Israel in Detail

Price Per person double occupancy

Date	Price	Single Supplement
May 5-16, 2024	$4,859*	$1,615
*Includes airfare from San Francisco. Reservation Due: January 26, 2024 Final Payment Due: March 6, 2024

Included

Roundtrip airfare from San Francisco including taxes and fees (air taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change), 10 nights lodging at 4-star hotels, Breakfast & dinner daily at hotels, 1 Lunch at Abe’s Tent, Full time English-speaking tour guide, Services of long-distance deluxe motor coach as appearing on itinerary, All entrances and transportation as appearing on itinerary, Porterage at hotels (1 piece), 1 group arrival transfer and 1 group departure transfer, Whisper/Listening devices – currently $20 per person, Tips to drivers, guides, and hotel staff, Pilgrim Payment Processing for check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover

Not Included

All lunches and drinks with meals except as noted in itinerary, Optional Travel Insurance – 6.9% or 9.3% of tour cost (CA rates current as of tour confirmation)

Day 1 (Sunday, May 5): 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 (Monday, May 6): 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 (Tuesday, May 7): Caesarea, Megiddo & Nazareth

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. We’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre, hippodrome, a film on history and the remains of this famous port city, and aqueduct, and then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. 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 will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next three nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4 (Wednesday, May 8): Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Bethsaida, Chorazin, Capernaum, Jordan River Baptism Site

Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on Israel. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan worship and Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of Peter’s Confession. Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum formed what has been called the "evangelical triangle," because most of Jesus’ miracles in Galilee were performed in these cities. Of special interest are the ruins of a 1st century synagogue in Chorazin, the House of the Fisherman in Bethsaida and Peter’s home in Capernaum. We end our day with a visit to the Jordan River Baptismal site.

Day 5 (Thursday, May 9): Mt. Arbel, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes, Sea of Galilee Boat Ride

This morning we drive up to Mt. Arbel for a spectacular view of the northern Sea of Galilee allowing for an excellent time of teaching on the region of Jesus' ministry. We follow this with a visit to Magdala for a view of the 1st century synagogue, one of only a few in existence. This afternoon we travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee followed by a relaxing boat cruise. We travel to Gamla, considered Masada of the north due to the Jews rejection of Roman rule. A brief scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. We dock at a working Kibbutz and visit the famous Fisherman Boat from the days of Jesus, a conclusion to a wonderful day.

Day 6 (Friday, May 10): Beth Shean, Genesis Land, Dead Sea

Next we 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. 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, and authentic food. We spend the rest of our day at the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth. Enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea and a relaxing float before transferring to our lodging for the next five nights in Jerusalem. Dinner will be at our hotel.

Day 7 (Saturday, May 11): Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Scrolls, Elah Valley

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. 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. Next, we visit Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This afternoon we travel west to the Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath. Here you can pick up five smooth stones, in commemoration of David’s defeat of Goliath.

Day 8 (Sunday, May 12): Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Holocaust Museum

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. From here we will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Ann’s Church. 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." An interesting and educational time awaits us at the Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of centuries-old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a then a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem will help to prepare you for what you will experience in the following days. We conclude the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people.

Day 9 (Monday, May 13): Jesus' Steps, the Last Days

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. How many have wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a moment? To walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer and take time for personal reflection is important here. Next we visit 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. On our way into the city 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. This evening following dinner we have an optional visit to the Friends of Zion museum to learn of the 19th & 20th century heroes of the Jewish people.

Day 10 (Tuesday, May 14): Free Day in Jerusalem

Today is dedicated to rest. Sleep in, enjoy a site not visited, or relax in a local Old City Café. We gather for dinner at the American Colony this evening.

Day 11 (Wednesday, May 15): Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb, Pentecost, Shepherd’s Field

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. The actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting study. Our climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise. 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 challenge from God’s Word and a song before traveling to the Shepherds Field, just outside of Bethlehem to gain an understanding of the Saviors birth.

Day 12 (Thursday, May 16): Depart for Home

An early morning departure for the Tel Aviv Airport for our flight homeward will allow for arrival home by late after.

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