Day 1 February 20 ~ Tuesday – DESTINATION ISRAEL
Meet in Winnipeg airport 6am at the West Jet check in counter for the 8:30am flight to Toronto arriving at 11:57am. Leave Toronto at 5:45pm on your overnight nonstop EL AL flight destination Israel, meals served on board.
Day 2 February 21 ~ 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. 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 22 ~ Thursday – 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 23 ~ 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). Weather permitting – walk down the mountain 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. (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 5 February 24 ~ 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 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). 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 Prima King’s hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 6 February 25 ~ Sunday – 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. Continue 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 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 End the day at the Garden Tomb. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 7 February 26 ~ Monday – 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 27 ~ 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: 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 28 ~ Wednesday – JERUSALEM
Spend a day of leisure in this fascinating city. Check out is at 11am you can leave your luggage with security. AN OPTION FOR LATE CHECK OUT AT $65 PER ROOM IS AVAILABLE. FILL OUT THIS OPTION ON THE APPLICATION. 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 at a Restaurant in Emmaus (Abu Ghosh) with good Mediterranean fare. Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 10 March 1 ~ Thursday – CANADA
Leave Tel Aviv at 0:50am flying on a nonstop EL AL flight to Toronto arriving at 7am, meals served on board. Continue on your West Jet flight to Winnipeg at 1:40pm arriving at 3:16pm.
OR JOIN THE OPTIONAL JORDAN TOUR EXTENSION
Price per person is $759. Based on: 2 people sharing a double room and minimum 20 participants. Not included a) The single room supplement is $149; b) Exit Tax for Israel & Jordan +/-US$75 paid at border crossing; visa for Jordan free (2 nights in Jordan); US$35 per person gratuity. PLEASE FILL OUT THE JORDAN OPTION ON THE APPLICATION
PLEASE FILL OUT THE JORDAN OPTION ON YOUR APPLICATION
Day 10 March 1 ~ Thursday – WADI MUJIB / KERAK
Travel through the Judean desert to the Allenby Bridge, cross into Jordan and meet your guide. Travel along the shores of the Dead Sea stop for a short walk at Wadi el Mujib one of the small rivers flowing into the Dead Sea. Proceed to visit the desert fortress at Kerak. Travel south, stop to visit little Petra en route to Petra. 2 nights ~ Petra Palace hotel [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 11 March 2 ~ 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, and the roman theatre. For those who are able – climb up to the Monastery at A Dir visit the fabulous mausoleum and enjoy a spectacular view of the Arava valley desert. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 12 March 3 ~ Saturday – PETRA / JERUSALEM
Travel north to Madaba stop to visit the famous ancient Byzantine Mosaic map of the world. Continue to Mt. Nebo where emulating Moses you will view the Promised Land. Like Joshua and the children of Israel cross into Israel opposite ancient Jericho at the Allenby Bridge. Dinner at a Restaurant with good Mediterranean fare. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Canada [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 13 March 4 ~ Sunday – RETURN TO CANADA
Leave Tel Aviv at 0:50am flying on a direct, nonstop EL AL flight to Toronto arriving at 7am, meals served on board. Continue on your West Jet flight to Winnipeg at 1:40pm arriving at 3:16pm.
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***