Depart USA on your overnight trans-Atlantic flight to Tel Aviv.

Arrive this morning at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Visit the Roman Aqueduct, Crusader Fortress, Hippodrome and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new religion (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for trial. We’ll stand atop Mount Carmel, where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (I Kings 18). Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other. We’ll visit Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Look out over the lezreel Valley from the Place of the Precipice, where an angry mob sought to throw Jesus over (Luke 4). Check into a Tiberias hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we’ll travel north through the Hula Valley to Hazor, a strategically located ancient city that served as one of King Solomon’s chariot cities. Continuing north to the ancient city of Dan and then Caesarea Philippi, where Peter proclaimed, “You are the Christ” (Matthew 16). View Mt. Hermon and Nimrod’s Castle and continue back through the Golan Heights for a scenic overlook of the Sea of Galilee. At Tabgha, the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of 5000, you’ll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17). You’ll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). Return to your hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

With Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue that stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt 4:13,23). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you’ll learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7). Visit the ruins of Beit Shean that was continuously inhabited for 5000 years and was one of the Roman cities Jesus passed on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem. Pass through the Jordan valley this afternoon to the Dead Sea. Stop at Kasr El Yehud to remember your baptism at the traditional site of the Baptism of Christ (Luke 3). We will stop briefly for a visit to Jericho. Check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

With a later start this morning, your journey takes you to Masada, Herod’s mountaintop fortress that became the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Walk the remains of an ancient community near the shores of the Dead Sea at Qumran. In the caves near here, Bedouins discovered what became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Finish the day with an overlook of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade, before checking into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12). Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed (Matt. 26:36-44). Visit the Herodion, the fortified palace and final resting place of Herod the Great. Cross over to Bethlehem, you’ll visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born ( Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7). The church which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby you’ll view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Understand better the Jerusalem of Jesus’ day with a look at First Century Model of the City of Jerusalem, now housed at the Israel Museum. The museum itself houses 10,000 years of archeological artifacts. Also visit the Shrine of the Book, where the Book of Isaiah, discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls, is displayed. Enter the Old City where you can touch a piece of the temple when you pray at the Western (Wailing) Wall. Visit the Davidson Center where you can see the Temple and its rituals recreated in exhibits and a movie. Stand on the Teaching Steps where Jesus taught. Outside of the modern city walls, visit the City of David and journey through time to see the Gihon Spring, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, and the Pool of Siloam (John 9). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night (Matt. 26: 57 - 65). Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12 - 26). Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning visit the Temple Mount (conditions permitting) and view the Pool of Bethesda ( John 5:1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the church of St. Anne. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate ( Luke 23:1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross” and stand in reverence at the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Walk the Jewish Quarter, where walls from the days of Hezekiah have been uncovered. We’ll shop in the Cardo- shops that have been built among the remains of the ancient marketplace that dates back to the monarchy. Visit and worship in the Garden Tomb, possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and experience the reality of the Resurrection. Prepare for your return home tonight.

Relax and reflect on your flight home.