Day 1: Departure from US (Sept. 20, Monday)
Today we embark on our journey to Eretz Yisrael – the Land of Israel. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. We plan to leave from the East coast mid-afternoon and arrive in Israel the following morning. Get some rest on the flight…soon you will be walking where Yeshua (Jesus) walked!

Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv (Sept. 21, Tuesday)
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Messianic Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. We travel north to the Sea of Galilee where Yeshua (Jesus) began His ministry. We lodge at the Ron Beach Hotel in Tiberias on the western shore of the Galilee. We will have leisure time to rest, acquaint ourselves with fellow tour members and visit such places as the Galilee Experience, where a video makes 4,000 years of Galilee history come alive.

Day 3: The Galilee (Sept. 22, Wednesday)
Following breakfast, we drive north to the ancient ruins of Qazrin and the Talmudic village. Then we proceed south to Capernaum where Yeshua spent much of His time on the northern shore of the Galilee. There we visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel to the hillside overlooking the Sea where Yeshua delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Afterwards we proceed to Tabgha on the seashore, the site commemorating the multiplication of loaves and fishes. Today, we also enjoy a ‘Peter’s fish lunch’ and a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. To end the day, we will have a baptism service in the Jordan River.

Note: Throughout the tour, we will give special attention to the Scriptures where the events occurred. Additionally, there will be opportunities for worshiping in dance; such as on the Galilean boat and in Jerusalem at Ben Yehuda Street, a very popular site for locals and tourists.

Day 4: To the Mediterranean Coast (Sept. 23, Thursday)
On to the Mediterranean, we visit the ancient crusader city in Akko. From there we proceed south to Mt.Carmel, where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. From the mountaintop, we view the Jezreel Valley below; the climax point during the battle of Armageddon. Further south on the coast we reach Atlit, a detention center constructed by the British as a military camp later converted to a holding facility for “illegal” immigrants leaving post-war Europe. Heading back to the Galilee we stop at Zippori, ‘the ornament of the Galilee’, as called by Josephus Flavius.

Note: This evening is the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Day 5: On to Jerusalem (Sept. 24. Friday)  
Leaving the Galilee, we ascend Mt. Tabor, a traditional site of the Transfiguration. Next, we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. Continuing to the Mediterranean coast, we stop at the Roman Aqueduct and visit the ancient ruins of Caesarea, where Peter first shared the Good News with gentiles. We conclude the day with a Shabbat dinner hosted by a Messianic family before entering Jerusalem where we will be staying at the Dan Boutique.

Day 6: The Old City (Sept. 25, Saturday)
To start the day we view the City of Gold from the Mount of Olives. Just down the slope at the Garden of Gethsemane among the ancient olive trees, we recall how Yeshua prayed shortly before His arrest and crucifixion. After crossing the Kidron Valley we proceed to the Garden Tomb for a special time including partaking of the elements in remembrance of the Passover meal when Yeshua spoke of the New Covenant. Before entering the Old City, we stop at the Upper Room. Passing through Zion Gate we proceed to the Kotel for a time of prayer and reflection. Afterwards, we head east to Abu Gosh near where King David removed the Ark of the Covenant and relocated it in Jerusalem. Close by we will see the monument commemorating the first General of modern Israel. Further east we stop at Latrun and Ayalon Valley where famous battles took place during ancient and modern Israel. We conclude the day at Mini Israel, a park with hundreds of miniature models that range from ancient to modern settings.

Day 7: From Ancient to Modern Jerusalem (Sept. 26, Sunday)
We tour the City of David which begins with a breathtaking observation point overlooking Biblical Jerusalem which sends visitors 3,800 years back in time to the days of Abraham, when the first foundations of the city were laid. The journey quickly heads underground to some of the newest archaeological excavations at the site. Here, while exploring the recently excavated fortresses and passageways, visitors relive King David's conquest of the Jebusite city as described in the 2nd Book of Samuel. The underground tour ends at the Gihon Spring, the major water source of Jerusalem for over 1,000 years and where, according to the Book of Kings, Solomon was anointed king. Afterwards, we have the choice of visiting Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, or the Zoological Gardens and Biblical Zoo.

Day 8: Dead Sea Area (Sept. 27, Monday)
We head east and south from Jerusalem to Ein Gedi, "Spring of the Goat," an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where David hid from King Saul, and near where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we take a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada and learn the history of the famous zealot stand against the Roman legions. Afterwards, we can have a relaxing float in the Dead Sea before returning to Jerusalem.

Day 9: Jerusalem March (Sept. 28, Tuesday)
This morning we will have free time for touring other sites with our guide or such activities as: Ben Yehuda Street for shopping and dancing, the nearby Prayer Tower and Mahane Yehuda, a local marketplace. This afternoon we participate in the Jerusalem March with thousands of Israelis and others as we celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and demonstrate our love for Israel.

Day 10: Ancient to Modern Israel (Sept. 29, Wednesday)
On our last day in Jerusalem, we again have free time this morning to spend as we choose with our guide or on our own. In the afternoon we visit  Neot Kedumim, a Biblical Landscape Reserve. Neot Kedumim draws on a variety of disciplines — such as Bible scholarship, botany, zoology, geography, history, and archaeology — to bring the Bible and its commentaries to life. This evening we will have a special dinner for all as we say our farewells to those departing.

Important Note: Although the itinerary emphasizes the spiritual aspect of Israel, our guide is also an expert in and passionate about the miracle of the return of the Jews and the restoration of the state of Israel. This fact, along with many modern day topics  will be woven into the commentary in order to give you well-rounded information.

Day 11: Back to the USA (Sept. 30, Thursday)
Arrive early morning and catch our flights home with memories to last a lifetime!

 

Optional Eilat Extension

For those continuing, we leave the City of Gold and journey beyond Be’er Sheva through the Negev where the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived at times. On our journey south we stop at the Ramon Crater, which contains geological formations unparalleled elsewhere in the world. We reach Eilat for lunch and an afternoon of leisure at the Red Sea.

Day 12: Red Sea (Oct. 1, Friday)
This morning we visit the famous Underwater Observatory Marine Park. The remainder of the day is free time with a variety of experiences to enjoy such as, snorkeling at the Coral Beach, the King’s City theme park, shopping on the board walk or mall, etc.

Day 13: To Tel Aviv (Oct. 2, Saturday)
North of Eilat we stop at Timna Park, the site of King Solomon’s mines, and see a model of the wilderness Tabernacle. Further north we stop at Sde Boker, burial place of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion. At Be’er Sheva we visit the ancient archeological ruins, the site often mentioned in Scripture. After enjoying various sites in Jaffa and dinner in Tel Aviv, we board our flight back home.

Day 14: Back home (Oct. 3 Sunday)
With early morning arrival on the East coast, we catch our flights home with unbelievable memories.