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A Life Changing
Experience! This trip represent the best Christian tour and designed
to fortify the foundations of your faith
Best Of Israel Tour
11 night / 12 day
Day 1: Arrive Israel
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Israeli
guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. We travel
northward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv.
The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax,
and have dinner. The time is right for a personal devotional with the
sunset over the “Great Sea”. Enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety
and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land,
and a good night’s rest.
Day 2: Caesarea, Megiddo & Mt Carmel
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the
Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News
from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre,
harbor/palace area and aqueduct, and then journey on to Mt. Carmel,
where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next we
travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon
Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of
civilization. We will have free time, dinner and overnight lodging for
the next three nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.
Day 3: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Bethsaida,
Corazim, Capernaum
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable
northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on Israel. Dan is
where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan worship and
Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of Peter’s Confession.
Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum formed what has been called the
"evangelical triangle" because most of Jesus’ miracles in Galilee were
performed in these cities. Of special interest are the ruins of a 1st
century synagogue in Corazin, the House of the Fisherman in Bethsaida
and Peter’s home in Capernaum.
Day 4: Galilee Experience, Jordan River,
Golan Heights
Today we begin the day at the Galilee Experience, a multi-media
presentation on 4,000 years of history in the Galilee. After we visit at
the Jordan River Baptismal site. Tour the Golan Heights, with it’s
valleys, grazing land and snow capped mountains. Return to hotel for
dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Nazareth, Mount of Beatitudes
We begin our day drive through the hills of
Galilee takes us through the area of Cana
and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus,
where we visit the Nazareth Village - a
wonderful recreation of Biblical times with
costumed guides and . This
afternoon we travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and
fishes and we shall visit the Church of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well.
In the Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Gallilee
followed by a relaxing boat cruise. A brief scripture reading and
devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the
fishermen disciples. We dock at a working Kibbutz and visit the famous
Fisherman Boat from the days of Jesus, a conclusion to a wonderful day.
Day 6: Beit Shean & Dead Sea
We begin our day with a visit to the Jordan River Baptismal site. Next
we travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent
archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the
Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost
continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his
sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of
Beit-Archaeologists have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the
Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was
one of the chief cities of the Decapolis - a league of ten cities sharing
Greek culture and government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley
southward, your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the
“Land of Milk and Honey”, the Kibbutz system and Israel’s intricate
irrigation development. We pass ancient Jericho, view from a distance
this city famed as the oldest in the world, before coming to our lodging
for the evening at the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth.
Day 7: The Judean Wilderness: Qumran, Ein
Gedi, Masada and climb down the Old Roman Ramp
Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of
Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot
stand. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, "Spring of the Goat", an oasis
on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and
abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its
fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from
Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and
worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we visit Qumran Caves where the
Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Our lodging for the next five nights
will be in Jerusalem.
Day 8: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times,
Holocaust Museum
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper Room" just
outside the Zion Gate where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head
on His breast and where later Thomas cried, "my Lord & my God". An
interesting and educational time awaits us at the Israel Museum. Walk
through collections of centuries old Israeli artifacts including the
Dead Sea Scrolls, and a then a guided walk through an accurately
detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem will help to prepare you for what
you will experience in the following days. We conclude the day with a
visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder of what
the Jews have suffered as a people.
Day 9: Jesus' Steps
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with a panoramic
view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from a top the
Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished
to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His
voice if only for a moment? To walk between the ancient olive trees,
read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer and take time for personal
reflection is important here. Next we visit the House of Caiaphas where
Jesus was beaten and spit upon. See a pit where he may have been held
for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken
to be condemned. On our way into the city we will visit the Wailing Wall
and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the
Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of
the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, giant stones, water supply
and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Before exiting the
tunnel we see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders. We move
on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against
Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. From here we
will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St.
Ann’s Church.
Day 10: City of David, Jeremiah's Cistern,
Hezekiah's Tunnel
We begin our sightseeing just outside the Dung Gate on the southeastern
hill below the Temple Mount in the City of David. It was during the time
of Solomon that the city limits expended past this part of Jerusalem. We
visit Gihon Springs, the original water source for Jerusalem, view new
excavations including a typical Israelite four-room house, the lower
city wall and the cistern where Jeremiah was imprisoned. A highlight
today will be a water walk through the incredible Hezekiah's Tunnel to
the pool of Siloam, the place of Jesus' miracle in John 9. Before
returning to our hotel, our guide will take us to an overview of the
city from the hillside overlooking Jerusalem and the Gehenna Valley.
This meaningful teaching time will bring together the many things that
you have seen to date.
Day 11: Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb,
Pentecost, Bethlehem*
While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of
suffering along with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our
guide will explain the differing opinions on the route that Christ was
led and the actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting
study. The climax of the day is the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the
resurrection with communion and a time of praise. This afternoon we
visit the Southern Wall Excavations. This southern side of The Temple
was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and
Levites had their own entrance from the higher eastern side. Parts of
the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard have
been unearthed along with the purification pools. From here Jesus
entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangers
who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place
that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and
baptized on the Day of Pentecost. Proceed to Bethlehem* to visit the Church of
the Nativity.
Day 12: Home
We enjoy our final meal and continue to the airport for our flight home.
Returning home with unforgettable memories and new friends that are
forever.
Important Note:Although
the itinerary above obviously emphasizes the spiritual aspect of this
marvelous country, our guides are also experts in and passionate about
the miracle of the return of the Jews and the restoration of the state
of Israel. This fact, along with many modern day topics (military,
politics, education, and other rounded information.
*This is subject to local conditions at the time of the tour
Best Of Israel Tour - *Hotels
Tel Aviv - Grand Beach
Galilee - Kibbutz hotel Lavi, Lev wing
Dead Sea -
Moriah Classic Hotel
Jerusalem - Grand Court, Leonardo
*Hotels subject to availability
Itinerary and rates could change due to times of arrival and departure of the group
The above program can be extended
and tailor-made for groups and can be run as a private tour
Includes: Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to Hotel in Tel Aviv and from Hotel in
Jerusalem to Airport, 10 Full
day touring with all entrance fees as per above itinerary, 11 nights
accommodation on Half Board Basis (buffet breakfast and
dinner in hotels), Expert Biblical Guide, A/C deluxe Bus during the touring days.
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