Sunday, Day 1: Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, transfer to Tel Aviv

 

Welcome to Israel!

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, just outside Tel Aviv.

We will be greeted by a Trips Israel representative after passport control. After fetching our luggage, we will be escorted outside the terminal to meet our driver. Check-in to our hotel and the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Monday, Day 2: Caesarea, Megiddo, Haifa, Acre (Akko) to the Galilee

Following our first buffet breakfast, we will meet our guide and our group. Drive north along the Mediterranean coast and see the following:

Caesarea

Built by Herod the Great and dedicated to Caesar Augustus 2,000 years ago and once the capital of Judea. Here, Paul embarked on his journey to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and where Cornelius and his family (the first Gentile believers) lived. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base. Explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries, as well as today. See the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city.

Megiddo

One of King Solomon’s fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization. From the Books of Daniel and Revelation reveals the final Battle of Armageddon. Also view the Plains of Jezreel and the well-preserved water supply system.

Mt. Carmel – Haifa

Ascend Mt. Carmel for a beautiful panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Botanical Gardens below. Here Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal.

Akko – Acre

A crusader port located on a promontory at the northern end of Haifa Bay. Akko is mentioned in ancient written sources as an important city on the northern coast of the Land of Israel. The ancient site of Akko was abandoned during the Hellenistic period. The Romans improved and enlarged the natural harbor in the southern part of the city, and constructed a breakwater, thus making it one of the main ports on the eastern Mediterranean coast. See its underground passages and secret rooms, as well as the prison.

Afternoon/evening:

We will conclude our day and drive through the Pastoral Hills of the Galilee and to our kibbutz hotel for check-in. Enjoy a relaxing dinner and explore the kibbutz and its ambiance.

Overnight in the Galilee

Tuesday, Day 3: Tiberias / Wester Galilee / Banias

 

After breakfast, we will start our day with a short tour of Tiberias. We will visit the following places:

Boat Cruise:

Board the Jesus boat for a cruise on the Sea of Galilee towards Capernaum.

Capernaum:

Center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many of His miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt. 8:5; 14-17; 9:1-7; 17:18). See the remains of the 2nd century synagogue.

Tabgha:

Site of the Miracle of the “Loaves and Fishes” and to see the Church of the multiplication (John 6:1-14), with its 4th century mosaic floor.

Mount of Beatitudes:

Where Jesus delivered what is perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached – “The Sermon On The Mount” (Matt. 5).

Banias Springs and Caesarea Phillipi:

One of the sources of the River Jordan. It’s believed Caesaria Philippi is where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16).

Afternoon/evening:

We will return back to our hotel and enjoy a relaxing dinner. Evening at leisure.

Overnight in the Galilee.

Wednesday, Day 4: Nazareth / Beit Shean

Breakfast at our hotel. We leave the upper Galilee area and drive south. On our way, we will visit the following places:

Cana of Galilee

Here Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:1).

Nazareth:

Visit the Grotto of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. These churches are located over the traditional site where Mary and Joseph lived. See the ancient City Well, believed to be the site where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

Yardenit:

A Baptismal site in the Jordan River. A chance of being Baptized (request in advance).

Beit Shean:

The largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel. Visit the amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses (1st Samuel 31:10).

Jordan Valley:

The rift of the Jordan valley is unlike other valleys. That’s because the Jordan River runs through the rift from the Sea of Galilee and flows to the Dead Sea. This Rift Valley is 120 km (75 mi) long and 15 km (9.3 mi) wide. In the biblical times, it is mentioned that one day the dessert will bloom with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). You can see the prophecy today.

Afternoon/evening:

Arrive to Jerusalem and check in to our hotel. Enjoy another relaxing dinner at our hotel. Suggested stroll around the city center of Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Thursday, Day 5: Jerusalem: The Old City

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Today, we will visit the following places in and around Jerusalem:

Mount of Olives

Ascend to the top of Mt. Of Olives for a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Golden Gates. Drive or stroll down to the bottom of the mountain to visit the Garden of Gethemane and the Church of All Nations. Here, Jesus prayed on many occasions and where he was arrented.

Mt. Zion:

Visit the site of the Upper Room, where it is believed was “The Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13). Also visit King David’s Tomb below.

Jewish Quarter (Old City):

Reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. See the restored Jewish Quarter and its Cardo (meaning the heart), the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns.

