Biblical tour of Israel, 7 days, 6 nights (New tour)

DEAD SEA – MASADA – EIN GEDI – QUMRAN – JERICHO – BETH SHEAN / TIBERIAS

After a morning “float” in the remarkable Dead Sea, this morning we drive to Masada. At Masada, we take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome. After we descend back from the top of Masada by cable car we re-board our bus and drive north along the Western shores of the Dead Sea. Our first stop will be Qumran and the possible settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Drive to Jericho.  At Jericho, we visit the tel of this oldest city and view the traditional mountain of Jesus’ temptation.  Driving through the Jordan Valley north to Beth Shean. We will then survey the magnificent Roman Byzantine ruins; theatre, bathhouses, ancient rest rooms, market areas, colonnaded streets. We then continue driving north before arriving at our Kibbutz Hotel, home for the next three nights.

SEA OF GALILEE – GOLAN HEIGHTS

We begin the morning with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.  We sail to Nof Ginnosar, the location of a 1^st century fishing boat similar to what was used in Jesus’ day.  We then visit Capernaum where we visit the synagogue.  We continue to Tabgha (short for Heptapagon, "seven springs") to view the mosaics in the Church of the Loaves and Fishes.  We then ascend the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount,” we take time to reflect upon His kingdom principles.  In the afternoon, we head north to the Golan Heights.  We travel on an ancient trade route as we pass Hazor and then go on to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), where Peter answered Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" Our route then takes us over the Golan Heights, skirting Mt. Hermon, with a view toward Damascus.  We then experience a breath-taking view of the entire Sea of Galilee from Arbel.  We end the day with a baptism in the Jordan River.

TIBERIAS TO JERUSALEM

This morning we depart Tiberias on to Cana, commemorating Jesus’ transformation of water into wine; proceed to Nazareth, visiting part of the ancient village. Continue on our drive to the mound of Megiddo, har meggido in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. Our day continues as we ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Descending the mountain, we are on the road again, as we drive toward Caesarea, nestled between the banana groves and the sand-skirted sea. We enter Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the East, which became the Christian springboard to the West. The day will end atop Mt. Scopus, we behold the majestic Jerusalem. Tonight dinner at our hotel in Jerusalem.

JERUSALEM – BETHLEHEM - JERUSALEM

Following an optional morning walk, we start the day with an orientation to Jerusalem from the Mt. Of Olives. We then follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as the Dominus Flevit ("the Lord weeps"). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text.  From there we drive back out to West Jerusalem were we visit the Jerusalem Model of the 2^nd Temple Period as well as visit Israel’s Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. Driving south, we end the day going into Bethlehem.  We pass by Rachel's Tomb on they way to Shepherds’ Field and the Church of the Nativity. We drive back to our hotel for dinner and overnight.  An optional night walk ends the evening.

JERUSALEM

Following an optional morning walk, today we enter the Old City through the Dung Gate. We walk up to the Western Wall Judaism’s holiest site. We walk through the southern wall excavations where we will stand at the southern entrance to the Herodian Temple. Here, we will see the ancient boulders of the Temple and sit on the steps where Jesus no doubt taught. We then ascend to the Temple Mount, the location of the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Just to the north we find the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, perfectly preserved from the Crusader period – with remarkable acoustics.  We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) back as far as the Holy Sepulcher.  We then visit the City of David and take an optional adventurous walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel (1,700 feet long).  We end the day with a Communion Service at the Garden Tomb.  Return to our hotel for dinner.  An optional walk ends the evening.

JERUSALEM – TEL-AVIV

Following another optional walk or a leisurely breakfast this morning, we have a free day to explore the Old City. There will be additional sites to see on your own at your own pace, or time to shop.  In the evening, we travel to Tel Aviv for our late night flight home.

Tour includes:

Meets and assist at Taba border

All transfers

Tour guide

Hotel accommodation

Entrance fees to the sites

Boat in Sea of Galilee

Tips and departure tax

Travel insurance

Lunches

Any other item not mentioned

“No one can visit Israel without a deeper appreciation and a stronger faith in the Bible.  Israel is more than sightseeing. 

It is an experience.”