SAMPLE TOUR FOR GROUPS ONLY
Revitalize and renew your faith bringing the words of the scriptures to life as you embark on a spiritual journey to the Holy Land. Experience the land of Jesus where He walked and ministered. Discover Biblical sites that you have only dreamed about. Pray where Jesus prayed and experience His love.
4 nights Jerusalem, 2 nights Tiberias
Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Ein Karem, Qumran, Yardenit, Tiberias, Capernaum, Tabgha, Nazareth, Cana, Jaffa, Tel Aviv.
– Transfers to and from the airport
– Ground transportation on private air-conditioned motor coach
– English speaking tour guide
– Hotel accommodation based on double occupancy
– Meals as specified (B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)
– Entrance fees to points of interest specified
Your land arrangements do not include:
– Airfare to and from Tel Aviv
– Departure taxes, fuel surcharges or airport improvement fees
– Porterage at the airport or hotels
– Insurance
– Early check-in/late checkout
– Single room supplement – a limited number of single rooms available on payment of supplement
– Meals and beverages not mentioned
– Optional tours not mentioned
– Gratuities for individual services, laundry and valet service, and any other items of a purely personal nature
– Tipping to guide, driver, hotel or restaurant staff
– E. & O.E.
For information and bookings contact Janice Snider.
On arrival at Ben-Gurion Airport you will be greeted with flowers and transferred to the ancient port of Jaffa which according was named after Noah’s son Jefet who is said to have settled here after the flood. We stop to see the House of Simon the Tanner on whose roof Peter’s vision changed the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. Overlooking the port is the Church of St. Peter, the largest and most distinctive building in Old Jaffa.
According to Greek mythology, a rock at the entrance to the port is supposedly where Perseus saved Andromeda by slaying the sea monster Hydra. Enter the Artists’ Colony and wander through the alleyways observing local craftsmen at work. Afterwards transfer to Jerusalem arriving at the hotel for dinner and overnight. D
Breakfast then we visit the New City of Jerusalem starting in Givat Ram at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament where a 5 meter high bronze Menorah (candelabra) features engravings of some 30 important events in Jewish history. Nearby is the Israel Museum with its Shrine of the Book housing the priceless Dead Sea Scrolls. Adjacent to the Shrine of the book is the Model of Jerusalem dating back to the Second Temple Period based on a 1:50 scale.
Afterwards we head to the colorful Machane Yehuda Market known as “The Shuk” where more than 250 vendors sell their fruits and vegetables. Afterwards there will be some free time to do some discovering on your own. Dinner and overnight. B/D
Following breakfast we focus on Mount Scopus for a magnificent view of Jerusalem where both the Dead Sea and the Dome of the Rock can be seen. Next is the Mount Olives where we stop at the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus spent the night before His arrest by the Romans. The Kidron Valley located between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount is one of the city’s most sacred locales.
We enter the Old City by Zion Gate, one of the eight gates in the walls of the Old City and begin a walking tour to the Jewish Quarter through the Roman Cardo also known as the “Street of Pillars” which has been restored to its original appearance. Next is the Western Wall (Wailing Wall or Kotel)**** where the Jewish people are in constant prayer (one area for men and one for women).
Proceed to the Via Dolorosa (Way of Grief) held to be the path that Jesus walked carrying His cross on the way to His crucifixion. There are 14 Stations of the Cross ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. B/D
On the western slope of Mount Herzl on the Mount of Remembrance is Yad Vashem, the somber and moving memorial dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Travelling through the Jerusalem mountains we come to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah and the city of Judah. Also see the Church of Visitation. We then visit Mt Zion with the Upper Room also known as the Room of the Last Supper or the Cennacle and King David’s Tomb. Men and Women enter separately. To enter the tomb one must dress modestly and wear a head covering. We also visit the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu, the site where Jesus was imprisoned by the High Priest before he was turned over to the Romans, see the Fortress like Church of the Dormition identified as the place where the Virgin Mary “Fell asleep “.
Leaving Jerusalem we head to Bethlehem*, the birth place of Jesus to visit the Church of Nativity and the Manger Square, view the Shepherds Fields and if possible, visit Rachel ‘s Tomb. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. B/D
Travel through the Judean Hills to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea the lowest point on earth (400 m. below sea level), bypassing the ancient city of Jericho believed to be the oldest city on earth and viewing Mt. Quarantal, where Jesus spent 40 days when Satan tried to tempt Him. It is also the place where Jesus stopped on His way to Jerusalem on the Eve of the Passover and where Jesus cured the blind man during his stay at Zachaeus’ house.
Continue along the Jordan Valley rift stopping at the traditional Baptism site of Yardenit** on the Jordan River.
** Special white robes must be worn during Baptism. These can be rented or purchased on site. Costs not included.
NOTE:
Bathing suits must be worn underneath. If required, we can assist in providing a clergy to perform the Baptism. Costs not included. There is no resident clergy.
Our drive takes us to the resort town of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee arriving at our hotel for dinner and overnight. B/D
This morning we drive through the landscapes of Galilee and later enjoy a 45-minute cruise in a replica of a Galilean fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus calmed the storm and walked on the water. Our next stop is Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry after He left Nazareth.
We continue our journey arriving in Tabgha to see the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and the expressive Church of the Beatitudes where Jesus gave the famous Sermon on the Mount. We make a brief visit at St. Peter’s house, the Church of Primacy of Peter and the place where Jesus bestowed St. Peter with His authority. This is believed to be the place where Jesus dined with His Disciples. The flat Rock known as Mensa Christ or Christ’s table commemorates this event. Dinner and overnight at hotel. B/D
After breakfast drive to Mount Tabor where we visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration (Mat. 17:3, Mar. 9:4, Luc. 9:30). Returning back to the hotel we visit the magnificent Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth (Mat. 2:23, 21-11, Mar. 1:9, 16:6, Luc. 2:39, 4:16, John 19:9, Act. 2:22, 3:6) seeing the Virgin Mary’s Grotto and the nearby St. Joseph’s carpentry Chapel. View the Valley of Armageddon from Mount Precipice and continue on to the village of Cana were Jesus performed His first miracle transforming water into wine (John 2:1) during the Wedding in Cana of Galilee. On the way to we stop at the Daniel wine center before being transferred to Ben Gurion airport for your flight back home. B
A similar program can be custom tailored for individuals based on upgraded hotel and sightseeing by private car.
*Site under the Palestinian Authority Jurisdiction – visit subject to situation
**Visit subject to weather conditions
***The sequence of the tour, border crossing point used, hotels used and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances
****Men must cover their head while in the prayer area and women must cover their shoulders and wear long pants or a knee-length skirt. If you forget to bring a covering, guards will provide you with a piece of fabric for that purpose before you enter. The prayer area is separated by gender. If you want to be super respectful follow Jewish custom by never turning your back on the wall. You will see many people walking away from the wall backwards because it is simply disrespectful to turn away.
B = breakfast L= lunch D = dinner