Day 1, Dec 28: Departure from the USA

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

Day 2, Dec 29: Arrival – Tel Aviv - Mediterranean Sea

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, Dec 30 : Mt. Carmel – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias

After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach, We visit Mount Carmel, Muhraqa (the Place of Fire), and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 18), discussing the reasons why the Prophet chose that place for the contest, and the lessons we learn from the story. Afterward, we go to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, and the Church of St. Joseph. We end our day with a visit to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle. Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 4, Dec 31: Caesarea Philippi – Golan Heights – Mt. Arbel – Valley of Doves – 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. Then we return to the Sea of Galilee via the Golan Heights with a stop overlooking the Road to Damascus. On to Mount Arbel, where we overlook the ancient road from Nazareth to Galilee with a possible hike on part of the Jesus Trail. We then carry on to the Valley of the Doves and travel along the ancient road that leads from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee along the Via Maris. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5, Jan 1: Sea of Galilee – Magdala – Capernaum – Mount of Beatitudes

We start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, 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. 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 also have time for prayer and reflection. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 6, Jan 2: Jordan Valley – Jacob’s Well – Shepherds Field – Bethlehem (ELCJHL)

After breakfast, we drive through the Jordan Valley and on to Nablus, where we visit the ancient city of Shechem saddled between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim. There, we see ruins dating back to the time of Jacob and Joshua, including the “high place” of the city and the city gates. Nearby, we visit Jacob’s Well where Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman. We drive to Bethlehem to visit 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. After lunch, we travel to the Church of the Nativity and view the place where Our Lord was born. Walk through Bethlehem seeing the wall and the museum We check in at our hotel, and enjoy dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 7, Jan 3: Augusta Victoria Hospital – LWF – Mt. of Olives – Living Stones (ELCJHL) Bishop Azar

We start our day at Dar Alkalemih university Meeting with Rev. Mitri Rehab then to Augusta Victoria Hospital to witness the work of the Lutheran World Federation in health and education. Later, we enjoy 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 conversation with Palestinian Christian families and Bishop Azar.(ELCJHL). Overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 8, Jan 4: Wadi Qelt – St. George Monastery – Baptismal Site – Jericho – Dead Sea

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. From Bet Arabah, we drive to the city of Jericho. We see Tel Jericho, the old town of Joshua, to see the excavations of the ancient city and the Mount of Temptation. We then drive to Qumran and visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were accidentally found, and the buildings that formed the public center of the Essenes. Then we proceed to the Dead Sea where we can enjoy a dip in the relaxing and healing waters.Free time in Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 9, Jan 5: Sunday Worship – Pools of Bethesda – Via Dolorosa – Holy Sepulcher – Jerusalem - ELCJHL

This morning after breakfast, we start the day worship at Redemer church in Jerusalem, Meet with Rev. Gabi and Megan Alabouni (ELCA). Then walking 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. We then visit the Jewish Quarter and go to the Western Wall, a section of the Western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site. We then visit St Anne’s church and the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where the healing at the pool took place. Free time in the old city. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 10, Jan 6: Departure Tel Aviv to the US.

After Breakfast, Depart from the airport for your flight back home to the US

OPTIONAL POST-TOUR EXCURSION TO JORDAN

Day 10, Jan 6: Jordan – Mt. Nebo - Petra

After breakfast, we will depart to cross the border to Jordan. We visit Mt. Nebo, the place where prophet Mousa (Moses) gazed over the Promised Land before he died. We will visit an old monastery, overlook the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and parts of the Holy Land. Then we continue to drive towards Petra for a traditional Bedouin Dinner & overnight.

Day 11, Jan 7: Full day Petra – Amman
After breakfast, we will visit the Site of Petra 2000 years old Nabatean city that was highlighted in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. We will walk through the narrow passageway up to the treasury a massive royal tomb carved out of solid rock. Afternoon we have a transfer to Amman for dinner and overnight.

Day 12, Jan 8: Amman – Jarash
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Jarash, north of the capital Amman. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it’s known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa (one of the cities of Decapolis). These include the 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch, the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis, and the huge Forum’s oval colonnade.
We then proceed to Amman, We will check into our hotel, have dinner, and overnight in Amman.
Day 13, Jan 9: Departure - Arrive USA

This morning will have breakfast then transfer to the airport for your flight back to the
The USA.

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