Itinerary subject to change while touring or the best interest of the
group
Day 1:
(August 24) Departure from US
This afternoon we embark on our journey to the Holy Lands, a life
changing experience. Our night flight begins with dinner service and
time to fellowship with friends new and old, meditate on the treasures
ahead, and catch some shut-eye in route to Madrid.
Day 2:
(August 25) Arrive Madrid with Day Tour of Toledo
Upon our arrival in Madrid we will meet our tour escort and immediately
travel outside Madrid to Toledo. While in Toledo we will take a guided
tour of the Toledo Cathedral and St. Thomas Church. This historic
medieval town boasts some real examples of medieval history and
architecture. We return to Madrid later this afternoon for check in at
our hotel with free time for rest before dinner and overnight.
Day 3:
(August 26) Around Madrid – Flight to Israel
Following breakfast this morning we are free for further rest before we
checkout of our hotel. Following free time for lunch we have an
orientation tour of Madrid en route to our first visit at the Prado
Museum and Royal Palace. We will also have a driving tour of the Puerta
Del Sol, Plaza de Espana, the Parliament and Cibeles Fountain to name a
few. Later this afternoon we are taken directly to the airport for our
flight to Israel. You are free for dinner this evening at the airport.
Day 4:
(August 27) Arrive Israel – Sea of Galilee
Today we begin at the Arbel Cliffs with an orientation and a panoramic
view of the Sea of Galilee and surrounding lands. From this overview you
will be able to have a valuable lesson in the geographic layout of
Jesus’ early ministry. We will have an optional walk down the Arbel
Cliffs to Wadi Chman. In Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient
synagogue and Peter’s home. We will also visit the ruins of ancient
Capernaum before visiting Bethsaida. We then travel to nearby Kursi,
sight of the healing of the Demon possessed men. We finish the day with
a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee with easy viewing of the nearby
Golan Heights brings to life the experiences of the fishermen disciples
and a conclusion to a wonderful day. Disembarking the cruise we view the
so-called “Jesus Boat” a fishing boat of the kind used by the disciples
of Jesus.
Day 5:
(August 28) Northern Israel
This morning we leave Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of
Galilee and travel to the northern border of Israel. En-route we visit
Chorazin and Tel Hazor. We also pass Gamla before continuing north where
we end up in Dan and Caesarea Philippi, site of Peter’s Confession.
“Banias” is the original name of the site near Mt. Hermon in the North,
famous as the place where Peter first confessed that Jesus is the
Messiah. (Matt 16: 13-16; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21) Next we tour Tel
Dan, the northernmost city of ancient Israel, thus when Scripture speaks
of all of the Land, from North to South, if often says, “from Dan to
Beersheba.” (Judges 20:1, 1 Sam 3:20, 2 Sam 3:10; 17:11; 24:2; 15 1
Kings 4:25) Abraham traveled from Hebron to Dan to rescue his nephew Lot
from Kedorlaomer, The tribe of Dan was not satisfied with its
inheritance near Judah, so it settled here and set up idolatrous worship
that plagued Israel throughout its history. This was especially so in
the time of Jeroboam, son of Solomon and first king of the divided
Northern Kingdom, who set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel to keep
people from going to Jerusalem to worship. We return south to the Sea
via the Golan Heights driving through battlefields of the 6 days war.
Day 6:
(August 29) Jesus’ Ministry
Begin the day with a visit to the Jordan River Baptismal site. We then
travel on for a visit at Gideon’s Spring. We continue on the Nazareth,
the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Church of the
Annunciations and Mary’s well. With a quick drive through Cana, where
Christ performed his first miracle we arrive back at the Sea where we
set you free for a late afternoon in Tiberias before traveling back to
the other side of the Sea for the evening.
Day 7:
(August 30) Galilee to the Coast
This morning we depart the Galilee and travel west. We drive via the
Valley of Armageddon to the Excavation of Tel Megiddo, where
archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. Christian
tradition States this is the place of the final great battle of the
world will be fought here. For a better view of the valley we travel
atop Mt Carmel, where Elijah slain the prophets of Baal. We then travel
west to the seaport of Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good
News from Peter and were baptized before beginning our trek south to the
Golden City, Jerusalem.
Day 8:
(August 31) Biblical Jerusalem
We begin today with an early morning orientation of the Mount of Olives,
with a Panorama view. Then we have a passion walk down to the Garden of
Gethsemane the site of Christ’s agony and across the Kidron Valley. We
travel to the Shrine of the Book with time to enjoy the museum,
including the Dead Sea Scrolls and the absolute miracle of God’s
Preserved Word. We then depart the museum early afternoon, where we
visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.
Day 9:
(September 1) Down to the Dead Sea
Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of
Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot
stand. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, “Spring of the Goat,” an oasis
on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and
abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its
fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from
Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and
worship led by King Jehoshaphat. (1 Sam 23:29; 24 Song of Song 1:14).
Arriving at the Dead Sea, we take some time to relax on the beach and
float in the sea before returning to Jerusalem. En-route back we stop
for a visit to Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
Day
10: (September 2) The Mount
We start this day with a visit to the City of David with Warren’s Shaft
and Hezekiah’s Tunnel. We next visit the Temple Mount, where we get a
view and history surrounding the Dome of the Rock and the El Aksa
Mosque. We then travel around to the Western wall before visiting the
southern side of the Temple Mount which, was main entrance for the
common folk, where as the Priests and Levites had their own entrance
from the higher, eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to
the Temple Mount from the courtyard, have been unearthed. We learn of
this area where Jesus drove out the vendors and money exchangers who
were exploiting the people. We then arrive at the climax of our tour –
the Garden Tomb. Your faith, that blessed hope and communion with
Christ, will take on a tremendous new meaning today.
Day
11: (September 3) Biblical Jerusalem
Today entering the Old City we pass through Lion’s gate and travel to
the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the cripple and visit St.
Anne’s Church. We’ll then walk to the judgment hall of Pilate and hear
of those who conspired against, and then beat and humiliate Him, before
having a walking tour of the Old City to include a visit to the Church
of the Holy Sepulcher. After lunch we visit the house of Caiaphas and
the "Upper Room" where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on
His breast and where later Thomas cried; "my Lord & my God." Next Late
afternoon we visit King David Street and the Trashish Antiquates. We
also visit the Tomb of King David on Mount Zion before re-entering the
Old City through Zion’s Gate, where we visit the Jewish Quarter, and
from here we will see the ancient Roman Cardo with a visit to the Burnt
House. We walk a short distance to the Western Wall plaza for a walk
through the Western Wall tunnel. Finishing out the day we visit Emmaus
and David’s Citadel.
Day
12: (September 4) Depart for Home
We depart this land early in the morning returning with a new light into
the word of God and our relationship with him.
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Price Includes:
Roundtrip airfare from Chicago, IL, Lodging in 4 star hotels
in Israel / Nice Tourist Class Hotels in Madrid, Air Taxes:
(currently $307.00 - Subject to Change), Tips (Suggested $8
per person per day), Full time tour escort - Gideon Shur /
Local City guides in Madrid, Breakfast & dinner daily, All
guides, entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary,
Services of long distance deluxe motorcoach as appear on
itinerary.
Not included:
Lunches / Optional Travel
Insurance, Optional Credit Card Payments (Additional 3% of
total bill).
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