Day 1 Depart USA

Depart the USA. Board your international flight to Israel and enjoy dinner and entertainment aboard the airplane.

Day 2 Arrive in Tel Aviv

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, meet and assist through customs by our representative. Transfer to your hotel on the Mediterranean Sea shores. Dinner & overnight. (D)

Day 3 Caesarea - Haifa – Nazareth - Tiberias

Wake up to the beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. After breakfast, drive north to Caesarea, visit the amazing Herodian port city. We will gather for fellowship at the ancient Roman Theatre. View the impressive archeological finds of the Roman Hippodrome, the Crusader's fortifications and the 2000 years old Aqueduct, built by King Herod. Continue along the Mediterranean, on the road known as the Biblical via Maris - "Way of the Sea" to Haifa. Overlook the amazing panoramic bay view from Mount Carmel, famously known for the Biblical story of Elijah and Baal priests. We invite you to your first lunch in Israel - a typical Israeli Falafel. Continue to visit Nazareth - the town where the Angels’ Annunciation to Mary took place. We will also stop at Cana of the Galilee, the traditional site of the miracle at the wedding.

On to our Kibbutz Guesthouse in Galilee for dinner & overnight. After dinner, we will hear a lecture about the unique life of the Kibbutz. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Galilee - Tiberias - Golan Heights

Today we explore the surroundings of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus spent 3 years of his ministry. We will start with a visit to Magdala where the new excavation of an Ancient Church and an Old Synagogue, this is the town of Mary Magdalen. Visit Capernaum, the "Town of Jesus". Walk along the ruins of the ancient Synagogue and St. Peter's home. On to Tabgha, the traditional site of the miracle of Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves. Drive up to the Mount of Beatitudes for a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. This is a perfect place to read “The Sermon on the Mount”. Enjoy Lunch with the famous St. Peter Fish at a restaurant by the lake.

Drive north and visit the Biblical town of Dan where we can see an alter and the Canaanite gate and walls from Abraham times. We return to our hotel through the Golan Heights and visit Caesarea Phillipi located on the Banyas Stream, one of the sources of the Jordan River. Back to the Sea of Galilee for a special fellowship on a wooden boat, cruising on the Sea at dusk. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Jordan Valley - Beit Sheaan – Dead Sea

After breakfast we will drive to the Baptismal site - Yardenit, at the Jordan River. Drive to Beit Sheaan, the largest archeological excavation in Israel. Walk along the reconstructed Cardo, sit on the ancient basalt benches at the Roman theatre and see the remains of the luxurious "Spa center". Continue south along the Jordan River. View Jericho, the most ancient settlement in the world and the Mount of Temptations. Continue along the Dead Sea – the lowest point on earth, to Qumran, the town where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were written and were found in 1947. Drive by Ein Gedi Oasis, where King David fled and hide from King Saul in a cave.

Continue south to our Spa-hotel on the shore of the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 6 Masada - Jerusalem

Morning is at leisure to enjoy the Spa facilities as well as floating on the Dead Sea, the lowest and saltiest lake in the world. At mid-morning, we will drive to Masada – one of the World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO. Ascend by cable car. Visit the Palaces, the storage halls and the bath house, built by King Harrods. See the synagogue built by the Zealots Jews, who rebelled against the Romans. We will walk down on the Roman Ramp, built 2000 years ago. On to a special experience riding Camels and enjoy the a Bedouin hospitality called Hafla. We will drive to the Negev. On the way view Tel Arad, one of the ancient cities conquered by Joshua. Continue to the Ella Valley, the site where the Philistine Goliath was defeated by David, the young shepherd. Learn about the unique ancient weapon - the deadly slingshot.

On to Jerusalem passing the Biblical town of Beit Shemesh. As we enter to the city of Jerusalem we will stop for a vista point overlooking the Old City and make the traditional blessing of arriving to the Holy City. Check-in to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Old City of Jerusalem

Today we will explore the Holy-City. Visit Mount of Olives, from here there is a breathtaking view of the Old City. Visit the ancient olive trees at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was hiding and the Basilica of Agony. Visit the new excavations of the City of David, the Hezekiah Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam. Enter the Old City on the underground ancient street, running beneath the Old City Wall. Visit Davidson Center, the Wailing Wall, St Ann Church and the Pool of Bethesda. Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Visit the Jewish Quarter and see the Burnt House – a high priest house from second Temple era, the Cardo and the Herodian Quarter excavations. On to Zion Gate and Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room and David's Tomb. Visit the prison where Jesus was held, at the foundations and basement of the church of St. Peter Galicantu, built on the site of the House of the High Priest Caiaphas.

In the afternoon, drive to Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, for a panoramic view over the town of Bethlehem and the Shepherd's Field. Drive back to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. After dinner, walk & shop the famous Ben Yehuda Street, where you can meet Israeli’s and absorb the local culture. (B, D)

Day 8 The New City of Jerusalem - Herodion

After breakfast drive to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. See the Menorah with its beautiful carving of Biblical scenes. Visit the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited. See the Model of Jerusalem as it was 2000 years ago, at Jesus time. Continue to Yad Vashem – The Holocaust Memorial. After a complimentary lunch, continue to the Judean Wilderness, to visit one of the largest project of King Harrods - the Herodion. An artificial mound built as a refuge place for the King. Recent excavation also uncovered King Herod’s tomb.

In the evening, after dinner at the hotel, enjoy the fascinating Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David (if it is not raining). (B, L, D)

Day 9 Jerusalem

Morning, after breakfast, is free for personal activities, shopping or revisiting sites. Early noon drive to Rama, the place where Prophet Samuel used to "sit" and judge the people of Israel. Visit the Tomb of the Prophet, which today is a mosque and a synagogue. We will conclude our Pilgrimage by visiting the Garden Tomb, where we will have a memorable service at the empty tomb.

In the evening celebrate with a Farewell Dinner at a nice restaurant and presentation of the Pilgrimage Certificate. Overnight in Jerusalem hotel. (B, D)

All sites listed in the itinerary will be covered but the sequence and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedules, etc. This tour is not recommended for those who have mobility limitations since it includes walking on uneven terrain.

Day 10 Fly back

Early morning transfer to the airport for our flight back to the USA.

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