sifting at Emmek Zurrim where you can see some recently discovered Herodian floor tiles that Jesus might have walked on in the Temple; Or visit the bars and cafes in Mahane Yehuda market. Or visit the Citadel museum at the Jaffa Gate; Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. (Breakfast & dinner)

Day 11 March 30 Saturday – RETURN TO CANADA

Transfer to the airport for your return flight. Depart Tel Aviv at 10:55am on your direct nonstop Air Canada flight arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto at 4:55pm. Continue on the Air Canada flight to Sudbury at 7:30pm arriving in Sudbury at 8:40pm

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