Best of Israel

Price Per person double occupancy

Date	Price	Single Supplement
May 12-21, 2027	$4,900*	$1,110
*Includes estimated airfare from Omaha, to be confirmed June 2026 Reservation Due: January 22, 2027 Final Payment Due: March 3, 2027

Included

Roundtrip airfare from Omaha including taxes and fees (air taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change), 8 nights lodging at 4-star hotels, Breakfast & dinner daily at hotels, Abraham’s Tent Lunch, Full time English-speaking tour guide, Services of long-distance deluxe motor coach as appearing on itinerary, All entrances and transportation as appearing on itinerary, Porterage at hotels (1 piece), 1 group arrival transfer and 1 group departure transfer, Whisper/Listening devices, Tips to drivers, guides, and hotel staff, Pilgrim Payment Processing for check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover

Not Included

All lunches and drinks with meals except as noted in itinerary, Optional Travel Insurance – 7.95% or 10.85% of tour cost (rates current as of quote date), Israel VAT tax (missing passport fee) - $160 fee waived upon receipt of valid passport(s), ETA-IL Entry Permit: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il (valid for 2 years after purchase)

Day 1 – Wednesday, May 12: 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 – Thursday, May 13: Arrive Israel, Joppa

Arrive in Israel and travel northward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv. As long as our flight arrival time allows, we will make a visit to Joppa before heading to our hotel. 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 – Friday, May 14: Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Tamar Bakfar Store, Sea of Galilee Cruise

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, hippodrome, a film on history and the 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 drive through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, to the shores of Lake Galilee where so much of Jesus’ life and ministry took place. We will make a special visit to Tamar Bakfar, a date farm store where we will have a chance to stock up on some local snacks for our trip. We will end our day with a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee with quiet time for reflection and meditation on the Scriptures. We will overnight in Galilee for the next two evenings.

Day 4 – Saturday, May 15: Mt. Arbel, Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Bethsaida, Mt. of the Beatitudes, Capernaum, Magdala

We start our morning with a view of the Galilee lake region from atop Mt. Arbel; from this vantage point, our guide can point out a number of familiar locations from Jesus’ ministry. We then travel 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. Returning south, we pass the possible site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes in Bethsaida and arrive at the Mount of the Beatitudes for a chance to recall Christ’s teachings that took place here. In Capernaum we view the excavations of the seaside village and Peter’s home, followed by 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.

Day 5 – Sunday, May 16: Gideon’s Spring, Beth Shean, Gan HaShlosha Springs, Dead Sea

This morning we journey southward and make a short visit to Gideon’s Spring before then making our way to nearby Beth 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. After this, we will visit the Gan HaShlosha Springs park to enjoy a dip in the hot springs. 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 pass ancient Jericho and view from a distance this city famed as the oldest in the world. To the east of Jericho along the Jordan River Valley (Queser El Yehud) is 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.

Day 6 – Monday, May 17: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran Caves, Abraham’s Tent, Arrive 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 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, camel ride and authentic food. Our lodging for the next four nights will be in Jerusalem.

Day 7 – Tuesday, May 18: Temple Mount, Wailing Wall, Rabbinical Tunnels, Pool of Bethesda, Stephen’s Gate, St. Ann’s Church, Elah Valley

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. 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 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 afternoon we head out of the city to the Elah Valley where David defeated Goliath and recount the story as we fix the surrounding scenery in our minds.

Day 8 – Wednesday, May 19: Israel Museum, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Southern Wall Excavations, Ramparts Walk

An interesting and educational time awaits us today at the Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of century’s old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and then a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem. This model will help put into perspective all that you have seen over the previous days touring. We will take a bit of extra time here to see some additional displays before heading back into the Old City. A highlight today for those who wish to participate will be a water walk through the incredible Hezekiah's Tunnel to the pool of Siloam, the place of Jesus' miracle in John 9. Next 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. We will wrap up our day with a walk along a portion of the old city wall including a visit to the “Hidden Gate,” a blocked up portion of the wall that is believed to have once been the gate to Herod’s Palace, the Gate of the Essenes. Jesus would most likely have been led through this gate when being brought before Herod for judgment.

Day 9 – Thursday, May 20: Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Judgment Hall of Pilate, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Garden Tomb, Shepherds Fields, Herodian Fortress

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. Descending into the city, we walk a portion of the Via Dolorosa and are reminded of His way of suffering, seeing the Judgment Hall of Pilate along with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our guide will explain the differing opinions on the route on which Christ was led; the actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting study. The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with a devotional. This afternoon we make a visit to the Sheperd Fields outside Bethlehem before moving on to visit nearby Herodian, a fortress palace built by Herod the Great.

Day 10 – Friday, May 21: Return Home

We transfer to the airport for our return flight home, with our hearts full of memories.

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