Upon arrival at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, our Israeli host assists us with the transfer of our luggage. We then board a motor coach, meet our guide, and drive along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to our Tel Aviv hotel. Time permitting, we take a walking tour of Joppa/Jaffa, the ancient seaport mentioned in the biblical narratives of Jonah and the whale, and Solomon’s import of the cedars of Lebanon. It is also where Simon the tanner lived and Peter stayed during his missionary activities. Grand Beach Hotel or similar

After our first Israeli breakfast, we board our coach and drive north up the coast to Caesarea Maritima, built by King Herod the Great in 22 B.C. It was here that Pontius Pilate lived and where the Gospel was first brought to the Gentiles. While here, we visit the Roman Theater, the Roman Aqueduct, and the Herodian Port. We drive by Mount Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and stop at Mount Precipice, where the Nazarenes wanted to throw Jesus off the cliff (Lk. 4:16-30). We continue to Megiddo, the Chariot City for Solomon and Ahab. Here, we explore the vast archaeological remains of this ancient city. We end our day with a boat ride
across the Sea of Galilee and stop to see the 2000-year-old Jesus boat. Sea of Galilee Hotel or similar

Our morning begins at Nazareth, where we visit the Church of the Annunciation, see Mary’s well and walk-through Nazareth Village. We drive around the Sea of Galilee, passing by Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. We enter the 2,000-year-old remains of Capernaum (Lk. 4:31-37) and stand in what is left of the synagogue in which our Lord ministered. We also see Peter’s house. We visit Tabgha, commemorating the feeding of the 5,000 (Lk. 9); Mensa Christi, where the Lord appeared to the disciples after the resurrection (Jn. 21); and the Church of Peter’s Primacy. We stop at Chorazim and Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. We end the day in a time of spiritual blessing as we stop at Yardenit, the famous baptismal site at the headwaters of the Jordan River. Here we are invited to touch the water. Sea of Galilee Hotel or similar

This morning, we drive to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), a source of the Jordan River. Here, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and explained to them that he must go to Jerusalem (Mt. 16:13-23) and be crucified. At Tel Dan, we see where the tribe of Dan lived; it was originally called Laish. Dan introduced idolatry into the land of Israel, and it was here where King Jeroboam set up a high place of worship to a golden calf (1 Kgs. 12:25-33). We reflect on the significance of the Road to Damascus. In the Golan Heights, we recall the scene of bitter fighting during the Six Day War and the Valley of the Tears. We enjoy the snowcapped peak of Mount Hermon, the highest mountain in the Middle East. At Gamla, we view the remains of a 1st-century town and synagogue where Jesus likely preached, the beautiful waterfall, and the large vultures and eagles soaring above us. We visit Bethsaida and return to our hotel in the Galilee region for dinner and overnight. Sea of Galilee Hotel or similar

We start the day at Gideon Spring, where Gideon chose his army to fight the Midianites. We continue to the Tel of Bet Shean, where the bodies of King Saul and his sons hung from the city gates (I Sam. 31). We spend time at the luxurious Roman city of Bet Shean before passing through the Judean Wilderness by Jericho en route to Qumran. We view Cave #4, which contained the greatest quantity of scrolls. Time permitting, we continue to Ein Gedi and relive one of David’s historic encounters with King Saul. We make a stop at the Dead Sea, where we have a chance to swim and float. Dinner and overnight in Dead Sea area. David Resort Ein Bokek or similar

We start the day at Masada, the famous stronghold where the Jewish people held out while being under attack from the Roman Army. We rise to the top by cable car and see remnants of the city on the top. Our next stop is Arad to view the remarkable temple patterned after God’s temple in Jerusalem. At Beersheba, view the post patriarchal well and tree reminiscent of Genesis 21. We drive through the Elah Valley, where David faced Goliath (1 Sam. 22) and walk along the Road Emmaus. We continue to Jerusalem for dinner and our hotel for the next five nights. Grand Court Hotel or similar

Today, we travel to Shilo, the ancient home of the Arch of the covenant, then drive through the Samaritan mountains back to Jerusalem. Here, we visit the Israel Museum to see the Temple Model and the Shrine of the Book. Our touring today ends at the Western (Wailing) Wall, Judaism’s most holy site. Grand Court Hotel or similar

We drive to the top of the Mount of Olives to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Old City and the Kidron Valley. From here, it is a short walk down along the Palm Sunday Way to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed while the disciples slept. We stop at Dominus Flevit, the Tear Drop Church. Later, we visit the Bazaar of the Old City and the Cardo in the Jewish quarter. We visit today Mt. Zion, where we sing praises in the Upper Room (Lk. 22:7-38), view the traditional tomb of King David, and proceed to St. Peter Gallicantu, Caiaphas the High Priest’s house (Jn. 18). Here, we walk through some of the ancient rooms. Grand Court Hotel or similar

Begin our day with a moving visit to Yad Vashem, a museum dedicated to the Holocaust. The Valley of the Lost Communities and the Righteous Alley are home to trees planted in honor of people such as Oscar Schindler, who risked their lives to save Jewish people during World War II.

At Herodium, we view the tomb of Herod the Great. We have lunch with local Christians. We see the Shepherd’s Fields and explore Bethlehem, including a visit to the Church of the Nativity. Grand Court Hotel or similar

Our final day in the Holy Lands includes a visit to the South Steps, where the Rabbi taught, as well as the Pools of Siloam, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Warren’s Shaft and David’s Palace. Entering the Old City through the Lion’s Gate, we walk along parts of the Via Dolorosa past Zion Monastery. We continue to Ecce Homo (site of Jesus’ scourging) and see an authentic Roman pavement at the Antonia Fortification. Following visits to Saint Anne’s Church, the Pool of Bethesda, a walk is planned through the colorful Arab Bazaar, where the sounds and smells of the Middle East come alive. We continue our walk to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and end the day at Calvary and the Garden Tomb. This evening includes a very special communion service and a closing session. We enjoy our farewell dinner before heading to the airport for our early morning flight home.

We board our plane for our very early morning flight home.