Month: August 2019

Start the day at Mt’ Scopus. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem. The holy city for each of the world’s three great religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam – Jerusalem occupies a unique place in the world. Your tour includes the Mount of Olives, a stop at the site where Jesus first gave the Lord’s Prayer, and the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Jesus. In the Old City you’ll see the Western Wall and the actual site of the Second Temple, the Temple Mount. Walk the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, housing both the traditional site of Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection. To the southwest, just outside the Old City, is Mount Zion, with the traditional tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. Return to hotel.

Through remarkable scenery of the Dead Sea we’ll continue to Masada which is situated right on an isolated cliff in the Judean Desert. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Ascend by cable car to the fortress, which was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Visit the excavations, King Herod’s palace, the synagogue, bathhouse and much more. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea. Visit the site of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Nearly 1,300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on the earth’s surface. Bring your swimsuit as if weather permits it’s possible to “float” on the salty, mineral rich, water. Return to Jerusalem for an overnight.

This morning we travel to Cana to visit the Wedding Church where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine. We proceed to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood, and the Church of Annunciation, built on the site where archaeologists believe the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary. You’ll also see Mary’s Well and Joseph’s Church. Continue through the Jezreel Valley to Beit Shean, view of Mt. Tabor-Mt. of Transfiguration and Mt. Gilboa. Stop at Beit Shean for a visit to the excavations of this beautiful preserved Roman City which was destroyed in an earthquake and then onward along the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem, where you check-in to your choice of hotel.

Visit the sites on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, the stage for many of the events in Jesus’ life. Drive along the shore of the sea to Capernaum – known as “His Town”, the center of Jesus ministry where he spent much time healing the sick and performing miracles. On to Tabgha, the site of Christ’s miracle of feeding the 5,000, visiting the Church of Multiplication, where the mosaic floor depicts a basket with loaves and two fishes, and the Church of the Primacy of St Peter, commemorating Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter as chief among the Apostles. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the sea, where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount” and it is believed that he picked his 12 apostles. Ascend to the Golan Heights to view the panoramic view of the peaks of Mt. Hermon and the rugged Golan plateau. Visit Banias (Caesarea Philippi), one of the sources of the River Jordan, where Jesus took his disciples, revealing his purpose and His Church before his last trip to Jerusalem and where Simon identified Jesus as the messiah. Drive to the southern part of the Sea of Galilee to visit the Yardenit Baptismal Site. Return to Tiberias for another night in town.

Depart from your hotel in Tel Aviv, drive for a short visit of the city of Jaffa (Joppa) where we will take a short walking tour in picturesque alleys of the old fortified town. We’ll pass by the house of Simon the Tanner and marvel at the views from the hill top. We then drive up north along the coast to the archaeological ruins of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar. Proceed to visit Megiddo where the Book of Revelation mentions a great battle at a place called “Armageddon”. It is an ancient city inhabited continuously for more than five millennia (6000-500 B.C.). After exploring the ancient ruins we’ll drive toward the Sea of Galilee, stopping at Cana to visit the Wedding Church where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine. Arrive in Tiberias, check-in to your  hotel.

The final day on this tour. After breakfast we will take you back to the airport for departure.