Thursday, Apr 7, 2011
We depart from the U.S. for Israel and arrive the following day. Friday, Apr 8, 2011 We clear customs and are overnight at our hotel which begins your Israel experience.
Hotel: Dan Panorama
Saturday, Apr. 9: Caesarea and Northen Israel
We drive north today to Caesarea to view the ruins of the the Hippodrome, The ruins of the Crusader's fortress, and moat and sit in the great Roman amphitheater. Continuing along the coast, you will see the aqueduct that carried water from Mt. Carmel to Caesarea. Lunch at Mt. Carmel. Then we then drive on to Megiddo located on the Plain of Esdraelon where Armageddon will take place. In the afternoon we drive by Nain and Hazor. We will proceed to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hotel: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel
Sunday, Apr. 10: Northen Galilee
Today we drive to the most northern point of ancient Israel--Dan and view the Nature Reserve, the ancient city of Dan (with the altar of Jeroboam) and Caesarea Phillipi where Jesus asked Peter, "Whom do you say that I am?" Late afternoon we drive across the Golan Heights and visit the Jordan River and the baptismal site (you can be baptized here if you so desire). We then proceed to our Kibbutz hotel overlooking beautiful Galilee.
Hotel: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel
Monday, Apr. 11: Galilee
Begin the day visiting the nearby museum where “The Jesus boat” is on display. Next stop is the ancient church on the eastern shores of Galilee where the Maniac of Gadara was delivered, Then we drive around the northern end of Galilee to Capernaum, where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. The ruins of the synagogue are outstanding. We pass the ruins of cities that played prominent parts in Jesus’ ministry--Tabgah, Corazin, Kursi, and then to the Mt. of Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount). Then we cross Galilee by boat and enjoy a complimentary lunch of St. Peter's fish. We return to the hotel in time to enjoy a swim in Galilee or in the resort pool.
Hotel: Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Hotel
Tuesday, Apr. 12: Jordan Valley / Jerusalem
Today we leave after breakfast, motoring down the Jordan Valley (The ancient King's Highway) where the once desert now blossoms as a rose. We proceed past the ruins of Bet Shan for an unforgettable visit to Masada, the home of the Jewish defenders who held out against the 10th Roman Legion for three years but capitulated in 73 AD, taking their lives rather than be captured. After lunch we visit Qumran, the site of Essenes, who were responsible for preserving thousands of scrolls and fragments of Scripture. Then we proceed on to the Dead Sea. After a float in the water (you cannot sink), we are on our way to Jerusalem, passing through the valley which may well be the setting of Psalm 23, past the Inn of the Good Samaritan. On to our hotel in Jerusalem.
Hotel: Jerusalem Olive Tree in Jerusalem
Wednesday, Apr. 13: Walking Tour of Jerusalem
We begin the morning with an in-depth tour of the four quarters of Jerusalem. Our first stop is the historic Church of the Holy Sepulchre (probably the site of the crucifixion and the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea). We visit Mt. Zion, the home of David mentioned so often in the Psalms We walk through the streets of the Old City along the Via Dolorosa, visiting some of the sites that played such a prominent part in the passion of Jesus. Visit the Antonia, Ecce Homo, Church of St. Anne, and the Pool of Bethesda. After a visit to the Upper Room (12th century but on the site of the upper room which Jesus may have used in celebrating the Passover), we visit the lovely Garden Tomb (site of Gordon’s Calvary) where we reflect on the momentous events in the life of Jesus and observe communion.
Hotel: Jerusalem Olive Tree in Jerusalem
Thursday, Apr. 14: Jerusalem, Day 2
Today we visit the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock) and the Western Wall of the Temple and an unforgettable trip through the Rabbi's Tunnel under the old Temple area.. Then on to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. We proceed to St. Peter's in Gallicantu (the home of Caiaphas, the high priest). In the afternoon we visit the Yad VaShem memorial to the 6 million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.
Hotel: Jerusalem Olive Tree in Jerusalem
Friday, Apr. 15: Jerusalem, Day 3
This morning we visit Mt. Zion, the home of David mentioned so often in the Psalms. Then on to the model depicting how Jerusalem looked in the first century (adjacent to the Shrine of the Book where you see a replica of the Isaiah scroll with other important manuscripts from the Dead Sea Scroll collection (from Qumran which you will have seen). Afternoon is optional for shopping in Ben Yehuda Street, or the old Jaffa Gate. On your own proceed through Hezekiah's tunnel or back to the hotel for rest before an dinner On your own you can shop or visit the Bible society.
Hotel: Jerusalem Olive Tree in Jerusalem
Saturday, Apr. 16: Ein Gedi, Shepherd’s Fields and The Passover
In the morning we go by bus to Ein Gedi, some 10 miles from Jerusalem. On our return we visit Shepherd’s Fields opposite Bethlehem. In the afternoon we climax our visit to Israel as we focus on the Passover, enjoying a re-enactment of the tradition in a Christian context. We then drive to Tel Aviv and catch a late night flight back to the U.S.
Sunday, Apr. 17: We say Shalom to Israel/Home in the U.S.
