PETRA Extension begins on day 10 below:

Day 1: Depart U.S.
Our spiritual pilgrimage begins as we depart the USA on an overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, we will be walking where Jesus walked! (Meals served in-flight)

Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Tiberias
Welcome to Israel! After we de-plane and clear passport control, we will be welcomed to the Holy Land by a representative who will assist us with our luggage, introduce us to our guide and direct us to our bus. As we travel north on our way to our hotel in Tiberias, we will stop along the Mediterranean Sea to visit Caesarea, the capital of the Roman Province. We'll 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 our bus for Megiddo, one of Solomon's chariot cities and place of the final battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:16). Finally, we will be in awe of the breathtaking view of the Valley of Armageddon when we visit Mt. Carmel (1Kings 18:20-38) where Elijah called down the pillar of fire, which consumed the bullock upon the altar in front of Baal's prophets. Next we will check into our hotel which is located on the Sea of Galilee. Relax, walk along the boardwalk and behold the beauty of the lake where Jesus performed miracles. Later, we will enjoy our first Israeli dinner together. (L, D)

Day 3: Sea of Galilee, Mt. of Beatitude, Capernaum, Primacy of Peter
Begin this day, and each day with a wonderful Israeli breakfast buffet. After breakfast, we will experience 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 water (John 6:18-20, Matthew 14: 25-32) or talking with fishermen at the waters edge (Matthew 4:18-20).  Our boat will dock at Nof Guinsar and we will view a wooden boat which was recently discovered and dates back to the time of Jesus.  Them, by motor-coach we will visit Capernaum and see ruins of the ancient synagogue, perhaps one where Jesus himself taught (Mark1:21). Here we will see ruins of the first church of St. Peter. Our next stop is for lunch at a Kibbutz at Ein Gev where we can reflect on the mornings activities and enjoy "St. Peter's fish".  Then we'll experience the serenity of the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus ministered and preached the famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6,7,8). We will end our day with a visit to the Primacy of Peter where we will walk along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee in the same area Jesus multiplied the fishes and loaves.  We will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.  (B,L,D)

Day 4: Cana, Nazareth Village, Baptism
After breakfast and after you have watched the breath taking sun rise over the Sea of Galilee from your hotel balcony, we will pass the Mt. of Transfiguration on our way to Cana.  Jesus performed His first miracle in Cana and turned the water into wine at a wedding! (John 2:1-11) Married couples will have the opportunity to have their wedding vows renewed here.  Next we will travel to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus (Matthew 2:23, Luke 4:16) and stop at Nazareth Village.  Here we will step back in time and experience what life was like during the time of Jesus.  We'll end our day with a thrilling opportunity to experience baptism in the Jordan River, following the example of Jesus (Matthew 3:12-14). (B,L,D)

Day 5: Tree Planting, Beit She'an, Mt. of Olives, Jerusalem
Following breakfast, we will board our bus and drive to the Lavi Forest in the north where we will plant a tree.  A tree that perhaps will shade our Lord upon His return.  Then we will drive along the Jordan Valley to the largest archeological site in Israel; the ancient ruins of Beit She'an. Here are the ruins of the ancient city where Saul's body was nailed to the city walls (1 Samuel 31:10-12). We will explore on foot many areas of this remarkable city.  Then excitedly we will board the bus and drive to Jerusalem and experience a triumphant entry into the Holy City!  Before checking into our hotel we will make our way to stand atop the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:3, Luke 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.  We will walk past Dominus-Flevit on our Palm Sunday route to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, where Jesus asked his disciples to watch with him one hour and pray (Matthew 26:35-37).  Here at the Church of All Nations, is the Rock of Agony (Luke 22:43-45).  After checking into the hotel, we will enjoy our first dinner together in Jerusalem! (B,L,D)

Day 6: Jerusalem, Bethlehem
Today after another bountiful Israeli breakfast, we will stop briefly at Mt. Scopus for a fun group photo.  Then we will travel to Mt. Zion where we will 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). Afterward we will enter Caiaphas' house and reflect on Jesus' last night on earth.  We will end the day in Bethlehem, the birth place of Christ, with a visit to the Church of the Nativity and a view of Shepherds Field (Luke 2).  (B,L,D)

