Depart on an international overnight flight to Amman. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.

Upon arrival at Amman Airport, we are met by our guide and transferred to our hotel for rest. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (D)

Early in the morning, we drive to the city of Jerash, known as the Pompeii of the East and the City of a Thousand Pillars. We walk around the ancient ruins, which include Hadrian’s Arch, the Hippodrome, the Forum, and the Temple of Zeus. As we leave Jerash, we continue to Mount Nebo, where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death. Our next stop is Madaba, the city famous for its ancient mosaics, before returning to Amman. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (B/D)

Today we enjoy a full-day trip to Petra to explore The Red Rose City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra is more than 2,000 years old and once dominated the trade routes. It was completely lost and remained hidden for over 300 years until its rediscovery in 1812. Petra is carved out of rock deep inside a narrow gorge. We see the Palace Tomb, the Monastery, and the Treasury, to name a few. The Apostle Paul studied here for three years, and Herod the Great came from this city. The movie Indiana Jones was also filmed here. We return to Amman early in the evening. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (B/D)

After breakfast, we head for the Sheikh Hussein Bridge and transfer to Galilee. We begin to feel the spirit of this enchanting land as we visit biblical sites and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. We enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginosar, where we visit the fishermen’s boat dating back to the time of Jesus. We continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount. Our next stop is Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Feeding of the Five Thousand, where we visit the chapel built over the rock commemorating the Primacy of Peter. We then visit Capernaum, the city of Jesus and Peter, to see the house of Peter and the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached and gathered His disciples. Next, we drive across the Jordan River through the land of the Gadarenes. In the afternoon, we continue north to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter made his confession of faith, identifying Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus said, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:17–18). Return to Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Galilee. (B/D)

Today we take a scenic drive past Cana of Galilee to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Mary’s Well. We continue to Mount Carmel (Muhraqa), the location of Elijah’s altar during his confrontation with the false prophets of Baal. We proceed through the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation site at Tel Megiddo, then continue to Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 B.C. Here we visit the Roman Theater, Roman Aqueduct, and the Herodian Port. It was here that Cornelius was baptized by Peter (Acts 10:24–28) and Paul was brought to trial (Acts 25). Dinner and overnight in Galilee. (B/D)

An early start brings us to Yardenit, a baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River. Some groups may pause here for baptism (optional). We then continue south along the Jordan River. Bypassing Jericho, we ascend to Jerusalem, the City of Gold. This route was once the site of the funeral procession of Herod the Great and the path taken by Ruth and Naomi as they traveled from Jordan to Bethlehem. Our first stunning view of Jerusalem is from the Mount of Olives. From here, we descend to the Garden of Gethsemane and cross the Kidron Valley to Mount Zion. We visit the traditional room commemorating the Last Supper before traveling south to Bethlehem to visit the birthplace of Jesus inside the Church of the Nativity. Time is allowed for shopping before returning to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

Following breakfast, we head southeast to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at approximately 1,300 feet below sea level. We explore the ancient Essene community of Qumran, where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and continue to the magnificent ruins of Masada. A modern cable car takes us to the top of this impressive site. We also have the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea (optional). We return to Jerusalem in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

Today we enjoy a full-day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. We begin at the Church of St. Anne, built near the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus told the lame man to “pick up his mat and walk.” This beautiful church offers exceptional acoustics and a memorable singing experience. We continue along the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus walked on His way to crucifixion and resurrection and pass through the colorful bazaar area for lunch and shopping. Following lunch, we tour the Jewish Quarter and visit the Davidson Center and the Western Wall. Our day concludes with a worship service at the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

We transfer this morning to Tel Aviv Airport for our return flight home, arriving the same day. (B)

* (B/L/D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner