Day 1 – Tuesday May 1 – DESTINATION – THE HOLY LAND

Meet in Toronto’s Pearson airport 8pm at the Turkish Air check in counter for your overnight nonstop flight at 10:25pm to Istanbul. (meals served en route).

Day 2 – Wednesday May 2 – WELCOME TO ISRAEL

Arrive at Istanbul airport at 3:15pm. Board your flight to Tel Aviv leaving at 6:05pm destination Israel. Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport 8pm. Meet your tour guide. Travel to Jaffa of Jonah and the whale and Tabitha fame, stop to see Simon the Tanner’s House and enjoy a spectacular view of the port and Tel Aviv. 1 night Leonardo Plaza hotel ~ Natanya [dinner]

Day 3 – Thursday May 3 – GALILEE

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 to visit Caesarea Maritima. Here King Herod the Great built the largest port in the Mediterranean; 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, the Crusader City and stop at the visitors’ center to view the audio visual presentation. 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 en route to Megiddo. Stop to visit one of King Solomon’s fortified city kingdoms (1 Kings 9:15; 10:26), with 20 levels of impressive ruins. From here the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as you read about the final Battle ~ Armageddon, while viewing the fertile plains of the Jezreel. Proceed to Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus. Visit Nazareth Village where you relive village life from the time of Jesus. End the day emulating the disciples with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Kibbutz Gennosar and visit the ancient boat from the time of Jesus that was discovered in the Sea of Galilee. 2 nights Leonardo hotel ~ Tiberias Sea of Galilee [breakfast/dinner]

Day 4 – Friday May 4 – 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 Korazin a village from Jesus’ time with ruins of a First Century Synagogue one of three villages Jesus prophesied over “Woe to thee….” Stop on the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The Sermon On the Mount” (Matt.5). Proceed to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter. Proceed to 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 and worshipped (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). Time permitting stop at Kursi ruins of an impressive Byzantine monastery near the miracle of the demonic man and swine. [breakfast/dinner]

Day 5 – Saturday May 5 – GALILEE – JERUSALEM

Travel south to visit 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. Drive through the Jordan Valley, where the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). Stop at Qasr el Yahud where John baptised Jesus. 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. 5 nights Caesar hotel ~ Jerusalem [breakfast/dinner]

Day 6 – Sunday May 6 – JERUSALEM

Drive to the top of Mount 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 walking through Zion Gate and the Armenian Quarter to the Jewish Quarter. Visit the Roman/Byzantine/Crusader Street called 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 for communion. [breakfast/dinner]

Day 7 – Monday May 7 – 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 to visit the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls the oldest Bible manuscripts and the Model of ancient Jerusalem describing the city from the Second Temple Period, 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 impressive excavations along the South Western Wall of the Temple Mount at the Southern Wall Archaeological Park 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 then take a journey back in time through the Western Wall Tunnels under the city 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 [breakfast/dinner]

Day 8 – Tuesday May 8 – MASADA/ DEAD SEA

Drive through the Judean desert towards Jericho, the oldest town in the world (which you will see from a distance) 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 for a unique experience float on the Dead Sea the saltiest body of water in world – you cannot sink! Return to Jerusalem. [breakfast/dinner]

Day 9 – Wednesday May 9 – 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. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. [breakfast/dinner]

Day 10 – Thursday May 10 – CANADA

After an early light breakfast transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada leaving Tel Aviv at 10am flying via Istanbul to Toronto. Arrive in Istanbul just after noon. Continue at 2:15pm on your Turkish Air flight to Toronto arriving at 5:50pm.

TAKE THE OPTIONAL 3 NIGHT JORDAN EXTENSION – Please mark yes on the Application

Cost per person $699 Based on: Minimum 8 participants & 2 people sharing a room. Including 3 nights at select hotels ½ board; all sites listed; short assisted horse ride (Petra). Not included: Single supplement $174 Exit tax Israel & Jordan US$75 & gratuity Jordan US$50 per person; Jordan visa free (subject to change); Carriage/camel in Petra; Lunch; Extras in hotel drinks as taken; Travel Insurance

Day 10 – Thursday May 10 – MADABA

Travel through the Judean desert to the Allenby Bridge, cross into Jordan and meet your guide. Madaba visit the famous ancient Byzantine Mosaic map of the world. Continue to Mt. Nebo where emulating Moses you will view the Promised Land. Travel south and stop to visit little Petra. Overnight Petra Palace hotel 2 nights [breakfast/dinner]

Day 11 – Friday May 11 – 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, and the roman theatre. [breakfast/dinner]

Day 12 – Saturday May 12 – JERUSALEM

Travel north on the king’s way to the Allenby bridge. Like Joshua and the children of Israel cross back into Israel opposite Jericho and proceed to Jerusalem. Remainder of the day at leisure in Jerusalem. 1 night Caesar Jerusalem [breakfast/dinner]

Day 13 – Sunday May 13 – CANADA

After an early light breakfast transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada leaving Tel Aviv at 10am flying via Istanbul to Toronto. Arrive in Istanbul just after noon. Continue at 2:15pm on your Turkish Air flight to Toronto arriving at 5:50pm

WANT A SMARTPHONE OR SIM CARD IN ISRAEL ORDER ONLINE HERE

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

***HOTELS AS LISTED OR SIMILAR***