Best of Israel

Price Per person double occupancy

Date	Price	Single Supplement
May 6-16, 2025	$4,539*	$1,250
*Includes roundtrip airfare from Newark. Reservation Due: January 19, 2025 Final Payment Due: February 28, 2025

Included

Roundtrip air from Newark including current air taxes and fuel surcharges (taxes and fuel charges are subject to change), 9 nights lodging at 4 star hotels, Breakfast and dinner daily, Full time English speaking tour escort, Services of air conditioned deluxe motor coach, All guides, entrances, touring and transportation as appears on itinerary, Baggage handling at hotels (one piece), Tips to driver, guides, and hotel staff, Whisper headsets, Pilgrim payment processing by check, Visa, Master Card, or Discover

Not Included

All lunches, Israel VAT tax of $160 – will be added if passport copy is not provided, Optional travel insurance (7.95% or 10.85% of tour cost)

Day 1: Departure

Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight… Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!

Day 2: Arrive Israel

Arrive in Israel and travel northward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner. The time is right for a personal devotional with the sunset over the “Great Sea.” Meet your Israeli guide, enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of the "Promised Land", and a good night’s rest.

Day 3: Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo & Mt. Arbel

After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. At this same location, Paul gave his defense before King Agrippa and Festus in Acts 26, and we will have the pleasure of seeing Piercing Word re-enact this historic event at a gorgeous seaside Roman Amphitheatre! Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. Our last visit today is atop Mt. Arbel, offering a birds-eye-view of Galilee region. Our guide will point out the different important sites that we will visit in the coming days as we study the ministry of Jesus. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next three nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Nazareth & Cana

Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable northern sites. As we travel north along the Golan Heights, we will view Mt. Hermon, the headwaters of the Jordan River. We’ll enjoy a walk in Dan Nature Preserve. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of alternative sacrifice and Caesarea Philippi, the site of Peter’s Confession and pagan worship. Returning south, we drive through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides. We’ll stop in Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle before returning to Galilee for our dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Capernaum, Magdala, Sea of Galilee Boat Ride, Bethsaida, Mt. of Beatitudes, Jordan River Baptism

Today we enjoy a full day of touring around the Sea of Galilee. In Capernaum we view the excavations of the sea-side village and Peter’s home, followed by a visit to Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene. The recent excavation of the First Century Synagogue and well-preserved village makes Magdala one of the most interesting Biblical sites in Israel. At the Synagogue in Capernaum, you will see Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse as performed by Piercing Word. Enjoy viewing a first-century fishing boat at the Jesus Boat Museum followed by a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. For lunch today you can enjoy a St. Peter’s Fish Lunch (other selections available). This afternoon pass the possible site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes in Bethsaida and stop at the Mount of the Beatitudes. Piercing Word will perform the entire “Sermon on the Mount” from Matthew 5-7 as the character of Jesus in this historic location. We conclude our day with the opportunity to be baptized at the Jordan River Baptismal site. In the evening, there is another opportunity to see Piercing Word perform.

Day 6: Beth Shean, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea

This morning we depart Galilee and travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis - a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley southward, your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the “Land of Milk and Honey” and Israel’s intricate irrigation development. We pass ancient Jericho and view from a distance this city famed as the oldest in the world. To the east of Jericho along the Jordan River Valley (Queser El Yehud) is the Israeli side of Bethany Beyond the Jordan. In this area Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan, as well as where the children of Israel, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, "Spring of the Goat", an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. 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 King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Our lodging for the evening is at the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth. Spend time in the special spa and enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for a relaxing float before dinner.

Day 7: Masada, Dead Sea Scrolls, Abraham's Tent

Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. Next, we visit Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This afternoon we will take part in the Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, where we enjoy a trip back in time: a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, camel ride and authentic food. Arriving in Jerusalem we will enjoy a panoramic view of the Temple Mount and Old City atop the Mt. of Olives. Our lodging for the next four nights will be in Jerusalem.

Day 8: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Bethlehem

Conditions permitting, we will visit the Temple Mount, with commentary on the Temple Periods, and the variety of belief systems past and present that make this area so valuable. Next we will visit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Before exiting the tunnel we see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. From here we will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Ann’s Church. This afternoon we visit the Southern Wall Excavations. This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had their own entrance from the higher eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard have been unearthed along with the purification pools. From here Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and baptized on the Day of Pentecost. We will enjoy a powerful presentation from Piercing Word as we hear Peter’s Sermon from Acts 2 as if we were hearing it ourselves on the Southern Steps that day. We spend the remainder of the day surrounding the birth of Christ with a visit to Bethlehem.

Day 9: Jesus' Steps, Last Days, Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb

Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper Room" just outside the Zion Gate where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried, "my Lord & my God." While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering along with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our guide will explain the differing opinions on the route that Christ was led and the actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting study. The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, where Piercing Word will lead you through an experience of what it may have been like to be in the upper room with Jesus and his disciples. You will take the Lord’s Supper together and remember the trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.

Day 10: Israel Museum, House of Caiaphas, Yad Vashem

An interesting and educational time awaits us today at the Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of century’s old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and then a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem. This model will help put into perspective all that you have seen over the previous days touring. Next we spend time at the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. See a pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken to be condemned. We continue with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people. As time permits, we end at the City of David, viewing, the Pilgrim Road and the Pool of Siloam as well.

Day 11: Return Home

This morning we transfer to the Tel Aviv airport and travel home.

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.