Christian Holy Land Tour

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

 

Shalom! Arrive Ben Gurion Airport and meet a CTTI representative, who will escort us outside to meet your driver. Arrive at our hotel in the Tel Aviv for check in.

Enjoy a buffet dinner at hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

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

Following our first breakfast in Israel, we will leave the city of Tel Aviv and drive north along the Mediterranean coast and see the following:

Caesarea

See the ancient Roman theater, built by Herod 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; and where Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30 Acts 10 24-48) and where Philip preached (Acts 8:40). Explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries. Walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city.

Megiddo

One of King Solomon’s walled, fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization, including the well-preserved water supply system. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel.

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

See its underground passages and secret rooms, as well as the prison. Once occupied by many nations.

Afternoon/evening:

Drive through the Pastoral Hills of the Galilee and to our hotel for check-in.

Dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in the Galilee

Tuesday, Day 3: Tiberias / Wester Galilee / Banias

 

After breakfast, start the day with a short tour of Tiberias. Visits will include the following places:

Boat Cruise:

Cruise on the Sea of Galilee for a biblical revival in a Jesus boat replica.

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). Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue.

Tabgha:

Site of the the “Loaves and Fishes”, including the Church of the multiplication (John 6:1-14), a 4th century mosaic floor.

Mount of Beatitudes:

Where Jesus delivered perhaps the most famous sermon 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:

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 hotel. Today, visit the following places:

Cana of Galilee

Here we will visit the site where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:1).

Nazareth:

The boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will 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. We will also visit the site of the ancient City Well, believed to be the site, where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

Yardenit:

A Baptismal site in the Jordan River. Here we will have the chance of being Baptized.

Beit Shean:

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

Jordan Valley:

See the dessert bloom with flowers and vegetation, prophesied by Isaiah in chapter 35:1-2.

Afternoon/evening:

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

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Thursday, Day 5: Jerusalem: The Old City

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Today, visits will include sites in Jerusalem and the Old City.

Mount of Olives

Mount of Olives is situated on the east side of the Old City. On top of the mountain, is a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City and the Golden Gates. At the bottom of the mount, is an urban garden, most famous for the site where Jesus prayed in many occasions prior to His crucifixion.

The Upper Room at Mt. Zion:

Also known as the “Room of the Last Supper”, located above David’s Tomb compound. The site of the Upper Room is believed by many was the room where Jesus had His last Passover meal, prior to His incarceration.

Jewish Quarter (Old City):

Situated is the southeastern sector of the walled city. It stretches to the Zion Gate in the south and extends to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in the east. 

The Jewish quarter was reconstructed after the city was unified after the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the “Cardo”, meaning the “heart” of this ancient Byzantine City. See the unearthed (main) Roman thoroughfare and the ancient marketplace lined with columns.

Western Wall:

Also known as “The Kotel”, or “The Wailing Wall” and “Temple Mount Wall”. The Western Wall is the last remaining structure after the destruction of the temple. It is considered the holiest place for Jews.

Via Dolorosa:

Also known as the “Stations of the Cross” was the pathway to Jesus’ Crucifixion. The Stations of the Cross is now home to the many colorful bazaars and merchant marketplace.

Church of the Holy Seplechre

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

Garden Tomb:

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

Afternoon/evening:

We will 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 Bethlehem

Another amazing breakfast at our hotel. Today, we will visit the following places:

Ein Kerem

The birthplace of John the Baptist and where his parents enjoyed their summer house.

Yad Vashem:

Israeli memorial for the Holocaust, where six million Jews perished in WWII.

Israel Museum:

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

Bethlehem:

It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of where Jesus was born at the Church of the Nativity.

Afternoon/evening:

We will return to our hotel for Shabbat dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Saturday, Day 7: Massada and the Dead Sea area

Early breakfast at our hotel. We will drive south towards the Dead Sea. As we get closer to the shores of the Dead Sea, we will start to descend to the lowest lowest point on the surface of the earth. The descent is 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. We will visit the following places:

Qumran

Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a young shepherd boy.

Masada:

Ascend by cable car to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada. Where 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:

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 (similar to a lake) and includes 11%-13% salt and other natural 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: Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport

After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.