Wednesday, Day 1: Arrive Ben Gurion Airport and transfer to Jerusalem

Shalom! Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and meet a Trips Israel representative, who will escort you outside to meet your driver. Arrive to your hotel in the beautiful city of Jerusalem for check in.

Enjoy a buffet dinner at hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Thursday, Day 2: Jerusalem: The Old City

Enjoy your first breakfast at our hotel. Today, we will visit Jerusalem, including the Old City and the following places below:

Mount of Olives

Ascend to the top of Mt. Of Olives for a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Golden Gates. Drive or stroll down to the bottom of the mountain to see the Garden of Gethemane and the Church of All Nations. Here Jesus prayed in many occasions and where He was arrested.

Mt. Zion:

The site of the Upper Room, where it’s believed was the room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2).

Jewish Quarter (Old City):

Visit the Jewish Quarter, which was reconstructed after the city was unified at the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967. A special point of interest in the restored Jewish Quarter is the “Cardo”, meaning the “heart” of this ancient Byzantine City. View the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns.

Western Wall:

Walk through the stairways to the Western Wall promenade. The Western Wall is also called the Kotel, which is considered the most Holiest place for the Jews.

Via Dolorosa:

Retrace the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross). While experiencing the colorful bazaars, alleyways and marketplaces, we will also have a chance to test our negotiating skills.

Church of the Holy Seplechre

It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of Golgotha; where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected.

Garden Tomb:

It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of Golgotha; where Jesus was crucified and where he resurrected.

Afternoon/evening:

We will return to our hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday, Day 3: New City Bethlehem

Another amazing breakfast at our hotel. Today, we will visit the following places:

Ein Kerem

John the Baptist’s parents summer house often. Ein Kerem is also the birthplace of John the Baptist.

Yad Vashem:

Israeli memorial for the Holocaust, where six million Jews perished in WWII. In addition, see the Street of the Righteous Gentiles, dedicated to the non-Jews that risked their lives in order to save their Jewish neighbors.

Israel Museum:

See the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed and the scale model of Jerusalem, as it used to look in the 2nd Temple period.

Bethlehem:

It is believed by many that this was the site of the birth of Christ. Church of the Nativity.

Afternoon/evening:

We will return to our hotel for Shabbat dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Saturday, Day 4: Masada and the Dead Sea area

Early breakfast at our hotel. We will drive south towards the Dead Sea. As we get closer to the shores of the Dead Sea, we will start to descend to the lowest lowest point on the surface of the earth. The descent is 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. We will visit the following places:

Qumran

Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a young shepherd boy.

Masada:

Ascend by cable car to the legendary mountaintop plateau of Masada. Where the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots struggled against the Romans. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva. They chose to die as free men at their own hands in preference to Roman slavery and torture.

Dead Sea:

The lowest point on the surface of earth to 1305 feet (398m) below sea level. The Dead Sea is uniquely formulated in a small body of water (similar to a lake) and includes 11%-13% salt and other natural ingredients. Float on the Dead Sea and cover ourselves in mud (weather permitting).

Afternoon/evening:

We will return back to Jerusalem and to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Sunday, Day 5: Journey to the Galilee

Another breakfast at our hotel. We leave Jerusalem and travel to the Galilee area. On our way, we will visit the following places:

Visits will include:

Jordan Valley:

Where the dessert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2) towards the mountains of Judea.

Beit Shean:

Newly excavated and one of the largest ongoing archaeological dig in the land of Israel. Visit the amphitheater, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaics and Roman bathhouses (1st Samuel 31:10).

Yardenit:

A Baptismal site in the Jordan River. Here we will have the chance of being Baptized.

Nazareth:

The boyhood home of Jesus. Visit the Grotto of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. The churches are located over the traditional site where Mary and Joseph lived. Also see the site of the ancient City Well, believed to be the site, where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

Cana of Galilee

Visit the site where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:1).

Afternoon/evening:

Arrive to the Upper Galilee region and check in to our kibbutz hotel. Enjoy another relaxing dinner at our hotel. After dinner, suggested stroll around the city center of Jerusalem.

Overnight in the Galilee.

Tuesday, Day 3: Tiberias / Wester Galilee / Banias

 

Following breakfast, we will start our day with a short tour of Tiberias. We will visit the following places:

Boat Cruise:

Board the Jesus boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee.

Capernaum:

Center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many of His miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt. 8:5; 14-17; 9:1-7; 17:18). See the remains of the 2nd century synagogue.

Tabgha:

Site of the Miracle of the “Loaves and Fishes” and to see the Church of the multiplication (John 6:1-14), with its 4th century mosaic floor.

Mount of Beatitudes:

Where Jesus delivered what is perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached – “The Sermon On The Mount” (Matt. 5).

Banias Springs and Caesarea Phillipi:

One of the sources of the River Jordan. It’s believed Caesaria Philippi is where Peter made his confession of faith in Christ (Matt. 16:16).

Afternoon/evening:

We will return back to our hotel and enjoy a relaxing dinner. Evening at leisure.

Overnight in the Galilee.

Tuesday, Day 7: Acre (Akko) / Haifa / Megiddo / Caesarea

Following buffet breakfast at our hotel, you will leave the Galilee area and drive towards the Mediterranean Sea. Today’s visits will include:

Akko – Acre

See its underground passages and secret rooms, as well as the prison. This is also where Leon Uris’s famous novel “Exodus” was filmed.

Haifa

Continue north to Haifa. Ascend Mt. Carmel for a beautiful panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Botanical Gardens below. Here Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal.

Megiddo

One of King Solomon’s walled, fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization, including the well-preserved water supply system. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel.

Caesarea

See the ancient Roman theater, built by Herod and once the capital of Judea. Here Paul embarked on his journey to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and where Cornelius and his family (the first Gentile believers) lived. Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilate had his base; and where Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30 Acts 10 24-48) and where Philip preached (Acts 8:40). Explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries. Walk through the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city.

Afternoon/evening:

Conclude our day and arrive to hotel for check-in. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at out hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

 

Wednesday, Day 8: Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport

After breakfast, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.