Day 1 – Wednesday April 25 – DESTINATION ISRAEL
10:30am Meet at LA International Airport at the EL AL check in counter. At 1:15pm leave LA on a nonstop direct flight for Tel Aviv. Meals served on board.
Day 2 – Thursday April 26 – TEL AVIV & MEDITERRANEAN COAST
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at 1:45pm. Meet your guide. Travel north through the Plain of Sharon, along the Mediterranean shore on the old coastal road known in Roman times as the Via Maris, which linked Egypt and Babylon. Stop at Caesarea, the Roman capital and 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 walls. Time permitting visit the Western alter in Caesarea. 1 night: Leonardo hotel – Haifa (Dinner)
Day 3 – Friday April 27 – GALILEE
Visit the summit of Mount Carmel at Muhraka the “burning place” where Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30). Continue inland, across the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo one of King Solomon’s fortified city kingdoms (1 Kings 9:15; 10:26) – with impressive ruins of 21 layers of civilization, where the book of Revelation will come to life at the site of the epic Armageddon. Stop at Ein Harod or Gideon’s spring to relive the biblical selection of men who followed the Lord. Proceed to Gennasereth – Ginnosar where you view the famous ancient boat from the time of Jesus. Following the tradition of the “fishermen” disciples, sail on the Sea of Galilee with time for meditation and prayer.2 nights: Nof Ginnosar hotel – Sea of Galilee (Breakfast & dinner)
Day 4 – Saturday April 28 – GALILEE & GOLAN
Get an early start at the Mt Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the famous “Sermon On the Mount” (Matt.5). Travel North to Banias to visit Caesarea Philippi the Northern extent of Jesus’ Ministry, where Jesus asked, “Who do men say I am?” Travel onto the Golan Heights stop to reflect on current events and the ferocious battle that took place Oct 1973 in the Valley of Tears. Visit sites central to Jesus’ Ministry – Starting at Kfar Nahum Capernaum center of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5; 9). See the remains of St Peter’s (mother in law’s) home and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). Continue to the Church of the Primacy of Peter (Tabgha) on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. End the day at Yardenit for a Baptism ceremony in the Jordan River. (Breakfast & dinner)
Day 5 – Sunday April 29 – JORDAN
Travel south along the Jordan Valley to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge and cross into Jordan. The route will take you through Perea of Jesus’ day in the mountains of Gilead; Stop to visit the impressive ruins of Jerash the Roman city in Decapolis from Jesus’ day. Travel to Madaba to view 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 to Petra. 1 night: Guest House hotel – Petra (Breakfas & dinner)
Day 6 – Monday April 30 – PETRA ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Start the day 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 – Tuesday May 1 – THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD
Get an early start! Follow in the footsteps of Joshua and the children of Israel, cross into Israel (at the Arava terminal). Travel North through the stark Arava wilderness to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth (417 meter below sea level). Stop at the Southern alter with time for reflection and prayer 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). View Ein Gedi oasis where David fled the wrath of King Saul as you travel North. Stop to visit Kumran where a Bedouin shepherd discovered the Dead Sea scrolls in a nearby cave. Enjoy a unique experience “float” in the Dead Sea – you cannot sink! Continue through the Judean wilderness 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. 5 nights: Prima Kings hotel – Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 8 – Wednesday May 2 – JERUSALEM
8am Visit Succat Hallel spend some time in prayer and worship. View the Old and new city from the Mt. of Olives and then follow in the footsteps of Jesus and the Galileans walk down the hillside on the route of Palm Sunday via Dominus Flevit to Gethsemane. Visit the Church of All Nations with time for reflection and prayer in the Olive orchard. Continue to Mt. Zion visit the upper room – site of the last supper, then visit St Peter in Gallicantu to see the steps that Jesus might have walked on. Visit Yad Vashem – national memorial and Museum of the Shoah where you pay tribute to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust in Europe during the Second World War. Continue to the Israel Museum visit the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea scrolls and the Model of Ancient Jerusalem describing the city from the Second Temple Period, the time of Jesus. (Breakfast & dinner)
Day 9 – Thursday May 3 – JERUSALEM
Start the day at the pools of Bethsaida – St Anne’s church where Jesus healed the paralytic man. Continue to the Monastery of the sisters of Zion to visit the Lithostrotos perhaps the very place where Jesus was tormented and disrobed by Roman soldiers. Walk into the Jewish quarter stop at the Broad Wall (Isaiah) and view archaeological windows into the past from the first and second temple periods in the Roman/Byzantine/Crusader Street called the “Cardo.” Visit the Herodian Mansions to learn more about quality of life in Jesus’ day in the Holy City. Then stop at the Temple Mt Institute to see replicas of the instruments used in worship on the Temple. End the day at the Garden Tomb – remember the resurrection and worship with Holy Communion. (Breakfast & dinner)
Day 10 – Friday May 4 – JERUSALEM
Start the day in David’s City visiting Hezekiah’s or the Canaanite Tunnel and the Pools of Siloam. Enter the Old City through the Dung gate visit the Southern Wall Archaeological Park to see the impressive excavations along the South Western Wall of the Temple Mount and to stand on the very same ancient steps that Jesus and the disciples used 2000 years ago to enter the House of God. Proceed to the Western Wall (Kotel) then walk back in time through the Western Wall Tunnel Excavations. Continue through the colourful Suk (markets) and stop to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Time permitting ~ Visit Herodion a fabulous 2000-year-old desert fortress including the possible site of King Herod’s tomb. For those who would like to – Return to the Western Wall to witness the festive greeting of the Sabbath Bride. (Breakfast & dinner)
Day 11 – Saturday May 5 – 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 at Succat Hallel the Jerusalem House of Prayer. Visit the Church of the Nativity the birthplace of Jesus and Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem; the Mahane Yehuda market; House of Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned during the night of his trial; The Citadel Museum (David’s Tower); Ramparts (walls) of the Old City; the Temple Institute housing furniture and instruments ready for the Third Temple; Rockefeller Museum; Augusta Victory; the Anglican and Lutheran churches. Late check out from the hotel is included. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel, then meet for debriefing. Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your flight to LA. (Breakfast & dinner)
Day 12 – Sunday May 6 – BACK TO THE USA
Depart Tel Aviv 01:00am on a direct non-stop EL AL flight to LA arriving in LA at 6:25pm – meals served on board.
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