Depart for an international overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast are
served on board.

Upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport, we will be welcomed by our tour escort, and next board our deluxe motorcoach for transfer to Galilee. As we begin this incredible journey, we will enter the land where the stories of Scripture unfolded and share the experience of walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Dinner and overnight in Galilee. (D)

This morning we enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginosar where we will visit the fishermen’s boat found here dating back to Jesus’ time. We continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. Our next stop is Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Feeding of Five Thousand, to see the chapel built over the rock commemorating the primacy of Peter. Then, we visit Capernaum, the city of Jesus and Peter, to see the house of Peter and an ancient synagogue where Jesus preached and gathered his disciples. Next, we drive across the Jordan River via the land of Gadarene’s. In the afternoon we drive north to Caesarea Phillipi, now called Banias, where Peter made his confession of faith, and identified Jesus as the Messiah. And Jesus said, “thou art Peter upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16: 17-18). Return to Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Galilee. (B/D)

Today begins with a scenic drive past Cana of Galilee to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Mary’s Well. Then on to Keren Carmel (Muhkraka), the location of Elijah’s altar during his confrontation with the false prophets of Baal. Continue through the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation site at Tel Megiddo. On to Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 B .C. to visit the Roman Theater, the Roman Aqueduct and the Herodian Port. It was here that Cornielius was baptized by Peter (Acts 10:24-28) and Paul was brought to trial (Acts 25). Dinner and overnight in Galilee. (B/D)

This morning our first stop is in the ancient city of Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. Here we find a complete first century town and synagogue where it is believed that Jesus himself visited, taught and preached at this synagogue. The church called Duc in Altum in Latin, “Launch into the deep“ (words of Jesus in Luke 5:4, fishers of men) and it honors the women of the Gospels. We will continue on to Yardenit, the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River. We continue to the old Roman city of Beit Shean to visit the impressive Roman ruins. From here we drive down the Jordan Valley bypassing Jericho, on our way to Bethlehem. We will have time for lunch (on our own) and shopping. After lunch, we visit the Church of Nativity, the Milk Grotto and Shepherds’ Field. Finally we will proceed to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

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We will continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Cross Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Gabbatha pavement. We move on to the Jewish Quarter visiting the Cardo, the “Wide” wall built by King Hezekiah and the Herodian mansion. We continue to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah to see the Dome of Rock, visit the Western Wall, the Ophel Archaeological Park and Museum. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

This morning we drive past the “Inn of the Good Samaritan” to arrive at the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. We drive along the Dead Sea to Masada, the fortress where the Jewish Zealots held off the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing suicide over surrender. Continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. After lunch (on your own), we will have the opportunity to enjoy a short “float” in the Dead Sea. On to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 in a cave and then return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

Full day of leisure to pursue personal interests, or to shop. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B/D)

Today we drive by the Knesset to the Israel Museum. Next is the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and we can see the model of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple. We’ll drive on to Mount Scopus to view the impressive home of the Hebrew University and to the Mount of Olives for an outstanding view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of All Nations before driving along the Kidron Valley to see the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James. Next, we continue to Mount Zion to visit the Room of the Last Supper and King David’s Tomb. We complete our touring day with a visit to the Garden Tomb where we have an orientation beside Calvary and also where our Communion service will be held. (Mark 15 42:47). Enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport. (B/D)

Depart Tel Aviv on your flight back to the United States.

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