Day 1: Depart U.S. Our spiritual journey begins as we depart the USA on an overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, we will be walking where Jesus walked!
Day 2: Arrive in Tel Aviv. We will be welcomed to the Holy Land by a representative who will assist us through passport control and provide transportation to the Leonardo Plaza (formerly the Sheraton Moriah) hotel, a 5 star deluxe hotel in Tiberias where we will check in and enjoy our first dinner experience in Israel. (D)
Day 3: Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Baptism. Begin this day and each day, with a wonderful Israeli breakfast buffet. After breakfast, we will enjoy a magnificent boat ride on the beautiful Sea of Galilee. Experience first hand the same landscape that Jesus must have seen with his own eyes. Imagine Him walking on the water (John 6: 18-20). Then experience the serenity of the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus ministered and preached the famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6,7,8). Next, we'll visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the ancient Synagogue, perhaps the same one that Jesus taught in (Mark 1:21) and Tabgha, the place where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish (Matthew 14:14-21). Then, at lunch time we will enjoy "St. Peter's fish" (optional) where we can reflect on the mornings activities. After lunch, we will end our day with a thrilling opportunity to experience baptism in the Jordan River, following the example of Jesus (Matthew 3:12-14). We will return to the Leonardo Plaza for dinner and an overnight. (B,D)
Day 4: Tree Planting, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth. After breakfast and after you've watched a breath-taking sun rise over the Sea of Galilee from your hotel balcony, we will visit the Lavi Forest in the north where you will plant a tree. A tree that perhaps will shade our Lord upon His return. Then we will board our bus to Megiddo, one of Solomon's chariot cities and the place of the final battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Next, we will visit Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-38) where Elijah called down the pillar of fire which consumed the bullock upon the alter in front of Baal's prophets. We'll drive to Nazareth and overlook the boyhood home of Jesus (Matthew 2:23, Luke 4:16), and see the Mt. of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2, Luke 9:28) before returning to Tiberias and the Leonardo Plaza for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Day 5: Beit She'an, Caesarea, Jerusalem. Following breakfast, we begin our day with a walking tour of the largest archeological site in Israel; the ruins of the ancient city of Beit She'an, where Saul's body was nailed to the city walls (1 Samuel 31: 10-12). Next we continue our day to Caesarea, the capital of the Roman Province. We will see the Crusader's Castle, Roman Theatre and the world famous aqueduct as well as view the harbor from where Paul was taken to Rome. Then we will board the bus and drive to Jerusalem via Jaffa and experience a triumphant entry into the Holy City! After checking into the newly renovated Crowne Plaza, we'll enjoy our first dinner together in Jerusalem! (B,D)
Day 6: Jerusalem. Today, after another bountiful Israeli breakfast, we will stand atop the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:3, Like 22:39, Acts 1:9-12), just as Jesus did, and enjoy the breath-taking panoramic view of the Old and New City of Jerusalem. Next, we will walk past Dominus-Flevit on our Palm Sunday route to the Garden of Gethsemane with it's ancient olive grove, where Jesus asked His disciples to watch with Him one hour and pray (Matthew 26:35-37). We'll visit the Rock of Agony, at the Church of All Nations (Luke 22:43-45). Next, we enter the Upper Room; revered as the place where Jesus celebrated His Last Supper (Mark 14:13, Luke 22:10, Acts 1:13) and the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:13, Acts 2:1), and end the day at Caiphas' house. After dinner, we will have the option to see the Western Wall after dark. Overnight Crowne Plaza, Jerusalem. (B,D)
Day 7: Jerusalem. Following breakfast, we will take a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem where we will see the Temple Mount area, purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24: 18-25). Here now stands the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest shrine in all Islam, and the El Aksa Mosque. After a visit to see the Pools of Bethesda (John 5:2-2-13) we will walk down the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross), pausing to reflect at several Stations of the Cross along the way, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. From there we will make our way to the Jewish Quarter and the Jewish Cardo. Lastly, the Western Wall, the holiest Jewish site in the world, will be a prayerful stop. Here we will have an opportunity to place a prayer note into a crack along the Wall; a famous custom believing in it's priority to be answered. We'll return to the Crowne Plaza hotel for dinner and an optional evening of ministry. (B,D)
Day 8: Free Day. Today is the free day for us to explore Israel on our own or choose an optional tour which will be made available to us while in Israel. Option tour prices vary and begin at $75.00 per person, payable in U.S. dollars while in Israel. A favorite is the Masada/Dead Sea option; ascend by cable car to the mountain fortress built by Herod, where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans. Then, visit the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea, where will have an opportunity to float in the unsinkable sea. This option is a must see for first timers! Another option may be to leave Jerusalem and cross into Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity or to visit the fascinating tunnels that are located under the Western Wall! Whatever you choose, the day will be an exciting one! (B,D)
Day 9: Yad Vashem, Garden Tomb, Golgotha. After breakfast, we will travel to Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum), the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book Museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept. Our last day of touring ends with a special visit to the Garden Tomb and Golgotha. This will be an unforgettable experience as we see the empty tomb and celebrate Holy Communion together. Say good-bye to all the new friends you have made at tonight's very special farewell dinner. (B,D)
Day 10: Depart for U.S. This morning we will have heavy hearts as we leave Jerusalem and return to the airport to board our flight home. Shalom Israel! We have walked the land of the Bible! We are returning home changed and with special memories that will last a lifetime! (B)
*Itinerary subject to change
