Day 1 New York, NY
Depart from the USA on overnight flight Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast will be served aboard.
Day 2 Tiberias
Arrival in Tel Aviv, we are met and transferred to our hotel in the Galilee for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 3 Tiberias
Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Ginnosar where we visit the fishermen's boat found here that dates to Jesus' time , continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. On to Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and to Capernaum, the center of the Lord's early ministry. Drive along the lower Galilee mountains to Cana, site of the wedding feast , followed by a visit to the Nazareth Village where we experience a living presentation of life at the time of Jesus and visit the Church of Annunciation and Mary's Well. We continue on to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 4 Jerusalem
This morning we drive along the Sea of Galilee and arrive at Yardenit, the Baptismal Center on the Jordan River. From here we drive to Mount Carmel to visit the Carmelite Monastery at Muhkraka, the location of Elijah's altar. We continue via the Valley of Armageddon to the excavation of Tel Megiddo and drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman theater and aqueduct. We ascend the Judean Hills to arrive at the Holy city of Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 5 Jerusalem
Departing Jerusalem we visit the inn of the "Good Samaritan" and continue to the shores of the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. We drive along the shore to Masada, the fortress where the Jewish Zealots held off the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing suicide over surrender..Continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. After lunch, we enjoy a short "float " on the Dead Sea. Continue to Qumran where in 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in cave. Afterwards we return to Jerusalem. (B, D)
Day 6 Jerusalem
We start the day with a visit to the Garden Tomb, followed by an orientation beside Calvary. Travel to the Old City, through St. Stephen's Gate to the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch. View the Gabbatha pavement then proceed to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah to visit the Western Wall, the Ophel archaeological park, where we see the Pinnacle and visit the new visitors' center dedicated to research of the Biblical Temple. Continue through the Bazaar to the last stations of the Via Dolorosa. In the afternoon drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Milk Grotto and the cave of St. Jerome. (B, D)
Day 7 Jerusalem
Drive to Mount Scopus to view the impressive home of the Hebrew University. Then drive to the Mt. of Olives for an outstanding view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, and Church of All Nations. See the Kidron Valley and Tomb of Absalom, Zechariah and James. We continue to Mount Zion, the Room of the Last Supper, and King David's Tomb, and past the Knesset and the Israel Museum. Next visit the recently constructed Model of Ancient Jerusalem. Time permitting, visit the recently excavated archaeological site in the Jewish quarter- the Cardo, the "Wide" wall built by King Hezekiah and the Herodian mansion. Enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport. (B, D)
Day 8 New York, NY
Depart Tel Aviv and arrive home the same day.