WITH JESUS IN JERUSALEM AND THE GALILEE

Day 1 - Wednesday - May 4th, 2022

At 22:15, we’ll depart from LHR on El Al Airlines LY318 for Tel Aviv

Day 1 - Thursday - May 5th, 2022 - (D)

• At 05:15, arrive to 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 driver.

• En route, we’ll have a lovely breakfast in the town of Ein Kerem at the Pundak Restaurant (included).

• Next, we’ll depart for Bethlehem where with a local Palestinian guide we’ll visit the Church of the Nativity. 

• After a short time at a local bazaar, we’ll have lunch in Shepherds Fields (arranged by the guide/driver)

• We’ll end our day at Rachel’s Tomb.

• By 3pm, we’ll check into our hotel where we’ll be staying for the next 7 nights in the heart of Jerusalem.

• Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings, Jerusalem

Day 2 - Friday - May 6th, 2022 - (B/D)

• We will begin our day at the Yad vaShem Holocaust Memorial. We’ll visit the Valley of the Lost Communities, the Cattle Car and other memorial sites around the vast memorial complex.

• Afterwards, we’ll enjoy the rest of our day at the Israel Museum, where we’ll also have time to visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed, and the 2nd Temple Model.

• We’ll enjoy a Sabbath meal together at our hotel’s dining area.

• Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings, Jerusalem 

Day 3 - Saturday - May 7th, 2022 - (B/L/D)

• This morning, we’ll enjoy a more relaxed time at our hotel.

• After an early lunch in the Armenian quarter at the Bulghouri Armenian Restaurant, we’ll visit the Tower of David Museum

• Next, we’ll walk the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate, gaining insight to the city’s defenses throughout its history.

• We’ll visit St. Mark’s in the Armenian/Jewish quarter to see the traditional Armenian place for the Upper Room.

• In the evening time, we’ll visit the City of David for their new Hallelujah Sound and Light show.

• Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings, Jerusalem 

Day 4 - Sunday - May 8th, 2022 - (B/L/)

• We’ll begin our day with a scenic lookout from over the Judean Desert from Wadi Qelt, a key passageway and route between Jerusalem and Jericho.

• Next, we’ll visit the Jordan River to the place where it is believed John baptized Jesus (Qasr el Yahud)

• We’ll then make our way into the hill country of Samaria to visit Tel Shiloh, where the Tabernacle rested for 369 years and enjoy their new multimedia film and museum, which displays finds from the biblical period.

• Next, we’ll visit Har Baruchim where we’ll have lunch and a visit to the winery.

• We’ll then see the modern Samaritan Temple on Mt. Gerizim and point out also where the ancient temple once stood before it was destroyed in the 2nd century BCE.

• We’ll end the day between the Hill of Blessings and Curses at Shechem, where we’ll pay a special visit to Jacob’s well (per David Roberts photo)

• Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings, Jerusalem

Day 5 - Monday - May 9th, 2022 - (B/D)

• We’ll begin a day full of exploration at the City of David. Here, we’ll visit the most recent archaeological excavations, with an option to walk from Hezekiah’s tunnel to the Pool of Siloam.

• You’ll have the option to walk up the ancient street that led from the Siloam to the Temple Mount (Note: You must be in great physical condition for this).

• We’ll gather together at the Southern Wall Excavations, also known as the Davidson Center, to walk the first century streets and steps that once allowed pilgrims to enter the sacred temple.

• Next we’ll visit the Western Wall, also known as the Kotel, where Jews ‘wail’ over the loss of the temple and pray for a restored one with the coming of the Messiah.

• We’ll end the day with some free time to peruse the stores in the Old City’s Suq (market).

• Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings, Jerusalem

Day 6 - Tuesday - May 10th, 2022 - (B/D)

• Upon entering Jerusalem, we make a stop at the Mount of Olives where we’ll begin the Palm Sunday journey.

• As we approach the Kidron Valley, we’ll visit the Garden of Gethsemane. We’ll also visit the Chapel of the Apostles nearby, where tradition holds was the cave in which the disciples slept. This site is just opposite the Chapel of St. Mary, where Greek Orthodox tradition holds Mary died, and where later the Crusader kings and the Queen Melisenda were buried. 

• We’ll descend into the Kidron Valley where we will see Absalom’s Pillar, the tomb of Zecharias, and other early tombs from the days of the Temple.

