Day 1:
Departure
Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare
yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest
on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus
walked!
Day 2:
Arrive Israel
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by
our Israeli guide who will accompany us during our
entire stay in
Israel. We travel northward to our hotel for one
night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv. The remainder
of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean,
relax, and have dinner. The time is right for a personal
devotional with the sunset over the “Great Sea.” Enjoy
a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special
blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land,
and a good night’s rest.
Day 3:
Caesarea, Mt. Carmel & Nazareth
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along
the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to
Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News
from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see the Roman
Amphitheatre and aqueduct, and then journey on to
Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and
the prophets of Baal. We drive through the area of
Cana and
Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit
the Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of
Biblical times with costumed guides. We will have dinner
and overnight lodging for the next two nights in the
Tiberias area on the
Sea of Galilee.
Day 4: Capernaum, Dan,
Caesarea Philippi & Mount of Beatitudes
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two
valuable northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's
blessing on Israel.
Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the
depths of pagan worship and
Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of Peter’s
Confession. In order to save valuable time, a box lunch
will be provided. In
Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient
synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel on to the
site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the
Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. After
viewing the ancient Fisherman Boat at an operating
Kibbutz, we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Sea of
Galilee. A brief scripture reading and devotional on
board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the
fishermen disciples concluding a wonderful day.
Day 5:
Jordan River Baptism Site, Beth Shean & Dead Sea
We begin our day with a visit to the
Jordan River Baptismal site. Next we travel
southward to
Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent
archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic
juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like
Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied
throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on
Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the
walls of Beit-Shean. During the intertestamental period,
the city was renamed the "Scythopolis". Archaeologists
have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the
Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus,
Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis
-a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and
government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley
southward, your guide will point out the agricultural
restoration of the “Land of Milk and Honey,” the Kibbutz
system and Israel’s intricate irrigation development. We
pass ancient Jericho, view from a distance this city
famed as the oldest in the world, before coming to our
lodging for the evening at the
Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth. Spend time in
the special spa and enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for a
relaxing float before dinner.
Day 6:
Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Scrolls, Abraham's Tent
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. Next, we
visit
Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were
discovered. This afternoon we will take part in the
Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, where we enjoy a
trip back in time: a reliving of life in the time of the
Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic
presentation, and authentic food. Our lodging for the
next four nights will be in
Jerusalem.
Day 7:
Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Holocaust Museum
An interesting and educational time awaits us this
morning at the
Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of
centuries old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea
Scrolls, and a then a guided walk through an accurately
detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem will help to
prepare you for what you will experience in the
following days. Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we
visit the "Upper
Room" just outside the
Zion Gate where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid
his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried, "my
Lord & my God." We conclude the day with free time or
an optional visit to
Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed
reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people.
Day 8:
Jesus' Steps, the Last Days - Messianic Lecture
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with
a panoramic view of the city,
Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the
Mount of Olives and then the
Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished to be
whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or
hear His voice if only for a moment? To walk between the
ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus'
prayer and take time for personal reflection is
important here. Next we visit the
House of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit
upon. See a pit where he may have been held for the
evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he
was taken to be condemned. On our way into the city we
will visit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating
Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second
Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear
understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple
Mount, giant stones, water supply and Roman street where
our Lord was led to judgment. Before exiting the tunnel
we see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders.
We move on to the
Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired
against Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and
humiliation. From here we will also be able to see the
Pool of Bethesda,
Stephen's Gate and St. Ann’s Church. This
evening we enjoy a special lecture by a local believer
prior to dinner, giving us a perspective of Messianic
life in Israel.
Day 9: Way
of Suffering, Garden Tomb, Pentecost, Bethlehem
While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of
His way of suffering along with a visit to the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our guide will
explain the differing opinions on the route that Christ
was led and the actual place of crucifixion and burial
is a very interesting study. The climax of the day is
the
Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection
with communion and a time of praise. This afternoon we
visit the
Southern Wall Excavations. This southern side of The
Temple was the main entrance for the common folk,
whereas 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 along with the purification pools. From
here Jesus entered the
Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money
exchangers who were exploiting the people. It is also
likely that this is the place that Peter stood and
preached and where thousands were saved and baptized on
the
Day of Pentecost. This afternoon we will enjoy a
visit to David’s tome before we are given free time for
those who wish may stay in the city marketplace for
shopping, while others may choose to spend the remainder
of the day surrounding the birth of Christ, with a visit
to
Bethlehem.
Day 10:
Home
A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv Airport
for our flight homeward will allow for arrival home by
early afternoon.