Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart via scheduled air service. The destination is Tel Aviv
Day 2: Tel Aviv / Joppa / Netanya
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport
Meet your Faith Journeys Tour Manager who will assist the group to an awaiting chartered motorcoach for a transfer to Netanya via Joppa for a panoramic orientation to the land and visit the Church of St. Peter.
Late afternoon hotel check-in
Evening Welcome Dinner and overnight
Day 3: Netanya / Nazareth
Breakfast at the hotel
This morning we will follow in the footsteps of Paul and make our way up the Plain of Sharon to Caesarea. We will visit the aqueduct, the ancient Herodian harbor, the remains of the seaside palace of Pontius Pilate, and the theater. Continue to the altar of Elijah at the Muhraka atop Mount Carmel
Lunch, on own
Cross the Valley of Jezreel to Nazareth. Visit Nazareth Village, a reconstructed first-century village that tells the story of the hometown of Jesus. Continue to Church of Mary’s Well and end the day with a panoramic view of the area of Jesus’ lakeside ministry from the cliff of Mount Arbel
Continue to Tiberias for evening dinner and overnight
Day 4: Sea of Galilee / Capernaum
Breakfast at the hotel
Begin the day boarding a wooden boat for Ginnosar – sailing in the footsteps of Jesus! Visit an original fishing boat of Jesus’ day recently discovered
Drive to the Mount of Beatitudes and continue to Tabgha to visit the Church of Loaves and Fishes as well as the Church of Mensa Christi, where after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples on the lakeshore
Lunch, on own
Continue to Capernaum to see the house of Peter and the synagogue where Jesus preached and cast out demons
Evening dinner and overnight
Day 5: Dan / Caesarea Philippi
Breakfast at the hotel
Travel north to the Upper Jordan Valley to Dan. We will combine a nature walk with views of the ancient ruins. Continue to the foothills of Mount Hermon Caesarea Philippi, where Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah.
Climb to the cave and remains of the pagan temples of Roman times
Lunch, on own
Continue to Golan Heights and stop at a former Israeli military outpost to hear about the Yom Kippur War. Descend towards the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee to the remains of the church of Gergesa
End our day with baptism or the renewal of baptismal vows at the Jordan River
Evening dinner and overnight
Day 6: Beth Shean / Jericho / Dead Sea
Breakfast at the hotel
Leave the Sea of Galilee to go to Beth Shean, a magnificent Roman town, with colonnaded streets and bathhouses. Pass Mount Gilboa to Jericho, the world’s oldest city, to climb the Tel to view the ancient towers and the Mount of Temptation, marking Jesus’ temptation by Satan in the wilderness
Lunch, on own
Continue to the impressive desert fortress of Masada. Ascend by cable car to view the palaces of Herod and the site of the Zealots’ last stand against the Romans and end our day at the Dead Sea
Evening dinner and overnight
Day 7: Jerusalem
Breakfast at the hotel
Travel up the Dead Sea coast to visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written and hidden up until 1947. Traverse the Judean Desert to ascend the Mount of Olives for a breath-taking view of the Old City Descend the traditional Palm Sunday Road to the Church of Dominus Flevit
Lunch, on own
Continue to the Garden of Gethsemane for reflection and prayer. Drive to Mount Zion to visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Jesus may have been questioned before the High Priest of Caiaphas. Conclude our day at the Upper Room, the traditional site of the Last Supper
This evening we will walk through underground tunnels to see the remnants of the Temple Mount of Jesus’ day including stones weighing over 400 tons!
Evening dinner and overnight
Day 8: Jerusalem / Bethlehem
Breakfast at the hotel
We begin at the Western (Wailing) Wall, a remnant of the Temple in which Jesus preached and sacred place of prayer for Jews all over the world. Continue to Temple Mount to view the Dome of the Rock. We will stop to worship at the Rabbi’s Steps on the Ophel Ridge
Lunch, on own
Travel to the Shepherd’s Fields to rejoice over the glad tidings of the birth of Jesus. Return to Bethlehem to visit the 5th-century Church of the Nativity. Possible worship service in the Chapel of the Massacre of the Innocents. Finally, we stop to shop for famous olive wood and mother-of-pearl crafts that have been produced by the Christians of Bethlehem for centuries
Evening dinner and overnight
Day 9: Jerusalem
Breakfast at the hotel
Crossing the New City of West Jerusalem, we view a 1:50 scale model of the City of Jerusalem of Jesus’ Day and Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. Continue to the Herzl Museum
Lunch, on own
Visit Yad Vashem, the museum and memorial of the Holocaust. We will conclude our day at the pastoral village of En Karem, the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist
Hear from an Israeli spokesman on the current situation in the Holy Land and the prospects for Peace in the future
Evening dinner and overnight
Day 10: Jerusalem
Breakfast at the hotel
The entire day is at leisure for individual reflection, prayer, exploration, and relaxation. The bus and driver will be at the group’s disposal and your Tour Manager will be available to help with activities and directions
Lunch, on own
Evening dinner and overnight
Day 11: Jerusalem
Breakfast at the hotel
This morning, we visit the Pools of Bethesda and sing in the adjoining Crusader Church of St. Anne. Proceed up the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We conclude our voyage with a worship service at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb.
Lunch, on own
Afternoon at leisure for additional sightseeing, shopping, or reflection
Evening Farewell Dinner and overnight
Day 12: Depart for home
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning at leisure to explore the Old City
Visit Emmaus for a possible worship service attendance at the site of the post-resurrection revelation of Jesus to his disciples
Transfer to the airport for the late night or early morning return flight home
Day 13: Return Home
Return to the USA
© Faith Journeys