Day 7: Jerusalem
Following breakfast, we will take a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem beginning at the newly discovered City of David and walking 'the Pilgrims Path' toward the Temple Mount area.  After a visit to the Pools of Bethesda (John 5:2-13) we will walk down the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross); pausing to reflect at several Stations of the Cross along the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We will walk through the Jewish Quarter and the Jewish Cardo on our way to the holiest Jewish site in the world; the Western Wall.  It will be a prayerful stop as we will have an opportunity to place a prayer note into a crack along the wall; a famous custom believing in its priority to be answered. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Free Day
Today is a free day for us to explore Israel on our own or we can choose to purchase an optional tour to Masada, the Dead Sea and the Qumran Caves. This tour is $75USD and is a must for first timers! If you choose the optional tour, you will 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 you will have an opportunity to float in the unsinkable sea. On our way back to the hotel, we will see the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Whatever you choose today, we know you will be blessed! (B,D)

Day 9:  Yad Vashem, Garden Tomb, Golgotha
After breakfast we will travel to Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum) and then our last day of touring ends as we visit the Garden Tomb and Golgotha. This will be an unforgettable experience as we see the tomb empty and celebrate Holy Communion together! We will have some free time this afternoon for last minute shopping or exploring!  Tonight we will say good-bye to all the new friends you have made (who are not going with you on the extension) at a special farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Drive to Eilat, Free Day
Today we will wake with excitement as we depart on our journey to Eilat in the southern tip of Israel.  The majestic scenery of the Dead Sea and Negev Desert will take our breath away.  Eilat is where Egypt, Jordan and Israel all meet at the Red Sea!  The Red Sea is where God parted the water for a fleeing Moses and the Israelites, so a rejuvenating swim each morning or evening will be an experience you will never forget. (B,D)

Day 11: Petra Tour
This morning we will rise early to discover a rose-red city half as old as time; the ancient world of Petra.  Set in a deep canyon and only accessible through a narrow winding cleft (or siq) in the rock, Petra is carved from sandstone that takes on deep rusty hues interlaced with bands of grey and yellow.  Marvel at the dramatic tombs, facades, theatres and stairway carvings.  This experience is unforgettable.  Have your walking shoes, cameras and passports ready for this adventure! Overnight Eilat. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Eilat, Free Day
Today is a free day in Eilat and with 365 days of sun a year the possibilities are endless.  Relax and reflect or enjoy just about any water sport or sun activity you can imagine!  Coral and marine life is bountiful in the Red Sea making it perfect for sailing, scuba diving or snorkeling.  Consider a glass bottom boat ride or the Coral Beach Nature Reserve where protected reef and myriad fish can be observed by all. Overnight Eilat. (B,D)

Day 13: Eilat, Free Day/ Departure Day
Wake up to your last day in Israel and have breakfast and lunch with the new friends you have made.  Later this afternoon we will check out of the hotel and board the bus to Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport for our international flight home which departs just after midnight.  On the way to the airport we will stop at Timna Park which has an amazing history and geology.  Timna Park covers 15,000 acres in a horseshoe-shaped valley surrounded by step cliffs with Mount Timna, the worlds first copper mine in the center.  This land has been actively mined since the 6th millennium BC!  Then we will drive through the Negev Desert before a stop at Mitzpe Ramon for a breathtaking look at the Ramon Crater.  This crater is the largest crater in the world containing geological formations unlike those you would see anywhere else in the world.  Together with a magnificent panorama, it presents a fascinating story of geomorphologic evolution.  Our last stop before the airport is in Abu Gosh for dinner and our final tasting of Israeli cuisine. (B,D)

Day 14: Our transatlantic flight will arrive in the United States early in the morning.  Shalom Israel!  We know that you have had a blessed trip to the Holy Land and will return home with many memories that will last a lifetime.  

NOT INCLUDED: •  lunch on Day 10, 12 & 13