Embark on a transformative Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land and make the Bible come alive as you travel to various holy Christian sites. This specially designed 16-day tour of the Holy Land will lead you through the sacred sites of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Galilee and more. Explore the roots of your faith, walk in the footsteps of biblical figures, and experience the rich history and spirituality of this ancient land.
Shalom and welcome to Israel! After passport control and baggage claim, check in to your chosen hotel in Tel-Aviv to settle in and refresh. Depending on your time of arrival, join your guide for a tour of Old Jaffa.
Stroll through its charming cobblestone streets and explore its art galleries and boutique stores. Learn about Jaffa’s role in the Bible, especially the vision of Peter in the House of Simon the Tanner (Acts 9).
Start your day with a visit to Israel’s Independence Hall. This historical landmark is where Ben-Gurion declared Israel’s Independence in 1948, one of the most pivotal moments in Jewish History. Next, take a walk along Rothschild Boulevard, known for its Bauhaus architecture and vibrant street life. After a lunch break your guide will drive you to a Holon, a suburb of Tel-Aviv, to meet the Samaritan community. This small ethnic group follows their own interpretation of the bible and celebrates distinct rituals. Engage in insightful conversations, learn about their history, and see their synagogue and neighborhood.
Heading north, the first stop will be the Roman-era metropolis of Caesarea Maritima. Founded some 2,000 years ago by King Herod, Caesarea was a major city in the Roman and Byzantine periods. Visit Herod’s Palace, where Apostle Paul was imprisoned and made his defense before King Agrippa (Acts 24-25). Explore the city’s harbor and learn about the conversion of the Roman Centurion Cornelius by Apostle Peter (Acts 9). Enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, then journey on to Muhraka atop Mount Carmel. Maintained by Carmelite monks, this site commemorates Elijah’s triumph over the Ba’al prophets (1 Kings 18). In addition to its religious significance, the site also provides sweeping vistas of northern Israel.
Commence the day with a visit to the meticulously landscaped terraces of the Bahai Gardens in Haifa. Proceed to Akko (Acre), a city steeped in historical and biblical significance, from Paul’s stay (Acts 21:17) to modern times. Walk through its winding alleyways and explore the Crusader-era Hospitallers Center. After a lunch break, your guide will drive you across the Galilee to the Mount of Beatitudes. Set on a hill overlooking the tranquil Sea of Galilee, tradition maintains that this is where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5; Luke 6). Explore the Church of the Beatitudes and enjoy the stunning views, ideal also for prayer and reflection.
Begin your day with a visit to Capernaum, “the Town of Jesus” (Matthew 9:1). Explore the ruins of the ancient synagogue and St. Peter’s house, where Jesus performed miracles. Nearby, at Tabgha, discover the site of the feeding of the 5,000 and the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish (Luke 9). At Kibbutz Ginosar visit a 2,000-year-old boat that was abandoned, perhaps after Jesus walked on water (Mark 6). After lunch, enjoy a tranquil boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. In the afternoon, explore Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene and its first-century synagogue, possibly a site where Jesus preached.
Embarking on a journey to the northern border of Israel and Lebanon, your initial destination will be Tel Dan, an archaeological site nestled alongside the Dan stream. Here, you can hike to the ancient cultic center dating back to the biblical era, famously associated with the Golden Calf (1 Kings 12) and explore the Canaanite and Israelite Gateways. Moving on, in Caesarea-Philippi (Banias), see where Jesus appointed Peter as his favored disciple (Matthew 16) in the midst of a Pagan city. Your journey continues with an ascent to the Golan Heights, possibly retracing the path of Paul to Damascus (Acts 9). Enjoy a traditional Druze lunch, savoring authentic local cuisine and hospitality, and visit the 1973 “Valley of Tears” battle site. To conclude the day, you have the option engaging in wine tasting or take in a final panoramic view of the Golan Heights from the summit of Mount Bental.
Your day begins in Beit-Shean, an ancient city steeped in history and archaeology. Track the walls where Saul and his sons met their fate (1 Samuel 31) and walk along cobbled streets that may have once been trodden by Jesus. Next, you’ll head to Harod Spring, where Gideon assembled a military force to confront the Midianites (Judges 7). Continuing your journey, you’ll reach Nain, a small village renowned for the biblical account of Jesus raising a widow’s son from the dead (Luke 7). Your tour will culminate at Mount Tabor, a biblical site that overlooks the lower Galilee. According to Christian tradition this is where Jesus underwent the Transfiguration in the presence of his disciples (Mat 17). Ascend to the summit to explore the Church of the Transfiguration and take in the breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Embarking on a journey across the Galilee, your first destination is Cana, renowned as the site where Jesus turned water into wine during a wedding (John 2). Just a short distance away lies Nazareth, a city deeply intertwined with Jesus’ early life. Begin your visit at the Basilica of the Annunciation, believed to be the place where the angel Gabriel announced Mary’s miraculous pregnancy. You can also venture beneath the St. Joseph Church, where remains of the Holy family’s house are said to have been found. Following a lunch break, continue your journey across the Jezreel Valley, reaching Megiddo archaeological Park. Megiddo is often associated with Armageddon (Rev. 16:16) and was a prominent city in Solomon’s kingdom (1 Kings 9:15). Take the opportunity to explore well-preserved ruins. including gates from the biblical era, stables, and a water tunnel.
