Day 1, Thursday, May 25,  2023

Ben Gurion Airport / Jaffa-Tel Aviv

 

Today you arrive in the Holy Land. The group will be met at the airport and then we will travel to Netanya for dinner and overnight. 

 

Overnight: Netanya

 

Day 2, Friday, May 26, 2023

Caesraea/ Mediterranean Coast /Haifa/Galilee

 

We leave Netanya today and travel along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea -  the magnificent ruins of Herod’s showcase port city. This magical place will transport us back to the ancient times of early Christianity. We will explore the Roman Theatre and we can try out the amazing acoustics by singing our favorite songs and hymns. We will also discover the Crusader Fortress and learn about the mysterious dry moat. Continue to Haifa for the splendid views of the Bahai Gardens and Mount Carmel.

 

Overnight:  Galilee 

 

 

Day 3, Saturday, May 27, 2023

Sea of Galilee Area/Nazareth

 

We start today with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee and we’ll feel the spiritual power of this unique lake. We cross the lake from Tiberias and land at Kibbutz Ginosar to see the “Jesus Boat”. What an amazing discovery – a fishing boat similar to the vessel described in the Gospels, which carried Jesus and his apostles. This boat had been buried for 2000 years and was exposed due to drought. 

The group will be then split into 2:

Group 1: We will come to the fishing village of Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene, where we will hear about the very important archeological discovery of recent years. Here we will have lunch and service.

Group 2: We then continue to Nazareth, to visit The Church of the Annunciation and the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached. Here we will have lunch.

 

Everyone will come together in the afternoon at the Mount of Beatitudes – where Jesus preached his “Sermon on the Mount”.

 

Overnight:  Galilee 

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Day 4, Sunday, May 28, 2023

Jordan Valley/Jerusalem

 

 

We will depart the Galilee and begin our journey up to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley. We will visit the Ma’ayan Harod nature reserve where Gideon’s Spring is located. Here Gideon gathered his men prior to battle with the Midianites.

Continue to Jericho stopping at Gilgal on the outskirts of Jericho where the Israelites encamped after crossing the Jordan River. We will reach Jericho, known as the lowest city on earth and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and marvel at the anicent ruins and enjoy lunch.

 

We then continue to the banks of the Jordan River to visit, the Qasr Al Yahud – Baptismal site* and enjoy the tranquility and spiritual beauty of the waters in which Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Depart Jericho via the jericho road leading to a desert canyon where the anicent monastery of Wadi Kelt is located.

 

As we make our ascent to Jerusalem we will pause at a spectacular viewing point to say a prayer of thanks, as said by pilgrims for thousands of years when arriving in the Holy city.  Check in to the hotel for dinner. After dinner we will travel to the Haas Promenade for a service with the lights of Jerusalem in front of us.

 

Overnight:  Jerusalem 

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Day 5, Monday, May 29, 2023

Jerusalem – Old City

What a better way to start the day at the top of Mount of Olives to wonder at the splendid panoramic view of the Holy City. From here we will visit the famous Garden of Gethsemane via the Chapel of Dominus Flevit and the Church of All Nations. We will enter the Old City for lunch and afterwards continue to the Upper room at Mount Zion, the site where the Last Supper took place. Visit the site of Pontius Pilate’s Palace fortress in the old city near the Zion gate. Continue to the Western Wall, (the Kotel) holy to the Jewish people since it is the remaining part of the ancient wall of the Second Temple. The day will finish with a service and communion at the Garden Tomb.

We will exit the Old City at Nablus Gate and participate in communion at the Garden Tomb. Return to the hotel for dinner.

 

Overnight: Jerusalem 

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Day 6, Tuesday, May 30, 2023

The Dead Sea / Qumran / Masada

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A tour to the Holy Land wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Dead Sea, this incredible natural phenomenon is the lowest, saltiest body of water on earth. We will take in the relaxing, ethereal atmosphere of the area and visit the historical site of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls where discovered. Enjoy a visit to the Ahava factory and have the opportunity to buy products made from the healing minerals and mud of the Dead Sea. Relax on the shores of the Dead Sea for lunch and “float” in the Dead Sea before we go back to Jerusalem. Continue to the Jerusalem hills and the Valley of Elah where it is believed David fought Goliath.

Overnight: Jerusalem 

 

 

Day 7, Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Jerusalem – Shiloh, City of David

 

This morning we will visit the ancient site and sanctuary of Shiloh. This was the central sanctuary of the ancient Israelites before the First Temple was built.

Return to Jerusalem and travel back in time to discover the “original” Jerusalem of Biblical times and the City of David. We will enjoy a unique experience of walking through the underground tunnels, carved beneath the city in biblical times to bring water to Jerusalem. 

 

Overnight:  Jerusalem

 

 

Day 8

Jaffa / Ben Gurion Airport

 

 

We will check out of the hotel. Before departing Jerusalem we will visit Martin Luther King st near Liberty Bell Park. We will drive to Tel Aviv and enjoy a tour of Jaffa .  In addition to strolling through this ancient port city with its old narrow streets and courtyards, you will be inspired by the many stories that happened here: Jonah and the Whale, Andromeda, Simon the Tanner, Napoleon and more before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport for your return flight home.

 

SHALOM VE LE’HITRAOT

 

*visit subject to security conditions and government instructions