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Itinerary
Day by Day
- 2
Tuesday
Tel Aviv, TiberiasUpon landing we will be met by our representative who will assist us in getting to our modern motor coach. Continue past Tel Aviv, the largest city in Israel. We proceed to the famous Sea of Galilee where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
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Wednesday
Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Magdala"The Head of all those Kingdoms" (Joshua 11:10) The Sources of the Jordan. This morning our drive takes us to the northern limits of Jesus' travel as we cross the River Hatzbani to Dan. Here we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, topped by the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). Then a short drive to Banias (Caesarea Philippi), dedicated to Pan the Greek god of pastures, flocks and shepherds; here Peter made his great profession of faith, recognition of Christ Jesus (Matthew 16). Driving along the foot of Mount Hermon, we ascend onto the Golan Plateau for a magnificent view of upper Israel. On our return we will stop at Chorazin and then on to Magdala, one of the oldest synagogues dating back to the first century AD. Home of Mary Magdalena and was the fishing center where Peter would have brought his catch to be sold or processed. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
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Thursday
Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Beti SheanThis morning we enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, landing at Nof Ginosar where we will see the New Testament Boat found below the sea. Continue our morning tour with a visit to Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes.
In the afternoon we follow the Rift Valley the Rift Valley running parallel to the Jordan, along the route Jesus most frequently traveled to Jerusalem. We visit Bet Shean at the foot of Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman, and Byzantine occupations, and view the ancient tel, Roman Theater and church mosaics. Our last stop today will be at the Jordan River where we may have the opportunity to be baptized (provided a pastor is traveleing on the tour), then return to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
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Friday
Tiberias, Nazareth, Caesarea, Jerusalem“We are going up to Jerusalem.” (Matt. 20:18). We drive west to Nazareth. Traveling through Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first Miracle, turning water into wine (John 2). We proceed to Nazareth and ascend the Mount of the Precipice at the brow of Nazareth overlooking the Valley of Jezreel, synonymous with Armageddon.We then drive through the valley to the mound of Megiddo, Har Megiddo in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. We then ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal.
From there we drive towards the Mediterranean coast traveling south along the coastal highway to Caesarea by the Sea. We enter Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the east, which became the Christian springboard to the west. After the visit to this ancient harbor, we board our bus and we head up the historic Beth Horon road (Joshua 10:10) to the Benjamin Plateau, passing ancient Gibeon and continuing on to Jerusalem. Finally, atop Mt. Scopus, we behold majestic Jerusalem. Check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
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Saturday
Herodium, Ein Gedi, Jordan RiverWe begin our day at Haas Promenade (Tayelet Haas in Hebrew) on the edge of the Peace Forest. It overlooks Jerusalem from the south and runs for 1,300 feet (396m). From this elevated position, you can see the Mount of Olives, Mount Scopus, and the Old City. Continue our drive south to a hilltop for a view of Bethlehem, noting its relation to the rest of the central mountain range, including Jerusalem, as well as to the desert and the area of ancient Moab. This is Herodium, the palace set in a conical mountain built by Herod to mark his tomb. Note the juxtaposition of the two Kings of the Jews: King Herod buried in great opulence and the King of the Jews born in a humble manger in Bethlehem sitting in the background of the Herodium. This afternoon we drive alongside the Dead Sea, 1,300 ft. below sea level -- the lowest spot on earth -- to Ein Gedi where we will walk the path to see the waterfall in the desert. Time permitting we will stop at Qumran to view the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Our last stop today will be at Qasr el Yahud, considered to be the original location of the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Here we will have the opportunity to be baptized before returning to Jerusalem for dinner.
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Sunday
Sifting Project, Garden of Gethsemaine, Southern StepsToday we drive to the Temple Mount Sifting Project, located in a scenic pine grove at the meeting point of Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives, not far from the Hebrew University campus. After instructions from an archeologist we will experience hands-on the excitement of archaeological discovery while in the ancient heart of Jerusalem. Continue on past the Chapel of Ascension and Paternoster to the Mt. of Olives for an orientation view of Jerusalem and the opportunity of a group photograph overlooking Jerusalem. We then walk the traditional Passion walk. We descend to the church known as Dominus Flevit ("Our Lord weeps"). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text and view the Church of All Nations. Proceed to Mount Zion where we will visit the Upper Room and then to the Church of Peter in Gallicantu. Continue on to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park where we see the Steps that entered the temple and the Southern Wall. It
was here that Jesus would have taught the disciples. See a video that shows the temple as it was at Herod's (or Jesus') time. Return to thehotel for dinner and overnight. - 8
Monday
Western Wall, Garden Tomb, Old City"He has risen"(Mark 16:6) After breakfast we transfer to the Dung Gate, where we ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. Here the first and second Temples stood. Continue to the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, where we pause to pray before visiting the famous Kotel Tunnel where we go down to the foundation of the Second Temple. We will see a model that will demonstrate where we are in location to the Temple in the time of Christ. Continue along the tunnel as we proceed to the Gateway of the Priests entry to the Holy of Holies. This afternoon we proceed to the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne's Church. Continuing on we see Pilate's Judgement Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation and the Arch of Ecce Homo (behold the Man). We board our bus to the Garden Tomb where we will have a special visit having a private communion on the grounds outside the city wall. We will end our day with a brief visit to the Mt of Olives to reflect on Jesus return to Heaven and His return to earth (Acts 1:1) . Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
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