Highlights include Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Jaffa, Tiberias, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Jericho, Dead Sea, Masada, Qumran Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Wailing Wall, Bethlehem, Church of the Nativity and Mt. Zion .|
Itinerary:
Day #1 Overnight Flight - Journey with us on an inspirational trip to the Holy Land and visit some of the most ancient sites in the world.
Day #2 Arrive Tel Aviv, Israel - Your tour begins in Tel Aviv. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Day #3 Tel Aviv - Jaffa - Caesarea - Haifa - Acre - Tiberias - Begin the day with a stroll through the ancient port city of Jaffa. Continue along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins of the ancient Roman capital, Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 B.C. Visit the Roman Theatre, Aqueduct and Fortress. Next, enjoy a panoramic view of Haifa and the Baha'i Shrine and Gardens on Mount Carmel (UNESCO World Heritage site). Travel the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation site of Tel Megiddo. Then, visit the ancient Crusader city of Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your day comes to an end in Tiberias.
Day #4 Tiberias - This morning visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount, and Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. Proceed to Capernaum and cross the River Jordan to visit the Golan Heights. Next, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee followed by lunch at a communal settlement known as a Kibbutz, where you may interact with some of its residents.
Day #5 Tiberias - Nazareth - Jericho - Dead Sea - Visit Cana, considered to be the site of the First Miracle, where Jesus turned water into wine. Next, travel to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Mary's Well. Then, it is on to Beit Shean to see the ancient theatre. Continue along the Jordan River Valley to Jericho which, at over 2,000 years old, is considered to be the oldest city on earth. Afterwards, proceed to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day #6 Dead Sea - Masada - Qumran - Jerusalem - Today’s route leads to another UNESCO World Heritage site, the former palatial fortress of Masada. Ascending the ancient walls of Masada by cable car, a visit to Herod's Palaces, the Roman Camp and the Synagogue await. Later, a drive along the Dead Sea shoreline to Qumran culminates in a tour of the caves where the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Tonight you arrive in one of the holiest cities in the world, Jerusalem.
Day #7 Old City - Bethlehem - Jerusalem - A magnificent tour of the Holy City of Jerusalem begins with a drive to the old walled city. While walking through the four quarters that make up the Old City (UNESCO World Heritage site), you will visit the Western (Wailing) Wall, the Temple area, the Dome of the Rock, the Pool of Bethesda and the Church of St. Anne. Next, walk the path of the Stations of the Cross as you traverse the Via Dolorosa, beginning at Pilate's Judgment Hall and ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A stop in the biblical city of Bethlehem, spread along the Judean Hills, allows for a visit to the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus and the first church ever built.
Day #8 Jerusalem - Drive to Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Proceed to the Church of Ascension and the Garden of Gethsemane where you will view the Kidron Valley and the tombs of Mary, Absalom Zachariah and James. Visit St. Peter in Galicantu and Mt. Zion where you will see the room of The Last Supper and the tomb of King David. You then view a scale model of Jerusalem and visit the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum to view the display of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Your sightseeing tour ends with a visit to the Garden Tomb.
Day #9 Jerusalem - The day is at leisure. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of this memorable trip.
Day #10 Jerusalem - Tour Ends -