Highlights of the Holy land in Israel
Duration: 8 Days
Program only valid for private groups of 20 or more people
DAY 1 – ARRIVE IN TEL AVIV
Welcome to the Holy land of Israel, where Jesus performed his miracles and gave his famous sermons! Upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport, you will be met by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at your own leisure.
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DAY 2 – CAESAREA – MT. CARMEL – MEGIDDO - TIBERIAS
Our first journey will start with a drive through the rich lands of Sharon. We reach Caesarea Maritima, where we will see the crusader fortifications and the Roman aqueducts and theater. Continue driving through the Jezreel Valley to the fields of Armageddon and Megiddo, then northward along the Mediterranean Sea to Haifa and Mt. Carmel.
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DAY 3 – TIBERIAS – CAPERNAUM – CAESAREA PHILIPPI – MT. HERMON – GOLAN
This morning we shall start with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum and visit Peter’s house, the ruins of the 1st century synagogue where Jesus preached and the Mount of Beatitudes - sight of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Continue with a visit to Korazim, a town condemned by Jesus for its lack of faith. Our next stop is Tabgha, the chapel dedicated to the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Drive to Banias the site of Peter’s confession and the present day Golan Heights. After a stop at the beautiful Pilgrims Park at the River Jordan, we return to our Hotel in Tiberias.
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DAY 4 – TIBERIAS – CANA – NAZARETH – MT. TABOR
Today’s journey begins with a stop in Cana and we continue on to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus. Here we will visit the Church of the Annunciation, and Mary's Fountain. Travelling westward across Galilee we will view Mt. Tabor, Deboriya - the hometown of the prophetess Deborah - at the foothill of Mt. Tabor.
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DAY 5 – BETH SHEAN – JORDAN VALLEY – MASADA – DEAD SEA – QUMRAN - JERUSALEM
We start our day at Beth Shean, finding the Spring of Harod (Gideon’s Spring) and then continue south through the Jordan Valley to ancient Jericho and view Mt. of Temptation and Elisha’s Fountain. We continue south to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Visit the remains of the Community Center of the Essenes and the Caves of the Scrolls. Driving along the shores of the Dead Sea we stop for a swim (float) in the water before continuing to En Gedi, the retreat of David in the wilderness, and on to Masada, a truly remarkable piece of history. Ascent to Masada by cable car, to visit the magnificent ruins of the fortress. We drive up to Jerusalem for overnight.
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DAY 6 – JERUSALEM
Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Church of Pater Noster and Dominus Flevit. Walk along Hosanna Road to Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations, which stands on the Rock of Agony, where Jesus was betrayed by Judas. See the Pillar of Absalom, the Eastern (Golden) Gate and the Pinnacle of the Temple. We continue to New Jerusalem, the Hebrew University, the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book that houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Model City of Jerusalem, which depicts in miniature the Holy City as it appeared in the first century.
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DAY 7 – JERUSALEM, OLD CITY
Today we will have a walking tour of the old city beginning with the Western (Wailing) Wall and the Dome of the Rock. We walk along the Via Dolorosa to Pilate’s Judgement Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation and the place where Jesus was tried before Pilate. On to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and then time for a devotional at the Garden Tomb.
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DAY 8 – DEPART ISRAEL
After having experienced this exclusive, private tour of the most important sites and recreational areas of the Holy land, you will be transferred to Tel Aviv airport for departure flight.
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