This special tour proposal presents an intense program that will reach most of the highlights of Israel. It will cover sites and subjects relating to the Old Testament, the New Testament, modern history, culture, and more. The tour is led by one of our top guides, in luxury level tour vehicle, providing in-depth explanations, and setting unique and exciting activities and experiences. So prepare for an unforgettable experience!
Our tour begins with the iconic view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. After a historical and geographical review, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his arrest. Next, we park at Mount Zion to see the site of the last supper. Next, we walk into the Jewish Quarter and learn about its turbulent history. At its easter end, we reach the Western wall and then walk along parts of the Via Dolorosa. This sacred path is said to follow the route Jesus took from the site of his trial to the place of his execution. Along the way, we will have a light lunch break and enjoy the local colorful market (“suq“). Reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we will learn about this fascinating and sacred building which marks the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection.
Overnight: Jerusalem
This day is devoted to the land that was once contested between the Philistine and the early Israelites – the Shephelah. At Beth Shemesh we will visit the possible site where the Ark was kept after its return from the Philistines (I Sam. 6:18-21), and at the Ellah Valley we will review the Battle site of David and Goliath (I Sam. 17). After lunch we will visit the “Philistine Street” near ancient Ekron, and review the material culture of the ancient Philistines. This day tour could also combine a visit to one of the local wineries this region is famous of.
A day devoted to the Judean Desert will start with a visit to the Baptism site (qasr el-Yahud), where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist (Mat. 3). Nearby we visit Qumran, a mysterious site related to the Dead Sea Scrolls and John the Baptist. We then continue to Masada, a site known for the tragic end of the Jewish rebelleion in the first century, and a significant symbol of the Zionist movement (“Masada will not fall again”). We end the day with a swim at the Dead Sea.
Heading north for a few days, the first stop will be Church of Annunciation in Nazareth, where the angel announced to Mary she will deliver the Son of God (luke 1). Nearby we could also visit Saint Joseph Church, and “Mary’s Well”. A short drive will get us to Cana the site where Jesus turned water into wine (John 2), and continue to the Sea of Galilee. After a lunch break, we continue to Capernaum, where we review finds related to Jesus and early Christianity. Above the site, at Mount of Beatitudes, we could read and contemplate on the manifest of Jesus known as the “Sermon on the Mount”, lifting the Law of Moses to a level of Grace and love. If time permits we end the day with a sail on the Sea of Galilee.
Set to explore the northern edge of Israel we start with Tel Hazor, a major Canaanite city destroyed by the Israelites according to the Bible (Joshua 11:10-13). Further north, at Caesarea Philippi (Banias) we learn of how Simon-Jonah was nicknamed “Petrus” by Jesus (Luke 9:18-20). We now asend along “the way to Damascus” (Acts 9:3-9) into the Golan Heights. At Mount Bental we view into Syria and discuss the modern conflicts in this region, and combine it with a special Druze lunch and hospitality experience. After lunch we apperciate the discoveries made at ancient Magdala and the nearby Sea of Galilee Boat.
Heading to Tel-Aviv we pass by the plains of “Armageddon” (Rev. 16:16) near ancient Megiddo.
At Caesarea we stroll along the ruins of its ancient theatre and Herods palace, which bears the possible locations of Paul’s Prison. After a lunch break at the Port we continue to Jaffa, and discuss the acts of Peter in Jaffa and Caesarea that turned Christianity from a Jewish Movement to a Global movement (Acts 9).
Being in the modern and vibrant city of Tel-Aviv we will combine the last day of the tour with several experiences. In Shalom Meir Tower Visitors Center we will learn about the birth of Tel-Aviv, and a short walk along Rothschild Boulevard will get us to Independence Hall where we will learn about the birth of the Nation. After lunch we continue to Rabin Assassination site and join a tour of the Palmach Museum. We end the day with a farewell dinner a Dallal restaurant in Neve Tzedek and then head to the airport for departure. Farewell!!
