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The day has arrived, and we depart LAX on an overnight journey to Israel.
Today we arrive in Israel at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Upon arrival we will be met by our guide and driver, who will remain with us for the duration of our time in Israel.
Overnight Tel Aviv. Herods Herzliya or similar.
This morning after breakfast we drive to Caesarea Maritima where we visit 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 (Acts 10), and on the travels of Paul — those events that led Caesarea Maritima to become a springboard of Christianity to the West. We continue to Mount Carmel (included) and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), discussing the reasons why the Prophet chose that place for the contest, and the lessons we learn from the story. Then it’s on to Sephorris, a place that the historian Josephus called the ornament of Galilee, and that was chosen by Herod Antipas as the capital of his government. It is likely that Jesus worked here with his father Joseph.
Overnight Sea of Galilee. Caesar Hotel or similar.
We begin our day with a visit to the ancient boat museum, containing a recently discovered 2000- year-old fishing boat. We then sail on the Sea of Galilee on a replica of that boat (included). Next we visit Tabgha, where Jesus appeared to the disciples for the third time after the resurrection. We drive to the Mount of Beatitudes, before stopping for lunch. After lunch we visit Capernaum (included), Jesus’ Galilean ministry base. There we will see the house of Peter’s mother-in-law and stand in the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus was confronted by a demoniac (Luke 4:31-37).
Overnight Sea of Galilee. Caesar Hotel or similar.
This morning we drive to the Golan Heights, and to the border with Syria, where we will consider the dramatic conversion and life transformation of Saul of Tarsus. We will take in a view of Mount Hermon before visiting Caesarea Philippi (included), also known as Banias, where Peter confessed that Jesus is the Son of God. After lunch (included) we will enjoy kayaking on the Jordan River. We conclude our day with a visit to Yardenit, where there will be an opportunity to be baptized in the same river as was Jesus.
Overnight Sea of Galilee. Caesar Hotel or similar.
This morning we visit Gideon’s Spring (included), where Gideon chose 300 men for battle. We continue south through the Jordan Valley, and make our way to Masada (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 continue to Ein Gedi, (included) the oasis in the desert where the meeting between David and King Saul took place (1 Samuel 24) and where many of the psalms were written by David. In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to experience floating on the Dead Sea (weather permitting).
Overnight Jerusalem. Mamilla Hotel or similar.
This morning we ascend the Temple Mount, discussing its connection to both the Old and New Testaments. Leaving the Temple Mount, we visit the Church of St. Anne, a perfectly intact Crusader church. It is a wonderful place to gather and sing a song (sometimes with fellow Christians from all over the world). We will also visit the nearby Pool of Bethesda (included), where the healing at the pool took place (John 5). We visit Ecce Homo to see the site of the Antonia fortress (included) and the stone pavement where Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate. We travel to the Israel Museum (included) where we will visit the Second Temple Period Model of Jerusalem, a 1:50 scaled model of the city from the year 66 AD. After lunch we visit the Shepherds’ Field, where the angels appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of Our Lord. These fields are also the setting of some of the events of the Book of Ruth. We take in a view of Bethlehem before returning to Jerusalem.
Overnight Jerusalem. Mamilla Hotel or similar.
We begin our day with an orientation over the holy city from the Mount of Olives, pointing out important locations within the Old City and connecting them with Biblical stories and prophecies about the return of Jesus. We walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane. After lunch (included) we visit the home of the High Priest, Caiaphas (included), where Jesus was taken after being arrested at the Garden of Gethsemani. At night there will be an optional visit to the Western Wall Tunnels (no additional cost).
Overnight Jerusalem. Mamilla Hotel or similar.
This morning we visit the Garden Tomb, a potential site of Jesus burial and resurrection, where we will worship together and celebrate communion. We will 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. The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure in Jerusalem. You may wish to visit the Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem’s Ramparts, Mount Zion, or the Herodian Mansion (not included).
Your flight home may depart either late tonight or the following day. If the following day, and an overnight is required, overnight Jerusalem. Mamilla Hotel or similar.
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 at LAX.
