The day has arrived and we depart Miami (MIA) on an overnight journey to Israel.

Today we arrive in Israel at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our guide. Overnight Tel Aviv area. D.

After breakfast we will visit the ancient town of Jaffa where Peter had his vision on the roof top of the house of Simon the Tanner. We travel to Caesarea Maritima (entrance included), where we will visit the remains of this magnificent ancient city with Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader ruins. Here we will elaborate on the story of the baptism of Cornelius, the first gentile convert to Christianity, and on the travels of Paul — those events that led Caesarea Maritima to become a springboard for the Gospel’s spread to the West. We continue to Mount Carmel (entrance included) and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal, discussing the reasons why the Prophet chose that place for the contest, and the lessons we learn from the story. We visit Tel Megiddo (included), from where we will take in an incredible view of the Valley of Armageddon. We move on to Nazareth where we visit Nazareth Village, a re-creation of Nazareth during the time of Jesus (entrance included). We will climb the Mount of Precipice (time permitting), the brow of the hill on which the city was built. There we will reflect on the rejection of Jesus by his family and friends in Nazareth. We will depart for the Sea of Galilee area, passing Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. B, D.

After a buffet breakfast we drive to Mt. Arbel (entrance included), where we overlook the ancient road from Nazareth to Galilee. We then drive to Tabgha where Jesus appeared to the disciples for the third time after the resurrection. We proceed to Capernaum (entrance included), Jesus’ Galilean ministry base followed by a visit to Magdala (entrance included), the hometown of Mary Magdalene. We will visit the ancient boat museum containing a recently-discovered 2000-year-old fishing boat (entrance included). We will then sail on the Sea of Galilee on a replica of that boat (included). We then return to our hotel and prepare for this evening’s special dinner of St. Peter’s Fish (included). Overnight Sea of Galilee area. B, D.

We visit Tel Dan (entrance included), with a walk to the head of the springs that form the main source of the River Jordan. Our journey proceeds to Caesarea Philippi (included), rich in biblical history, where we’ll reflect amidst ancient ruins, recalling Peter’s profound declaration. We visit the breathtaking Banias Waterfall, a serene spot at the Jordan River’s source, offering tranquility amidst lush greenery. We will return to the Sea of Galilee area to visit Chorazim (included) and proceed to the Mount of Beatitudes, a potential site for Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We conclude the day at the Yardenit Baptismal site on the Jordan River, where there will be an opportunity to be baptized. (Please note that Yardenit charges approximately $18 to rent baptismal gowns and for access to changing rooms). Overnight Sea of Galilee area. B, D.

After breakfast we will make our way to the northern Israel/Jordan border and meet our Jordanian guide and driver. We will visit Jerash (included), and see the Hippodrome, the Oval Forum with its 56 Ionic columns, the Temple of Zeus, the 5000 seat South Theater, the Colonnaded Street and the Temple of Artemis. We then continue on to Mt. Nebo (included), where Moses was shown a view of the Promised Land. Driving south we make our way to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea. After checking in to our hotel we will visit the Dead Sea. Overnight at the Dead Sea. B, D.

This morning, we will drive to the red rose city of Petra, one of the wonders of the ancient world built by the Nabateans around the 2nd century BC. Venture into the city by way of the gorge called the Siq reaching the amazing Treasury building, then see the Roman lower city to include the Royal Tombs, Amphitheatre, Colonnaded street and Qasr Al Bint. Leisure time will be provided to explore or visit the “Dier” or monastery. Tonight we will spend the night at a Bedouin Camp (subject to confirmation). Overnight Petra. B, D

After breakfast we will travel back into Israel to see the Tabernacle in the Desert (included), a replica of the Tabernacle built according to the specifications given to Moses on Mount Sinai. We will take a boat ride on the Red Sea (included) and the balance of the day will be spent at leisure in Eilat. Overnight Eilat. B, D.

We begin our day with a visit to Masada (entrance & cable car included), the fortress built by King Herod the Great and made famous by the Zealots in 73/74 AD with their standoff against the Romans. We visit the fortress and see the ruins that are considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We then continue to Ein Gedi (lookout and parking fee included), the oasis in the desert where the meeting between David and King Saul took place and where many of the psalms were written by David. We will visit Qumran, the location where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a Bedouin boy in 1947. There we will see the caves and other buildings where the Essenes, the group of Jews who wrote the scrolls, lived. In the afternoon free time will be given at one of the Dead Sea beaches (included). Overnight Jerusalem. B, D.

Today we start the day with a visit to the Western Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels (included). The tunnel and exhibit give us an understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount. We see the Pool of Bethesda (included), St. Stephen’s Gate and St. Anne’s Church. We visit the Israel Museum (included), where a view of the Jerusalem Model will prepare us for our 3 days in Jerusalem. The Shrine of the Book allows us to view the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most important archeological finds of the 20th century. Next, we visit the Upper Room, just outside the Zion Gate, which is the traditional place of the Last Supper. We continue to the Jewish Quarter and have some free time for lunch. After lunch, we visit the Temple Institute (included) and learn about the Temple’s past and future. We will finish the day by visiting the Southern Wall Excavations (included). This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for the common people. Overnight Jerusalem. B, D.

We begin the day with a panoramic view of the Old City, the Eastern Gate, Mount Moriah, and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives. From there, we continue to the City of David (included), where we have the exciting experience of walking through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, ending at the Pool of Siloam. We will visit the Shepherds’ Field and caves. From there we drive to visit Hebron where we visit the Cave of the Patriarchs (if security situation permits). Overnight Jerusalem. B, D.

We begin the day with the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus agonized on the night before his crucifixion. We spend time at the House of Caiaphas (included) where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. We see a pit where He may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps He walked as He was taken to be condemned. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate (Church of the Flagellation), where we will hear of those who conspired against Jesus, and be reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. We walk along the Via Dolorosa ending with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We then exit the Old City of Jerusalem through the Damascus Gate to see Golgotha (“place of the skull”) and to visit the Garden Tomb (donation included), where we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection with the Lord’s Supper and a time of worship. Your flight home may depart either tonight or the following day. If the following day and an overnight is required, overnight Jerusalem. B, D.

Your flight home may depart either the previous night or today. If today and time allows, breakfast is included today. Either way, later today we will arrive back at home.