“this is israel” tour

DESTINATION ISRAEL

2:15pm Meet in the departure hall at Toronto’s Pearson airport terminal 3, to check in for the EL AL flight to Tel Aviv. 4:45pm Leave Toronto on your overnight, nonstop EL AL flight, destination Israel. Meals served on board.

FLIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ACROSS CANADA – CONTACT avie@ihtours.com FOR DETAILS

WELCOME TO ISRAEL

Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at 10:15am. Meet your tour guide. Drive north through the Plain of Sharon on the old coastal road, known in antiquity 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 New exhibit at the Roman Port – now in the Crusader City. Continue to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. 1 night: Dan Panorama 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), as you travel in the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo. Visit one of King Solomon’s fortified city kingdoms (1 Kings 9:15; 10:26), with 21 impressive layers of ancient civilizations. From here the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive, as you read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the fertile Jezreel Valley. Proceed via Mt Precipice to Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus, visit Nazareth Village to relive village life from the time of Jesus. View the Church of the Annunciation and travel 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: The Sea of Galilee 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). Travel onto the Golan Heights, where you stop to pay tribute to Israel’s heroes in the Valley of Tears. Continue to 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), Including the remains of St Peter’s mother in-law’s house and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and worshipped (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31). Stop on the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered “The Sermon on The Mount” (Matt.5). [Breakfast & dinner]

GALILEE – MASADA – DEAD SEA

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’ time as Scythopolis, capital of Decapolis. Visit one of the largest archaeological Parks in Israel. Drive through the Jordan Valley, where the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). View Jericho, the oldest town in the world and continue south along the shores of the Dead Sea to the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea (over 1300 feet below sea level). Visit Qumran, home of the Cult of the Judean Desert, where a shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) in a nearby cave. Continue south, view Ein Gedi, an Oasis in the desert, where David fled the wrath of King Saul. Stop to visit 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). 1 night: David hotel & spa~ Dead Sea [Breakfast & dinner]

DEAD SEA – JERUSALEM

Spend the morning at leisure with time to relax in the spa, enjoy the geothermal pools and float on the Dead Sea– you cannot sink! Just before noon, ascend through the Judean Desert as the Galileans did to the Holy City – Jerusalem of Gold. Stop for a splendid panoramic view of Jerusalem from the Mt of Olives and recite a Psalm of Ascent. Stroll down the Mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane, at the Church of All Nations, with time for contemplation in the adjacent Olive Grove. End the day at the Garden Tomb with time for reflection and prayer (communion). Travel to Herodion built by King Herod, visit another remote, imposing desert fortress and view the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus Bethlehem and the Judean desert. Since it is Sabbath some rooms might only be available after sunset. 4 nights Har Zion ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]

JERUSALEM

Travel along the Kidron Valley, also known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat, past the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James to Mt Zion. Visit the Upper Room ~ the Room of the Last Super and Pentecost; King David’s Tomb; and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on the site of High Priest Caiaphas’ home. Walk through Zion Gate into the Old City, strolling through the Armenian and the Jewish Quarters. Visit the many archaeological windows in the Jewish quarter including the ancient “Cardo,” which was the Roman main street. Walk through the “Suk” the colourful Old city bazaar and markets, through the winding alleyways to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue down the Upper Hill to the Western Wall (Kotel), to visit an important prayer and pilgrimage site for the Jewish people. Walk back in time along the Western Wall, under the city through the fascinating Western Wall tunnels. End the day at the pools of Bethesda and enjoy the fabulous acoustics at the adjacent church of St Anne. [Breakfast & dinner]

JERUSALEM

Start the day at Yad Vashem – national memorial and Museum of the Shoah (Holocaust), where you 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 at great personal risk saved 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 adjacent 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 (dry) or Hezekiah’s (wet) 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 as stop on the very same steps that Jesus and the Galileans might have used to enter and exit the Holy Temple, the House of The Lord. [Breakfast & dinner]

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 (modest entrance fee required), or simply relax in the hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. [Breakfast & dinner]

CANADA

Transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada. Leave Tel Aviv at 10:15am on your direct, nonstop EL AL flight to Toronto arriving at 3pm, meals served on board.