HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE 2021

Day 1 - Friday - April 30th, 2021 - (D)

• Depart the US from multiple cities on Delta Airlines via JFK International, New York

• Orlando - 15:18 - Depart on DL 2364. Arrive in JFK at 17:59

• Austin - 11:55 - Depart on DL 2355. Arrive in JFK at 16:49

• 23:40 - Group Departure on DL 234

Note: You can depart a day earlier and arrive on this day by selecting the Extra Overnight and Transfer from your Add-ons or by contacting us. You can also book your own airfare or take part of our group airfare contract.

Day 2 - Saturday - May 1st, 2021 - (B/D)

• 17:35 - Group arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport. 

The group will be met immediately after passport control by our representative who will assist you to the luggage carousel, customers and into the Arrival’s hall to meet your guide and driver who will transfer you to your hotel. Time permitting, we may take a tour of Jaffa.

Dinner and overnight in Netanya, by the Mediterranean Sea: West Lagoon 

Day 3 - Sunday - May 2nd, 2021 - (B/D)

En route to Galilee we will be visiting the following Biblical sites: Caesarea (Acts 10), Megiddo (Armageddon; 1 Kings 9:15; Rev. 16:16), and Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18).

Next, we’ll visit the early Roman city Tzipori, a city built during the time of Jesus by Herod Antipas.

We complete our tour overlooking the Jezreel Valley at the traditional site for Jesus being chased out of Nazareth: Mt. Precipice.

Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee: Ramot Nofesh Resort

Day 4 - Monday - May 3rd, 2021 - (B/D)

We start our day atop the Mount of Beatitudes and read from Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount. Next, we visit Tabgha, remembering the story of the feeding of the 5,000 and John 21 with Jesus calling out to Peter to cast the fishing net on the right side. We continue on to Capernaum, the center of ministry for Jesus in Galilee.

Next, we’ll travel to an overview of the Valley of Bethsaida, which is the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Philip. Following lunch, we will visit the 1st Century remains of Magdala including the greatest highlight of all: a 2000-year-old synagogue. We will end our day at the Jordan River at the Yardenit site where you can participate in a baptism.

Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee: Ramot Nofesh Resort

Day 5 - Tuesday - May 4th, 2021 - (B/D)

After breakfast, we make our way north through the Hula Valley stopping first at Tel Hazor, a city taken by Joshua (Joshua 11:10-14). We then head to Tel Dan where we will tour extensively and include a visit at the Canaanite – Bronze era mud brick gate that has been nicknamed the "Gate of Abraham". At the foot of Mt Hermon we will visit the springs of Banias, also known as Caesarea Philippi. This is where Peter made his famous declaration about Jesus (Matt. 16).

After lunch, we return to the Sea of Galilee to visit the “Jesus boat" from the first century, a vessel found here along the shores of Galilee in 1986.

We’ll conclude our day sailing on our very own wooden boat ride experience on the sea of Galilee.

Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee: Ramot Nofesh Resort

Day 6 - Wednesday - May 5th, 2021 - (B/D)

After breakfast, we leave the Galilee and make our way along the Jordan Valley to first visit the Biblical site of Beit Shean, a well-preserved Decapolis Roman city. Here the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls after they were defeated by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10-12).

We continue down the Jordan Valley until we meet the Wilderness of Judah, first stopping at Qaser-El Yehud Baptismal site where tradition believes Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. After this, we’ll have lunch and visit the ancient city of Jericho.

Next, we’ll visit Ein Gedi, where David hid from King Saul. We enjoy a walk back to the waterfalls, hopefully seeing a few Ibex along the way. Lastly, we’ll check in to our Spa Hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea where we will have the remainder of the day to go for a swim/float (included) or enjoy the spa facilities with indoor dead sea pool and jacuzzi (included) or a massage at the hotel (not included).

Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea: Daniel Dead Sea (Deluxe Rooms) Ein Bokek

Day 7 - Thursday - May 6th, 2021 - (B/D)

A short drive allows us to arrive early at Masada and ascend upon the wilderness mountain, by way of cable car, to the fortress built by King Herod. We survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, the synagogue and palaces. We have an optional walk back down the snake path. 

Around lunchtime, we’ll visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. 

After this, we’ll start our own "Aliya" (rise) from the depths of the Judean Wilderness to the mountains of Jerusalem. Upon entering Jerusalem, we make a stop at the Mount of Olives and begin the Palm Sunday journey. 

Ultimately, we’ll reach the Garden of Gethsemane, where we’ll enjoy a private garden amongst the olive trees for prayer and reflection.

Following check-in and dinner this evening, we have a night Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David that summarizes 5,000 years in a 45 min. Light Show spectacular!

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem: Dan Jerusalem (Deluxe Rooms)

Day 8 - Friday - May 7th, 2021 - (B/D)

We will pick up from the events of Holy Week that we left off in the Garden of Gethsemane when we arrive at the traditional place for the house and courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest, also known as St. Peter en Gallicantu. 

