Deluxe Christian Holy Land Tour

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. Here, Pontius Pilate had his base. See the Roman amphitheater and walk through the excavated fortress, view the water 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 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. See the natural harbor, port, underground passages, secret rooms, as well as the prison.

Afternoon/evening:

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 cruise to experience life as fishermen to 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 and where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16) at Caesaria Philippi.

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:

Where the Grotto of the Annunciation enclosed by the Church of Annunciation. Also see the Church of St. Joseph, located over the traditional site where Mary and Joseph lived. Visit 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:

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 runs from the Sea of Galilee via the Jordan River 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).

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 panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Golden Gates. Drive or walk down the mount and visit the Garden of Gethemane.  Here, Jesus prayed on many occasions and where he was arrested. Visit the Church of All Nations, located in the same premises.

Mt. Zion:

The site of the Upper Room or also know as “The Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13). The tomb of King David is located one floor below.

Jewish Quarter (Old City):

The restored Jewish Quarter, includes the site of the 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), which is the last remaining Temple wall. The wall is a relatively a 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, is where Jesus walked the path carrying a large wooden cross prior to His crucifixion.

Via Dolorosa:

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 Bethlehem

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

Ein Kerem

John the Baptist birth place and parents summer house.

Yad Vashem:

Memorial for the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Israel Museum:

Where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, as well as the scale model of the old city at the temple period.

Bethlehem:

Known for the site of the Nativity, enclosed by the Church of the Nativity.

Afternoon/evening:

Return to our hotel for Shabbat dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Saturday, Day 7: Masada and the Dead Sea area

Early breakfast at out hotel. The drive southeast takes us to the Dead Sea area to the lowest point on earth, 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. 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.

Dead Sea beach facility:

At a beach facility, enjoy a float on the Dead Sea and cover our body in mud. The Dead Sea is uniquely formulated in a small body of water and includes 11-13% salt and other natural healthy ingredients.

Afternoon/evening:

Return back to Jerusalem and to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Sunday, Day 8: Journey to Eilat (Red Sea) via the Negev Desert

After breakfast, we will journey south towards Eilat, via the Negev Desert and visit:

Hatzerim Air Force Museum:

An Israeli Air Force Base located in the Negev Desert on the west outskirts of Beer-Sheba. View the planes and equipment from past Israel wars.

Bedouin Village:

Enjoy a camel safari in the Desert followed by a biblical light lunch and Bedouin hospitality.

Sde Boker:

Ben Gurion’s hut (1st Prime Minister of Israel) and where he was buried, while viewing the magnificent Zin valley.

Mitzpeh Ramon

A geological feature of Israel’s Negev desert. The crater is located 85 km south of the city of Beersheba. The shape of the crater is not from a meteor or a volcanic crater formed by a volcanic eruption. Today the crater and surrounding area forms Israel’s largest national park, the Ramon Nature Reserve.

Afternoon/evening:

Arrive to Eilat and to our hotel for check in.

Enjoy a relaxing dinner by the Red Sea.

Overnight in the Eilat.

Monday, Day 9: At leisure or Optional Petra Tour

Enjoy a day at leisure. Optional tours and recreations are available from Eilat, such as;

Petra

Built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe), who settled in the South of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Petra is famous for its huge monuments, such as; the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Courthouse, Roman Theater and the Qassier Rl-Bint. The city itself is almost 45 Square Km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world.

The Tour of Petra ($250 per person):

Package includes:

• Transfer from our hotel to the border with Jordan.
• Horseback ride (included) to the entrance of Petra (about 1.2 km).
• Lunch in Petra
• Transfer back to Eilat
• Visa preparation and border assistance.

Dolphin Reef:

A horseshoe-shaped sea-pen holding captive bottle-nose dolphins in the Gulf of Eilat. Snorkel or scuba dive with the dolphins and other sea marine-life.

Dive with dolphins price per person:
339 NIS (approximately US $95)

Snorkel with dolphins price per person:
Adult  – 290 NIS (approximately $80)

Red Sea:

Contact Trips Israel for a list of several great recreational facilities, beaches around our hotel at 888-300-3038.

Afternoon-Evening:

We will enjoy relaxing dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Eilat.

Tuesday, Day 10: Eilat to Tel Aviv

Following breakfast, start the day with the following:

Underwater Observatory:

The largest natural aquariums in the world – built into coral reef.

Timna Park:

Located in the Negev Desert, the site is rich in copper ore and has been mined since the 5th millennium BCE. Visit the copper mines and view King Solomon’s pillars.

Afternoon, evening:

Drive north to 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.