Roundtrip airfare from Chicago including taxes and fees (air taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change), Internal flight from Athens to Tel Aviv, 10 nights lodging at 4-star hotels, Breakfast & dinner daily at hotels, Full time English-speaking tour guides in Greece and Israel, Services of long distance deluxe motor coach as appearing on itinerary, All entrances and transportation as appearing on itinerary, Tips to drivers, guides, and hotel staff, Porterage at hotels where available (1 piece per person), Whisper/Listening devices, Pilgrim Payment Processing for check, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover
Optional Des Moines domestic airfare – estimated at +$260, All lunches and drinks with meals, Optional Travel Insurance – 7.95% or 10.85% of tour cost (ID rates current as of quote date), Israel VAT tax (missing passport fee) - $160 fee waived upon receipt of valid passport(s)
Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Athens. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!
We arrive in Athens and check into our hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the city. This evening our group will enjoy the first of many delectable European style dinners.
This morning we travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. Next, we visit ancient Corinth, the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters and is a highlight for the New Testament scholar. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love for the Bible. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period. We travel on to the top of the nearby Acropolis where our guide will speak on the worship practices and point out the bird’s eye view of what was a bustling city of around 800,000 during Paul’s stay. Another important stop is a visit to Diolkos where we view the paved trackway which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth and served as a life line for Corinth. This shortcut allowed ancient vessels to avoid the long and dangerous circumnavigation of the Peloponnese peninsula. Before returning to Athens, we will visit Cenchreae, the ancient port region of Corinth. Acts 18:18 states the Apostle Paul stopped at Cenchreae during his second missionary journey, where he had his hair cut to fulfill a vow.
Following breakfast this morning we tour Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. From atop Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. Additional sites viewed during our panoramic bus tour are, the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. An option later this afternoon is a visit to the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes.
We transfer back to the Athens Airport this morning for our flight to Tel Aviv. After meeting our guide and driver, we make our way 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 then continue east to Capernaum, around which much of Jesus’ ministry was centered. After viewing the excavations and Peter’s home, we transfer to our hotel where we will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next two nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.
We enjoy an early morning bird’s-eye of Lake Galilee and the surrounding view from atop Mt. Arbel before driving to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides. Next, our travels take us to two valuable northern sites. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of alternative sacrifice and Caesarea Philippi, the site of Peter’s Confession and pagan worship. Enjoy a lovely nature walk to Banias Falls before returning to Lake Galilee for a relaxing boat cruise and special time of worship. We end our day with a visit to Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene. The recent excavation of the First Century Synagogue and well-preserved village makes Magdala one of the most interesting Biblical sites in Israel.
Our day begins at the Mt. of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount. We continue on to Chorazin, one of the towns cursed by Jesus for unbelief, and then we make our way south for a brief visit to Gideon’s Spring. This is the place where God chose out the three hundred men whom Gideon was to lead to battle against the Midianites. Our next stop is Beth Shean, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Known as Scythopolis in Jesus’ time, it was a chief city of Decapolis and boasts impressive Roman ruins. Continuing south along the Jordan River Valley (Queser El Yehud) we see the Israeli side of Bethany Beyond the Jordan. In this area Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan, as well as where the children of Israel, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land. Our lodging for the evening is 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.
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. We now arrive in Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity as well as the Shepherds Field outside the city before making our way to Jerusalem. From atop Mt. Scopus, we get our first glimpse of the Holy City, where we will overnight for the next four evenings.
This morning starts with the option (for those who don’t mind tight spaces) to take a water walk through the incredible Hezekiah's Tunnel to the pool of Siloam, the place of Jesus' miracle in John 9. Ascending to the Jewish Quarter we see the gold Menorah built for the next Temple, the Temple Institute, the Burnt House, a wall built by King Hezekiah, and the Roman Cardo. Next 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 take a short drive outside of the city today to the Elah Valley. From Tel Azekah, we have a perfect view of the valley where David fought Goliath. Returning to the city, we pause on the Mount of Olives to take in the panoramic view of Jerusalem and then continue on to the Garden of Gethsemane to walk among the ancient olive trees and be reminded of Jesus time of prayer and agony here in the garden. Next we spend time at 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. Then if time allows, we continue to the Lithostratus, the place where Jesus was tried by Pilate.
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. At the Pool of Bethesda, we see where Jesus healed the lame man and then we walk a portion of the Via Dolorosa (way of the cross), stopping to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and also Dominus Flevit, where Jesus mourned for Jerusalem. Afterward, we will get an outside view of the US Embassy as well as the Knesset, Israel’s parliament building. We end our day at the Garden Tomb where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise.
We transfer to the Tel Aviv Airport for our flight home.
Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.
