The day has arrived and we depart Pensacola International Airport (PNS) 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 driver and guide. Time permitting, we visit the ancient town of Jaffa where Peter had his vision on the roof top of the house of Simon the Tanner. Overnight Tel Aviv area. Herods Herzliya or similar. D.
Today we travel towards Caesarea Maritima, where we will have a brief visit to this magnificent 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 the springboard of Christianity to the West. We continue to Mount Carmel 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 Megiddo, from where we see the Armageddon Valley. We travel to Nazareth where we will climb the Mount of Precipice, 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 depart for the Sea of Galilee area, passing Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Ron Beach or Caesar Premier or similar. B, D.
Today, after breakfast, we will start the day with a visit to Tel Dan. We will walk to the head of the springs that form the main source of the River Jordan. We visit the high place of the city which features the Israelite 4-horned altar dating back to the time of King Jerboam I and King Ahab, where the golden calf was placed. We proceed to visit the city gates which are considered the best example city gates from the Old Testament period. We visit Caesarea Philippi (included), where Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Our visit will include the high place, the gates of Hades, the Roman bridge, the Turkish flower mill and a walk along the river reaching the Banias Waterfall. Afterward, crossing the rugged terrain of the Golan Heights, we’ll be treated to panoramic views of the landscape, including Paul’s legendary route to Damascus. Our last stop of the day will be the Jordan River where you will get a chance to be baptized. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Ron Beach or Caesar Premier or similar. B, D.
After a buffet breakfast, we will visit the ancient boat museum containing a 2000-year-old fishing boat that was discovered on the shore of Sea of Galilee. We will then sail on the Sea of Galilee on a replica of that boat. Afterwards, we will drive to Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. We visit the Mt. of Beatitudes and discuss the sermon on the Mount, before moving on to visit Capernaum, Jesus’ Galilean ministry base. After lunch we will visit the site of the Primacy of Peter, where Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time after the resurrection. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Ron Beach or Caesar Premier or similar. B, D.
This morning we leave the area of Galilee, following the Jordan Valley Road south to Beth Shean, the capital of the Decapolis. There we will see the ruins of the Roman and Byzantine cities. We will also discuss the demise of King Saul and his sons, whose bodies were hanged on the walls of Beth Shean. We will then continue traveling south to Bet Arabah where John the Baptist was baptizing on the Jordan River. We will visit the Tel of Jericho with its ancient ruins, pointing out what possibly could be the foundations of the ramparts that Joshua and the Israelites brought down. Overnight Jerusalem. Grand Court or similar. B, D.
After a buffet breakfast we will ascend the Temple Mount, discussing its connection to both the Old and New Testaments. We will visit the Wailing Wall, a section of the Western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, and Judaism’s holiest site. We will then visit the Southern Wall Excavations (included) where ruins of the retaining walls of the Temple Mount are still visible. We will then gather at the teaching steps, the main entrance to the Temple where rabbis met and taught their disciples. We proceed to the City of David, the original location of the city of Jerusalem, where we will visit the Pool of Siloam and Hezekiah’s Tunnel. In the evening we will enjoy the Sound and Light Show at the Tower of David**. Overnight Jerusalem. Grand Court or similar. B, D.
**Please note that the 2025 schedule for the Sound and Light Show has not yet been released. Therefore, the group’s participation is subject to confirmation, and it may be necessary to attend on a different night.
We will begin our day with an orientation over the Holy City from the Mount of Olives, pointing out important locations within the Old City, connecting them with Biblical stories and prophecies about the return of Jesus. We will then walk down the Palm Sunday Procession Road to the Garden of Gethsemane, where the passion of Jesus began. On to visit St Anne’s church and the nearby Pools of Bethesda where the healing at the pool took place. We will continue our day with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel Holocaust Memorial and Museum. The rest of the day will be spent at leisure in Jerusalem. Overnight Jerusalem. Grand Court or similar. B, D.
We begin our day with a visit to the Upper Room, the traditional place of the Last Supper, followed by a visit to nearby location of the home of the High Priest, Caiaphas. We then visit the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to die by Pontius Pilate. We walk the Via Dolorosa, and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is one of two potential sites for the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. In the afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb, the other proposed site, where we will worship together and celebrate communion. The balance of the day will be spent at leisure. Your flight home may depart either late tonight or tomorrow. If tomorrow and an overnight is required, overnight Jerusalem. Grand Court or similar. B, D.
Your flight home may depart either the previous night or today. If today, and time allows, breakfast is included today. Either way, today we will arrive back in Pensacola (PNS).
