Upgrades to premium economy or business class are available for an additional charge, which will be determined by the airline’s upgrade price at the time the request is made.
The day has arrived, and we depart Phoenix (PHX) on an overnight journey to Israel.
Today we arrive in Israel at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Upon arrival we meet our Christian Expedition Tour Director, who will remain with us for the duration of our trip. We will drive to the area of Galilee. Conditions and regulations permitting, we will enjoy a welcome bonfire on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Prima Galil or similar D.
After breakfast we board a private coach, which brings us to Caesarea Maritima (included), on the Meditteranean Sea. Acts 10 tells us that the Gentile Cornelius received a vision at Caesarea, which prompted him to send for the Apostle Peter, who then came to Caesarea and preached the Gospel to Cornelius and those assembled at his house. All those who heard the message received the Holy Spirit! In Caesarea, we visit the Roman Amphitheatre, hippodrome, and an ancient aqueduct. We then head to Mt. Carmel (included), where Elijah confronted Baal and his prophets, and God sent fire from heaven in response to Elijah’s prayer. (1 Kings 18). Then we head to the Jezreel Valley, to Tel Megiddo (included). We drive past the area of Cana and come to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus. Here we will visit Nazareth Village, a re-creation of life in Nazareth at the time of Jesus. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Prima Galil or similar. B, L, D.
This morning we make our way to the Mount of the Beatitudes. We move on to see the Ancient Galilee boat (included), which was discovered in 1986, and was used for fishing on the Sea of Galilee in the First Century AD. We enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee (included), which includes a Scripture reading and devotional by your trip chaplain. We go on to Capernaum (included), where we see the remains of the village, including the home of Peter. We will also visit Tabgha, where Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection. We enjoy a “St. Peter’s Fish Lunch,” of fish from the sea of Galilee (included, non-fish options are also available). We then head to Magdala (included), the hometown of Mary Magdalene, which also boasts the remains of a First Century synagogue. We will enjoy kayaking/rafting on the Jordan River (included). Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Prima Galil or similar. B, L, D.
This morning we will visit Yardenit, the Jordan River baptismal site, where there will be an opportunity to be baptized in the same river as was Jesus. We will head south, leaving the region of Galilee, and visit Beth Shean, where the body of King Saul was affixed to the city walls after his defeat at the hands of the Philistines. We will enjoy a picnic lunch at Gan Hashlosha, a national park with springs and natural pools. We drive south through the Jordan Valley, getting a sense of Israel’s agricultural fertility, which caused it to be called a “Land of Milk and Honey.” We pass by Jericho, which God famously gave into the hands of Joshua and the Israelites, and which is regarded as the oldest city in the world. Overnight Jerusalem. Jerusalem Gardens or similar. B, L, D.
Today we see Jerusalem. We visit the Temple Mount, where the first two temples stood. We visit the Antonia Fortress (included), where Jesus was condemned to die by Pontius Pilate. We see the Pool of Bethesda where, John 5 recounts, Jesus healed a disabled man; Stephen’s Gate, also known as the Lion’s Gate or the Sheep Gate; St. Anne’s Church (included), which was built during the Middle Ages by Crusaders; and the site of the excavation of the Southern Wall (included), which served as the south side of the second temple. It through this wall that Jesus entered the Temple before His cleansing of it. It is believed that this is where Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). We enjoy a cooking class, led by a local chef, and spend the rest of the day in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ. Overnight Jerusalem. Jerusalem Gardens or similar. B, L, D.
After breakfast, we will depart from Jerusalem and enjoy a sunrise hike up to Masada, the mountain-top fortress that served as the site of a famous zealot last stand. We head, then, to Ein Gedi, or the “Spring of the Goat,” a natural oasis famous for its flora and fauna on the western shore of the Dead Sea. 1 Samuel 24 tells us that it was at Ein Gedi that David hid from Saul in a cave, and spared Saul’s life. Here we experience an Ein Gedi Waterfalls hike. We visit Kfar Hanokdim or Genesis Land, a desert experience including Bedouin hospitality and a camel ride. In the afternoon we enjoy our free time at one of the beaches of the Dead Sea, enjoying it’s healing properties and mud. In the evening we enjoy the visit of the Rabbinical Tunnels and the Wailing Wall. Overnight Jerusalem. Jerusalem Gardens or similar. B, L, D.
We begin the day by heading to the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives provides an incredible view of Jerusalem, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock. We visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus agonized on the night before his crucifixion. We move on to the “Upper Room,” where Jesus and his disciples ate the Last Supper. We walk the Via Dolorosa, and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Finally, we visit the Garden Tomb (donation included), where some believe Jesus was buried and later resurrected. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner. Your flight home may depart either late tonight or the following day. If the following day and an overnight is required, overnight Jerusalem. Jerusalem Gardens 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 in Phoenix (PHX).