Biblical Holyland- Extended tour

Day 2 – Mediterranean Coastline & Nazareth

After checkout, we’ll drive to the ancient Roman city of Caesarea.
Here, Paul was imprisoned for two years, and the Holy Spirit descended on the Gentiles (Acts 10).
We’ll proceed to the scenic city of Haifa and visit the Bahai Gardens, a shrine with a breath-taking view, and undoubtedly, one of Israel’s pearls.
After lunch we’ll make our way to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus.
We’ll visit Nazareth Village – a recreated town of ancient Nazareth which offers a window into the Galilean life at the time of Jesus.

We’ll conclude this day and drive to our new hotel for dinner and rest. 

Day 3 – Sea of Galilee

We’ll start with Magdala – the hometown of Mary Magdalene.
We’ll see an amazingly preserved synagogue and marketplace that testify to its glorious heyday.
We’ll continue to Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5).
Our next activity is a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, where we’ll get a chance to meditate and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area.
We’ll proceed to The Church of Multiplication – a beautifully decorated 5th-century church with a stunning mosaic floor. Here, Jesus fed the 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two small fish (Matthew 14).
 Then, we’ll visit the Church of Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus appeared before his disciples after his resurrection and instructed Peter “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep” (John 21).
After lunch, we’ll drive to the ancient town of Capernaum, titled the “Town of Jesus.” We’ll explore the lavish synagogue remains and will see the house of Peter’s mother-in-law, while recounting the miracles that were performed here.
Our last stop is the Yardenit – a baptismal site on the Jordan River.
Here, we’ll have the opportunity to reconnect with the Biblical event of Jesus’s baptism and baptize in the Jordan River.

We’ll conclude the day and return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 4  – Golan Heights

We’ll drive through the Hula Valley to the ancient city of Dan.
It is a vast nature reserve, filled with archeological remains, where once stood one of the two Golden Calves.
We’ll proceed to Caesarea Philippi, one of the three sources of the Jordan River. Here, Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God (Matthew 16).
After lunch, we’ll visit Mount Bental. Once an Israeli outpost, it offers a great view of Syria and a chance to talk about the past and the present situations along the border.

We’ll conclude the day and return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 5 – Jordan Valley

After checkout, we’ll make our way to Gideon Spring – a natural spring, where the 300 men were selected to fight  against the Midianites (Judges 7 ).
We’ll visit the Beit Alfa Synagogue. This 5th century synagogue is a real masterpiece. It was discovered by incidence and features an awe-striking mosaic floor.
We’ll continue to the ancient city of Beit Shean, where we’ll observe the magnificent remains that attest to the city’s importance as the head of the Decapolis region.
After lunch, we’ll travel through the wilderness, passing the oldest city in the world, Jericho.  It is the first city that the Israelites conquered in the Promised Land.
We’ll ascend to Jerusalem and enter the Holy City. Welcome to Jerusalem!

We’ll conclude this day and drive to our new hotel for dinner and rest. 

Day 6 – Old Jerusalem

Our first site is the Mount of Olives.
We’ll get to enjoy the famous panoramic view of Jerusalem –a great spot to recount the Biblical events and prophecies of the future.
We’ll walk the Palm Sunday Road, following the footsteps of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem and many came and proclaimed “Hosanna… blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21).
We’ll visit the Garden of Gethsemane with its precious olive trees. Here, Jesus prayed, ”O my father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26).
Next is Mount Zion. Zion is one of the names given to Jerusalem.
We’ll visit the Upper Room, where Jesus had the Last Supper with the disciples, and the Tomb of King David – a synagogue that houses the tomb of the Glorious King.
We’ll stroll through the alleys of The Jewish Quarter, on our way we’ll see the Roman Cardo; a  broad wall called “Hezekiah’s Wall”; and the Golden Menorah.
After lunch, we’ll visit the Davidson Center – an archaeological garden with astonishing remains. Here, we’ll see the main entrance to the Old Temple and visualize the last steps that a pilgrim would make upon completing the journey to Jerusalem.
Our last stop is The City of David, where David conquered Jebus and Jeremiah was held in the pit. Many Old Testament events unfold, as we take a walk among the palace remains and go down the Warren’s Shaft.

We’ll conclude the day and return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 7 – Old Jerusalem (continued)

We’ll begin with the Western Wall– the main place of worship for the Jewish people located.
Visitors are welcome to participate in an old tradition and leave a prayer note at the Western Wall.
We’ll proceed to the Western Wall tunnels. Discovered during the late 19th century, the tunnels offer a magnificent look at the long-hidden structures adjacent to the Temple Mount.
We’ll visit the Pools of Bethesda & St. Anne’s Church.  The church is well-known for its acoustics, while the pools are the site where Jesus healed the lame man on a Sabbath day (John 5).
We’ll walk the Via Dolorosa – the road where pilgrims can relate to the passion of Christ. We’ll continue walking until reaching the Holy Sepulchre Church – the celebrated site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
After lunch, we drive to Yad VaShem – Israel’s official Holocaust memorial that bears witness to one of the darkest times in Jewish history. We will make our way to the main museum; the well-arranged exhibitions and endless testimonies will leave you speechless.

We’ll conclude the day and return to the hotel for dinner and rest. 

Day 8 – Bethlehem and New Jerusalem

We’ll start with Bethlehem – the hometown of King David and the birthplace of Jesus.
Here we’ll visit the Nativity Church – a 4th-century church built on the spot where Jesus was born and presently shared by three denominations.
Then, we’ll head to the Shepherd’s Field Chapel, where an angel appeared before the shepherds, bearing the good news that the Savior is born (Luke 2).
After lunch, we’ll travel to New Jerusalem and visit the Israel Museum, where we’ll get to see the Dead Sea Scrolls – the oldest existing biblical manuscripts, and the Model of Jerusalem during the 2nd Temple era.
Our last site is the Garden Tomb – a serene garden with a burial cave, and a skull-shaped hill. After the guided tour, we will assemble in one of the meeting places for the final celebration.

We’ll conclude the day and return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 9 – Judean Lowlands

We’ll drive past the rolling hills and the fertile scenery, and arrive at Maresha.
 This ancient city sits in the heart of the Land of Thousand Caves. Its unique underground systems were carved by man and used for many purposes.
Next is “Dig for a Day” – a project that welcomes everyone to take part in archeological excavations. Prepare your caps and shovels and let’s get to work!
After lunch, we’ll visit Lachish. The giant gate complex and siege ramp that were found here, match the biblical description of the rise and fall of this ancient mega-city.
On our way back to Jerusalem, we’ll stop at the Valley of Elah, where the Israelites clashed against the Philistines, and young David defeated their champion Goliath. 

We’ll conclude the day and return to the hotel for dinner and rest. 

Day 10 – Masada and the Dead Sea

We’ll travel to the Judean Desert and visit Ein Gedi.
This beautiful oasis is abundant with waterfalls, flora, fauna, and history that go back to the times of King David.
Next, we’ll visit Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a magnificent fortress built by King Herod, which served as the arena for the last events of the Great Jewish Revolt.
We’ll proceed to the ancient village of Qumran, which is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
Our last stop is the Dead Sea – the lowest place in the world. Its buoyant waters are abundant with minerals and offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy a natural open-air spa.

We’ll conclude the day and return to the hotel for dinner and rest. 

Day 11 – Departure 

After checking out of the hotel, we’ll travel to the airport to catch your flight back home. Thank you for touring with us. We hope to see you again! 

Shalom U’Lehitraot.