Touring Jerusalem as a Christian is a deeply spiritual and enriching experience. Start with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the holiest sites in Christianity marking the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Next, follow the Via Dolorosa, the historic route that marks the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion. Head on to the Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple, and through the Jewish Quarter to Mount Zion. Here you can visit the Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey which marks the event of the Pentecost and Mary’s resting place. Proceed to the Mount of Olives for a stunning panoramic view of Jerusalem and a visit to the Chapel of the Ascension. Conclude your tour at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his arrest. This serene site is a perfect place for reflection and contemplation.
Start the day at the City of David, the historical nucleus of Jerusalem. Review archeological finds relating to David’s palace, and hike down to the Gihon Spring, the vital water source of Jerusalem in Biblical times. Reach the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed a blind man (John 9), and hike up a drainage channel to the Southern Wall Archeological Park. Here the guide will lead you to the Southern Steps, where Jesus walked on his way to the Second Temple. After a Lunch break continue to the Garden Tomb. A local representative will lead you through the site and reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus. The peaceful surroundings of the garden are also ideal to end the day with some prayer and contemplation.
This day tour is especially designed for Saturdays (Sabbath), when many sites in Jerusalem are closed. Your first stop will be Church of the Nativity, maintaining a centuries-old tradition of the birthplace of Jesus. Reach the Grotto of the Nativity and admire the medieval art and architecture. Next, make your way to the Shepherd’s field, where the angel’s announcement to the shepherds took place. Visit the tent-shaped chapel and the adjacent caves once used as dens for livestock. After a lunch break and some souvenir shopping return to Jerusalem to explore the nation’s most important museum, the Israel Museum. Its highlights include the Shrine of the Book, the Judaica the archaeological wings, and the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem.
Start your day in Ein Karem, a picturesque village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Visit John Baharim Church, said to be where John the Baptist was born, and hike up to the Church of the Visitation, where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. After immersing yourself in the beauty of Ein Karem, head to Yad Vashem, Israel’s main Holocaust memorial. Explore the museum, a poignant chronical of the Holocaust through personal stories and artifacts, and the haunting Children’s memorial. If time allows, end your day strolling through Jerusalem’s bustling open-air Mahane Yudah market, or peeking into the insular ultra-orthodox Mea Shearim community.
Experience the enchanting beauty and rich biblical history of the Shephela, often referred to as “biblical Tuscany”. Start your day with a visit to Emmaus, where Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection (Luke 24). Next, head to the Elah Valley, where the legendary battle of David and Goliath took place (1 Samuel 17). Collect a few pebbles from the brook and ascend to Tel Azekah to appreciate the view and reflect on the biblical story. Proceed to a local winery for a wine tasting session, savoring the flavors of the region including a light lunch. Conclude your day in Beth-Shemesh, a significant biblical site, especially for the return of the Ark from the Philistines (1 Samuel 6). Enter a 2,700-year-old water reservoir and reach the rock where the ark of the Covenant may have rested.
Embark on a day tour through the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea region. Begin your journey at the Good Samaritan Inn whose museum provides insights into the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). Next, as you drive through the rolling hills of the Judean Desert you will grasp a view of Jericho, a pivotal biblical site (Joshua 6). Reach the Jordan River at the Baptism Site, believed to be where John the Baptist baptized Jesus (Luke 3). Enjoy the special ambience of the place and consider a baptism ceremony. Continue to the archeological site of Qumran, renowned for the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Conclude your day at the Ein-Gedi oasis, where David sought refuge from Saul (1 Samuel 24). Hike through the nature reserve and enjoy the lush vegetation in the midst of the Judean Desert.
An early start will get you to Masada before the heat and the crowds. Built by King Herod some 2,000 years ago, Masada is most famous for the Roman conquest of the site, yet its Jewish refugees favoring death to Roman slavery. Using the original Roman ramp the guide will lead to the top of the site, where you will appreciate the wealth of remains that reflect the dramatic events this site witnessed. Returning to the car you will drive across the Negev plains to reach the Ramon Crater. After check-in you could go for a walk along the northern edge of the crater, and at night you could join a special session of stargazing.
The last day of the tour can be used to relax and enjoy the amenities of the hotel. As you head to the airport you could make a stop in the former Nabatean city of Avdat, and possibly stop also at Ben-Gurion Desert home. Its new visitors center provides an enlightening presentation of Israel’s first prime ministers’ biography, and the historical decisions he made, most of which effect the nation to this day. In the late afternoon we will reach the airport for departure. Farewell!
