Day 1
Depart from a New York area gateway to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.
Day 2
Arrival at Tel Aviv airport. Transfer to hotel in the Galilee for dinner and overnight. Begin to feel the spirit of this amazing land. Depending on Flight arrival time, visit Megiddo, Carmel on the way to Galilee.
Day 3
Start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. On to Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Fishes and Loaves and the Feeding of Five Thousand. Visit Capernaum, the city of Jesus and Peter to see the house of Peter and an ancient synagogue, where Jesus preached and gathered his disciples. End the day in the ancient city of Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene.
Day 4
Start the day at Yardenit, the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River. Take a scenic drive past Cana of Galilee to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Mary’s Well. On to Muchraka, the location of Elijah’s altar during his confrontation with the false prophets of Baal. Continue through the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation site at Tel Megiddo. On to Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in 22 B.C. Continue to the city of Jerusalem.
Day 5
Start the day at the Mount of Olives for an outstanding view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations before driving along the Kidron Valley seeing the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James. Visit the Old City, see the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch. Continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Cross Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Gabbatha pavement.
Day 6
After breakfast, continue to the Jewish Quarter visiting the Cardo, the “Wide” wall built by King Hezekiah, the Herodian mansion and the Golden Menorah. Continue to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah, to see the Dome of Rock, visit the Western Wall, the Ophel Archaeological Park and Museum and the Southern steps. Visit the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb.
Day 7
This morning we drive past the Inn of the Good Samaritan to arrive at the shores of the Dead Sea – the lowest point on earth. We go to Masada. Continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. After lunch (on your own), enjoy a short “float” in the Dead Sea. On to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947
Day 8
After breakfast and hotel check out continue to the Garden Tomb, visit Calvary where we will partake of Communion service. Continue to Bethlehem, Visit the Church of Nativity, the Milk Grotto and Shepherds’ Field. Enjoy a special farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport.
Day 9
Arrive back at JFK Airport with amazing memories and unforgettable experiences.