Holy Land Pilgrimage Tour

Today we depart from the U.S. for Israel. Enjoy on-board meals and entertainment as we cross the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Israel.

Arrive in Israel. Meet a representative who will assist you through customs. Meet your guide and proceed for a short tour of Jaffa (Joppa) to visit the location of Simon the Tanner’s House. From here we drive to our hotel located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. A refreshing Jaffa orange juice will be waiting for you upon arrival.
Overnight – Netanya (D)

We begin the day with a visit to Caesarea, once a proud Roman port city dating back to the time of Pontius Pilate. View Herod’s Palace and the monumental Roman amphitheater built in the days of Christ. From here, we travel to Mt. Carmel where Elijah held a contest against the false prophets of Baal. Next, travel to Megiddo overlooking the plains of Armageddon and visit the site of the 21 superimposed cities. A short drive takes us to Nazareth where Jesus spent the silent years of his life. Visit Mary’s well and continue to Cana, the site where Jesus performed the first miracle of changing water to wine. From here we drive to our hotel located by the Sea of Galilee.
Overnight – Tiberias (B,D)

After breakfast, the first stop will be Mt. Beatitudes. Near here, Jesus gave the Beatitudes and taught on many occasions. Here, he also performed many of the miracles. Travel to Tabgha to commemorate the miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves to feed 5,000. Nearby, we will visit the Church of Primacy where Jesus appeared to his Disciples after his resurrection. Continue to Capernaum where much of the Galilean Ministry took place. Afterwards, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and hear how Jesus calmed the stormy sea and walked upon these waters. Enjoy a traditional St. Peter’s fish lunch. We will now drive to Bet Shean, a well-preserved Byzantine City.
Overnight – Tiberias (B,L,D)

We begin the day with a visit to Magdala, believed to be the home-town of Mary Magdala. Next, we will tour a Kibbutz and explore this unique way of life. From here we ascend the Golan Heights. Our guide will explain why this area is so vital to Israel’s security. Visit the sacred site of Caesarea Philippi and view Mount Hermon from a high meadow. Not far from here is Tel Dan, identified with the Biblical city of Dan, the northernmost city in the Kingdom of Israel. The Dan Nature Reserve is one of the three sources of the Jordan River. We will now descend the Golan Heights and visit Gadarenes. We end the day at Yardenit Baptismal site on the Jordan River where time will be available for an optional baptismal service.
Overnight – Tiberias (B,D)

After breakfast, we drive along the Jordan Valley to Masada. Ascend Masada by cable car. Your guide will take you on a fascinating tour of this mountain where 960 Jewish defenders organized the last resistance against the Roman Conquerors. Descend Masada and travel to the Dead Sea for an optional float in the salty waters. Continue to Ein Gedi to view King David’s Waterfalls and then to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Afterwards, ascend the Judean Hills to Jerusalem, the “Eternal City of God.”
Overnight – Jerusalem (B,D)

After breakfast, visit the Old City of Jerusalem. Jews, Christians and Muslims alike know the Biblical and historical importance of the City of Jerusalem. At the start of the morning, drive to the crest of Mt. of Olives where the entire city of Jerusalem unfolds before you. Today’s walking tour includes: Garden of Gethsemane, Pools of Bethesda, Upper Room of the Last Supper, Ecce Homo Arch, Western Wall, Cardo, Jewish Quarters, Caiaphas’ House & Dungeon and Oriental Bazaars. We will also tour the Southern excavations of the Wailing Wall.
Overnight – Jerusalem (B,D)

After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to the Model of ancient Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed. Next, we view the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament) and then a visit to Yad Vashem, a memorial to the Six Million Jews that lost their lives in the Holocaust. Continue to Shepherds Field and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Next, we drive to the Garden Tomb where a Communion Service will be held.
Overnight – Jerusalem (B,D)

Breakfast in hotel. Leisure day…Enjoy! You will be offered a unique and exciting activity called the “Temple Mount Sifting Project,” where you will sift with bare hands through soil taken from the Temple Mount and discover ancient archaeological finds. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner and say SHALOM to our guide.
Overnight – Jerusalem (B,D)