JOURNEY IN ISRAEL – WALK WHERE JESUS WALKED

DAY 1:

We depart USA in the afternoon for Tel Aviv. After dinner is served, sit back and relax, enjoying the on-board entertainment as you prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime – walking where Jesus walked.

DAY 2:

Upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport, we are met by our agent who assists us through customs and security. We transfer to our motor coach for a short drive to our hotel in Tel Aviv in time for our welcome dinner and overnight beside the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

DAY 3:

Today we depart for the Galilee, visiting the following Biblical sites: Caesarea where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion (Acts 9 & 25), Megiddo, and Mt. Carmel where Elijah prayed and God defeated 450 prophets of Baal with fire from heaven (1 Kings 18). Time permitting we’ll stop at the Druze Village. We continue to Nazareth (Luke 1 & 2) and Cana (John 2). While in Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding reception, those who would like to will have opportunity to renew their marriage vows. We will arrive in Tiberias for dinner and overnight on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

DAY 4:

There is nothing like watching a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee from our hotel. We begin our sightseeing with a drive to Nazareth to visit the “Nazareth Village” with detailed explanation of what life was like during the time of Jesus. Afterwards we make our way to the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), with time for reflection and worship. We make our way to Capernaum (Jesus’ base for His early ministry.), then board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” for our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Our lunch stop includes the option of the special St. Peter’s Fish for those interested (not included). Afterwards we see Gadara and then make our way to the River Jordan and the opportunity to step into that special river. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

DAY 5:

After breakfast we travel north for the Golan Heights and view the area from a special lookout. We drive to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter made the good confession of Christ as “the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16.). We will have a short hike/walk to Tel Dan where we will see the gate of Jeroboam and Gideon Springs. Afterwards, a visit to Beit Shean, one of the best preserved Decapolis Roman cities. In Beit She’an, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls (1 Samuel 31:10-12) after they were defeated by the Philistines. We then ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:1-2 NASB)

DAY 6:

We begin the day on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will proceed down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, and the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed. We will enter Jerusalem through the Zion Gate, and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod's temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35 acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel. 24:18-25). On this site now stand El-Aksa Mosque, and the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in Islam). From the temple area, we make our way to St. Stephen's Gate, to walk the Via Dolorosa – including St. Anne's Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A short walk takes us to stand on the original steps that Jesus walked on as he entered the Temple area. We conclude our sightseeing with a visit to Bethlehem. We pass by Rachel's tomb on the outskirts, and visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd's Field. We will have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. After dinner we return to the Western Wall to visit the Rabbis’ Tunnel.

DAY 7:

After breakfast, we drive to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. From here we make our way to Qumran and the settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Following the road south along the western shore of the Dead Sea, we visit Masada, ascending the wilderness mountain by way of cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. Here we survey the ruins of fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces. We will make a special stop at the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on earth) for a short swim. During today’s sightseeing, we will enjoy a brief Sunday worship service together, including Communion. Time and conditions permitting, we will include a short visit to Jericho. The road from the Dead Sea area to Jerusalem is an ascent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 8:

After breakfast we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. You will be fascinated by the 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus' time. Next we drive to Hezekiah’s Tunnel (conditions permitting). Be sure to bring a flashlight and good water shoes with you, as you will get wet walking through the tunnel. From here we make our way to the Church of Agony at St. Peter Gallicantu. Afterwards we visit Golgotha and the Garden Tomb for worship and communion. Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 9:

Today is a free to explore this magnificent city on our own. It’s a special opportunity to collect your thoughts, and revisit the places of most interest to you. We will suggest several options including the Rockefeller and Hebrew Museums displaying a wealth of archeological treasure. Return for a last look within the walls and visit the Old City for souvenirs, where bargaining is a must. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 10:

This morning we depart Israel for Jordan via the Allenby Bridge, where we will be met by our agent who will assist us through security and customs. We board our motorcoach and travel to Mt. Nebo to stand where Moses stood and viewed the Holy Land. In front of the Church you can take in a breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the roof tops of Jerusalem.

We continue to Madaba, the moabite town of Madaba of the Bible. Next we travel to Machaerus (Mukawir). Perched on a 700 meter high hill about 50 km southwest of Madaba are the ruins of Herod the Great’s fortress. Machaerus, where John the Baptist was beheaded by his successor Herod Antipas. Late in the afternoon we continue south for the “Rose Red City of Petra”. Dinner and overnight in Petra.

DAY 11:

After breakfast, we visit the site of Petra, a 2000 year old Nabatean city. We will walk a short half-mile through the narrow passage-way with cliffs on either side (called the “Siq”). At the end of the Siq in the towering brightness appears Petra’s most impressive monument, the Treasury, a massive royal tomb that was carved out of the solid rock from the mountain. Time permitting, we will see Jabal Harun - the place where Aaron is buried. Later in the afternoon we drive to Amman. Dinner and overnight in Amman.

DAY 12:

This morning we travel to Jerash. Near Jerash the road crosses the river Zerqa, the biblical Jabbock. Near the Jabbock River, Jacob wrestled with God. We will tour Jerash. This city is one of the world’s best preserved examples of Roman provincial city. It is thought to have had a population of 20,000 people and was one of the wealthiest cities of the Roman Empire.

After our lunch stop, we travel to the Allenby Bridge for Israel. After border formalities, our agent meets and assists us through customs and security. We transfer to Jaffa and enjoy our farewell dinner and then transfer to our hotel in Tel Aviv.

DAY 13:

Early this morning we will be transferred to Tel Aviv airport and board our flight to USA. We arrive home later this afternoon from our memorable trip of our pilgrimage to His land.

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