Deluxe Christian Israel Tour

Sunday, Day 1: Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, transfer to Tel Aviv

Jaffa – Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel!

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, just outside Tel Aviv.

We will be greeted by a Trips Israel representative after passport control. After fetching our luggage, we will be escorted outside the terminal to meet our driver. Check-in to our hotel and the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Monday, Day 2: Caesarea, Megiddo, Nazareth Village, Cana to the Galilee

Following our first buffet breakfast, we will meet our guide and our group. Drive north along the Mediterranean coast and see the following:

Caesarea

Built by Herod the Great, Caesarea was dedicated to Caesar Augustus 2,000 years ago 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. Explore the restored Roman amphitheater, with its acoustic and theatrical sound. It was used for many performances throughout the centuries, as well as today. See the excavated fortress and view the aqueduct, once used for conveying water to the city.

Megiddo

One of King Solomon’s fortified cities (1st Kings 9:15; 10:26), with the ruins of 20 levels of civilization. From the Books of Daniel and Revelation reveals the final Battle of Armageddon. Also view the Plains of Jezreel and the well-preserved water supply system.

Nazareth and Nazareth Village

Nazareth is where Jesus lived in His youth days, along with Mary (Miriam) and Joseph.

Visits in Nazareth will include:

• St. Joseph Church: A beautiful church built over the carpenter shop Jesus worked with His father.
• The Church of the Annunciation: Built on the grotto where Mary is believed to have lived. The basilica houses a collection of excavated remnants of churches from the Crusader and Byzantine eras
• Nazareth Village, which is a replica of a village 2000 years old, similar to Nazareth at the time of Jesus.

Cana

The site where Jesus preformed His first miracle, turning water into wine.

Afternoon/evening:

We will conclude our day and drive through the Pastoral Hills of the Galilee to our hotel in Tiberias (on the Sea of Galilee). We will check-in, followed by dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Tiberias (Sea of Galilee)

Tuesday, Day 3: Tiberias and Western Galilee

Jesus Boat Cruise on the Sea of Galilee – Israel

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

Boat Cruise:

Board the Jesus boat for a cruise on the Sea of Galilee towards Capernaum.

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).

Magdala:

The hometown of Mary Magdalene, located at the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The site is a first century town from the times of Jesus. It is one of Israel´s most recent archaeological discoveries with the best preserved synagogue in the Galilee. The site also features “Duc in Altum” a place for worship and prayer.

Yardenit (Jordan River Baptism site):

A baptismal site in the Jordan River,located south of Tiberias.

Afternoon/evening:

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

Overnight in the Galilee.

Wednesday, Day 4: Journey to the Dead Sea region

Breakfast at our hotel. We leave the upper Galilee area and drive south. On our way, we will drive and visit the following places:

Jordan Valley:

Drive through the rift of the Jordan valley, unlike other valleys. That’s because the Jordan River runs through the rift from the Sea of Galilee and flows to the Dead Sea. This Rift Valley is 120 km (75 mi) long and 15 km (9.3 mi) wide. In the biblical times, it is mentioned that one day the dessert will bloom with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2).

Qasr el Yahud:

Believed to be the original Baptismal site of where John Baptized Jesus (only to view).

The Dead Sea area:

Dead Sea, Israel

As we get closer to the shores of the shores of the Dead Sea, we will start to descend to the lowest point on earth. It is 1305 feet (or 398 meter) below sea level. We

Qumran:

Here a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls (Isaiah, Ruth, Psalms, including fragments of Genesis and many others). These documents preserve multiple copies of parts of the Hebrew Bible untouched from possibly as early as 300 BCE until their discovery in 1946. It is also believed, John the Baptist visited in many occasions.

Afternoon/evening:

Drive further south to the Dead Sea resort of Ein Bokek and to our hotel for check-in. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure. Take advantage of the many spa facilities with many treatments available upon request. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Ein Bokek (Dead Sea).

Thursday, Day 5: Journey to Eilat (Red Sea) via the Negev Desert

After breakfast at our hotel in Ein Bokek, we will enjoy the morning at leisure at the shores of the Dead Sea. There will also be an optional excursion to visit Masada (departs at 09:00 AM – free).

Masada:

Masada is where the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their struggle against the Romans, after the destruction of the 2nd Temple. The Zealots held out for three years against the legions of Flavius Silva and chose to die as free men at their own hands in preference to Roman slavery. From the top of Masada, the outlines of the Roman encampments are still visible below.

Mitzpeh Ramon

A geological feature of Israel’s Negev desert. The crater is located 85 km south of the city of Beersheba. The shape of the crater is not from a meteor or a volcanic crater formed by a volcanic eruption. Today the crater and surrounding area forms Israel’s largest national park, the Ramon Nature Reserve.

Afternoon/evening:

Arrive to Eilat and to our hotel for check in.

Enjoy a relaxing dinner by the Red Sea.

Overnight in the Eilat.

Friday, Day 6: Leisure or Optional Petra Tour

Enjoy a day at leisure. Optional tours and recreations are available from Eilat, such as;

Petra:

Built by the Nabateans (an early Arab tribe), who settled in the South of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Petra is famous for its huge monuments, such as; the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Courthouse, Roman Theater and the Qassier Rl-Bint. The city itself is almost 45 Square Km and is considered to be the second wonder of the world.

The Tour of Petra ($250 per person):

Package includes:

• Transfer from our hotel to the border with Jordan.
• Horseback ride (included) to the entrance of Petra (about 1.2 km).
• Lunch in Petra
• Transfer back to Eilat
• Visa preparation and border assistance.

