Experience Israel through the Bible

Day by day

Holy Land tour: 9 overnights in Israel

1. 

   Day 1

   Departure

   Board your flight from the USA to Israel. This is an overnight flight, arriving the next day in Tel Aviv.

2. 

   Day 2

   Welcome to the Holy Land

   After landing at Ben Gurion Airport, reception and assistance, we drive to our hotel for check-in. Welcome dinner and orientation session.

   Overnight: Netanya

3. 

   Day 3

   Mediterranean coastline

   Starting the tour off we head to Caesarea Maritima (Acts 8:40), Herod's magnificent coastal city, with fine Roman and Crusader buildings. Particularly impressive are the amphitheater, hippodrome and the nearby aqueduct. We will see the amazing water transport techniques of the Romans also at Park Alona, by wading through 800 meters of an underground water conduit (water sandals and towels are a must). Ascend to Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16), where the Prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, and then drive by Megiddo (Joshua 12:21), in the Valley of Armageddon. Check in to the Tiberias hotel.

   Overnight: Tiberias

4. 

   Day 4

   The Sea of Galilee

   We begin the day by discovering the remains of a 2,000-year-old fishing boat known as “The Jesus Boat” at the Yigal Alon Museum. We will pray and worship while sailing on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden boat. We then head to Magdala (Luke 8:1-3) on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. Continue to Capernaum (Matthew 4:13), a fishing village where Jesus preached and healed. We visit the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) where the Sermon on the Mount was given.

   Overnight: Tiberias

5. 

   Day 5

   The northern kingdoms

   This day begins with an epic view from the Arbel summit, offering an overview of Christ's Galilean ministry. Travel north to the strategic Golan Heights, visit Banias (Caesarea Philippi), where Jesus asked His disciples “Who do you say that I am?”, and explore Tel Dan, featuring Jeroboam's biblical altar. Return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

   Overnight: Tiberias

6. 

   Day 6

   The Galilee to the Jordan

   Today we begin with a visit to Mt. Tabor, known as the site of the Mount of Temptation (Matthew 4:8), where Jesus fasted after being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Next is Bet She'an (1 Kings 4:7-12), strategically located in a fertile valley at the crossroads between the center and the north of the land, and between the Mediterranean and lands to the east. Further south along the Jordan River lies the traditional baptism site of Qasr El Yahud (Matthew 3:13), where pilgrims on both the Israeli and Jordanian sides are baptized. We head to Jericho (Joshua 5:13), the oldest continuously inhabited town on earth, then travel west to Jerusalem, where we enjoy a beautiful panoramic view from the Haas Promenade to close our day. Check in to the hotel and dinner.

   Overnight: Jerusalem

7. 

   Day 7

   The Holy City

   We begin the morning on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24:3) for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, before descending towards the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:40) for prayer and meditation in the ancient olive groves. We walk along the Way of the Cross, visiting the Church of St Anne and the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2), and continue through the winding alleyways of the Old City towards the Zion Gate. Here, on Mount Zion (Isaiah 24:23), we visit the Upper Room (Mark 14:15), the tomb of King David and the church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. Dinner at the hotel. After dinner, the option of viewing the spectacular Sound and Light Show at the Tower of David Museum.

   Overnight: Jerusalem

8. 

   Day 8

   Jerusalem

   Today starts with a visit to the Temple Mount (Genesis 22:2), where Jewish tradition holds that God gathered dust to create Adam and where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac. We then go under the Old City on the Western Wall Tunnels tour, reaching the segments of the Wall hidden from view and walking through ancient subterranean spaces with exquisite archaeological findings. We travel back to the beginnings of the city at the City of David, where ongoing excavations are revealing thousands of years of history, including Hezekiah's tunnel. Continue to the Southern Steps, where pilgrims ascended to the Temple in the time of Jesus.

   Overnight: Jerusalem

9. 

   Day 9

   The Dead Sea

   Driving south along the Jordan River towards the Dead Sea, we stop at Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and at the nearby beach for a swim in the famed salty waters. We head to the nature reserve and oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid when fleeing from King Saul (1 Samuel 21:10). Next we visit the mountaintop fortress of Masada, built in the year 30 BCE by King Herod. At the beginning of the great revolt against Rome in 68 CE, the site was conquered by a group of Jewish zealots, and Masada became their last stronghold. Return to the hotel.

   Overnight: Jerusalem

10. 

    Day 10

    Bethlehem and the Garden Tomb

    Today we begin in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1), the birthplace of Jesus. From there we make our way to the Garden Tomb (John 19:38-42), the location where many believe Jesus was buried and rose again. We continue to the Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the impressive model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period, with a special tour of the section dedicated to early Christianity in the Holy Land.

    Overnight: Jerusalem

11. 

    Day 11

    Home

    Transfer to the airport for the flight home.