Tour Itinerary:
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 – Day 1: USA to ISRAEL
We will depart from Detroit on an overnight transatlantic flight to Israel (via Chicago). Meals, in-flight movies and music will be provided on board.
Thursday, April 12 – Day 2: Welcome to Israel
Welcome to Israel. We will meet our representative immediately after passport control. After fetching our luggage, we will be escorted outside the terminal to meet our guide, driver and motor coach.
On our way to Tel Aviv, our guide will go over the itinerary with us and explain some procedures. Arrive at our hotel for check-in. Depending on flight times, we will have dinner at our hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Tel Aviv
Friday, April 13 – Day 3: Journey north
Following our first breakfast (at our hotel), we start the day with a short visit at the Old Port City of Jaffa. Just south of Tel Aviv, we will also enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Tel Aviv. Our day begins with a drive north along the Mediterranean coast towards Haifa. On our way, we will stop at the ancient city of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base; where Cornelius lived and was baptized (Acts 10). Paul also embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30). View the excavated Roman theater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound.
Upon our arrival in Haifa, we ascend to the top of Mt. Carmel for a panoramic view of the botanical gardens below and Haifa Bay. Here, Elijah fought the 400 false prophets.
Drive inland to Megiddo to see what’s left of one of King Solomon’s fortified walled cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26). With the ruins of 20 levels of civilization and identified as the site of Armageddon. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon. View the Plains of Jezreel, the archaeological excavations, including the well-preserved water supply system.
Continue to Nazareth, to visit the Church of the Annunciation, where it is believed the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Also visit the Synagogue of Nazareth, where Jesus preached his first sermon. A short distance away is Nazareth Village, which is a replica of a village 2000 years old, similar to Nazareth at the time of Jesus.
Proceed to Cana, the site where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding ceremony.
We will drive through the Pastoral Hills of the Galilee to Tiberias and arrive to our hotel for check-in with cold refreshments. After check-in, we will enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in Tiberias
Saturday, April 14 – Day 4: Golan and Western Galilee
After breakfast, we will start our day with a drive north to the Golan Heights to visit Banias Springs. Known for its water source of the River Jordan, it is also the site of the ancient Caesarea Philippi. It is where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16).
Drive back south towards Western Galilee to visit Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes (John 6:1-14). Also the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered perhaps the most significant sermon ever preached “The Sermon On The Mount” (Matt. 5).
Visit Kibbutz Nof Ginosar or similar restaurant for a St. Peter’s fish lunch. At Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, visit Yigal Alon Museum, where the “Jesus boat” is displayed. The Jesus Boat is an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century found at the bottom of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). It was restored to its original look and displayed in the small museum.
Board a boat (Jesus Boat) for a short cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Journey to Capernaum (Kfar Nachum) to see Jesus’ Galilean ministry. Also known for the site of many miracles. See the remains of Peter’s (Shimon’s) house and the synagogue where Jesus taught and worshiped.
Evening at leisure. Dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in Tiberias
Sunday, April 15 – Day 5: Journey to the Dead Sea
Our last breakfast in the Galilee, followed by a drive south towards the Dead Sea. Witness the drive through the lush Jordan Valley, as the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation… (Isaiah 35:1-2).
View the breathtaking St. George’s Greek Monastery from a distance.
Stop at Qasr el Yahud, believed to be the original Baptismal site of where John Baptized Jesus.
As we get closer to the shores of the shores of the Dead Sea, we will start to descend to the lowest point on earth. It is 1305 feet (or 398 meter) below sea level.
Stop at Qumran, where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is also believed, John the Baptist visited in many occasions.
Proceed south to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada. Ascend to the top, where the last Jewish Zealots stronghold struggle against the legions of Flavius Silva.
Conclude the day with a drive to the Dead Sea resort hotel in Ein Bokek. The remainder of the day will be at leisure for a chance to float on the Dead Sea.
In the evening, we will enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in Ein Bokek
Monday, April 16 – Day 6: Journey to Eilat and the Red Sea
Breakfast at leisure. Take advantage of our hotel and its facilities. An optional excursion to Ein Gedi at 08:45 AM. Ein Gedi reserve is an Oasis in the desert, with several waterfalls, including David’s Falls and beautiful garden surroundings. Ein Gedi is mentioned several times in the bible, including the book of Samuel, where David hid from King Saul. It is believed this was the site David wrote most of the book of Psalms.
Journey south to Eilat and our hotel for check-in.
Enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Overnight in Eilat
Tuesday, April 17 – Day 7: Petra
Early breakfast at our hotel. We will drive to the Israel/Jordanian border. After visa proceedings, we will drive straight to Petra through desert highways. Our ultimate destination is the astonishing rose-red city of Petra, built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe).