• We’ll make our way up the hill of Mt. Zion by coach, where we’ll visit St. Peter en Gallicantu, also known as the House of Caiaphas. First century steps and ritual baths indicate this to be a very important place. Early Byzantines considered this to be the prison where Jesus was held the night of his arrest.

• Next, we’ll take our coach to have lunch at the Lavan Cafe, that perches over the Hinnom Valley, near Jerusalem’s Cinematheque. 

• We’ll return to Herod’s gate where we’ll begin the Via Dolorosa, which will culminate with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

• At approximately 16:00, we’ll visit the Garden Tomb. Here, we’ll have a private place for group prayer (communion not required). 

• Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings, Jerusalem

Day 7 - Wednesday - May 11th, 2022 - (B/D)

• This morning, we’ll make our way down to the Dead Sea to visit Masada, the fortress of Herod the Great, where Jewish rebels battled against the Romans in a final stand in 73 CE.

• Next, we’ll enter the wilderness of Ein Gedi where we’ll visit the ancient ravine where David hid from Saul and the ancient synagogue uncovered within the National Park

• Afterwards, we’ll have lunch and visit Kibbutz Ein Gedi for a tour of their botanical gardens which will be guided by one of the kibbutz members. 

• We’ll end the day with a swim in the Dead Sea at Kalia Beach, where you can extract mud right out of the ground.

• Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings, Jerusalem

Day 8 - Thursday - May 12th, 2022 - (B/D)

• NOTE: This morning you may have the option to depart Israel or arrive to Israel if numbers allow.  It may need someone to depart for you to arrive! A minimum of 16 people is required for each week.

• We’ll begin our tour day at the lovely port of Jaffa, one of the most ancient cities in the world. Jaffa is where Jonah set sail, Peter experienced his vision, and other great stories occurred like Andromeda’s Rock.

• We’ll drive along the Mediterranean Coast until we then reach Caesarea Maritima, where Peter too met Cornelius, and where Paul was imprisoned. We’ll visit the Roman Theatre, the Hippodrome and the ancient port.

• Next we’ll make our way to Kibbutz Dor Nachsholim, where we’ll me staying for the next 3 nights on a private beach by the Mediterranean Sea. After we check-in to our rooms, we’ll take a lovely walk together on the beach to visit Tel Dor, the ancient Phoenician city that lies just along the seashore, next to the kibbutz.

• Dinner and overnight on the Mediterranean Sea: Dor Nahsholim (Double ('Hotel' Rooms, Facing Lawns)

Day 9 - Friday - May 13th, 2022 - (B/D)

• We’ll begin our tour day at Sephoris, where we’ll spend at least 2-3 hours amongst the ancient city. Sephoris, also called Tziporri because of its bird’s eye view over the valley, was the largest construction in the Galilee during Jesus’ childhood in Nazareth.

• Next, we’ll visit Cana of Galilee to visit the traditional Church of the Wedding where it is believed John 2 occurs. The site indeed is an ancient synagogue.

• We’ll then make our way to Nazareth, where we’ll walk from the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation (‘Mary’s well’) to the Latin Church of the Annunciation (Mary’s home)

• Around 4pm, we’ll return to our hotel for relaxation and swimming before supper

• This evening we’ll have a special dinner out in the nearby town of Zichron Yaakov (included)

• Dinner and overnight on the Mediterranean Sea: Dor Nahsholim

Day 10 - Saturday - May 14th, 2022 - (B/D)

• First up today is one of the most destroyed cities in the world: Megiddo, which protects the corridor to the Valley of Armageddon. Here, we’ll visit stables, granaries and a water shaft that dates back to the early Israelite days.

• Next, we’ll drive through some beautiful country to Mt. Gilboa. It is here where Saul fell upon his sword, but it also here where Gideon chose his men.

• We’ll make our way to Mt. Tabor to visit the Church of the Transfiguration. This spectacular church, built by Antonio Barlucci, sits above the ruins of early churches that protected the place where the transfiguration occurred, according to tradition.

• In the evening, around sunset, we’ll make our way to Haifa, where we’ll have dinner out in the German Colony (included). 

• After dinner, we’ll have a spectacular lookout over the beautifully lit up Haifa Bay, where many cruise ships port for the night.

• Dinner and overnight on the Mediterranean Sea: Dor Nahsholim

Day 11 - Sunday - May 15th, 2022 - (B/D)

• Today, we’ll drive along the northernmost border road where we’ll learn more about the past wars with Lebanon and the challenges still felt by locals today. Along the way, we’ll pass through Jewish kibbutzim, Arab, Druze and Circassian Villages that bespeak of the diversity of the land along a volatile border.

