After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing tour at the vast Roman ruins of Caesarea (where Peter met Cornelius and Paul preached to Agrippa), then on to Mt. Carmel (where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal) and an Israel falafel lunch in a Druze Village (lunch is an additional cost). At Megiddo (King Solomon’s fortress city), we pass through the secret water tunnel. We then drive through the area of Cana and Nazareth before getting our first view of the Sea of Galilee. We will enjoy dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tiberias.

In the morning, we will be departing the Galilee to visit Beit Shean (site of Saul’s death) one of the best- preserved Roman sites in the world and Ein Harod (Gideon’s Spring, where he chose his brave 300). We continue our drive south and will descend to the Dead Sea and the Wilderness of Judah. On our way, we will visit Qsar El-Yahud, the traditional baptismal site of Jesus, and have a Baptismal Service for those who wish, in the Jordan River. From here, we continue to our hotel located in Ein Bokek in the Dead Sea area. Dinner and overnight are at the Dead Sea.

This morning, everyone will have an opportunity to swim or put his/her feet in the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. After a late breakfast, we will continue south, for our first stop is Masada, where we will ascend high upon the wilderness mountain by way of cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. Here we survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces. We will again have some time to just reflect and enjoy the views. Our next stop will be Qumran and the possible settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Following the road south along the western shore of the Dead Sea, we drive to Ein Gedi, where we relive the story of David hiding in a cave from King Saul. We then make our way up to Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Wednesday, June 30

Southern Steps, City of David, Pools of Bethesda, St. Anne’s Church, Antonio Fortress, Way of the Cross, Jewish Cardo

Our day begins at the Temple Mount (conditions permitting) and then the Southern Steps. Then it is on to the City of David (Jeremiah’s Cistern, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pools of Siloam). If you want to walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel (conditions permitting), be sure to bring a flashlight and good water shoes with you. For those who do not wish to get wet, the walk through the shaft is available. We will visit the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western Wall. Beyond the wall likes the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David (2Sam. 24:18-25). On this site now stands the Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in all Islam) and the El Aksa Mosque (visit depends on political situation and time permitting). Then we will walk through the Rabbi’s Tunnel of the Pools of Bethesda and to St. Anne’s Church. Etched in the stone floor of the Antonia Fortress is the game the soldiers played before Christ’s death. Exiting the city, we follow the Way of the Cross to Calvary. Then we visit the Jewish Quarter (Temple Institute, Herodian Mansion, and, time permitting, the Burnt House and Cardo). Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book, Model of Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, Garden Tomb

We will go to the Israel Museum, including the Bronfman Archaeological Museum and the Shrine of the Book Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. We will visit the new Model of Jerusalem (1 to 50 scale model of Herodian Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time). We will visit Yad Vashem and the Holocaust Children’s Memorial. Then, we prepare to ‘get dirty’ as we participate in an archaeological dig and get an appreciation for the tedious work of archaeologists! We conclude our day with a special visit to the Garden Tomb for praise, worship and communion. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

Mt. of Olives, Church of Ascension, Gethsemane, Church of Agony, Upper Room, Bethlehem, Church of Nativity, Elah Valley

We begin our explorations with a drive to the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will proceed to the Church of Ascension, descend to Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, and there visit the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed. Then we will visit the Upper Room on Mt. Zion where the disciples met. This afternoon we will pass by Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem and view the Shepherd’s Fields. For those interested, you can visit the Church of the Nativity. We end the day at Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath (time permitting). Dinner and overnight are back in our Jerusalem hotel.

We have a morning transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight back to the U.S.A. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.