Departs: Indicated Tuesdays
Day 1: Depart New York / Tel Aviv (Tuesday)
Today, depart for Israel.
Day 2: Tel Aviv/ Tiberias (Wednesday)
Shalome! Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 3: Sea of Galilee (Thursday)
This morning, visit many of the sites where Jesus performed his miracles. Sail on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden boat modeled after one from Jesus’ time. Ascend to the Mt. of Beatitudes followed by the Mt of Tabgha where the miracle of the Loaves and Fish took place. Drive to Capernaum to visit the synagogue and the ruins of Peter the Apostle’s House. Drive by Beth Saida, the fishing village of the Gospel, where Jesus performed many miracles. Lunch stop for St Peter’s fish (optional). Drive to Beth Shean aka Scythapolis to see the magnificent Roman and Byzantine ruins. Drive to the Yardenit, the modern baptismal site located at the exit of the Jordan River and renew your baptismal vows. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 4: Nazareth / Meggido / Caesarea / Jerusalem (Friday)
Depart Tiberias for Jerusalem. Stop in Cana where Jesus performed his first Miracle, turning water into wine. Proceed to Nazareth, Jesus’ home town. Visit the Church of the Annunciation and pray. Drive to the mound of Megiddo, which gave its name to Armageddon. Ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Drive to Caesarea to visit the ancient harbor. Continue to Mt. Scopus to behold a majestic view of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Dome of the Rock, JerusalemDay 5: Jericho / Qumran / Masada (Saturday)
This morning, drive to Bethany, the town of Christ's anointment and the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Drive to Jericho and view the Mt of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights. Continue to Qumran to view Cave #4, containing the greatest quantity of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Continue to Masada for a visit. Next, enter the nature reserve of Ein Gedi, rich in flora and fauna. Conclude the day with a float in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6: Mt. of Olives / Bethlehem (Sunday)
Drive to the Mt of Olives for a beautiful view of Jerusalem. Walk the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church, Dominus Flevit. View the Golden Gate and walk to Gethsemane where Jesus was betrayed by Judas. Drive to the Dung Gate and walk to the Southern Wall excavations. See the ruins near the southern side of the Temple complex including the steps where Jesus and the disciples walked. Visit the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb. Drive to Shepards’ Fields. Finally, visit Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus, and the Church of the Nativity. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7: Old City - Jerusalem (Monday)
Walk through Jerusalem, where Jesus taught and walked with his Apostles. Walk to the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. Ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam. Continue to the Pools of Bethesda and St Anne’s Church. Follow the Way of the Cross (via Dolorosa) to the Holy Sepulcher and see the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Walk through the Christian Quarters. Exit Jerusalem at the Mr Zion Gate to the grounds of the church Peter in Gallicantu. The last stop is the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8: Jerusalem / Tel Aviv (Tuesday)
Transfer to airport for your flight home.