Western Wall:

Also known as The Wailing Wall or The Kotel in hebrew is an ancient limestone wall and is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The wall is a relatively small segment of a far larger retaining wall. The wall was originally erected as part of the expansion of the Second Jewish Temple, built by Herod the Great. This was build on top of a steep hill known to Jews and Christians as the Temple Mount.

Via Dolorosa:

Also known as The Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross, which is where Jesus walked carying a large wooden cross prior to His crucifixion. Along the Via Dolorosa, we will experience the colorful bazaars, alleyways and marketplaces (a chance to test our negotiating skills).

Church of the Holy Seplechre

Believed by many Christian, this is the site of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and then resurrected.

Garden Tomb:

It is also believed by many Christians, this was the site of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.

Afternoon/evening:

Return to our hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday, Day 6: New City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Today, we visit the following:

Ein Kerem

John the Baptist’s parents summer house and birthplace.

Yad Vashem:

Israeli memorial for the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Visit the Street of the Righteous Gentiles.

Israel Museum:

See the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed Also see the scale model of Jerusalem, as it used to look in the 2nd Temple period.

Bethlehem:

Bethlehem is known for the site of the Nativity, where Mary conceived Jesus. Today, it is enclosed by the Church of the Nativity.

Afternoon/evening:

We will return to our hotel for Shabbat dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Saturday, Day 7: Masada and the Dead Sea area

Early breakfast at out hotel. Drive south towards the Dead Sea area and descend 1305 feet (398m) below sea level (lowest lowest point on earth). Visits will include:

Qumran

Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a young shepherd boy in the caves of Qumran.

Masada:

Ascend by cable car to the mountaintop plateau of Masada. Here, the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots struggled against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva. They chose to die as free men at their own hands in preference to Roman slavery and torture.

Dead Sea:

The lowest point on the surface of earth to 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. The Dead Sea is uniquely formulated in a small body of water and includes 11-13% salt and other natural healthy ingredients. Float on the Dead Sea and cover ourselves in mud (weather permitting).

Afternoon/evening:

Return back to Jerusalem and to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Sunday, Day 8: Jerusalem transfer to Hussein Border Bridge, Jerash and Amman

After breakfast, we will journey to the Sheik Hussain Border (Bridge). After border proceedings, we will visit the following places in Jordan:

Jerash:

City of the Decapolis, located about 45km north of Amman in the fertile heights of the Gilad. Visit the ancient Roman city with colonnaded streets, the baths and the hill of the top Temple.

Amman:

Capital city of Jordan city tour.

Afternoon/evening:

Arrive to hotel for check in, followed by dinner.

Overnight in Amman.

Monday, Day 9: Amman to Petra

After breakfast, we will be driven south to the Nabatean City of Petra. Visits will include:

Petra

built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe), who settled in the South of Jordan more than 2000 years ago (3rd century B.C. to 2nd Century A.D.). Petra is famous for its interesting monuments such as the Treasury, El Khazneh (a tomb of a Nabatean king) then the field of tombs, obelisks, the altar, the Court, the Roman Theater, the Roman Streets and the Qassier Rl-Bint. (Al Madhbah) – from this point you can view the whole of the rock city, then back to Wadi Musa village. The city itself is almost 45 Square Km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world.

Upon our arrival in Petra, our tour begins with a short walk or ride a horseback ride to the entrance of Petra (about 1.2 km). Return back to the border at 6 PM and cross to Eilat, where our transfer to our hotel will be waiting.

Afternoon-Evening:

We will arrive to our hotel for check-in and enjoy a relaxing dinner.

Overnight in Petra.

Tuesday, Day 10: Petra to Madaba, Mount Nebo, Alenby Bridge crossings to Tel Aviv             

Drive to Madaba to see the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land and ruins of historical sites. Continue about 10kms. to Mount Nebo, from where Moses viewed the Promised Land. From there you will see the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Dead Sea etc. Visit the remains of the Byzantine church with a mosaic floor. Drive to the border and onwards to Tel Aviv.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Following breakfast at our hotel in Petra, we will leave Petra and drive north. We will see the following sites on our way:

Madaba:

See the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land and ruins of historical sites.

Mount Nebo:

Where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Visit the remains of the Byzantine church with a mosaic floor. Also see the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Dead Sea.

Afternoon, evening:

We will drive to the Alenby Border crossing. After border procedures, arrive at our hotel in Tel Aviv for check-in. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Wednesday, Day 11: Departure

After breakfast (depending on flight times), we will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.