DESTINATION ISRAEL

Meet at 4:30am in the departure hall in Calgary airport to check in for the 7am Air Canada flight to Toronto, arriving at 12:50pm. Leave Toronto at 4:30pm on your overnight / nonstop Air Canada flight destination Tel Aviv Israel, meals served on board. FLYING FROM REGINA ADD $75 per person ~ FROM MONCTON A CREDIT OF $39 per person applies ~ FROM TORONTO A CREDIT OF $95 per person applies

ADD ON FARES OR CREDITS WILL BE LISTED ON YOUR INVOICE Mark the city you are flying from on your Application please Flights are available from across North America email avie@ihtours.com

WELCOME TO ISRAEL

Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel at 10am and 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 some 2000 years ago. 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 Aqueduct. Continue to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. 1 night: Leonardo Plaza hotel ~ Haifa [dinner]

GALILEE

View Muhraka (the burned place) on Mt. Carmel, where the prophet Elijah challenged the 400 false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30). 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 lush, Jezreel Valley. Travel via Mt Precipice to Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus, visit Nazareth Village to relive village life from the time of Jesus and view the Church of the Annunciation. Emulating the disciples sail on the Sea of Galilee and visit the ancient boat from the time of Jesus. Time permitting stop on Mt Arbel for a splendid view of the area of Jesus’ ministry, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan valley and the Golan Heights. 2 nights: Leonardo hotel ~ Tiberias [Breakfast & dinner]

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 and circumstances 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 site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5; 14-7; 9; 1-7; 17: 18), where you visit the remains of St Peter’s house and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). [Breakfast & dinner]

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), known, in Jesus’ day as Scythopolis, capital of Decapolis. Visit the impressive, extensive archaeological park. Drive through the Jordan Valley, where the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). 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, Jerusalem of gold, as the Galileans did. Stop on Mt Scopus to recite a Psalm of Ascent and to enjoy the first splendid view of the Holy City. Travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus and Shepherds Field. 5 nights: Tower hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]

JERUSALEM

Start the day at Yad Vashem – national memorial and Museum of the Shoah (Holocaust), to pay tribute to the six million Jewish victims of the Shoah (Holocaust) in Europe, during the Second World War. Visit the 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, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Bible manuscripts and the adjacent Model of ancient Jerusalem, describing the city from the time of Jesus. Proceed to 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 the 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 an important Jewish pilgrimage and prayer area. Then take a fascinating journey back in time through the Western Wall Tunnels along the Temple Mt, under the city. Continue to the Pools of Bethesda at St. Anne’s Church. Exit the city at St Stephen’s or the Lions Gate. [Breakfast & dinner]

JERUSALEM

Drive to the top of Mount of Olives for a wonderful 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 through Zion Gate, walk through the Armenian and the Jewish Quarter. Visit the ancient “Cardo,” the Roman main street and 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, with time for reflection and communion. [Breakfast & dinner]

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 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 imposing, remote 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 – you cannot sink! [Breakfast & dinner]

JERUSALEM

Spend a day of leisure in this fascinating city. Enjoy 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 (modest entry fee required) or simply relax at the hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. [Breakfast & dinner]

CANADA

Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada. Depart Tel Aviv at 11:45am flying nonstop on Air Canada to Toronto, arriving at 4:25pm, meals served on board. Continue on the Air Canada flight to Calgary at 6:55pm, arriving at 9:20pm.