• We’ll make our way to Tel Dan where it is said the biblical tribe of Dan migrated to. Here, the famous ‘David’ stele, the temple built by Jeroboam, and the ‘Arch of Abraham’, one of the oldest arches in the world were discovered.

• Next up is Banias, also known as Caesarea Phillipi. Here, Jesus met with some of his disciples in Matthew 16, most famous for “Upon this Rock, I’ll build my Church.” 

• We’ll end our day in the Golan Heights where we’ll look out over the Road to Damascus, and see the modern city of Kuneitra and the United Nations base.

• Dinner and overnight on the Sea of Galilee: Ron Beach Hotel or similar

Day 12 - Monday - May 16th, 2022 - (B/D)

• This morning, after having breakfast at our seaside hotel, we’ll visit Bethsaida, which was home to at least five of the twelve disciples.

• We’ll make our way then to Capernaum, the home base for Jesus’ ministry. Here, amongst the many first century ruins we’ll engage with the many miracles that occurred from this quaint fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea.

• Our next visit is to the Mt. of Beatitudes. A lovely church and gardens now marks the spot where Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 5 to his disciples.

• We’ll then make our way down the Mt. of Beatitudes to Tabgha by foot, passing along the way the Cave of Eremos, where early Christians say Jesus taught his disciples.

• From the base of the Mount of Beatitudes, we’ll cross the road to visit the Church of the Multiplication, where already by the 3rd century pilgrims marked the place where Jesus broke five loves and 2 fishes for the feeding of the 5,000.

• Just a stone’s throw away is Mensa Christie (the Church of the Primacy of Peter). Here, we’ll have a place of worship and time for reflection next to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where John 21 occurred.

• We’ll end the day at Magdala. We’ll see the recently discovered first-century synagogue and the new church built in honor of the great women of faith.

• Dinner and overnight on the Sea of Galilee: Ron Beach Hotel  or similar

Day 13 - Tuesday - May 17th, 2022 - (B/D)

• Today, we’ll tour largely in the vicinity of Tiberias (driver only today). Tiberias was a town built by Herod Antipas in the days of Jesus and later becomes an important town in Jewish history, as from here the Jerusalem Talmud was written. On our short tour of ancient Tiberias, we’ll see the new Roman theatre that was discovered, as well as the ancient hot springs and 5th century synagogue. 

• In the heart of Tiberias likes the famous Tomb of Maimonides, a famous biblical scholar. Around his tomb lie many other tombs related to the early periods of Judaism, shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem, like the tomb of the famous Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakai, who was a primary contributor to the Mishnah

• We’ll visit other major landmarks around the city, like the Yigal Alon Promenade Sculpture Park at Ginosar.

• Along the way, we’ll take a short tour of Kibbutz Deganya, the first kibbutz and visit it’s Chocolate Factory for fabulous sweets and coffees.

• We’ll return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day by our seaside pool.

• Dinner and overnight on the Sea of Galilee: Ron Beach Hotel or similar

Day 14 - Wednesday - May 18th, 2022 - (B/D)

• This morning, we’ll drive northward into the Hulah Valley where we’ll visit Tel Hazor. Hazor was the capital of the Canaanite empire and was conquered by the Israelites (Joshua 11, Judges 5). The archaeological evidence is astounding.

• Next, we’ll make our way deeper into the Hulah Valley where we’ll take a tractor ride into the marshlands where so much wildlife lives. The tour will likely be guided in English by a local expert.

• After the tour, you’ll have the option to drive golf carts throughout the park along the many beautifully paved trails that bring you close to wildlife.

• We’ll make our way back to the Sea of Galilee where you’ll have an optional visit to see the 1st century boat at Ginosar or the Yigal Alon Museum, which tells the life of the early kibbutz and one of Israel’s most famous generals from the 1948 war of Independence: Yigal Alon

• We’ll end our day with a wooden boat ride on the Sea of Galilee where so many stories from the New Testament will come to life.

• Return to the hotel for some swimming time and a short celebration service before a late supper.  

• Dinner and overnight on the Sea of Galilee: Ron Beach Hotel or similar

Day 15 - Thursday - May 19th, 2022 - (B/D)

• 06:30 - We’ll depart from the Galilee. A take-away breakfast will be provided which will have some fruit, vegetables included. 

• Along the way to the airport, we’ll stop for a break with the opportunity for coffee and tea.

• 10:10 - Depart on El Al airlines LY315 for LHR

• 13:35 - Arrive back to LHR the same day.