Best of Israel

Price Per person double occupancy and a minimum of 30 passengers

Date	Price	Single Supplement
Main Tour: February 26 – March 7, 2024	$4,789*	$1,269
Extension: March 7-10, 2024	$1,550	$310
*Includes roundtrip airfare from Denver. Reservation Due: November 7, 2023 Final Payment Due: December 15, 2023

Included

Roundtrip air from Denver including air taxes, 9 or 12 nights lodging at four star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily at hotel (buffet style in Israel), full time professional English speaking tour guide / tour escort, all entrances as appear on itinerary, whisper headphone system, baggage handling at hotels (1 Bag), tips to guides, drivers and hotel staff, transportation in deluxe air conditioned motor coaches, Pilgrim Payment Processing (including check or credit card- Visa, MasterCard or Discover).

Not Included

All lunches and drinks with meals, optional travel insurance.

Day 1 – Monday, February 26, 2024: Departure from US

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 – Tuesday, February 27, 2024: Arrive Israel

Arrive in Israel and 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.” Meet your Israeli guide, enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of the "Promised Land," and a good night’s rest.

Day 3 – Wednesday, February 28, 2024: Joppa, Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel

After breakfast, our touring begins with a visit to Joppa which is an ancient port made famous for its Biblical stories of Jonah, Solomon, and Peter. Next, we travel 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, hippodrome, a film on history and remains of this famous port city, and aqueduct and then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next, we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next three nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4 – Thursday, February 29, 2024: Mt. Arbel, Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Banias Falls, Mount Bental, Jesus Boat, Galilee Cruise

Following breakfast, we begin our day with a panoramic overview of Galilee from Mt. Arbel. We travel further north to two valuable northern sites. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan worship and Caesarea Philippi, the site of Peter’s Confession. Late this afternoon we come to Mount Bental located in the Golan Heights which offers a panoramic view of Syria and Lebanon and an important location in the Yom Kippur war. Returning to the Galilee region we’ll enjoy 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 – Friday, March 1, 2024: Nazareth, Sepphoris, St. Peter’s Fish Lunch, Mt of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Capernaum

This morning we make our way to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we’ll enjoy a visit to Nazareth Village which is a 1st century re-creation giving us a glimpse as to what life was like during this time. While in Nazareth we’ll make a stop at Mt. Precipice before visiting Sepphoris. Next, we enjoy a St. Peter’s Fish Lunch (other selections available) at a restaurant near Capernaum. This afternoon we visit Tabgha which is the possible site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and then the Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. We conclude the day with a visit to Capernaum. Here we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s home.

Day 6 – Saturday, March 2, 2024: Beth Shean, Gideon’s Spring, Sachne, Dead Sea

This morning we depart Galilee and 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 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” and Israel’s intricate irrigation development. We’ll also visit Ein Harod Springs and study the amazing victory of Gideon. Next, we will visit Sachne, a warm water springs, and we’ll baptize in the pre-Jordan River waters. We pass ancient Jericho, view from a distance this city famed as the oldest in the world, before coming to the Jordan River. Later this afternoon we arrive at 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 7 – Sunday, March 3, 2024: Masada, Ein Gedi, Walls of Jerusalem

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 will enjoy a tour of the palace fortress of Herodium, just south of Jerusalem. We arrive in Jerusalem midafternoon and get dropped off at the Jaffa Gate and walk the walls of Jerusalem ending at the Lions Gate. We check into our hotel which will be our home for the remainder of the tour.

Day 8 – Monday, March 4, 2024: Jesus' Steps, Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Abrahams Tent

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. 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. While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering. Our guide will explain the differing opinions on the route that Christ was led. 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, camel ride, and authentic food.

Day 9 – Tuesday, March 5, 2024: Upper room, Southern Steps, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel

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 will enjoy lunch in the Jewish Quarter. After lunch 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. Next, we will visit the City of David. It was during the time of Solomon that the city limits extended past this part of Jerusalem. We visit Gihon Springs, the original water source for Jerusalem, view new excavations including a typical Israelite four-room house, the lower city wall, and the cistern where Jeremiah was imprisoned. A highlight today will be a water walk through the incredible Hezekiah's Tunnel to the pool of Siloam, the place of Jesus' miracle in John 9. This afternoon travel north to the extensive ancient ruins of the Biblical city of Shiloh perched on a mountain. We'll view a film there and have a guided tour of the excavated ruins where the Mosaic Tabernacle once stood for many years, with this structure being the center of Israelite worship. This was also where Samuel the prophet grew up as a child under Eli the High Priest. We return to Jerusalem later this afternoon and enjoy our dinner and overnight.

Day 10 – Wednesday, March 6, 2024: Temple Mount, Rabbi Tunnel, Wailing Wall, Garden Tomb, Valley of Elah

Conditions permitting, we will visit the Temple Mount, with commentary on the Temple Periods, and the variety of belief systems past and present that make this area so valuable. We’ll enjoy a visit to 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. The actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting study which our guide will explain. Our climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise. We conclude our day with a visit to the Valley of Elah and then return to Jerusalem for our last dinner and overnight.

Day 11 – Thursday, March 7, 2024: Depart for Home

We transfer to the Tel Aviv airport this morning for our flight home or onto Rome.

Optional 4 Day Rome Extension March 7-10, 2024
Day 11 – Thursday, March 7, 2024: Depart Israel - Arrive Rome

We fly from Tel Aviv to the Rome airport, and transfer to our lodging for the next three nights. This afternoon we will take a tour of the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries.

Day 12 – Friday, March 8, 2024: Forum, Mamertine, Coliseum, Ostia Antica

We begin our walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where our guide will divulge its secrets. We will visit the Arch of Titus which commemorated the sack of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70. We will view the Mamertine Prison exterior, where tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. The Roman church would say that Peter was imprisoned here as well, but there is no imperial evidence that Peter was ever in Rome. Next, we visit the Coliseum, where thousands of people and animals perished during gladiatorial games. The Coliseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100 days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughter of both humans and animals continued for three more centuries. Historians believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on how close the seating was. The floor has recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessible for people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories of the games that have fascinated people for hundreds of years. We conclude our day at the ruins of Ostia Antica, which provides an excellent example of city life in classical times and the Ostian Gate, today called the Gate of St. Paul.

Day 13 – Saturday, March 9, 2024: Vatican Museums, St. Peter's, Scala Santa, Abbey of Three Fountains, St. Paul Outside the Wall

After breakfast you will begin a full day of sightseeing. First visit Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn. After some free time for lunch, you will stop at The Abbey of the Three Fountains, the traditional site of Paul's martyrdom and the ancient street that he walked on. Next, visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the site of Paul’s tomb, and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museum houses the Steps from Pilot's Judgment Hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. Additional sights include the Arches of Constantine and Titus, Circus Maximus and the beautiful marble monument called the Wedding Cake.

Day 14 – Sunday, March 10, 2024: Home

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.