Petra was renowned for its massive architecture, pools, dams and water channels. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans who settled in the South of Jordan more than 2000 years ago.
The visit begins with a short horse or donkey back ride from the Welcome Center, 2296 feet (700m) until the entrance of the Siq. Petra is famous for its huge monuments, including the Treasury, Royal Tombs, the Court, Roman Theater, Qassier Rl-Bint and many other. The city itself is almost 45 Square Km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world.
Enjoy lunch in Petra (own expense). We will return back to the border with a stop at Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum is a protected desert wilderness, featuring dramatic sandstone mountains and other natural surroundings.
We will cross back to Eilat (Israel) and to our hotel for a relaxing dinner.
Overnight in Eilat
Wednesday, April 18 – Day 8: Journey to Jerusalem
Enjoy breakfast at leisure at our hotel.
For those who wish to go to visit the underwater observatory, a 09:00 complimentary round-trip transfer will be available for us (entry to site is not included). See the the incredible marine life of the Red Sea. Return to our hotel and check-out around noon.
Depart Eilat and the Red Sea and travel north to visit Timna Park, with Solomon’s Pillars. Here, we will see the Tabernacle in the desert and the natural pillar structures, which were formed by centuries of water erosion.
Proceed north and stop at Beer Sheva, to see an ancient well believed to be the original well of Abraham.
Prior to our arrival in Jerusalem, we will stop at Eretz Bereshit (Land of Genesis) for a camel safari adventure in the Judean Wilderness. After safari, Abraham will invite us to join him in his tent for a biblical dinner.
Arrive to our hotel in Jerusalem for check-in with welcome refreshments.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Thursday, April 19 – Day 9: Jerusalem and its Old City
Following breakfast, we enter through the Dung Gate into the Old City of Jerusalem.
Our first stop will be the Southern Wall excavations. Here, we will see the beauty of the ruins, including the famous Robinson Arch, which used to lead the high priests into the Temple.
Continue through the broad stone stairway down to the Western Wall, also known as the “Kotel” to see Judaism’s Holiest place. Begin at the passageway and descend through the many layers of Jerusalem’s past through the Western Wall Tunnels. The tunnels is also known as “The Rabbinical Tunnels”. Inside, is the most interesting model shows the different dwelling periods and history of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Stand on the site believed to be the holiest spot for Jews worldwide.
Exiting at the Christian Quarter, we will visit the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a lame man (John 5).
From here we will retrace the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross) and its stations. Wander through the colorful bazaars and marketplace to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the Jewish Quarter, reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. After lunch (own expense), a special point of interest in the Jewish Quarter is the “Cardo”, meaning “The Heart” of this ancient Byzantine City. View the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns.
Wander the old city of Jerusalem at leisure, prior to returning to our hotel.
Early dinner at our hotel. After dinner, we will drive to Tower of David to see a spectacular sound and light show.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Friday, April 20 – Day 10: Jerusalem and Bethlehem
After breakfast, start our day with a drive up to the top of the Mount of Olives. See an amazing panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Golden Gates. Optional stroll or drive down the mount of Olives to the bottom to visit the Garden of Gethsemane. Here, Jesus prayed in many occasions and where He was betrayed and arrested. Optional visit to the Church of All Nations.
Visit the House of Caiaphas, the high priest who interrogated Jesus the night of His betrayal (Mark 14:53- 65).
Continue to Mt. Zion to visit David’s Tomb. A flight of stair up, we will visit the Upper Room, the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29).
Drive to Israeli Museum to see a model of the city of Jerusalem as it may have appeared in 66CE. In that fateful year, the Great Revolt against the Romans erupted, resulting in the destruction of the city and the Temple. The ancient city was then at its largest, covering an area of ca. 445 acres (more than twice the size of the Old City today). In the same complex, we will also visit the Shrine of the Book. Here, we will see the original Dead Sea scrolls, which is where they are housed.
In the afternoon, we will leave Jerusalem and drive towards Bethlehem. Arrive at Manger Square and enter into the Church of the Nativity. It is believed by many that this was the site of Jesus’ birth place.
We will return back to Jerusalem for a communion at the Garden Tomb. It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of Golgotha (crucifixion, burial and resurrection).
Return to our hotel for dinner.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Saturday, April 21 – Day 11: Departure & arrival home
Early breakfast at our hotel, followed by a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back home.
We will arrive back home with everlasting memories of Israel.
Shalom!
Please note: Itinerary is subject to change.
