Hessel Presbyterian Church - Holy land Trip with Rev. Jeri Baker

Day 1, January 19: Departure from the USA

Depart from Chicago, ORD for your overnight flight to the Holy Land. Meals will be served on board.

Day 2, January 20: Arrival – Tel Aviv

We arrive at Ben Gurion airport and depart northward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv to start off the journey of visiting the Holy Land. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and dine in our hotel in Tel Aviv.

Day 3, January 21:  Caesarea/Aqueduct, Nazareth  

After breakfast, we traveled by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where the Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct. Afterward, we go to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 4, January 22: Caesarea Philippi – Magdala – Mt. Tabor– Cana – Sea of Galilee

We start our day with a visit to Caesarea Philippi, at the source of the river Jordan, where Peter confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. We end our day with a visit to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle, Then we visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, and see the 1st-century synagogue, the oldest synagogue discovered on the shores of Galilee, with a stone-carved replica of the Temple and Menorah. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5, January 23: Sea of Galilee –  Capernaum​ – Mount of Beatitudes​ - Jacob’s Well

We start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, We then take a short drive to Capernaum, the biblical village and hometown of Jesus. Capernaum is closely associated with Jesus and His ministry as described in the Synoptic Gospels. There we see the house of the mother-in-law of Peter and an ancient synagogue that dates back to the time of Jesus and where much of His teaching took place. After a lunch of St. Peter’s fish, we drive to Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. We then visit the site known as “Peter’s Primacy” where Jesus appeared to His disciples for the third time after His Resurrection. Later we continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. We enjoy the view of the enchanting gardens and reflect on Jesus’ sermon. We visit Jacob’s Well where Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman. We drive to Bethlehem for Dinner and overnight. 

Day 6, January 24: Wadi Qelt – St. George Monastery – Baptismal Site - Bethlehem               

This morning we depart Bethlehem, traveling through the Judean wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days, and along the ancient road passing the good Samaritan inn. Upon reaching Wadi Qelt, we enjoy a view of St. George’s Monastery nestled in the wilderness. We carry on along the ancient road toward Jericho, passing by Herod’s Winter Palace, where the infamous King died in the year 4 BC, and which was likely the background setting for the parable of the prodigal son. On the way to Jericho, we head to Bet Arabah where John baptized Jesus. The site is also known as the “Place of Crossing” of the Israelites. We drive to Bethlehem and Visit the Shepherd's Fields, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Our Lord. These fields are also the setting of the Book of Ruth. Then to the Church of the Nativity and view the place where Our Lord was born. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.                                                                                                             

Day 7, January 25:  Western Wall Tunnels - Pools of Bethesda - Church of the Redeemer - Jerusalem

visit St Anne’s church and the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where the healing at the pool took place, then to the Western Wall Tunnels reflecting on the massive stones which once formed the western exterior retaining wall of the Temple and reach Warren’s Gate which is symbolic for Jews as it’s the closest point to the Holy of Holies that they can reach. the to the church. of the redeemer meet with Pastor Gabi and Megahn Alabouni. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.  

Day 8, January 27:  Mt. of Olives – Mt. Zion - Garden of Gethsemane

We start our day at a panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives, and then we continue to the Church of the Ascension and the Church of the Pater Noster. We continue down to Dominus Flevit and St. Mary Magdalene Church. We pray at the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon, we visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Jesus was denied by St. Peter. Then we visit the Upper Room, the place of the Last Supper, and King David’s Tomb. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.                                                       

Day 9, January 26: Pools of Bethesda – Via Dolorosa – Holy Sepulcher – Garden Tomb - Jerusalem

This morning after breakfast, we walk the Via Dolorosa, the traditional path that Jesus walked from the Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. There, we visit Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.                                               

Day 10, January 28: Departure from Tel Aviv to the US

Check-out and departure from our hotel for the return home. We arrive on the same day.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and at your Tour Leaders’ and Guide’s discretion.