Day 1 – Friday, January 24: Depart U.S.A. Our journey begins when we depart the USA.

 

Day 2 – Saturday, January 25: Arrive in Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel! In Tel Aviv, we make our way through customs and security then we transfer to our motor coach. We then drive to our hotel in Netanya for dinner and overnight on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Day 3 – Sunday, January 26: Caesarea Maritima, Megiddo, Nazareth Village, Cana, Galilee

Today, we depart for the Galilee and stop first at Caesarea Maritima, the port city of Herod the Great, where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Centurion. Next, we stop at Megiddo for our lunch break (not included). We continue to Nazareth (Luke 1 & 2) for a special visit to the Nazareth Village with a detailed explanation of what life was like during the time of Jesus. From here, we have a short drive to Cana (John 2), where Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding reception. Those who would like to have the opportunity here to renew their marriage vows may do so. We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner and overnight on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

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Day 4 –Monday, January 27: Tel Dan, Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi, Gadara, Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee

There is nothing like watching a sunrise from our hotel window overlooking the Sea of Galilee. After breakfast, we travel north to Tel Dan, where we see the gate of Jeroboam. We then head through 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). Our lunch stop is at the Druze Village (not included). After lunch, we then return to the Sea of Galilee by way of Gadara and board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” for our boat ride. We return to our Galilee hotel for dinner and overnight.

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Day 5 – Tuesday, January 28: Magdala, Mt. of Beatitudes, Mensa Christi, Capernaum, Jericho, Jordan River, Dead Sea

Following breakfast, we visit Magdala and see of the incredible archaeological finds that date back to the time of Jesus. Afterwards, we continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), with time for reflection and worship. We then go to Mensa Christi (Tabgha) to relive the feeding of 5000 on the Sea of Galilee. Next is Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. Traveling south along the Jordan, we stop at Jericho where we visit Seeds of Hope store and have an opportunity to spend some time with local Christians. We then visit Qasr Al Yahud, the recently excavated baptismal site on the Jordan River, where tradition believes Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. We continue south to our Dead Sea resort hotel for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 6 – Wednesday, January 29: Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran This morning enjoy a float in the salt and mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea before we check out of the hotel. After that, we visit Masada, the mountaintop fortress built by King Herod. We survey the ruins of fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces. Afterwards, we will have lunch at Masada (not included). We drive to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, where David hid from King Saul. This reserve contains vast differences in elevations over relatively short distances. We will be amazed at the lush greenery and full waterfalls. From here, we continue to Qumran and the settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. 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 7 – Thursday, January 30: Bethlehem, Christmas Lutheran Church and School, Israel Museum, Jewish Quarter, Western (Wailing) Wall, St. Peter Gallicantu, Upper Room

After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing with our visit to drive into Bethlehem and visit the church of the Nativity and St. Jerome’s Cave. We then visit the Christmas Lutheran Church and School for a time of conversation with the pastor and staff before visiting the Shepherds’ Field. After our time in Bethlehem, we return to Jerusalem and visit the Israel Museum at Givat Ram. Here, we see the fascinating 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in the time of Jesus. Being here and receiving the explanation from our guide will help us better understand the places we will be visiting in the next two days. Also located here is the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. We proceed to the Zion Gate and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western (Wailing) Wall. Next, we visit the House of Caiaphas (where Jesus was held). Nearby, on Mt. Zion, we will reflect on the Last Supper in the traditional location of the Upper Room. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

 

Day 8 – Friday, January 31: Temple Mount, Southern Steps, Shorashim, Old City, Jewish Quarter, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, City of David, Pool of Siloam

We begin our day with a visit to the Temple Mount. A short walk takes us to stand on the Southern Steps – the original steps that Jesus walked on as He entered the Temple area. Afterwards, we visit Shorashim in the Jewish Quarter and have a time of conversation with Moshe Kempinski. Then, we visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Next we visit the City of David excavations followed by the Pools of Siloam to listen to the story of John 9. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

 

Day 9 – Saturday, February 1: Mt. of Olives, Tomb of the Prophets, Palm Sunday Road, Garden of Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb

This morning, we drive to the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Then we visit the Tomb of the Prophets. Our pilgrimage proceeds 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. Then, we 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. Then, we visit Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. We enjoy a Farewell Dinner at our hotel and one last overnight in Jerusalem.

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Day 10 – Sunday, February 2: Arrive in U.S.A. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we transfer to the airport and arrive back in the States with memories that will last a lifetime of the land where Jesus walked.