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 and driver. We travel directly to our hotel near the shore of the Mediterranean for dinner and a well-earned rest — tomorrow begins our exciting exploration of Israel! Overnight Herzliya at the Daniel Hotel or similar. D.

After breakfast we travel through the ancient port city of Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port in the world and the place where Peter had his vision on the rooftop of the house of Simon the Tanner. We continue along the coast to Caesarea Maritima (entrance included), where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter, and where we will elaborate on the story of Cornelius and the travels of Paul that made this city 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, enjoying a panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Western Galilee along the way. We travel through the Jezreel Valley to Tel Megiddo (entrance included), the Armageddon battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We move on to Nazareth where we visit Nazareth Village, a wonderful recreation of Nazareth during the time of Jesus with costumed guides (entrance included), and climb the Mount of Precipice, where the townspeople of Nazareth attempted to throw Jesus off the cliff but He passed unharmed through their midst. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next three nights on the Sea of Galilee. Overnight Tiberias at the Nof Ginnosar Hotel or similar. B, D.

After a buffet breakfast we drive to Mt. Arbel (entrance included), a landmark overlooking the Sea of Galilee where natural caves once sheltered rebels against Herod. We continue to Tabgha, home to a beautiful fourth-century mosaic floor and the traditional site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. We proceed to Capernaum (entrance included), Jesus’ Galilean ministry base and the site of Peter’s home, followed by a visit to Magdala (entrance included), the hometown of Mary Magdalene, where the recent excavation of the First Century Synagogue makes for one of the most interesting Biblical sites in Israel. We make our way to Ginnosar to view the ancient boat museum, home to a 2,000-year-old fishing boat recently unearthed from the Sea of Galilee (entrance included), then set sail on the Sea of Galilee ourselves (included). We return to our hotel and prepare for this evening’s special dinner of St. Peter’s Fish (included). Overnight Tiberias at the Nof Ginnosar Hotel or similar. B, D.

We visit Tel Dan (entrance included), where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan sacrifice, and Caesarea Philippi (also called Banias, entrance included), the site where Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” and Peter proclaimed Him the Christ, the Son of the living God. We make our way back toward the Sea of Galilee, stopping in Chorazim (entrance included), where Jesus rebuked the citizens for their lack of faith, and at the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of the 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 Tiberias at the Nof Ginnosar Hotel or similar. B, D.

After breakfast we make our way to the northern Israel/Jordan border (border fees included) and meet our Jordanian guide and driver. We visit Jerash (included), the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, entering through the imposing Hadrian’s Arch to see the Hippodrome, the Oval Forum with its 56 Ionic columns, the Temple of Zeus, the 5,000-seat South Theater, the Colonnaded Street, and the Temple of Artemis. We continue 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, check into our hotel, and enjoy the chance to float in the lowest spot on earth. Overnight at the Dead Sea at the Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Hotel or similar. B, D.

This morning we drive south to the red rose city of Petra, capital of the Nabatean Arabs and one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Venture into the city by way of the gorge called the Siq to reach the amazing Treasury building (Al Khazneh), then see the Roman lower city, including the Royal Tombs, Amphitheatre, Colonnaded Street, and Qasr Al Bint. Leisure time will be provided to explore or to visit the “Deir,” or monastery. Tonight we spend the night under the Jordanian stars at the 7 Wonders Bedouin Camp, experiencing life as a Bedouin (subject to confirmation). Overnight Petra at the 7 Wonders Bedouin Camp. B, D.

After breakfast we make our way to the Jordan/Eilat southern border and, after crossing back into Israel (border fees included), travel to the Tabernacle in the Desert (entrance included), a replica of the Tabernacle built according to the specifications given to Moses on Mount Sinai. We will take a boat ride together on the Red Sea (included), and the balance of the day will be spent at leisure in Israel’s southernmost city, Eilat. Overnight Eilat at the Leonardo Royal Resort or similar. B, D.

We begin our day driving north along the Arava Highway to the fortress of Masada (entrance & cable car included), the mountaintop palace built by King Herod the Great and made famous by the Zealots’ last stand against Rome in 73 A.D. We ascend by cable car to visit the remains of Herod’s Palace, his bathhouse, and a first-century synagogue. We continue to Ein Gedi, the oasis in the desert where David hid from King Saul, and walk to a beautiful waterfall (included), passing caves along the way. We then visit Qumran (included), where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, viewing Cave #4, which yielded the greatest quantity of scrolls found at the site. From here we make our way up to the historic golden city of Jerusalem. Overnight Jerusalem at the Grand Court Hotel or similar. B, D.

Today we start with a visit to the Western Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels (included), which give us an understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, including the massive stones — among them the largest cut stone in the world. From here we can also see the Pool of Bethesda (included), St. Stephen’s Gate, and St. Anne’s Church. We continue to the Temple Institute (included) to learn about the Temple’s past and future, then walk through the Jewish Quarter to the Upper Room, just outside the Zion Gate, the traditional site of the Last Supper. We visit the Israel Museum (included), where a view of the Jerusalem Model prepares us for our time in the city, and the Shrine of the Book, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Overnight Jerusalem at the Grand Court Hotel or similar. 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 continue to the Southern Wall Excavations (included), the main entrance for the common people during the time of the Temple, where Solomon’s Porch and purification pools have been unearthed and where Peter likely preached on the Day of Pentecost. From there we drive to Hebron to visit the Cave of the Patriarchs (subject to confirmation depending on the political situation), then visit the Shepherds’ Field and caves before returning to Jerusalem. Overnight Jerusalem at the Grand Court Hotel or similar. B, D.

We begin the day at the Garden of Gethsemane, home to 2,000-year-old olive trees dating to the time of Christ, where Jesus agonized the night before His crucifixion. We spend time at the House of Caiaphas (included), where Jesus was beaten and spit upon, seeing a pit where He may have been held overnight 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), then walk the Via Dolorosa, ending with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We exit the Old City through the Damascus Gate to see Golgotha (“place of the skull”) and visit the Garden Tomb (donation included), where we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection with communion and a time of worship. Overnight Jerusalem at the Grand Court Hotel or similar. B, D.

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight home, filled with memories of a life-changing visit to the Holy Land. B.