Private Tour to the Galilee
The Galilee is a lush mountainous ridge in northern Israel with a long and rich past. It has played a major role in Jewish history and is also known as the homeland of Jesus of Nazareth. Today, its various tour destinations combine significant historical and holy sites and some of the most breathtaking views of the Sea of Galilee and its surroundings.
Visit Nazareth
Heading north, we pass by the ruins of the Roman-era metropolis of Caesarea, and biblical Megiddo, often equated with Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Upon reaching Nazareth we park in the city center and visit the Church of the Annunciation. This church is believed to be built over the home of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and where her forthcoming miraculous pregnancy was announced to her. Today the Church of the Annunciation is the biggest church in Israel and is quite a remarkable monument. Its courtyards display numerous icons devoted to Mary and the infancy of Jesus, as well as gifts from countries all over the globe. Inside, a giant lily-shaped dome hovers over the site of the annunciation. Nearby, the humbler Church of St. Joseph is said to be the place where Jesus grew up. Behind the complex lies Nazareth’s old city market. In one of its alleys we can find the “Synagogue Church.“ This church is said to be where a synagogue stood at the time of Jesus, and where Jesus preached for the first time about his Messianic role (Luke 4). Time permitting, we could also walk to Mary’s Well, visit the Greek-Orthodox Saint Gabriel Church, or Mount of Precipice.
See Cana, Site of the First Miracle
Six miles north of Nazareth, Cana is recorded in the New Testament as the place where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine during a wedding (John 2). Visiting the Catholic “Wedding Church” in the heart of the village, we will review the archaeological discoveries of the site. The church proved to be built over an ancient synagogue. By local tradition, one of the stone vats used in the wedding referred to in John 2 is venerated in the church’s crypt.
Explore Sites Around the Sea of Galilee
Upon reaching the Sea of Galilee, we might consider a lunch break at one of the fish restaurants (Saint Peter’s fish anyone?). After our lunch break, we could sample some of the most holy Christian sites around the lake. The most significant site in the area for Christianity is undoubtedly Capernaum. About 2,000 years ago, Jesus settled in this small fishing village and laid the foundation of the Christian faith. We will review the main archaeological discoveries of the site. Among others we will visit Capernaum’s ancient synagogue and its Byzantine-era church.
Nearby we could also visit the site where Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish (Luke 9), and near it, the chapel marking where Peter was appointed to lead the early church (John 21). On the hill above, we could also see the magnificent set of gardens around an octagonal church that marks the site of the ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ Known also as “Mount of Beatitudes,” this is a great place to read Matthew 5 and contemplate on the revolutionary and social messages of Jesus.
Discover Magdala and Sail on the Sea of Galilee
Before heading back, and time permitting, we could visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene – Magdala. This thriving Jewish city is now an archaeological park and Catholic center. It is especially known for the 2009 discovery of a synagogue from the 1st century CE. In fact, it is possible that Mary Magdalene attended services in this very synagogue, and perhaps it was here where she heard Jesus preaching for the first time. Near the shores of ancient Magdala, another rare archaeological discovery was made in 1986, when the water level was low. Traces of a small wooden vessel proved to be of a first century CE fishing boat. Known as Sea of Galilee Boat, this exceptional discovery is now on display in Kibbutz Ginosar. Here it is also possible to join here a short Sail on the Sea of Galilee experience, before heading back.
What’s included
- Guiding done by a licensed and expert private guide
- Transportation in luxury level van or SUV
- Pick-up and drop-off at any address
- Free Wi-Fi and chilled bottled mineral water
What’s excluded
- Site entrance fees
- Meals and snacks
- Gratuities
What to bring
- Hat and sunscreen
- Modest clothing when visiting holy sites (no shorts or bare shoulders)
- Some cash
Contact us to inquire more about a private tour the Galilee:
Did you Know?
The Sea of Galilee a really a lake, and is about 5% of the size of Lake Michigan.
Additional and Optional Destinations
If you have already been on a tour to the Galilee and visited any of these places, we would like to recommend the following sites around the Sea of Galilee for you consideration:
- Chorazin and Bethsaida were both cursed by Jesus (Matt. 11), perhaps because of certain opposition to his preaching. Ancient Chorazin was discovered in the 19th century and is now a national park. However, the location of ancient Bethsaida is still disputed. Two archaeological expeditions claim they have found traces of the site at two different locations.
- Tiberias was a major Jewish center at the time of the Talmud. Its Byzantine-era remains have been partially exposed at the southern outskirts of modern Tiberias.
- South of Tiberias, ‘Yardenit‘ is a popular site for baptism ceremonies and learning about the early Kibbutz pioneers in this region (Kinneret Farm).