Next, we’ll make our way to Lion’s Gate, which leads us to the St. Anne Church and the area of the Pools of Bethesda, that we find in Jesus healing the paralyzed man in John Chapter 5.  

Returning to the paths of tradition and pilgrimage we will pick up the Via Dolorosa and follow most of the 14 stations as we climb to Calvary, a break for lunch at the Christian Qtr and some free shopping time before we gather and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – one of the traditional sites for Jesus's crucifixion and burial.

Next we’ll return to Mt. Zion area outside the Jewish Quarter where is located the traditional room of the Last Supper and the Upper Room is also here.  This will lead us into the Jewish quarter to explore some of the excavations here. Much of the ancient 1st century city is beneath the modern streets of the modern Jewish quarter, that has been rebuilt since the 1967 Six Day War. 

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Machane Yehuda market to experience life in New Jerusalem, as the Jewish people prepare for the Sabbath.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem: Dan Jerusalem (Deluxe Rooms)

Day 9 - Saturday - May 8th, 2021 - (B/D)

We’ll begin our day in Bethlehem, where we’ll visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds Fields. 

Next, we’ll descend the Way of the Patriarchs to Beer Sheva in the Negev Desert, named by Abraham 4000 years ago. Here, we’ll visit Tel Sheva where archaeologists have uncovered two-thirds of a city dating from the early Israelite period (10th century BCE.) This city is located on the edge of the wilderness near the confluence of the Beer Sheva and Hebron Streams. The meticulously planned water system of this city demonstrates impressive engineering expertise. As such - we have conquered the Ancient land of Israel from Dan to Beer Sheva!! 

Next, we’ll visit Jaffa, one of the oldest port cities in the world, made famous by the Book of Jonah.

Our day will end in the heart of modern Israel with an evening in Tel Aviv. A hands on Israeli cuisine workshop and plenty of wine is our celebration dinner (included) to complete a very hands-on practical day!!

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem: Dan Jerusalem (Deluxe Rooms)

Day 10 - Sunday - May 9th, 2021 - (B/D)

Rising for an early morning visit on the Temple Mount will start our day off early in an attempt to beat the crowds but be aware that queuing in line may take some time with no sitting area and only limited shade. This will allow us to tour the platform but not enter the restricted areas for Muslims only such as inside the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. 

Next, we’ll visit the Southern Wall Excavations, also known as the Davidson Visitor Center. Here, we’ll walk some of the original first century streets, steps and even money changers tables that once served the bustling 1st century Jewish temple.

We’ll then walk in the footsteps of David and the ancient Jerusalem, that is hidden in the City of David. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to wade in the flowing waters of the Siloam tunnel (Hezekiah's Tunnel), where ultimately you’ll arrive at the 2000-year-old Pool of Siloam!

Next, we’ll leave Jerusalem to visit the Shephelah (lower hill country) and participate in an actual archaeological excavation, digging back in time to at least 2200 years ago during the Hasmonean period at the ancient city known as Beit Guvrin or Maresha, where the prophet Micah was from. At the end of our dig, we’ll have the opportunity to crawl through tunnels that link us through the basements of these people’s ancient homes. Note: You must bring closed-toed shoes and long pants for this experience. 

On our way back to Jerusalem, we’ll stop to gather stones in the Elah Valley, where David conquered Goliath. 

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem: Dan Jerusalem (Deluxe Rooms)

Day 11 - Monday - May 10th, 2021 - (B/D)

Our morning begins in the hills of West Jerusalem following a scar on the Judean landscape that will never heal like the loss of European Jewry and the 1000 yrs of Jewish life that will fall as victims to the Nazi Holocaust. The Yad vaShem Memorial is for all those who were murdered, but also an exhibition for all of us to reflect and experience in order to ensure that modern societies will never again fall to the depths of darkness as the era of attempted total eradication of human life by western societies. Israel as a nation will never meet a foreign dignitary before he/she has at least laid a reef at the hall of remembrance and we will visit the museum as well as the memorials in an attempt to deal with this enormous subject with a visit of 2 hours here.

Next, we will visit the Israel Museum and we visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed, the model of the 2nd temple Era and the archaeological wing of the national museum.

The pinnacle of a pilgrimage tour is a visit to the Garden Tomb, where we will have worship and communion. 

We’ll end our tour on the Road to Emmaus, in the town of Abu Ghosh where we’ll have a farewell dinner together before heading to the airport.

After dinner, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

• 23:55 - Group departure for Orlando & Austin groups on Delta Airlines DL 235 for JFK

• TBA - Group departure for Los Angeles on United Airlines via Newark

Day 12 - Tuesday - May 11th, 2021 - (B/)

• 05:15 - Arrive at JFK International Airport

• Connect to other cities on Delta Airlines

• Orlando - 08:05 - Depart on DL 1470. Arrive at 11:08

• Austin - 08:55 - Depart on DL 1327. Arrive at 12:07

• Los Angeles - TBA