In the Footsteps of Jesus plus Eilat and Petra Option

Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival into Ben Gurion International Airport, you are met by a representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.

Following a delicious Israeli buffet breakfast, depart Tel Aviv. Drive north along the coastal plain to Caesarea (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48), capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of this ancient city, the Roman theater and aqueduct. Proceed to Muhraka, the site of confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal; enjoy the spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley and the lower Galilee. Continue to Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9, 15, 2 Kings 23, 29 Revel. 16.16), identified as the site of Armageddon. Visit the archaeological excavations at Megiddo, including the well-preserved water supply system. Continue to Acre(Micah 1.10), capital of the Crusaders for more than a century. Visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt; visit also the ancient city and harbor before continuing eastwards across the plains of the Galilee to Kibbutz hotel Lavi, not far from the Sea of Galilee, for dinner and overnight. (b,d)

After a short tour of the Kibbutz grounds we take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum(Matt. 4.13 13.54, 17.24, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54). Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue. Proceed to Tabgha (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, John 21), the site of the miracle of fish and loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue to the Mount of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5, 6, 7, 8), where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive to the Caesarea Philippi Spring (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27), where Jesus was recognized as The Messiah by His Disciples. Tour the Golan Heights, with its valleys, grazing land and snow-capped mountains.

Return to Kibbutz Lavi for dinner and overnight.

Drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine.(John 2.1-11). Then, drive to Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23) In Nazareth, we shall visit the Church of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s well. Next on our program is the Jordan River and the Baptismal site Yardenit. Continue to Beit Shean, one of the ancient Decapolis cities (Mark 5.20, 7.31), and visit the Roman theater. This is the city where Saul and his son Jonathan were nailed to the walls (1st Samuel 31.10). Judges 1.27 also mentions Beit Shean. Continue south along the shores of the River of Jordan. Passing Jericho, we proceed westward and climb to the Golden City of Jerusalem.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (b,d)

Today we visit the Old City of Jerusalem. Our appreciation of this Golden City begins with a panoramic view from the Mount of Olives, overlooking the walls of the old city and the ancient Jewish cemetery. Visit the Church of All Nations. Proceed to Mount Zion to see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2 the Pentecost). Enter the Old City to begin exploring the wonders of Jerusalem. Walk through the Cardo, the main street of Jerusalem 2000 years ago.

View the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried His Cross. Continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10). No visit to Jerusalem is complete without a walk through the colorful Arab bazaar (a chance to test your negotiating skills). Visit the Garden Tomb.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Today’s program is dedicated to the new city of Jerusalem. Visit the model of ancient Jerusalem .Continue to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Enter the site by walking along the Street of the Righteous Gentiles, dedicated to the non-Jews that risked their lives in order to save their Jewish neighbors. Continue to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptists (Luke 1.39-80). This Spanish style church and Mary’s well is where Mother Mary met her cousin Elizabeth. Proceed to Bethlehem * to visit the Church of the Nativity and visit of Shepherds’filed.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Drive through the Judaean Desert to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found in 1947 by a Bedouin boy. Visit the ancient city of Qumran and drive along the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, to Massada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Ascend Masada by cable car and visit the food storeroom, water irrigation system and Herod’s Palace. Time and weather permitting we will have an opportunity to float on the Dead Sea waters.

Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Travel south through the Negev desert. Visit Timna and see the copper mines and King Solomon’s pillars and marvel at the huge multi-colored rock formations. Continue to Eilat and stop to visit the Underwater Observatory, one of the largest sea aquariums in the world, built into a coral reef.

Overnight in Eilat.

Free day in Eilat.

Overnight in Eilat. (b)

*Optional Tour to Petra

After assistance with visa to the Jordanian border, drive straight away to Petra through desert highways, your ultimate destination is the astonishing rose-red city of Petra which was built by the Nabateans (An early Arab tribe). Petra was renowned for its massive architecture, pools, dams and water channels. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans who settled in the south of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. The visit begins with the possibility of a short horseback-riding for about 2,296 ft. until the entrance of the Siq, which is about 3,937 feet long (walking distance). There is a possibility to rent a chariot (extra) to get inside Petra and back to the gate outside. Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as the Treasury, Royal Tombs, the Court, Roman theater, Roman Street, Qassier El- Bint (Palace of Pharaoh’s daughter) and many other smaller monuments which fascinate the visitors. The city itself is almost 17 square miles and is considered to be the second wonder of the world. After the visit, time for lunch in a nice restaurant. After lunch drive back to border. On the way, a short visit to Aqaba with the possibility to stop and take a walk around. Transfer to the border at around 18:00 p.m. and crossing back to Eilat.

Depart Eilat via Mitzpe Ramon. Stop to gaze into the Ramon crater, a geological wonder. Proceed to Sde Boker and see Ben Gurion’s hut and grave overlooking the magnificent Zin valley. Stop for a camel riding experience and a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent, learn about the Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch.

Continue to Hatzerim and visit Israel’s Air Force museum to view the planes and equipment and to hear the story of this brave fighting force. Drive back to Tel-Aviv.

Overnight in Tel Aviv. (b,l)

Transfer from hotel to airport for your departure flight. (b)