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Itinerary
day
1
: Tel Aviv – Netanya
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Drive through the agricultural stretches of the Sharon Plain, carpeted with orange groves and persimmon trees, to Netanya, located along the western coast of
Israel on the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner and overnight in Netanya
day
2
: Netanya – The Galilee
Drive north along the seacoast to Caesarea
Maritima, with its magnificent harbor, theater and aqueduct constructed
during the reign of Herod. It was here that Peter explained the way of
salvation to Cornelius. Continue to Mount Carmel, where Elijah
challenged the prophets of Baal. Follow the Via Maris (Way of the Sea) to
Megiddo, the city that dominated this strategic trade route from Egypt
to Mesopotamia. Explore its extensive excavations, including Ahab’s stables,
a grain silo, and an ancient underground water system. Drive to Nazareth,
the boyhood home of Jesus. See the Church of the Annunciation, built on the
traditional spot where the angel Gabriel prophesied to Mary. Dinner and
overnight along the Sea of Galilee.
day
3
: Sea of Galilee Area
See the “Jesus
Boat” found buried under an exposed section of the lakebed during a
drought in 1986 and now displayed in a museum at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar. From
here, depart on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, with time for meditation
on the sea. Disembark at Capernaum, the town used as a base by Christ
during his ministry. See the remains of the fourth-century synagogue and the
nearby house of St. Peter. Ascend the Mt. of Beatitudes, and listen
to Jesus’ teachings. Walk down the hill to
Tabgha to visit the Church of the Loaves and Fishes and the Church of St.
Peter’s Primacy at the northwestern shore of the lake, an area intense with Christian
memories. Drive to Yardenit, the traditional baptismal site located
where the Sea of Galilee runs into the Jordan River.
day
4
: Upper Galilee - Golan Heights
Following
breakfast, drive up the Golan Heights for a panorama of the lake from the East with it’s valleys, grazing land and snow After we visit at the 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,
where Jesus was recognized as The Messiah by His Disciples. Visit Katzrin,
new city at the Golan Heights. Dinner and overnight along the Sea of Galilee.
day
5
: The Galilee - Jerusalem
Visit the mound of
Beth Shean, hearing the story of Saul and viewing the ruins of Roman
Scythopolis. Drive south through the Jordan Valley, viewing the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan across the Jordan River. Stop at Jericho to visit
the tel of this oldest city, and view the traditional mountain of Jesus'
temptation. Finally, from the top of the Mount of Olives, behold the
majestic Holy City of Jerusalem
lying before you. After viewing the Golden Gate, follow the traditional Palm
Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“the Lord
weeps”). See the Church of Pater Noster, where you can see the Lord’s
Prayer inscribed in over 100 languages. Continue downhill to Gethsemane,
and visit the Church of All Nations and Gethsemane. Continue to
Jerusalem for dinner and overnight
day
6: Jerusalem / Old City
Enter the Old City through the Dung
Gate to pray at the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, and the
southern steps, where Jesus spoke to His disciples. Walk through the
Western Wall Tunnel, where additional portions of the wall, as well as
other structures beneath it, have been excavated. Ascend to the Dome of
the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam,
located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. See the
Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, with its excellent
acoustics. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Explore the Jewish Quarter of the
Old City, walking along the Roman Cardo Maximus, the reconstructed
main street of Roman Jerusalem. Stop to see the replica of the 6th
century Madaba map of the Old City, and visit the Wohl Museum
and Burnt House. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
day
7: Jerusalem / New City
Drive to the “New City,” passing by the
Knesset en route to the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea
Scrolls. Visit the model of Jerusalem, representing how the city
looked on the eve of the Jewish revolt, 36 years after the Passion of Jesus.
Also stop at the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. The remainder of the
day is free to explore Jerusalem on your own. The possibilities are endless
– bargain for olive wood and jewelry in the bazaars of the Old City, walk
the rampart walls, explore the four quarters of the Old City, or visit more
of the many museums. Overnight in Jerusalem.
day
8: Jerusalem / *Bethlehem
Drive to Mt. Zion this morning to the grounds of the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. Here, the Assumptionist Fathers propose, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus. Also visit the Coenaculum (Upper Room), the proposed location of the Last Supper. Drive to Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years. Continue to Beit Sahour to see the Shepherds’ Fields before continuing to *Bethlehem to the Church of the Nativity, built over the site believed to be the place of Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem is also an excellent place to buy items that are hand carved from olive wood. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (*visit subject to availability)
day
9: Jerusalem / Dead Sea Area
Depart Jerusalem this morning, driving south along the Dead Sea to Masada. Take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66-73 AD). Stop at the nature reserve at Ein Gedi, the region where David fled from King Saul and cut off a part of his robe in a cave. Enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea (weather permitting), where it almost impossible to sink, because of the high salt density! Continue through the Judean desert to Qumran. View Cave # 4, which contained the greatest quantity of Dead Sea scrolls. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight
day
10:
Flight 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. |