Dolphin Reef:

A horseshoe-shaped sea-pen holding captive bottle-nose dolphins in the Gulf of Eilat. Snorkel or scuba dive with the dolphins and other sea marine-life.

Dive with dolphins price per person:
339 NIS (approximately US $95)

Snorkel with dolphins price per person:
Adult  – 290 NIS (approximately $80)

Red Sea:

Contact Trips Israel for a list of several great recreational facilities, beaches around our hotel at 888-300-3038.

Afternoon-Evening:

We will enjoy relaxing dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Eilat.

Saturday, Day 7: Eilat to Jerusalem

Following breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure. For those who wish to go to visit the underwater observatory, a 09:00 complimentary round-trip transfer will be available (entry to site is not included).

Underwater Observatory:

The largest natural aquariums in the world – built into coral reef.

Underwater Observatory – Eilat, Israel

Journey to the City of the great King – Jerusalem
Leave Eilat and travel north towards Jerusalem. On our way, we will visit the following sites:

Timna Park:

Located in the Negev Desert, the site is rich in copper ore and has been mined since the 5th millennium BCE. Visit will also include the replica of the Tabernacle in the desert. See the natural pillar structures, which were formed by centuries of water erosion.

Beer Sheva:

See the ancient well, which is believed to be the original well of Abraham.

Land of Genesis:

Also known (in Hebrew: Eretz Bereshit), located in the Judean Wilderness (just south of Jerusalem). Here, enjoy a camel safari adventure in the Wilderness. After safari, Abraham and his family will invite us to join them in their tent for a biblical dinner.

Afternoon, evening:

Drive to hotel in Jerusalem for check-in.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Sunday, Day 8: Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Today, we visit the following:

Mount of Olives

Mount of Olives is situated on the east side of the Old City. It is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes. On top of the mountain, is a beautiful panoramic view of the Old City and the Golden Gates. On the bottom of the mount, is an urban garden, most famous for the site where Jesus prayed in many occasions prior to His crucifixion.

House of Caiaphas:

Belonging to Joseph Caiaphas, the longest serving Jewish high priest of the 1st century. It is believed, Joseph Caiaphas was involved in the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus and to have organized the plot to kill Jesus. Prior to the trial, it is also believed Jesus was kept overnight in the basement of Caiaphas’s house.

Israel Museum:

The Shrine of the Book; houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world, as well as rare early medieval biblical manuscripts. The scrolls were discovered in 1947–56 in 11 caves in and around the Wadi Qumran.

The scale model of Jerusalem; adjacent to the Shrine is the Model of Jerusalem, as it used to look in the Second Temple Period. It reconstructs the topography and architectural character of the city as it was prior to its destruction by the Romans in 66 CE, and provides historical context to the Shrine’s presentation of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The replica of Herod’s Temple, is now a permanent feature of the museum’s 20-acre (81,000 m²) campus.^[13].

Bethlehem:

Bethlehem is known for the site of the Nativity, where Mary conceived Jesus. Today, it is enclosed by the Church of the Nativity.

Afternoon/evening:

Return to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Second Temple Model City – Israel Museum

Monday, Day 9: The Old City of Jerusalem and surrounding

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel. Today, visits will include:

Southern Wall Excavations and Robinson Arch (Old City):

Located at inside the Old City of Jerusalem, via the Dung Gate. It site was recognized as the only entrance into the 2nd Temple. Foreigners from different lands would have to recite a proper Mikvah (Baptism), to purify their soul. Some would also need to exchange their foreign coins to local coins, as coins with heads of kings or leaders are not permitted entry into the temple.

Locals and residents of Jerusalem, did not have to go through the same. Locals walked across a bridge and bypassed the formalities. Today, only part of the arch was discovered by an archaeologist names Sir. Robinson. See the Robinson Arch, along with the 2nd temple ruins.

Western Wall – Kotel (Old City):

It is the last remaining retainer wall from the temple era. The temple was build by King Herod from Jerusalem limestone and is located inside today’s old city. It was build on top of a steep hill known to Jews and Christians as the Temple Mount (Mount Moriah). The temple walls were much greater in size. After the destruction of the 2nd Temple, a remnant remained from the original retainer wall. 

Rabbinical Tunnels (Old City):

An impressive understanding of the Second Temple era; located on Mount Moriah (Mountain of God), the passage into the tunnels will lead through many layers of Jerusalem’s past. Inside, a most interesting model shows the different dwelling periods and the history of Old Jerusalem. Although it considered the holiest spot for Jews, many Christians believe it holds many answers underneath.

The Christian Quarter (Old City):

In the Christian Quarter, visit the following places:

• The Pool of Bethesda; where Jesus healed a lame man (John 5).
• Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross); where Jesus endured much paid along the Via Dolorosa – way of the cross. View the marketplace, alleyways and bazaars on the Via Dolorosa.
• The Church of the Holy Sepulchre: It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of the crucifixion and resurrection.

The Jewish Quarter (Old City):

Jewish Quarter – Old City of Jerusalem

The Jewish Quarter 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. See the unearthed main Roman thoroughfare and ancient marketplace lined with columns. Also enjoy some time for shopping.

Mt. Zion:

• The site of the Last Supper (Upper Room). Here Jesus enjoyed His last Passover meal with His disciples prior to His arrest.
• A flight of stairs below is the site of King David’s Tomb.

Garden Tomb:

It is believed by many Christians, this was the site of the crucifixion and resurrection.

Afternoon/evening:

Return to our hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Tuesday, Day 10: Departure

After breakfast (depending on flight times), we will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.